Orbital Defense - Capital Ships

Spacers roam the systems in search of their next target to raid. The Crimson Fleet continues to seize old strategic locations abandoned since the last war. Va’ruun Zealots carry out their brutal crusade from the shadows. And now, a new threat seems to be emerging: heavily militarized fanatics, supported by a robotic army, claiming to be the true heirs of Earth.

Despite the fragile peace between the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective, the Settled Systems are far from safe. Faced with these growing threats, the major factions must now protect their worlds, stations and trade routes, mobilizing the remaining cruisers of fleets that were largely devastated during the Colony War.

Orbital defense has become the first line of protection.

Introducing Orbital Defense - Capital Ships.

This mod adds custom cruisers and capital ships in orbit around several strategic planets, stations and key locations controlled by the UC and the Freestar Collective.

The UC deploys a larger number of imposing, massive and intimidating cruisers, reflecting its centralized, institutional and demonstrative military doctrine.
The Freestar Collective, on the other hand, relies on a lighter and more dispersed presence, with fewer ships, more mobile units and a doctrine better suited to its philosophy of independence, local defense and fast response.
Neon remains very independent and has little interest in allowing a heavy military presence in its orbit, especially one that could interfere with its business, its clientele and its more flexible approach to contraband.

⚪️ AUTHOR’S NOTE :

My main goal was to reinforce the military presence of the major factions and give the player a stronger feeling of protection, power and control when entering the orbit of important worlds.
These capital ships are fully functional, faction-owned and destructible.
They are not merely static set dressing: attacking them will provoke an armed response worthy of their size and status.
While they can provide a serious combat encounter, their primary purpose remains immersion, scale and worldbuilding rather than adding a dedicated boss-fight system.

Special KUDOS to DownfallNemesis for her help, clear explanations and support toward a fellow modder.

⚪ FEATURES

UC & FREESTAR CUSTOM CAPITAL SHIPS

Adds 5 UC Class M cruisers
Adds 3 Freestar Class M cruisers
These ships are faction-owned, destructible and non-dockable
These ships are visible near the arrival point when fast travelling to the orbit of the affected planets and locations.

🔵🟠 UNITED COLONIES FLEET

UC VALIANCE | Jemison, Alpha Centauri System The UC Valiance, a large combat cruiser, control the orbit of Jemison and reinforce the military presence around the capital of the United Colonies.

UC PROVIDENCE | Toliman II, Toliman System The UC PROVIDENCE closely monitors the ruins of Londinion and the situation on the ground.

UC RETRIBUTION | Mars, Sol System The UC Retribution, the largest combat cruiser of the fleet, defends Martian orbit and reinforces the strategic importance of Mars and the Deimos military-industrial network.

UC PERSEVERANCE | Deimos Staryard, Sol System The UC Perseverance is currently under repair near the Deimos Staryard. Damaged, partially dismantled and surrounded by construction equipment, it visually reinforces the idea that Deimos remains a key shipbuilding and maintenance hub for the UC fleet.

UC ENDURANCE | Gagarin, Alpha Centauri System The UC Endurance patrols the orbit of Gagarin, helping secure the local trade route and reinforcing UC presence around this important industrial colony.

🟡🔴 FREESTAR COLLECTIVE FLEET

FREESTAR INDEPENDENCE | Akila, Cheyenne System The Freestar Independence, the largest combat cruiser of the Freestar fleet, watches over the orbit of Akila, the capital world of the Freestar Collective.

FREESTAR ENDEAVOR | Polvo, Valo System The Freestar Endeavor, a standard combat cruiser, controls the orbit of Polvo and reinforces the strategic importance of Hopetown and HopeTech within Freestar space.

FREESTAR OUTRIDER | Deepala, The Clinic, Narion System The Freestar Outrider, a more agile cruiser, protects The Clinic and reinforces the Freestar presence around this historically sensitive and strategically important location.

🟠 COMPATIBILITY & PERFORMANCE