You have a few options. I've created a Freelancer Starting Mod Pack that contains different ships and factions, however if you wish to have full control over your ships, look into the tutorial section for changing your ship. I recommend this one here.

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There is no knowledge that is not power.

OR - make it even easier.............

Create any loadout you like (choose an NPC one, but change the shield and power supply!!!!!!!!!!), and make sure it matches your ship of choice.

Then DATA/CHARACTERS/Newcharacter.ini file - and change it in there.
As you can see from below - mine is a custom one already...


[Package
nickname = ge_fighter
strid_name = 11051
strid_desc = 11551
ship = hellhound
loadout = hellhound_loadout
money = 800000000

[Faction
nickname = new_player
rep_group = co_ic_grp
base = TE01_01_Base
Package = ge_fighter
Pilot = trent

The ship= line uses nicknames from SHIPARCH.INI file in ships folder. The loadout = line is corresponding to a loadout in the loadouts.ini file inside the ships folder as well.
Yours should say ge_fighter and loadout being similar too. (like MP_Player_loadout or something.

Once this is done, boot up server and they will start with taht ship. Also notice the base = line. That will start them in whatever system, so change it to Rh01_01_base to start at New Berlin, and Ku01_01_base to start at New tokyo. As you may notice, mine is set to a custom base again - mainly cause i am a lazy mod tester, so i have a great ship, start where i need to, and have stacks of cash (which you also change here).

This method takes less time than taylors (as its where taylors gets the info from) and is easy to understand!

Exactly what ship are you going for? what weapons and shields might it have and will there be any faction changes? If you post that info here, I or anyone else would be able to set up what you need.

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There is no knowledge that is not power.

I want to start out with a rheinland millitary ship the one sold on westfalen (I cant rember the name)I want it to have a level 6 shield and the weapons the regular ships the computer flys with on that ship.Also I want to start on new berlin with 1 million creds.

Rheinland leader rheinland rocks

The main advantage of my method, everything is contained in one file (mpnewcharacter.fl) and you're free to change it while the server is running!
I'll have a look at the computer players and give you something to copy/paste into your mpnewcharacter.fl file. I think the ship you're looking for is the valkyrie.

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There is no knowledge that is not power.

hmm a valk with an advanced palisade sheild and stealthblade guns, it sounds like. wow, if im right, i know more about freelancer than i wish i did!

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Orillion: So trent, will you help us with the mission?

Trent: Sure, as long as I'm not shot at, knocked out, held at gunpoint, electrocuted, skewered alive by giant alien shapeshifters, have to dive out windows, or fight off spindly nomad incubi.