1. Introduction: The Galaxy's Most Anticipated Ship Sale
Alien Week is the annual celebration of Star Citizen's non-human ship manufacturers. For one week in June, Banu, Xi'an, Tevarin, and Gatac ships emerge from their year-round obscurity and take center stage in the Pledge Store. For alien ship enthusiasts, CCU builders, and grey market traders, Alien Week is the single most important event between Invictus (now DefenseCon) in May and IAE in November.
Alien Week 2956 is expected to run from approximately June 8 to June 15. This guide covers every ship expected to go on sale, the likely new concept reveal, Warbond CCU opportunities unique to the alien manufacturers, and a complete purchase strategy for every backer type.
2. What Ships Go on Sale During Alien Week?
Alien Week is structured around the four sentient alien species in the Star Citizen universe: the Banu, the Xi'an, the Tevarin, and a growing presence from Gatac Manufacture (the Xi'an-affiliated shipwright). Every alien-manufactured ship that is not normally available year-round returns to the store:
2.1 Full Alien Ship Inventory
| Ship | Manufacturer | Species | Type | Status | Price (est.) | Normally Available? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | Vanduul (Esperia replica) | Vanduul | Light Fighter | Flyable | $275 | No (event-only) |
| Glaive | Vanduul (Esperia replica) | Vanduul | Medium Fighter | Flyable | $350 | No (event-only) |
| Scythe | Vanduul (Esperia replica) | Vanduul | Light Fighter | Flyable | $300 | Limited hull |
| Prowler | Esperia | Tevarin | Dropship | Flyable | $440 | No (event-only) |
| Talon | Esperia | Tevarin | Light Fighter | Flyable | $115 | No (event-only) |
| Talon Shrike | Esperia | Tevarin | Light Bomber | Flyable | $140 | No (event-only) |
| Defender | Banu | Banu | Light Fighter | Flyable | $220 | Yes (limited) |
| Merchantman | Banu | Banu | Capital Trader | Concept | $650 | No (event-only) |
| Khartu-al | Aopoa | Xi'an | Light Fighter | Flyable | $170 | No |
| San'tok.yai | Aopoa | Xi'an | Medium Fighter | Flyable | $240 | No |
| Nox | Aopoa | Xi'an | Hoverbike | Flyable | $45 | No (event-only) |
| Railen | Gatac | Xi'an | Heavy Freighter | Concept | $225 | No (event-only) |
| Sulyen | Gatac | Xi'an | Light Fighter | Concept | $120 | No |
2.2 Expected New Reveals
CIG typically unveils one new alien concept ship during Alien Week. Based on recent development patterns and the Xi'an focus of the last two years, likely candidates include a Gatac medium ship (possibly a Xi'an prospector equivalent) or the long-rumored Banu Triptaker. Concept pricing for new alien reveals ranges from $120-$300 depending on size and role.
3. Best Purchases During Alien Week
3.1 For CCU Builders: Gatac Railen at $225
The Railen is the most important Alien Week purchase for CCU builders. At $225, it sits at a price point where it can serve as either the final target of a chain or a bridge ship to larger targets like the Merchantman ($650) or Carrack ($600). Because the Railen is only available during Alien Week (and occasionally IAE), missing the window means waiting up to six months for the next opportunity.
Alien Week 2956 is particularly significant for Railen buyers because it is the first Alien Week since the ship's development status was confirmed and updated. The Railen has now entered active production, and its concept price is unlikely to remain at $225 once it reaches flyable status. Current estimates place the flyable price at $275-$300, representing a $50-$75 appreciation window that will close permanently when the ship launches.
3.2 For Collectors: Banu Merchantman at $650
The Merchantman is the single most anticipated unreleased ship in Star Citizen. At $650, its concept price has already risen from its original $250, and the final flyable price is expected to land between $850 and $1,200. Every Alien Week that passes without the Merchantman going flyable is another year that the concept-to-flyable appreciation window stays open. For backers with the budget and patience for what may still be a 2+ year development timeline, the Merchantman during Alien Week represents the best capital-class value proposition in the game.
