The game includes a variety of ship types, ranging in size from the small scouts and fighters to the mighty battleships. The ship counters are blue for the Terrans and red for the Imperium. Each counter includes a set of ratings, the ship type, and a silhouette. The combat ratings give the Beam weapon combat factor, the Missile factor, and the Screen factor. Beam weapons are for close range combat, while missiles are best fired at long range or used for planetary bombardment. Beam weapons are slightly more effective, but missiles get to fire first. The screen factor represents the ship's capacity for defense. The following ship types are available for production: Scout ships, destroyers; several different types of cruisers, dreadnaughts, and battleships; stationary monitor defense platforms, missile boats, and "mother ships" (functioning as aircraft carriers) with their fighter squadrons; transport and tanker ships. Ships with a black silhouette can perform a jump between stars, while ships with a white silhouette can only travel through regular space.