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A strong fleet in Xterium isn’t just about the number of ships—it’s also about the right composition, defense, and the ability to keep it intact. This collection covers everything about fleets and defense: what to build them with, how to strengthen them, and how to avoid losing them in the very first battle. This guide focuses on fleet COMPOSITION, upgrading, and survival. Battle mechanics and alliance warfare are separate topics covered in the guide “All About Combat”].
What to Use to Build a Fleet
Composition matters more than size. Check out Ships — to see which ships are effective against which others — and Arsenal — for weapon boosters, reactors, and thrusters that make the same fleet stronger.
Modernization — Strengthening the Fleet
[](/knowledge/encyclopedia/modernizations)'s upgrades enhance the fleet through the attack, armor, and shields trees. It's a time-consuming but powerful way to make ships significantly more durable and dangerous.
Defense of the Planet
You can save your fleet, but not the planet: it is protected by [](/knowledge/encyclopedia/defense)'s defenses. Turrets, lasers, shields, and domes fend off minor attacks and reduce casualties. Defenses do not replace saving, but they complement it.
How to Preserve the Fleet
The most important survival skill is “saving” (taking cover). For details on exactly how to send your fleet on a mission so that it returns after an attack, see the guide “How to Save Your Fleet”]. For a general overview of survival, see the guide “How Not to Lose Your Fleet”.
Naval Missions
The actions a fleet can take during a flight—such as attacking, transporting, deploying, conducting an expedition, holding a position, and others—are explained in the guide “All About Missions”]. Choosing the right mission is often the key to saving your game.
Reconnaissance Before Action
Neither attack nor defense is carried out blindly. The “Espionage and Intelligence”] mechanic explains how to foresee enemy forces and incoming threats. Abbreviations (FL/FM/FH, DL/DM/DH) can be found in the glossary at].
Related Resources
- Guide: How to Save Your Fleet · All About Missions · How to Keep Your Fleet Safe
- Encyclopedia: Ships · Arsenal · Upgrades · Defense
- Roundup: All About Combat—Combat Mechanics
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more important for a strong navy—size or composition? Composition matters more than size. It’s worth figuring out which ships are effective against which others, as well as the arsenal—weapon boosters, reactors, and thrusters.
What are the benefits of modernization? Upgrades enhance your fleet across the attack, armor, and shields trees. It's a time-consuming but powerful way to make your ships significantly more durable and dangerous.
Is it possible to protect the planet the same way we protect a fleet? You can save your fleet, but not the planet—it’s protected by its defenses. Turrets, lasers, shields, and domes reduce casualties, but defenses don’t replace saving; they complement it.
How can we save the fleet? The most important survival skill is saving: you send the fleet out so that it returns after an attack.
