How to Unlock Ships in Cobalt Core

Updated 20 Oct 2026 Source Synthesized from published Cobalt Core guides; rewritten in original wording on 20 October 2026 By Antewise Editorial

Ships unlock through play and progression. Each new ship changes the opening conditions of every run after it.

How unlocks happen

Most ships come from reaching milestones or completing specific conditions during runs, rather than a single purchase.

Which to chase first

Chase a ship whose playstyle you already enjoy. Unlocking a ship you dislike does nothing for your win rate.

Unlocks change the pool

New ships bring new cards and sometimes new artifacts into the reward pool, which widens what a run can offer.

Where to check the data

Ship guide for what each ship changes.
Card database for opening decks.

Frequently asked questions

Do ship unlocks persist?

Yes. Once unlocked, a ship is available for future runs.

Is a harder ship better?

Not necessarily. Some unusual ships are strong in experienced hands and punishing otherwise.

Where can I compare ships?

Start with this guide, then check the [card database](/cobalt-core/cards-database/) for what each deck opens with.

More Cobalt Core guides

Sources

Figures and item data on this site are read from the game’s own reference wiki before publishing. Where a value could not be confirmed there, the page says so instead of filling the gap.