Unlocking the Shipwright subclass has quickly become one of the most talked-about goals for players diving into the latest wave of content. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a new explorer in the game’s expanding universe, getting access to this subclass offers a whole new way to engage with combat, support mechanics, and strategic movement. With its unique abilities tied to engineering, utility enhancements, and mobility upgrades, the Shipwright subclass stands out as a creative option for players seeking both offensive and supportive capabilities. However, acquiring this subclass isn’t as straightforward as leveling up it requires specific steps, exploration, and commitment to in-game objectives.
What Is the Shipwright Subclass?
Subclass Overview
The Shipwright subclass is a versatile and engineering-themed specialization that emphasizes support, gadgetry, and battlefield control. Unlike traditional damage-dealing or tank-focused subclasses, Shipwright leans into tools, deployables, and terrain manipulation. It’s ideal for players who enjoy strategic play and creating advantages through indirect means, including defensive drones, repair mechanisms, and ship-based mobility boosts.
Available across various classes in the game depending on how your build progresses, this subclass introduces modular components that allow for different playstyles. Players can choose between offensive enhancements like explosive drones, defensive mechanics like shield emitters, or utility options such as teleport beacons and environmental repairs.
How to Begin the Unlock Process
Prerequisites Before You Start
Before you can begin your journey toward unlocking the Shipwright subclass, make sure your character meets the following conditions:
- Reach a minimum power level or character level threshold (usually around mid-game content).
- Complete the main story missions for the current expansion or chapter.
- Unlock the Engineering Bay or equivalent facility at your base or hub world.
These requirements are typically the foundation for accessing any new subclass in the game. Without them, the specific questline for Shipwright will not appear.
Starting the Questline
Once prerequisites are met, visit the main quest hub or speak with the engineering NPC (often named something like Dockmaster Taryn or Chief Rellan depending on your game’s version). They will offer a quest titled something like Blueprints of the Void or Fragments of the Foundry. Accepting this quest begins the process of unlocking the Shipwright subclass.
Shipwright Subclass Quest Objectives
Phase 1: Collecting Fragments
The first phase usually requires you to locate and collect subclass fragments or components. These are hidden throughout the world or dropped by specific enemies. You may need to complete the following:
- Defeat elite enemies known as Foundry Guardians to loot engineering cores.
- Search derelict ships or abandoned docks for schematic parts.
- Scan terminals in Shipgrave or Shipyard zones for lost data.
Once all fragments are collected, return to the NPC to move to the next phase.
Phase 2: Engineering Trials
This portion of the quest tests your abilities with mechanical puzzles, ship construction, or time-limited objectives that simulate engineering tasks. Typical objectives might include:
- Assembling a drone under time pressure using limited resources.
- Repairing a disabled ship while under enemy fire.
- Redirecting power systems through a series of connected switches.
Completing these tasks proves your capability as a Shipwright and allows access to the final phase of the quest.
Phase 3: Field Testing the Subclass
After constructing the prototype subclass module, you must test it in a live combat scenario. Equip the Shipwright prototype and enter a special mission or simulation zone, where you’ll need to:
- Use at least three subclass abilities (drones, deployables, and utility modules).
- Survive waves of enemies and support allied NPCs.
- Defeat a mini-boss using Shipwright tools without switching subclasses.
Once completed, the prototype stabilizes, and you unlock the permanent version of the subclass.
Subclass Abilities and Customization
Core Skills in the Shipwright Tree
Once the subclass is unlocked, you can begin customizing your loadout using available skill nodes. The subclass tree often includes:
- Drone Deployment: Summon repair or combat drones to assist in battle.
- Deployable Cover: Set up portable barricades or energy shields for temporary protection.
- Shipcall Beacon: Call in ship support for supply drops or orbital strikes.
- EMP Trap: Disable enemy electronics or stasis fields in a radius.
These skills can be further modified using augment chips or ability modules that you find or craft as you progress.
Playstyle and Roles
The Shipwright subclass is particularly well-suited for support players in co-op modes, but it can also be effective solo due to its clever use of gadgets and mobility. If you enjoy control-style play, turret defense, or disruption tactics, this subclass will feel like home.
How to Upgrade the Shipwright Subclass
Leveling Up the Subclass
After unlocking the base version, you can enhance the Shipwright subclass through experience, resource use, and optional side quests. Key ways to upgrade include:
- Completing daily engineering contracts or missions.
- Using subclass-specific gear that increases Shipwright energy regeneration or cooldowns.
- Spending tech cores or engineering points to unlock advanced skill nodes.
Advanced Mods and Synergies
Once the subclass is leveled up, consider mixing Shipwright with armor sets or mods that reduce gadget cooldown, improve deployable health, or expand your drone capabilities. Some gear sets have passive bonuses that complement Shipwright’s mechanical focus, turning you into a highly effective battlefield engineer.
Tips for Fast Unlock and Efficient Progress
- Prioritize side queststhat drop blueprint fragments early to avoid grinding later.
- Use a loadout focused on crowd controlwhen doing field testing, as you’ll be facing multiple enemies in close quarters.
- Visit engineering vendors weeklyfor Shipwright-specific bounties or upgrade materials.
- Join a team or clanthat runs subclass unlock missions you can get it done much faster with allies.
The Shipwright subclass is one of the most unique and flexible additions to the game’s class system. With its engineering-driven toolkit, drone usage, and tactical support abilities, it opens up fresh approaches to both PvE and PvP scenarios. Although unlocking it involves several detailed steps like completing quests, scavenging fragments, and testing prototype skills it’s a highly rewarding process. Whether you aim to be the frontline’s logistical mastermind or simply enjoy tactical gadgets, unlocking the Shipwright subclass adds a whole new dimension to your playstyle. Dive in prepared, follow the steps, and you’ll soon be mastering mechanics no other subclass can match.