The Gatac Tyilui — Star Citizen's First Xi'An Snub Carrier
Alien Week 2026 brought more than just the Railen. Launching alongside Star Citizen's new Xi'An cargo ship on June 17, 2026, the Gatac Tyilui is something entirely different: the first dedicated Xi'An snub carrier in the game. Flight-ready as of Alpha 4.8.2, it introduces a new operating concept built around Gatac's anti-gravity technology — and an interior design that is unmistakably alien.
This is not a converted freighter with a bay bolted on. The Tyilui was built on a brand new chassis, purpose-engineered from scratch to carry, deploy, rearm, and support four snub-class ships in a zero-gravity multi-orientation hangar. Here is the full breakdown.
Gatac Tyilui — Full Specs
All specifications confirmed as of Alpha 4.8.2:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Gatac Manufacture |
| Origin | Xi'An |
| Role | Snub Carrier / Expeditionary Support |
| Snub Bays | 4 (anti-gravity, 360 degree crew orientation) |
| Cargo Capacity | 96 SCU |
| Cargo Type | RRR supplies (hull materials, hydrogen fuel, missiles, munitions) |
| Pilot Weapons | 4x Size 4 (nose-mounted, pilot-controlled) |
| Manned Turrets | 2 turrets x 2x Size 4 weapons each |
| Additional Turrets | 2x Remote turrets (top and rear hull) |
| Hangar Shield | Air shield on rear bay opening |
| Interior Design | Xi'An Art Deco — organic forms, high-ceiling lounge, ready room corridors |
| Status | Flight Ready — Alpha 4.8.2 |
| First Available | Alien Week 2026 (June 17-25) |
The Anti-Gravity Hangar — A New Kind of Carrier
The Tyilui's defining feature is its 360-degree anti-gravity hangar system. Unlike conventional carriers where crew work from a floor surface, the Tyilui's four snub bays operate in a zero-gravity orientation — crew members can walk on walls, ceilings, and floors simultaneously to access and service snubs from any angle.
Getting from the hangar to the ship's main operational hub requires passing through what Gatac calls ready rooms — transitional corridors designed for crew preparation before and after snub deployment. These spaces bridge the anti-grav environment of the bays and the conventional interior beyond them.
The rear of the hangar is sealed with an air shield — a force-field barrier that maintains atmosphere inside the bay during snub launch and recovery operations. This allows continuous crew activity in all four bays without hard vacuum exposure, even during active flight operations.
Compatible Snubs — What Fits the Tyilui
CIG has confirmed the Drake Pitbull and Mirai Fury as the recommended snubs for the Tyilui's four bays. A pack combining the Tyilui with four Furies is available from the RSI Pledge Store during Alien Week 2026, giving a clear picture of the intended combat configuration.
Four Furies deploying simultaneously from a single ship — while the Tyilui provides cover fire from its own weapons platform — represents a genuine multi-vector threat. The design team noted that building the Tyilui inspired the idea of a future dedicated Xi'An snub fighter: a future Gatac announcement worth keeping an eye on.
Support Role — Rearm, Repair, Refuel in Contested Space
The Tyilui's 96 SCU cargo hold is not designed for general freight. It is explicitly built to carry RRR (Rearm, Repair, Refuel) supplies: hull repair materials, hydrogen fuel, missiles, and munitions. This positions the Tyilui as a forward-deployed support platform — a ship that keeps its snub wing operational deep in contested space, far from any station.
The tactical doctrine is clear: deploy snubs to engage, provide cover fire from the Tyilui's own weapons, and if the threat level escalates beyond manageable, execute a quantum jump to safety. The Tyilui is not a frontline brawler. It is a force multiplier that extends the operational range and staying power of the snub wing it carries.
Combat Armament — More Than a Carrier
The Tyilui does not rely solely on its snubs for protection. It carries the full Railen weapons package as a foundation — 4x Size 4 pilot-controlled nose weapons and 2 manned turrets with 2x Size 4 weapons each — plus two additional remote turrets on the top and rear hull.
This extra coverage means the Tyilui can engage threats from virtually any approach vector. Fully crewed, it is a serious combat platform in its own right. For opponents who expect a soft carrier target, the Tyilui is a significant surprise. The additional turrets make a meaningful difference in sustained engagements where the snubs are already committed.
Interior Design — Xi'An Craft at Its Most Distinctive
The Tyilui's interior is a showcase of Xi'An design philosophy. Organic rock formations run along the corridors. Imposing archways frame transitions between zones. The main hub features a high-ceiling lounge that communicates the Xi'An sense of scale and permanence — a space that feels like it belongs to a civilization with a fundamentally different relationship to architecture and craft.
For players who collect ships as much as fly them, the Tyilui offers one of the most distinctive interiors currently available in Star Citizen. It is fully realized alien world-building, not a painted variant of a human design. Walking through the ship is part of the experience.
Current Prices on StarShipDealers
The Gatac Tyilui is available through the StarShipDealers player marketplace. It launched during Alien Week 2026 in various configurations — including a pack with four Furies — directly from the RSI Pledge Store. Browse current listings on SSD for standalone ships, pack options, and available CCU paths.
| Package | Insurance | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Gatac Tyilui | LTI | Check listings |
Browse current listings: View Tyilui on StarShipDealers
Railen vs. Tyilui — Which Xi'An Ship Is Right for You?
Both ships launched together during Alien Week 2026 and both come from Gatac Manufacture. But they serve fundamentally different purposes in your hangar:
| Feature | Gatac Railen | Gatac Tyilui |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Medium Cargo Hauler | Snub Carrier / Support |
| Cargo Capacity | 640 SCU (general) | 96 SCU (RRR supplies only) |
| Snub Bays | None | 4 (anti-grav, 360 degree) |
| Combat Armament | Strong for a hauler | Very strong (extra remote turrets) |
| Best For | Solo or crewed cargo runs | Org fleet support operations |
| Play Style | Hauling with self-defense capability | Multi-crew fleet enabler |
If you haul freight and want protection, the Railen is the answer. If you fly with an org and want to be the reason your snub wing stays in the fight for hours, the Tyilui is a completely different proposition. Both represent Xi'An engineering at its current peak in Star Citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gatac Tyilui in Star Citizen?
The Gatac Tyilui is the first Xi'An snub carrier in Star Citizen, introduced during Alien Week 2026 with Alpha 4.8.2. It carries four snub-class ships in a 360-degree anti-gravity hangar, supports them with 96 SCU of RRR supplies, and defends itself with an armament exceeding the already formidable Railen.
What snubs are compatible with the Tyilui bays?
The Drake Pitbull and Mirai Fury are confirmed as fitting the Tyilui's four anti-gravity snub bays. A Tyilui plus four Furies pack was available from CIG during Alien Week 2026. Community testing will continue to map compatibility with other snub-class ships as more players fly the ship in Alpha 4.8.2 and beyond.
How does the anti-gravity hangar on the Tyilui work?
The Tyilui uses Xi'An anti-gravity technology to create a zero-G, 360-degree orientation-free environment in all four snub bays. Crew members can walk on every surface — walls, ceilings, and floors — to service snubs from any angle. A rear air shield maintains atmosphere during launch and recovery, allowing continuous bay operations in open space.
Can I buy the Gatac Tyilui on StarShipDealers?
Yes. The Tyilui is available on the StarShipDealers player marketplace as a standalone ship and in pack configurations. Browse current Tyilui listings here to find the best available option for your hangar and budget.
Clear skies and safe jumps, Citizen! 🚀