Unleashing the Ultimate Power: The Definitive Ranking of No Man's Sky Ship Types

Highlights

No Man's Sky

The game has transformed from a simple space simulator into an engaging RPG, offering players a continuous range of ships to acquire.

Shuttles, although functional, are unappealing and inefficient options for transportation due to their limited power and storage capacity, resulting in their lack of popularity.

Explorers cater to players seeking to traverse the vast universe, boasting an extended hyperdrive range and remarkable maneuverability. However, they may be overshadowed by superior spacecrafts.

No Man's Sky's transformation from a creative disappointment to a triumphant masterpiece is a remarkable progression in gaming. Initially a confined space simulator, it has evolved into an immersive RPG, accompanied by a constant influx of new ships.

8 Shuttle

It is widely known that certain ships are harder to acquire than others, yet this does not necessarily mean they are superior. Within the game's procedural universe, fortune sometimes favors the unanticipated, as numerous top-notch spacecraft in No Man's Sky can be fortuitously discovered.

8 Shuttle

Comfortable and versatile, shuttles within the vast No Man's Sky universe provide a practical mode of transport. However, due to their lack of class bonuses and somewhat unwieldy appearance, these ships may not be the most attractive or efficient choice for transportation.

7 Hauler

Although shuttlecraft can have a certain visual appeal due to the different engine parts and colors available, their limitations in terms of power and storage make them highly undesirable for players in the later stages of the game. Additionally, players can begin their journey with a slightly superior ship, further diminishing the popularity of shuttlecrafts amongst players.

In previous versions, haulers served as essential vessels in a player's fleet, providing unparalleled storage capacity, despite their limited jump range and slow speed. However, with the recent updates, ship gameplay has become more standardized, rendering many of the advantages of haulers obsolete.

Despite this, haulers still gain an advantage from a shield-absorption bonus, which allows them to absorb damage and function as resilient tanks. In addition, they typically possess a cargo space that is higher than average, making them highly sought after and valuable for ambitious explorers.

6 Fighter

The fighter, equipped with aggressive attack capabilities and the potential for a damage bonus, serves as the initial spacecraft available to players in No Man's Sky. It proves to be a wise selection during the challenging early stages of the game, being particularly adept at combating hostile forces. With its sleek wings and sci-fi design, the fighter not only appeals to new anomalies who have just been resurrected but also catches the attention of pirates seeking valuable cargo.

5 Explorer

For seasoned veterans or explorers in No Man's Sky, fighters may not be the preferred choice due to their lack of hyperdrive bonuses and the occasional negative impact on first-person visibility caused by the ship design. However, these strong options still attract gamers who want to experience the thrill of playing as outlaws or space marauders.

For individuals aiming to explore every nook and cranny of The Universe in No Man's Sky, the Explorer ship is the perfect choice. These ships come with a special class bonus that enhances the range of their hyperdrives. Additionally, they are equipped with exceptional launch costs and maneuverability, making them ideal for navigating through intense combat situations or hastily escaping threats.

For a distinct appearance that sets them apart from other ships, explorer vessels typically feature large engines combined with small wings or cockpits. When it comes to a dependable ship that can cover vast distances, there is no better option than the explorer.

4 Living

Living ships, undoubtedly the most challenging to obtain, are hatched over a span of several days from Void Eggs. These eggs can be obtained by purchasing rare items with quicksilver aboard The Space Anomaly. Assembling and establishing communication with these ships is a complex process, but the rewards are immense. With their exceptional bonuses and distinctive aesthetics, they easily stand out as captivating choices within the game.

Unfortunately, living ships have a major flaw: they cannot be upgraded with traditional methods. Instead, players have to search for organic modifications, which can be a time-consuming process. Moreover, these modifications are quite expensive, requiring a significant amount of quicksilver and 10,000 nanites for each subsequent ship. As a result, living ships are more of a status symbol than a practical choice. However, those who are patient enough to acquire these organic enhancements can enjoy the power and prowess of spacecraft that are unrivaled by most others.

3 Solar

Solar ships, typically found in outlaw systems, possess a distinct feature called the Vesper Sail. This remarkable technology enables them to replenish their launch thrusters gradually, without any expense. As a result, these ships hold significant value as exploration vessels, particularly for gamers seeking to explore numerous hostile planets. In addition, the pulse drive bonuses that come with these unique sails prove to be exceptional enhancements.

2 Exotic

Although they may have fewer shields and less efficient hyperdrives, their compensatory feature lies in their distinctive landing animations that unfurl the solar sails akin to a majestic ship sailing on the sea. For adventurers daring enough to navigate through lawless systems, the solar ship becomes a highly coveted reward.

Exotic ships exhibit such a wide range of designs that it becomes challenging to categorize them consistently. When placed alongside one another, they appear entirely unrelated, with some resembling squids and others resembling small, vibrant balls in red or blue hues. Nevertheless, all exotic ships have one thing in common: an incredibly coveted set of well-balanced statistics and never appearing as anything less than S-class.

1 Interceptor (Sentinel)

Exotic spacecrafts can generate with an array of enhancements and, combined with their visually impressive designs, continue to be a popular choice for players during the later stages of the game. If the price tag of around one hundred million units is not a concern, exotic ships prove to be a valuable addition to any starship collection.

The newest addition to the fleet of No Man's Sky is the interceptor ship class, a breed of advanced spacecraft boasting cutting-edge technology and aggressive designs reminiscent of their machine predecessors. Despite their departure from conventional base technologies and materials, interceptors can still benefit from upgrades found at space stations, seamlessly blending the characteristics of living ships and traditional vessels in the game.

The repair of the former sentinel ships necessitates a substantial array of construction materials, typically obtained through engaging in combat with sentinels and their corrupted counterparts. With their exceptional first-person interfaces, animations, and potent class bonuses, interceptors emerge as an excellent option for players seeking efficient travel in No Man's Sky.

No Man's Sky

Platform(s) Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5Released August 9, 2016Developer(s) Hello GamesGenre(s) Adventure, Action, Survival