What’s the Biggest Ship in No Man’s Sky?

The question of the “biggest ship” in No Man’s Sky isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. While many might initially think of the player-owned starships, the true behemoths of the game are the Capital Freighters. These massive vessels dwarf even the largest haulers and serve as mobile bases, offering incredible storage capacity and strategic gameplay opportunities. So, the answer to “What’s the biggest ship in No Man’s Sky?” is unequivocally the Capital Freighter. These freighters boast the largest physical size among player-controlled ships and are central to the game’s progression.

Understanding Capital Freighters

Capital Freighters are not just big; they are fundamentally different from standard starships. Here’s what sets them apart:

• Size and Scale: Capital freighters are immense, capable of housing multiple starships, a massive customizable base, and a fleet of support frigates. Their physical dimensions are significantly larger than any other type of player-owned vessel, giving them a dominating presence in space.
• Functionality: Unlike regular starships designed for exploration, combat, or trading, the Capital Freighter acts as a mobile headquarters. Players can build extensive bases within them, recruit and manage a fleet of frigates, and even use them to warp to different systems.
• Customization: The interiors of Capital Freighters are fully customizable. Players can build rooms, storage units, and specialized facilities, effectively creating a unique, multi-level base of operations that can travel across the galaxy. The capacity for 16 floors, each containing 21×21 rooms, allows for impressive builds.
• Fleet Management: Players can acquire up to 30 frigates to accompany their Capital Freighter. These frigates can be sent on missions to gather resources, research technologies, or engage in combat, adding a strategic element to the game.
• Acquisition: Capital Freighters are acquired through a variety of methods, usually involving rescuing them from pirate attacks. Once claimed, they become a permanent part of the player’s assets.

While other ship classes like Haulers boast large inventory spaces, their physical size doesn’t compare to the imposing stature of a Capital Freighter. Haulers might offer more storage within their designated class, but Capital Freighters are the largest in the game, specifically designed for base building, fleet command, and long-term galactic operations.

Starship Classes and Their Roles

It’s worth clarifying how other ship classes relate to the “biggest” title:

• Haulers: These ships are known for their highest inventory space, but their physical size is still dwarfed by Capital Freighters. They’re designed for cargo transport and have a distinct blocky aesthetic, some with wing features. They excel in trading and resource gathering, not in scale.
• Fighters: These ships are designed for combat and excel in maneuverability and firepower. They’re smaller and more agile than haulers or freighters. They are the go-to choice for space battles and quick maneuvers.
• Explorers: These ships are specialized for long-range travel and feature bonuses to hyperdrive range. They typically have a moderate inventory and excel in system hopping and exploration.
• Shuttles: These are the basic, all-around ships with no specific bonuses and relatively small inventory. They are ideal for beginners due to their lower cost.
• Exotic Ships: These are the rarest ships and often possess unique aesthetics and characteristics. An example is the rare Squid-shaped ship. They are more about unique stats and appearance than size.

While these ship classes offer unique gameplay benefits, none match the size and base-building capability of a Capital Freighter.

The True Size Difference

Think of it this way: A Hauler is like a large transport truck, capable of carrying a lot of cargo. A Capital Freighter is like a giant floating city, capable of housing and supporting entire operations, including the transport truck. The sheer scale difference is immense.

While the exact measurements aren’t available in the game, a visual comparison makes the difference clear. Capital Freighters are massive enough to house entire bases spanning multiple levels and still have enough room to accommodate a fleet of personal starships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about ships in No Man’s Sky, to provide a more detailed understanding of the system:

1. What are the maximum cargo slots for a starship?

The maximum cargo inventory slots for a starship is 120 (12×10). Upgrading to this maximum requires a significant investment of units.

2. What is the rarest type of starship?

The Squid-shaped exotic ship is considered the rarest type of starship in No Man’s Sky.

3. What is an S-class ship?

S-class ships are the highest quality ships in No Man’s Sky. They have superior stats compared to other classes (C, B, A). S-class spawns are dependent on the wealth level of a system, with 3-star systems having a 2% chance of a ship spawning as S-class.

4. How many starships can a player own?

Players can own up to 12 starships in No Man’s Sky.

5. Can you own more than one freighter?

No, players can only own one freighter at a time.

6. Can you steal freighters?

While stealing a freighter is not a common feature, the game has been known to have mechanics related to stealing freighters from NPCs, involving challenging battles.

7. How many frigates can you have in your fleet?

A player can have a maximum of 30 frigates in their fleet, which can be managed from their freighter.

8. How many floors can a freighter base have?

A freighter base can have up to 16 floors, each offering a large space for base building.

9. Can you reset a freighter base layout?

Yes, players can reset their freighter base layouts using the Freighter Upgrade Control terminal.

10. What are the advantages of having a freighter?

Freighters act as mobile bases, allowing players to build multi-level facilities, manage fleets, and warp across systems.

11. What happens when you buy a new freighter?

When purchasing a new freighter, the player’s existing base is automatically transferred and reconstructed.

12. What are Shuttles good for?

Shuttles are good for beginners due to their balanced stats and lower cost making it ideal to start amassing resources. They do not have any specific bonus.

13. How do you find crashed ships?

The most common method for finding crashed ships is using Transmission Towers found on planets. Solving the puzzle within the tower will then locate nearby crashed ships.

14. How many planets are in No Man’s Sky?

No Man’s Sky has over 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets.

15. What is the best type of starship overall?

Explorer-type starships are often considered the best overall due to their versatility in exploration, trading, and combat. They are a “jack-of-all-trades”.

Conclusion

In summary, while No Man’s Sky offers a wide array of starship types, Capital Freighters reign supreme in size and functionality. They are more than just transportation; they’re mobile bases, fleet command centers, and a central part of the game’s progression. Understanding the roles of various ship types, including the smaller haulers and nimble fighters, adds another layer of depth to the game. Therefore, when asking “What’s the biggest ship in No Man’s Sky?” the resounding answer is always: the Capital Freighter. These massive vessels provide unparalleled utility, allowing players to explore, build, and conquer the vast universe on an epic scale.