The Syndicate is THE enemy in these Sectors. You will most often meet them on the battle field space. Do note that the syndies are always developing newer and newer ships. So be prepared, some unknown foe may appear out of nowhere!
Syndicate interceptors are launched from larger, threatening carrier ships. Individually they pose little danger, but they can start dealing lots of damage when grouped up.
Also launched from carrier ships. Similar to interceptors, but they are equipped with multiple torpedoes and will target capital ships. If you're a Fighter Pilot, take these ones down first. Rarer to see than Interceptors.
A small transport shuttle used for boarding; do not let these ships get close!
Smaller syndicate vessel which typically serves as a distraction to larger threats. Equipped with some light torpedoes.
A frigate which prioritizes boarding your ship by getting close enough. Evade at all costs, unless you want a group of angry Syndicate Drop Troopers onboard.
The bane of flyboys everywhere. Fast, and will prioritize shooting down fighter craft with Flak and Anti-air guns.
The only ship type equipped with cloaking technology, which it uses to hide its IFF signal on the radar and turn partially invisible. The reason why battles take forever.
The big bad. Armed to the teeth with nuclear torpedoes and eager to test them out on you. If you encounter one in a system, run or prioritize shooting down the thermonuclear torpedoes with PDCs.
A beefier version of the aforementioned light cruiser. Tough to kill battleship which can wreck havoc with its gauss turrets and radial MAC cannon.
A high priority target which constantly spawns Syndicate interceptors and bombers. Carriers are supply ships which repair their allies.
A slow, bulky tank of a ship that will devastate up close.
The Syndicate - just like Nanotrasen - have multiple fleets they use for a multitude of tasks.
Most often seen are the Border Patrol fleets. These fleets are strong enough to protect from the occasional incursion, but when a brave crew - that's where You come in - smashes through them, they mobilize the other fleets.
Commando Taskforce is a fleet with Boarding Frigates. Try to stay mobile, and ready up security when fighting them.
Nuclear Deterrent is a dangerous fleet armed with Nuclear Weaponry. Refill the 50 cals!
Unidentified Fleet is a fleet of Stealth Frigates. Prepare the radar and start looking for blips!
It should be noted that all of the above fleets come with an assortment of conventional ships - carriers, cruisers, fighters - alongside their special ships.
There are also sector specific fleets, that inhabit a specific sector of the Starmap.
Yarr harr matey! Did you really think that only NT and the syndies had ships around here? Some brave and maybe foolish crews have taken to the stars, and - after SolGov's forces have been stretched too thin - started raiding merchant vessels. They should be no match for an armed patrol ship, right?
A swift and lightly armored vessel captured and modified by the pirates.
A small and nimble ship, armed with topredos. Hardly a danger.
A slow and heavy warship. Given that it lacks the pirate's favored mobility, it is only used in fleets which usually stay in one system.
Space Pirate Fleet is a small fleet made up of Gunboats.
Space Pirate Raiding Fleet is a fleet made up of Gunboats and Missleboats.
Space Pirate Holding Fleet is a fleet which includes the usual Gun and Missleboats, but also has a Juggernaut. These fleets usually defend the “home” systems of pirates.