Frontier Liner

A common long haul Star Trader's hull, the Frontier Liner is famous for being the hull design used by the first Star Trader explorers who set out from the hive ships. Kitted with an A2 Weapons Locker, Harvester Bay, Matchweave suits and EVA Airlock, the Liner is a ready exploration vessel. Armed with Hellfire Torpedoes, the Frontier Liner carries 24 starting crew (max 30).

Frontier Liner versus Galtak Freighter
The Galtak Freighter is an unlockable vessel that is an alternative starting ship if you have Ship priority C or higher. What are the advantages of the Frontier Liner over the Galtak Freighter?

Pros for Frontier Liner

 * Higher fuel range (175 versus 150)
 * Two more medium components
 * Superior Shields (8 versus 5)
 * Very slightly better jumping fuel efficiency
 * Much better Gunnery skill pool
 * Better weapons locker (A2 versus A1)
 * More even coverage of ship combat weapon ranges

Cons for Frontier Liner

 * Considerably less cargo (50 versus 75)
 * One fewer large component slot and two fewer small slots
 * Weaker hull (1400 versus 1600)
 * Slightly weaker base armor (7 versus 8)
 * Lower starting Navigation and Electronics pools

Summary
The Galtak Freighter really is a trading vessel. Starting with a third Cargo Hold really makes larger orders of goods to deliver as well as your own trading much easier. It is a bit better than even the Paladin Cruiser at escaping combat, and has weaker combat performance than either. It's only saving grace in combat is its extra hull points. Thus, the Frontier liner is the superior starting vessel for combat-focused captains, the Paladin for long-range missions, and the Galtak for trading.

Frontier Liner versus Paladin Cruiser
These two ships are available at the start of the game via setting your Ship priority to C or higher. They are very similar vessels. What are the advantages to selecting the Frontier Liner over the Paladin Cruiser?

Pros for Frontier Liner:

 * Slightly better base shielding (8 versus 7)
 * Significantly higher gunnery skill pool with starting components
 * Starts with a better weapons locker (A2 versus A1)
 * Slightly better jump cost (22 versus 24)
 * More even coverage of ship combat weapon ranges

Cons for Frontier Liner:

 * Lower fuel range with starting components (175 versus 195)
 * One fewer large component slot
 * Slightly less hull (1400 versus 1500)
 * Slightly weaker base armor (7 versus 8)
 * Very slightly worse starting Ship Ops pool
 * Moderately worse starting Electronics pool
 * Does not start with a medical bay

Conclusion:
Despite what you may expect from their names, the Frontier Liner is somewhat better suited to combat roles than the Paladin Cruiser. The biggest tradeoff it makes is better weaponry and accuracy for decreased fuel range, no medical bay, and an inferior dice pool for escaping. It is slightly less customizable lacking a large slot versus the Cruiser but has considerable spare mass to spend on heavier components off of its base set of components.

To accomplish the better fuel range the Paladin Cruiser uses up its additional large component slot AND a small component slot for a dampener so the engine can support the added mass of the extra fuel tank. This means it isn't as superior in customization as you might otherwise believe. However, the medical bay makes some non-combat tasks safer, and its better dice pools other than gunnery give it a little more safety in the void.