Components are the basic assembly parts and systems used to construct ships. You will use them in Class Design (F5). The list of available components will expand and improve as the empire technology progresses. Each component type provides specialized abilities, which can be used in many possible combinations. The component chosen will add further functionality and have an effect on how the design will perform. The correct choice of components could be the difference between success and failure.

In a standard Trans-Newtonian campaign, some components are already available at the beginning of the game — these are the core components. Other components have to be acquired through Research, exploration, trade or espionage — these are player-designed components.

Ship components can be pre-fabricated using industrial capacity, which will speed up ship-building times since the components do not need to be assembled at the Shipyard itself. You may also find some components in space wrecks as Salvage.

*** This section contains information from the VB6 version of the game. If you're a Wiki editor, please direct this info back to the nearest VB6 holding pen.

There are two categories of components. Core components become available as you research and progress through the Technology tree. Some core components such as Sorium Harvesters and Terraforming Modules are automatically upgraded as the linked technology improves, preventing you from having to constantly Refit and upgrade their parent ships to keep up with the tech level.

Designed components have to be designed by the player first. Each design has several researchable technologies that can be set independently for the desired cost-benefit balance. Once a design system spec is finalized, the design has to be prototyped by scientists to make it manufacturable. Designed components will not upgrade by themselves. If you want to upgrade a ship with newer versions of such components, you will have to build an updated design and refit your ship in an available shipyard.

*** This section contains information from the VB6 version of the game. If you're a Wiki editor, please direct this info back to the nearest VB6 holding pen.

Components can be damaged due to maintenance failure. If insufficient MSP is available, the affected component will be destroyed and cease operation. Components can also be destroyed during combat. Internal armor can be added to some critical components, increasing their HTK to reduce the chance of damage. Any system below 1 HS has an HTK of 0, so if it takes damage the system is destroyed and the damage is also applied against another component.

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