The Ships from Wing Commander: Privateer

Copyright Elton Robb © 2006

Edited by Aaron Smalley for The Guild Companion

"The Orion is the most durable ship in the Galaxy."

Back in 1993, Origin Systems designed and mass produced a wonderful DOS game named "Wing Commander: Privateer." The latest, then, in a series of space combat simulation games, "Wing Commander: Privateer" allows the player to fly glorious missions against the Kilrathi. However, the player plays the part of a free trader, a mercantile courier, a smuggler, a pirate, or a mercenary. The game gives the player a great deal of freedom. Fortunately, the game has been remade and is available for Windows XP, Linux, and OS X and can be readily downloaded in two versions: the Wing Commander: Privateer Remake and Wing Commander: Privateer Gemini Gold.

In "Wing Commander: Privateer" there were four ships that were commercially available. Three the player can purchase outright. After purchasing one of these ships the player can deck them out with various options. This article presents those four ships for use in the Spacemaster: Privateers setting.

A Note on Conversions

This article presents each one of the four ships with their original stats, and then provides suitable stats for use in Spacemaster: Privateers. It also provides conversions as well. Remember, though, each ship uses reaction thrust to move them through the Wing Commander galaxy.

CENTURION

Medium Mercenary Fighter

Centurion Price: 200,000 credits

Max Velocity: 500 kps

Afterburn: 1000 kps

Acceleration: 250 kps� Excellent

Max Yaw/Pitch/Roll: 72 / 72 / 72 dps

Shield: Fore: 20 cm equiv.
Aft: 20 cm equiv.

Armor: Fore: 20 cm equiv.
Aft: 15 cm equiv.
Right: 15 cm equiv.
Left: 15 cm equiv.

Max Upgrades: Lv 3 engine, Lv 3 shield

Turrets: Rear

Hard Points: 4 guns, 2 weapons

Cargo Hold: 50 units, no cargo expansion

Built by General Dynamics, the Centurion is the best, most powerful heavy fighter on the Open Market that you can buy. This ship is highly maneuverable and can pack a lot of serious firepower. Fast and sleek, the Centurion can fly at 1000 kilometers per second when afterburning. Built as a heavy mercenary fighter, the Centurion offers little in the way of cargo space or expansion. You're sacrificing the ability to move cargo for speed and agility.

Spacemaster: Privateers Stats

GALAXY

Medium Freighter

Price: 150,000 credits

Max Velocity: 300 kps

Afterburn: 750 kps

Acceleration: 150 kps� Avg.

Max Yaw/Pitch/Roll: 55 / 55 / 55 dps

Shield: Fore: 20 cm equiv.
Aft: 20 cm equiv.

Armor: Fore: 25 cm equiv.
Aft: 20 cm equiv.
Right: 17.5 cm equiv.
Left: 17.5 cm equiv.

Max Upgrades: Lv 3 engine, Lv 3 shield

Turrets: Top, Bottom

Hard Points: 2 guns, 2 weapons

Cargo Hold: 150 units, 225 with cargo expansion

The Galaxy is a medium freighter ship that can carry 150 tonnes of cargo and 225 tonnes of cargo with expansion. Built by General Dynamic Designs, the Galaxy has initially four hard points. With the addition of two turrets -- one on top and one on the bottom; four more hard points can be added. The hard points are designed for defensive purposes rather than offensive capability.

Spacemaster: Privateers Stats

ORION

Heavy Mercenary Fighter

Price: 75,000 credits

Max Velocity: 350 kps

Afterburn: 800 kps

Acceleration: 150 kps� Avg.

Max Yaw/Pitch/Roll: 40 / 40 / 40 dps

Shield: Fore: 50 cm equiv.
Aft: 50 cm equiv.

Armor: Fore: 48 cm equiv.
Aft: 50 cm equiv.
Right: 35 cm equiv.
Left: 35 cm equiv.

Max Upgrades: Lv 5 engine, Lv 5 shield

Turrets: Rear

Hard Points: 2 guns, 1 weapon

Cargo Hold: 50 units, 75 with cargo expansion

Designed and manufactured by Gulph Aerospace Industries, the Orion is the most durable ship in the Galaxy. It's not very maneuverable, and seems sluggish compared to the faster (and more expensive) centurion. It has three hard points for two guns and one missile or torpedo launcher. The Orion can carry fifty kiloliters of cargo, seventy-five with cargo expansion.

TARSUS

Light Explorer

Price: 50,000 credits

Max Velocity: 300 kps

Afterburn: 600 kps

Acceleration: 150 kps�

Avg. Max Yaw/Pitch/Roll: 55 / 55 / 55 dps

Shield: Fore: 10 cm equiv.
Aft: 10 cm equiv.

Armor: Fore: 10 cm equiv.
Aft: 10 cm equiv.
Right: 8 cm equiv.
Left: 8 cm equiv.

Max Upgrades: Lv 1 engine, Lv 2 shield Turrets: None

Hard Points: 2 guns, 2 weapons

Cargo Hold: 100 units, 150 with cargo expansion

Built by Faluph Aerospace, the Tarsus was designed for shallow space and mid space exploration. It has since become outmoded, but many privateers fly this ship since it is still common. It still sees service as a light freighter.