Professions
Six classes at launch (2 per race), three Trader classes deferred to a content release.
Launch Classes
| Race | Class | Role | Exclusive Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varath | Vanguard | Combat | Fortify - deploy persistent turrets and defensive structures mid-sector |
| Varath | Broker | Trader | Corporate Charter - hire NPC escort/cargo ships, access restricted corporate stations, salvage claims on derelicts |
| Keth | Tempest | Combat | Blood Challenge - lock a target into single combat; it cannot flee or call for help; bonus loot on kill |
| Keth | Wraith | Precision/Evasion | Phase - brief untargetable burst; first strike after Phase deals bonus damage |
| Meridian | Warden | Combat | Jumpstart - revive incapacitated players in the field without a station tow |
| Meridian | Wayfinder | Explorer | Wormhole + Cloak - only class with stealth; open portals bypassing the gate network for the whole group |
Deferred Trader Classes
| Race | Class | Role | Exclusive Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varath | Outrider | Explorer | Gate Intelligence - live market prices across all connected sectors, reduce group transit times, unlock restricted gates |
| Keth | Privateer | Trader | Deep Salvage - the only class that can fully strip destroyed ships for structural components |
| Meridian | Oracle | Trader | Psionic Read - see enemy full stats, next ability, resist profile; read Ancient structures for hidden lore and bonus rewards |
Racial Signature Mechanics
Each race has one core mechanic shared across both (eventually all three) of their classes.
| Race | Mechanic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Varath | Overcharge | Temporarily overclock ship systems (weapons, engines, shields) at the cost of system heat. Push hard, then manage cooldown. Rewards players who ride the edge. |
| Keth | Momentum | Combat actions build charges. Spend charges for enhanced abilities. Disengage or die and you lose your stack. The longer you fight, the more dangerous you become. |
| Meridian | Void Resonance | Passive psionic awareness. See enemy buff/debuff states, detect cloaked ships, sense incoming abilities a fraction before they land. Information advantage over raw power. |
Stat Identity
| Race | Defense | Offense | Speed | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varath | Hull-heavy | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Keth | Low | High | High | Low |
| Meridian | Shield/energy-heavy | Moderate | High | High |
Design Notes
- Within each role, the racial version has different stat priorities and 2-3 exclusive skills. The rest of the skill tree overlaps significantly - the racial mechanic and exclusives do the work of differentiation.
- No single pair of launch classes covers all exclusives. Groups always have a reason to want someone they're not.
- Trader classes are deliberately deferred - they benefit from economic density and content variety that won't exist at launch. Oracle especially gains value once Ancient site content is in place.