Is there an S-class freighter in No Man‘s Sky?
Yes, absolutely! For those unaware, S-class freighters are the incredibly rare, elite versions that all of us veteran travelers desperately seek out. With maxed out inventory slots and substantial stat bonuses, they are the crown jewels of freighter collections. But the journey to acquire one requires immense patience and luck…
Just How Rare Are These Mythical Ships?
The spawn odds of S-class freighters depend on the economy rating of the system you warp into:
- Tier 3 Wealthy Systems: 2%
- Tier 2 Affluent Systems: 1%
- Tier 1 Developing/Poor Systems: 0.1%
So immediately we can see why these are such hot commodities – the chances of natural S-class generation borders on lottery odds. Even in wealthy systems, you‘re looking at 1 in 50 freighters on average spawning as the top tier.
And that doesn‘t account for the model or slot count. You could find an ugly 15 slot S-class that sells for peanuts! Veteran hunters strongly advise only going after Capital S-class freighters which max out at 34 inventory slots.
Capital S-Class Price Range
Speaking of cost, you better start saving those units if you hope to buy an S-class Capital freighter. The price range is 150 million to 178 million depending on slot count and visual aspects. Regular freighter S-class models can be snatched up for 15-25 million generally.
I personally recommend the patient, free route which I‘ll explain soon. But plenty of travelers have amassed small fortunes solely for their endgame S-class purchase to avoid the grind.
Step-By-Step Guide to a Free S-Class Capital
Now, for what all you scavengers are really interested in – how do I get an S-class Capital for free? It‘s tricky but very much possible. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Complete the main story missions up to unlocking warp drive and free freighter reward
- Stock up on warp cells and use an Economy Scanner to find wealthy Tier 3 systems
- Upon entering, wait for the space battle event where you can save the freighter
- But first, exit your ship to trigger an auto-save on the space station
- Defeat the pirates and dock on the rescued freighter to scan its class
- If it‘s not S-class, reload the auto-save and repeat steps 3-6
It‘s a tedious process that relies heavily on RNG and reload grinding. But this is universally the best method to get that dream freighter without draining your entire bank account!
Max Slot Counts and Bonuses
I touched on this earlier but let‘s dive deeper into the max S-class Capital ship‘s full potential:
Inventory Slot Capacity
- General: 34 slots
- Technology: 21 slots
Main Stat Bonuses (up to…)
- Hyperdrive Range: +55%
- Fuel Efficiency: +60%
- Warp Distance: +2,000 light years
As you can see, the advantages gained make S-class the clear pinnacle for committed travelers. The sheer magnitude of bonuses, not to mention bragging rights, cement these ships as the premier club that all NMS players want to be a part of.
Expert Tips From Seasoned Hunters
Over my journey, I‘ve compiled notes from many fellow S-class veterans who have learned the hard way:
- Have patience, the average search is 5-10 hours of reloads
- Try wealthy Vy‘keen systems for higher odds
- Memorize models you like to quick-ID from afar
- Maximize hyperdrive for efficient system jumping
- Portable save points can supplement space stations
While still daunting, just know that every warp and battle moves you closer to that fabled paradise planet view from your Capital bridge.
Rare and Coveted Models
Beyond solely class and slots, much debate rages around what constitutes the "best" or coolest S-class Capital models. Some fan favorites include:
- KRAITS – Unique asymmetrical appeal
- DREADNOUGHTS – Massive, imposing flagships
- SENTINELS – Utilitarian military fleet style
- VENATORS – Classic and reliable design
Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But having an S-class only escalates the thrill for collectors looking to showcase these titans across the community.
Can Any Freighter Be Upgraded to S-Class?
A common question newer players ask is – can I upgrade a freighter to improve its class? The short answer is no. A C-class will forever remain C-class regardless of available storage or technology upgrades.
The same applies to starships which has led to some debate about allowing class progression. But for now, the only way to get those auspicious white trails is a fresh S-class spawn.
Why Chase These White Whales?
For many NMS veterans, the journey rather than the destination drives the neverending S-class hunt. Despite my tips and strategies, each one found elicits immense euphoria due to their vanishing rarity. Even after hundreds of hours played, I still chase scans across the stars when I warp into a new wealthy system.
Will today be the day I spot those glorious trails signalling the apex freighter manifestation? My pulse quickens as I head to yet another rescue…perhaps this one will be special. The seconds feel stretched into hours as I board and initialize the scan…C-class again. I sigh and set my sights on the next.
The cycle continues but so too does the dream. For any travelers too discouraged by the odds, just remember…somewhere among the billions of star systems, an S-class Capital with your name on it awaits discovery. Your epic journey goes on.
