Hi, there. Welcome to my first guide. Before I begin, I'd like to point out that I am by no means the best Aerena player out there. I want to share my knowledge and idea about ship in this game. If you have any feedback or you want to contribute, you're welcome to contact me or leave a comment.

I hope you like it!

Ship is the first component you have to pick when you prepare for a game. Currently, there are six ships available to unlock.



Your ship is basically your life in this game. When a ship HP falls to zero, the owner will lose the game. For each HP a ship lose, the owner will gain the same number of ship aether charge (max. 10). This aether charge will be consumed while you are using aether shells.

Despite the importance of ship role, it is usually not a priority to get a new ship when you start playing. This is because the default ship (Skybucket) is good enough in most situation. Moreover, a new ship (beside The Beast and Bombshell) cost 9600 shillings or 405 aether coins which is pretty expensive.

Generally, you have to consider three factors when selecting a ship for a match:

• The Map
  Probably the biggest factor in deciding which ship to use. Some maps have obstacles that limit your ability to attack certain parts of ship. Matching this obstacle with your ship's hit-able spots will limit you opponent tactical options.
  
  When the map have easily accessible ship aether tile, you might want to use the Packer to use mid-cost shell early.
  
  
• Your Shells
  The HP of your ship indicates the amount of damage your ship can absorb and translate directly into ship aether charge. There are other ways of gaining ship aether charge, but if you have more HP, you have better chance of using two or more high cost shells in one game.
  
  Special mention goes to The Packer. While having a low HP, you will start with 3 ship charges. It means The Packer have similar chance to Skybucket, if not better, to activate multiple high cost shells. Low cost shell can be used as early as second round giving you early advantage.
  
  Some shells also have good synergy with other ships. For example, empty space of the Arc can be utilized as falling pit, that means you can use Shockwave shell to instant kill melee unit attacking your ship.
  
  
• Your Playing Style
  Do you like to pick out your enemy champions one by one? Would you rather defend and keep you enemy at bay? Some playing styles work better using a certain ship. If you like to go all out and attack, you might not want to use ship with low HP as counter rush will hurt you more.
  
  I am not going to cover this aspect in detail. Because usually it's not your playing style that determines your ship but the other way around.

To win the game, you have to damage your opponent's ship until there is no HP left. There are various ways to damage a ship

Champions can attack ship directly just like they attack another enemy champion. Damage dealt will be equal to the champion's attack.

When a champion is killed. The owner's ship will suffer 2 damage. No more no less

Currently only one Aether shell known to be able to damage the ship directly. Ladies and Gentlemen, behold, Aether Discharge! It costs 8 charges by the way.



When you try to knockback a champion but it has a ship's hit-able area behind them, The ship will get 1 damage regardless of who owns the ship.


To give you an illustration. Consider the situation above. Corporal will use Charge against the yellow bot and the yellow bot should be knocked back. However, because there is my ship in the knockback direction, yellow bot will stay at her place, get 2 extra damage while my ship will get 1 damage, reducing its HP to 10.

Special attack, just like champion's direct attack, can damage a ship. But while you can't target your own ship using regular direct attack, you can damage your own ship using your champion special attack. For example, Crank's ground shaker, or Aurora's charged spear. You may pick enemy as a target, but if your ship is in the AoE, it will still get the damage.

PRO TIP: You can use your special attack to intentionally damage your ship for extra aether charge. I'd only recommend doing this if it gives you a significant advantage.

HP: 13
How to unlock: Default ship
Cost: Free
Description: This old warhorse has seen better days.

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: Following the HP reduction of Skybucket, it is not a reliable ship any longer. While one might argue the HP difference doesn't make a big difference, you'll get bummed everytime your enemy win because this 'little difference'. I suggest you get a new ship as soon as you have some cash, Bombshell and Sparrow are better hands down.

HP: 13
How to Unlock: Reach level 7
Cost: 6999 Shillings (175 Aether Coins)
Description: Cannot be attacked at the edges

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: Following HP nerf for Skybucket family and the introduction of new champions and maps. Sparrow rose from the most 'meh' ship in the game to become one of the best ship.

