In Starfield, your ships will significantly influence your game progression in both space combat and cargo storage. While the game starts you off with a basic ship, you'll soon switch to a collection of alternatives, each of which can be upgraded further to boost its effectiveness.
To get new ships, you can purchase from Ship Service Technicians in major cities and spaceports. You can also find and steal ships, and register them to be yours at spaceports. Additionally, quests offer ships as rewards, with each ship tailored to the quest's nature.
Buying Ships
The fastest way to acquire new ships is to buy them from the Ship Service Technician located at the landing pad of major cities or various spaceports. You can see each ship's details and prices at the bottom left of the purchasing screen. Once you buy a ship, it is added to your inventory.
Best Ship Vendors:
| Location | System | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neon | Volii system | Neon, Starfield’s cyberpunk city, offers a variety of ship vendors. For aesthetic ships, visit Taiyo Astroneering. |
| Deimos Staryard | Sol System | Located within the Sol star system, orbiting the planet of Deimos. Offers military-grade spaceships. |
| Nova Galactic | Sol System | One of the first corporations to build spaceships. Visit Titan in the Sol system and head to New Homestead. |
| The Key | Kryx System | Accessible after progressing through the Crimson Fleet questline. Houses Starfield’s pirate faction. |
The main locations to purchase new ships are spaceports. These are scattered across various planets and ports. At any given spaceport, players can approach the Ship Services location or a Ship Services Technician to view available ships. The variety of ships on offer can depend on the size and affiliation of the spaceport. For instance, larger cities like New Atlantis or Neon tend to have a broader selection than smaller stations.
Some spaceports might offer exclusive ships, either as limited-time offers or as special rewards for certain achievements. These ships can range from unique color variants to entirely new designs with special features.
Stealing Ships
Stealing ships in Starfield requires strategy, timing, and combat. You will come across ships in various scenarios, docked at a spaceport, floating in space, or even during combat encounters.
To steal an enemy ship, you need to have at least one rank of the Targeting Control Systems (Tech) skill, which allows you to directly target an enemy ship.
When a ship is targeted, you need to approach it and dock. This can be achieved by flying within a specific range, usually about 500 meters. Once docked, you might encounter resistance in the form of the ship's crew.
After you stole the ship, you need to register it to own it officially. You can do this by going to the nearest spaceport technician to register the stolen ship. There's a fee involved, based on the ship's size and capabilities. Once registered, the ship is legally yours.
Related: How To Sell Stolen Ships in Starfield
Quest Reward
Starfield quests offer rewards like ships upon completion. These quests can range from assisting NPCs, engaging in combat missions, or even exploring unknown territories. The rewards are often ships that are tailored to the nature of the quest.
Examples of Ships Eared from Quests:
- Frontier: The Frontier serves as the starter ship for players. It's a basic ship, functioning primarily as a tutorial vessel. Most players will likely upgrade from this ship early on due to its limited combat capabilities.
- Kepler R: This ship boasts impressive fuel and cargo capacities, making it ideal for exploration and combat. Players can earn the Kepler R by completing the "Overdesigned" mission for Walter Stroud as part of the Crimson Fleet questline. However, acquiring this ship requires making specific choices during the mission.
- Razorleaf: A formidable ship, the Razorleaf is known for its speed, 30-lightyear jump capability, and powerful weaponry. Players can earn this ship as a reward for completing the Mantis quest.
- Star Eagle: A well-rounded ship with a high cargo capacity, the Star Eagle is a reward for the Freestar Ranger questline, which players can embark on in the Akila City area of the game.
- UC Prison Shuttle: While not the most powerful ship, the UC Prison Shuttle has a unique backstory. Players can acquire this ship during the Crimson Fleet mission line, specifically during the "Echoes of the Past" mission.
- Wanderwell: Players can earn this ship by choosing the "Kid Stuff" Trait, which eventually leads to the ship being gifted by the player's in-game parents.
- Starborn Guardian: This ship is a reward for players who start the game in New Game+ mode. It's a combat-focused vessel with impressive stats, and players can receive upgraded versions of this ship with each New Game+ playthrough.
Related: Best Ships in Starfield
Salvaging Derelict Ships
Salvaging derelict ships in Starfield is a cost-effective way to upgrade your fleet, granting access to unique ship designs and features. Additionally, these ships can be a valuable source of materials and resources.
Derelict ships can be found scattered across various systems in Starfield. These ships are left overs from space battles, abandoned by their crew, or simply lost in space. Exploring uncharted territories or following specific questlines can lead players to these abandoned vessels.
To Salvage derelict ships:
- Use your space suit to board the ship. Make sure you're equipped with the necessary tools and weapons, as these ships may have hostile entities or automated defense systems.
- Inside the ship, find the computer mainframe. This system will provide insights into the ship's condition and the materials required for repairs.
- Gather the materials based on the mainframe's feedback. These can often be found lying around the ship or can be sourced from nearby planets or space stations.
- Once you have all the materials, start the repair process. This might involve fixing broken parts, patching up the hull, or even replacing entire sections of the ship.
After you salvaged and repaired the ship, it's time to register it to make it officially yours. Head to the nearest Ship Service Technician, pay the registration fee, and the ship will be added to your collection.