Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares/Warship design

Warship designs vary by the phase of the game, and depend on the production capacity and technology available.

Beam Ship

 * Main Weapons: Beam weapons, with the Heavy Mount modification recommended.
 * Special Systems: Battle Scanner
 * Optional Components: Computers
 * Strategy: Beam ships are specialized for attacking enemy ships, start bases and planet defenses. The heavy mount modifications makes them effective from the first turn of combat. Battle Scanner and a good targeting computer are necessary to ensure high hit rates and damage; even the best beam weapons will miss or produce low damage rates, unless backed by a strong targeting system. Closer to the end-game, beam ships equipped with plasma cannons can quickly overrun an opponent, even if his combat technology is better overall.

Missile Ship

 * Main Weapons: Missiles, with the 2xAmmo setting recommended.
 * Special Systems: Heavy Armor, Reinforced Hull
 * Strategy: Efficient Missile ships can be built from the earliest stages of the game. Missiles usually provide excellent damage and accuracy early on. Missile battleships with even the basic missiles can be used to take out monsters and destroy enemy Missile Bases/Star Bases in repeated hit-and-run attacks. The 2xAmmo modification helps launch the payload faster, whereas the armor and structure upgrades ensure the ships' survival.

Troop Ship

 * Main Weapons: Neutron Blaster/Death Ray
 * Special Systems: Troop Pods, Augmented Engines
 * Optional Components: Transporters, Ground Combat technology
 * Strategy: Troop Ships serve specifically to take out enemy Star Bases. Their main element is the Troop Pods, doubling marines on board. A Troop Ship with a decent drive and Augmented Engines can reach the enemy star base in two combat turns and capture it. This can be used as a hit-and-run tactic, weakening the enemy fleet by destroying all of its star bases, or as a component of the overall attack tactic. Marine-killing weapons (Neutron Blaster/Death Ray) are a bonus.