Part 2

Explore Homeworld 3 ship classes: Carriers, Fighters, Corvettes, Frigates, and Super-Capitals. Learn their roles and abilities.

Carriers

Carriers function as mobile shipyards, capable of building most ships except those requiring external construction. Somtaaw Carriers provide 40 SU (Support Units) and can build 6 additional Support Modules, similar to the Command Ship (which builds 12). Beast Carriers offer a flat 96 SU but cannot build additional Support Modules. If your Command Ship is destroyed, the game continues as long as Carriers remain operational.

Fighters

Fighters are crucial early-game units for offense and defense, serving as your primary force until frigates are available. Acolytes, when upgraded with missile technology, can launch two powerful missiles, making them valuable even late-game. Fighters excel at attacking enemy fighters and worker operations but are relatively weak against larger ships without missiles.

Corvettes

Corvettes are heavier-duty fighters. Somtaaw can build ACVs (Advanced Combat Vessels), which are essentially two Acolytes combined and can split into two for increased speed. ACVs can also be upgraded with an EMP charge to temporarily disable enemy ships. Beast can build four types of corvettes: Cruise Missiles, Heavy Corvettes, Missile Corvettes, and Multigun Corvettes. These can inflict significant damage on frigates and larger ships in numbers (20+).

• Multiguns are effective against fighters and other ships.
• Heavy Corvettes have superior armor but less firepower than Multiguns.
• Missile Corvettes are quick to build but slightly less accurate than Multiguns and Heavy Corvettes.
• Cruise Missiles can infect ships up to Processor size (when upgraded) and deal significant damage to Super-Capital ships.

Frigates

Frigates deal more damage than corvettes and fighters and often form the core of your attack fleet. Ramming Frigates are effective against crystals and Capital/Super-Capital ships. Multibeam Frigates (MBFs) are good against fighters and unarmored corvettes. Hive Frigates are strong against other frigates, workers, and can effectively counter fighters. Ion Arrays are the Beast's primary frigate, dealing massive damage to Super-Capitals but are weak against ramming frigates and fighters. Defense Field Frigates (DFFs) deflect a percentage of enemy and allied shots within a radius and can detonate siege shots.

Super-Capital Attack Class

These are the largest and most powerful ships, though rarely built due to high SU and RU costs. The Somtaaw Dreadnought is their largest buildable ship, featuring high attack power, good armor, immunity to infection, and a 'repulse' ability to repel smaller craft and shots. Destroyers are half the size of Dreadnoughts but still potent, though difficult to build early. The Beast's Heavy Cruiser is its only ship in this class, equipped with four large ion cannons, five large rail-gun turrets, and the ability to infect enemy ships.

Non-Combat Ships

Workers are essential for harvesting RU (Resource Units) and building other ships. You typically start with three workers, which may not be enough for the entire game. Workers are vulnerable and require protection. Processors (Procs) can be used in combat with researched rail-guns and repair beams. Their primary role is to act as drop-off points for harvested RU, extending your operational range from your Command Ship or Carriers.

Micro-Ship Class

This class includes Leeches and Sentinels. Leeches are undetectable by non-upgraded Sensor Managers and drain enemy health. Sentinels are slower, heavier micro-ships effective at destroying enemy units.