In maps where flanking is to be expected from champions like Mary and Sharina, Sparrow limit enemy tactical option with just one less HP than Bombshell. However, you have to watch out for Taeyang as he deals extra damage to Sparrow.

HP: 12
How to Unlock: Reach level 9
Cost: 6999 Shillings (175 Aether Coins)
Description: Can't be attacked at the center of the arena

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: Arc is now better thanks to HP reduction of Skybucket, Bombshell, and Beast. However, Arc is less versatile than Sparrow.

Using Arc gives you positioning advantage when you go against player who likes to go for the ship. Because they only able to attack from the sides or at the center edge of your ship, you can station a champion with knockback to scare them and bring some shockwave for emergency. You can also push enemy's champion over the edge at the center of the Arc since it is empty.

Enemy who loves killing hero one by one could be troublesome as Arc, together with Packer has the lowest HP in the game. Failing to keep the enemy from doing direct attack also hurts pretty bad. Your 12 HP will go down in no time.

HP: 12
How to Unlock: Reach level 12
Cost: 6999 Shillings (175 Aether Coins)
Description: Starts with 3 ship aether already

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: Do not use the packer unless you already plan your shell usage! With full hit-able spots and only 12 HP, you are guaranteed to lose quickly if you don't make use of that extra charges. Packer is unique because his true potential lies within your strategy rather than the map.

Because ship HP translate directly to ship aether when damaged, Packer has the highest "raw maximum aether potential" (12 + 3) followed by Bombshell/Beast (14 + 0).

Some maps (eg. New Detroit), you can occupy ship charge tile at the first turn (and re-occupy it at the next turn), allowing you use shell with cost less than 4 or 5 almost immediately. The right use of shell allows you to gain early advantage. While it doesn't necessarily translate into a win, you have the upper hand for the rest of the game.

Here are the list of shells that you are able to use immediately or almost immediately when using packer.

• Scorching
  Kill that dangerous enemy with 3 HP left! This can prevent your champion from getting killed while at the same time allows your champion a chance to focus on other enemy champions.
  
• Healing/Comeback/Upper/Group Healing/Healing Zone/Team Healing
  This could also save your champion from getting early death and give you a chance to retaliate on the next round. Using upper even boost your champion aether and allows you to do special attack early.
  
• Blink/Bait and Switch
  When your enemy is too far for you to reach. Or is hiding beyond some tile/obstacle. Or just to get to better position.
  
• Shockwave
  A surprise knockback when they expect it the least! Make them regret they've come near you.
  
• Charging/Charging Zone/Ready to Blow/Team Charging
  Nothing more refreshing than an early surge of aether. Able to use special attack early on gives you an edge against your enemy. Now your Bug can unleash that immolation right away!
  
• Earthing/Dead Zone/Team Dousing
  Deprive your enemy of aether and screw their plan. Say goodbye to their special attack ;)
  
• Escalation/Chaos
  Use them carefully as these shells can hurt you even more than they hurt your enemy. I'm not recommending the usage of these two shells early on unless you know what you are doing.

HP: 14
How to unlock: Reach Level ?
Cost: 5500 Shillings (125 Aether Coins)
Description: Has the most HP of any ship

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: A balanced ship. Bombshell is good enough to be bought to any arena. While the metagame at some maps might not be very friendly to bombshell, the extra endurance means you have an edge when it comes to 'hero for hero' trade-off.

Note that Bombshell is Air Pirate ship. That means you have to watch out for Taeyang as he deals extra damage for your ship.

It also worth mentioning that Bombshell is the cheapest ship, so it is recommended for newer players who wants to get rid of Skybucket ASAP.

HP: 14
How to Unlock: Finish side-quest "Gone Hunting"
Cost: 666 Aether Coins
Description: For true masters

Map Rating: *bad, **good, ***great

Remarks: Basically the same as Bombshell. The Beast's only difference to Bombshell mechanic-wise is that The Beast belongs to Aether Junkies, it means it doesn't suffer Taeyang's extra damage like Bombshell does. Also note that The Beast has its own achievements.

After the latest update, the interface has no maps anymore. It remains a mystery for me on how to finish side-quest "gone hunting" now. If you can tell me, I would be happy to include the information here.