Merchantman

Merchantman
Gyártás állapota	In production
Merchantman
Gyártó	Banu Souli (BANU)
Szerepkör	Heavy Freight
Hangar típusa	Capital (S6)
Helyettesítő jármű	C2 Hercules Starlifter, Defender
Általános adatok
Legénység	4 – 8
Raktér	2,880 SCU
Hangár Típus	S2
Költségek
	Vételár Nem elérhető Bérlés Nem elérhető Standalone $650 S. orig. $250 Warbond $600 W. orig. $300 Elérhetőség Time-limited sales Igénylés Not available Bérlés Nem elérhető
Specifikációk
Hosszúság	237 m
Szélesség	203 m
Magasság	80 m
Tömeg	9,635,000 kg
Other sites Hivatalos oldalak Galactapedia; Pledge store; Presentation; Community sites StarShip 42; FleetYards;

The Banu Merchantman is a trading ship capable of landing or docking and then inviting locals in to view what its cargo holds have to offer. The ship design, perfected by generations of Banu development, is intended to offer a combination of high speed and durability. While the Merchantman is less configurable than a Caterpillar or a Starfarer, there's still plenty of room to take the ship in different directions.^[1]

Pledge description

Banu traders are renowned for their merchant prowess, traveling the spacelanes and trading with everyone from humans to the Vanduul! Their sturdy, dedicated trading ships are prized beyond all other transports, sometimes passing from generation to generation of Banu.

Specifications

Avionics
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x total
Radars	TBD	L Radar	Large (Large)	1 x 1
Computers	TBD	M Computer	Medium (Medium)	1 x 4

Systems
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x total
Power Plants	TBD	C Power Plant	Capital (Capital)	1 x 2
Coolers	TBD	C Cooler	Capital (Capital)	1 x 2
Shield Generators	TBD	C Shield Generator	Capital (Capital)	1 x 2

Propulsion
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Size (Max)	# per mount x Total
Fuel Intakes	TBD	C Fuel Intake	Capital (Capital)	1 x 2
Fuel Tanks	TBD	C Fuel Tank	Capital (Capital)	1 x 2
Quantum Drives	TBD	C Quantum Drive	Capital (Capital)	1 x 1
Jump Modules	TBD	C Jump Module	Capital (Capital)	1 x 1
Quantum Fuel Tanks	TBD	C Quantum Fuel Tank	Capital (Capital)	1 x 1

Thrusters
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Type	# per mount x Total
Main Thrusters	TBD	VTOL Thruster	VTOL	1 x 2
	TBD	Retro Thruster	Retro	1 x 2
	TBD	Main Thruster	Main	1 x 3
Maneuvering Thrusters	TBD	Fixed Maneuvering Thruster	Fixed	1 x 12

Weaponry
Component	Manufacturer	Model	Details	Size (Max)	# per mount x Total
Weapons	Banu Souli	Weapon TBC	-	8 (8)	1 x 2
Turrets	Banu Souli	Weapon TBC	Manned	5 (5)	2 x 1
	Banu Souli	Weapon TBC	Remote	4 (4)	2 x 2
	Banu Souli	Weapon TBC	Automated PDS	3 (3)	1 x 4

Features

Bazaar: Featuring an on-board enclosed marketplace, traders can display their goods and services to be exchanged or sold.
Negotiation Room: This is where the Banu does all the negotiating with clients which looks onto the cargo bay so clients can see the cargo.
Craftsmanship: When you walk around a Merchantman, you will quickly notice the exquisite craftsmanship with intricate subtle detailing the Banu are well known for. Ideal if you wish to give a good impression to your clients.
Durability: They are reliable, sturdy and durable, which makes them valued by their Human owners. Amongst the Banu, a ship can sometimes be passed on from generation to generation.
Defense: If there is one thing that these ships are famous for, it is their defensive capabilities. With a hull & armor that can take a pounding, together with a set of fast engines, the Merchantman can easily escape an attack with minimal damage to the ship and internal cargo.
Concealed Weaponry: All the Banu's weapons are concealed because of their need for being low key. But in times of need, the Banu's weaponry can pack a punch, making them ideal in situations like running at pirate blockades.

Pledge price history

Date	Pledge cost (USD)	Insurance	Availability	Sale
2013-11-20	250	LTI	Time-limited	2013 anniversary sale ^[2]
2014-11-22	250	2 years	Time-limited	2014 anniversary sale ^[3]
2015-11-21	250	3 years	Time-limited	2015 anniversary sale ^[4]
2016-11-25	250	4 years	Time-limited	2016 anniversary sale ^[5]
2017-04-22	350 (Warbond - 300)	6 months	Time-limited	2017 Defender sale ^[6]
2019-11-28	350	10 years	Time-limited	2019 anniversary sale ^[7]
2020-06-12	350	6 months	Time-limited	2020 Alien Week^[8]
2020-11-26	450 (Warbond - 425)	10 years	Time-limited	2020 anniversary sale^[9]
2021-06-11	550 (Warbond - 450)	6 months	Time-limited	2021 Alien Week
2022-06-16	600 (Warbond - 550)	6 months	Time-limited	2022 Alien Week
2022-11-21	650 (Warbond - 600)	10 years	Time-limited	2022 anniversary sale

Gallery

Development

The Merchantman was part of the 27 million stretch goal in 2013, aiming to expand the game’s alien cultures. As with the Khartu-al, the Merchantman helped introduce and define the Banu race early on before copious amounts of additional lore were developed for the species.

The initial concept artwork for the Merchantman was developed by Emmanuel Shiu (Freelance Conceptist) in 2013.^[10] The concept was later reworked to reflect the new design styles from the Defender.^[11]

In May 5, 2021 it was revealed that the Merchantman was in production and to be implemented in game with an allocated work schedule of 50 weeks.^[12] At CitizenCon 2951, additional information was provided on the Merchantman.^[13]

As of May 2022, the Merchantman is currently in active production.^[12]