3.3 For Fighters: Talon ($115) and Khartu-al ($170)
The Esperia Talon at $115 is a pure light fighter with Tevarin styling, stealth capability, and two S4 fixed weapon hardpoints. It competes directly with the Arrow and Gladius in the light fighter meta but brings a unique aesthetic and slightly better atmospheric performance. The Aopoa Khartu-al at $170 is the most agile ship in Star Citizen, capable of omnidirectional thrust that no human-manufactured ship can match. It is not a meta combat ship, but it is one of the most fun ships to fly in the game and a collector favorite.
3.4 For LTI Tokens: Nox ($45)
The Aopoa Nox at $45 is an excellent LTI token for CCU chains. As an alien hoverbike with Lifetime Insurance during its concept and event sales, it provides a $45 base with LTI that can be upgraded to any ship. The Nox's hoverbike form factor also makes it useful as a ground vehicle in its own right, unlike some cheaper LTI tokens that serve no practical purpose after the chain is built.
4. Alien Week Warbond CCUs
Alien Week introduces warbond CCUs that are unique to the alien manufacturer lineup. These CCUs often offer steeper discounts than standard event warbonds because the ships involved are less popular among mainstream backers:
| Warbond CCU | Estimated Discount | Why Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Arrow → Talon | $10-$15 | Best value fighter CCU of the event |
| Gladius → Defender | $15-$20 | Large price gap maximizes discount value |
| Cutlass Black → Khartu-al | $10-$15 | Unusual upgrade path, low competition |
| Constellation Taurus → Railen | $15-$25 | Highest-value single CCU of the event |
| Esperia Blade → Merchantman | $25-$40 | Massive savings on a $650 ship |
For CCU builders running multi-event chains, Alien Week warbonds bridge the gap between DefenseCon (May) and IAE (November), adding 3-5 intermediate CCUs to a chain that would otherwise sit idle for six months.
5. The Grey Market During Alien Week
Alien Week is the busiest secondary market event of the summer. Alien ships have higher melt-to-market value ratios than human-manufactured equivalents because they are only available 2-3 times per year. A $225 Railen acquired during Alien Week can be resold on the grey market for $240-$260 within weeks, representing a 7-15% instant premium for simply having the patience to buy during the event window and sell afterward.
ORONST ORBITAL will maintain active Railen, Merchantman, and Talon listings throughout Alien Week with competitive pricing updated within 24 hours of the event's opening and closing.
6. Purchase Strategy by Backer Type
- New Backers: Alien Week is not the best time to buy your first ship unless you specifically want an alien design. Buy your starter package during DefenseCon or IAE instead. Alien Week is for players who already own a starter and are looking to expand.
- CCU Builders: Prioritize the Tauurs → Railen warbond CCU and the Railen itself as a bridge ship. Buy Talon and Khartu-al CCUs only if they fit your specific chain plan.
- Collectors: The Merchantman at $650 is the must-buy. The Glaive and Scythe are ultra-rare even during Alien Week (limited hulls). The Prowler is the only flyable Tevarin ship and a genuine collector piece.
- Grey Market Traders: Stockpile Railens, Talons, and Khartu-als during the event. List them in July and August when alien ships are unavailable through the RSI store and prices rise naturally.
7. Conclusion: Mark Your Calendar for June
Alien Week 2956 (June 8-15 estimated) is the most important summer event on the Star Citizen calendar. The Railen will not be available again until IAE in November. The Merchantman's concept price will almost certainly increase before its next appearance. The warbond CCUs introduced during Alien Week will not return for six months.
If you are planning a multi-event CCU chain that ends at a large target ship like the Carrack, Perseus, or Merchantman, Alien Week is the bridge that connects your DefenseCon foundation to your IAE finish. Missing it means either buying standard CCUs at full price or waiting until November—and by November, the Railen may have gone flyable.
Browse alien ships at ORONST ORBITAL →
Disclaimer: Dates are estimates based on historical Alien Week timing. All prices subject to RSI store confirmation. ORONST ORBITAL is an independent marketplace.
