Most ships are unable to submerge into the Hyperchannels without the aid of a Subgate. The Subgate augment the ship's engines when the ship is near the threshold of the gate, and shortly after, the ship is propelled inside of the Hyperchannel towards their destination.

Subgates also act as barriers by prohibiting ships from submerging if configured to do so. This tactic is seen frequently during the Faction War to prevent enemies of a Faction from proceeding deeper into their territories.