Starfield Ship Building Guide, How to Build a Ship Starfield?
Updated Sep 04, 2023
About Starfield Game
Starfield is an action role-playing game created by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It was revealed at Bethesda's E3 presentation in 2018. The game is set in space and marks Bethesda's first new intellectual property in nearly three decades.
It's set to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S on September 6, 2023. Reviews from critics have been mostly positive, highlighting its open-ended gameplay, combat, visuals, music, and improved technical performance compared to previous Bethesda games. However, opinions on its story and exploration aspects have been mixed.
Starfield Ship Building Guide
In Starfield, players have the opportunity to create or customize their own ships. This feature was heavily promoted by Bethesda before the game's release. However, the in-game system for ship-building isn't very well explained, leaving players to figure it out on their own.
To provide valuable ship-building tips, this guide has gathered insights from multiple playthroughs, aiming to make the process smoother and more enjoyable for all players.
How to Build a Ship Starfield?
In Starfield, building a ship involves owning at least one ship, which you typically acquire early in the game. You can't create a ship entirely from scratch; you need a base ship. To start the ship-building process, find a Ship Services Technician and choose the "I'd like to view and modify my ships" option. Then, select the Ship Builder from the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to a screen where you can add, move, remove, and adjust various ship components.
If you want to build a ship completely from the ground up, you can delete each component of the ship you're viewing, essentially starting with a blank canvas. The good news is that you'll receive credit for the parts you delete, allowing you to build your new ship for free until it surpasses the value of your original base ship.
Ship Builder Screen
Source: Youtube
The ship builder screen in Starfield has key components to understand. When you zoom out, you'll see the canvas where you can work on your ship, and it must fit within these boundaries. The grid on the canvas shows your ship's length and width in meters, with labels for Fore, STBD (Starboard), Aft, and Port, representing the four sides of your ship. It's crucial to match the parts you select with the side you intend to attach them to; for instance, you can't add a part meant for Port Fore to Starboard Aft.
Look at the readings along the bottom and top left of the Ship Builder screen. Red numbers indicate suboptimal values, while blue numbers signify optimal values. The information may seem overwhelming, but it will make more sense as you proceed. A
dditionally, on the right side near the bottom, you'll find a reading for errors. If you're building a ship from scratch, you'll start with eight errors on a blank canvas. You can click the Flight Check button at the bottom for more details on errors and warnings. Your goal is to have zero errors, but warnings are acceptable.
Finally, there's a ruler on the right side of the screen with two buttons, one at the bottom and one at the top. When you have a ship part selected, you can use these buttons to move the part up and down, helping you snap it into place if you're having trouble with placement.
Selecting Ship Parts
Source: Youtube
To start building your ship on a blank canvas, click the "Add" option at the bottom. This will display a list of available ship parts provided by the Ship Services Technician. Some parts may be greyed out, indicating that you can't acquire them because you lack the required skill. Hover your cursor over a greyed-out part to see which skill you need.
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a ship part is its class. There are three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C components. Some parts have no class designation, which means they can work with any of the three classes. By default, you'll be a Class A pilot, allowing you to build and fly Class A ships. It's essential to note that you can't install modules that exceed your reactor's class. For instance, if you have a Class A reactor, you can't use a Class B engine.
Regardless of your ship's design, it must include the following components:
While it's advisable to include a Cargo Hold, Shield, and Weapons in your ship, you have the option to skip them if you prefer.
Building Your Ship
Source: Youtube
When building your ship in Starfield, it's a good practice to start with the cockpit to establish the front of the ship and set its overall aesthetic. Afterward, add the HABs to define the ship's basic length, width, and shape. Once you have the structure in mind, incorporate the Engines, Grav Drive, and Reactor. Typically, the Shield and Weapons are added last unless you're focusing on cosmetics.
Once you've laid the ship's foundation, the next step is to eliminate any errors while achieving the desired look and functionality. For instance, if your ship ends up being quite large, you might need to install multiple engines to generate sufficient power for mobility.
Source: Youtube
Additionally, consider your Cargo Hold's capacity and add more if needed. You can also include Shielded Cargo Holds for smuggling Contraband. When adding weapons, you may encounter errors and warnings related to weapon assignment. Navigate to the Weapons tab in the Flight Check menu to assign weapons to your controls and keybindings.
When everything is in place, aim to have a blue reading in the bottom right corner of your screen, indicating that you've cleared all errors and warnings, and your ship should perform as expected. Keep in mind that this reading can still exist if certain parameters like Mobility and Mass are in the red.
Source: Youtube
Red signifies issues, white means acceptable, and blue is excellent. Once your ship is Nominal and meets your expectations, you can change its color by hovering over any component and selecting the Color setting at the bottom, or modify the ship's name in the Flight Check menu. Now that your ship is built, exit the Ship Builder, and your ship will be ready for exploration and adventure.
Starfield Gameplay
Starfield is an action role-playing video game set in an open world within the Milky Way galaxy. Players can switch between a first-person and third-person perspective as they explore over 1,000 planets, moons, and space stations. The game features procedurally generated landscapes that are then handcrafted, with terrain, flora, and fauna tailored to each planet's star system and atmosphere.
Players can customize their character, select a background with unique starting skills, and gain additional traits as they progress. They level up through five skill trees: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech, unlocking abilities and using various weapons, including firearms, explosives, and melee weapons.
Jetpacks aid in combat and traversal, while scanning planets for resources, crafting, and building outposts are integral to gameplay. Players can also construct, customize, and commandeer spaceships, engaging in ship combat, trading, and boarding other ships.
Starfield Plot
In Starfield, the story unfolds in the Settled Systems, an area spanning about 50 light-years beyond the Solar System. This sci-fi world is set two decades after the Colony War, a conflict between the United Colonies and Freestar Collective. While the major factions now maintain a fragile peace, players step into the shoes of a customizable character affiliated with Constellation, a group of space explorers, embarking on adventures in this futuristic universe.
Starfield Ship Building Guide - FAQs
No, you can't build a ship from scratch; you must start with an existing ship.
Speak to the Ship Services Technician and choose "I'd like to view and modify my ships" to access the Ship Builder.
A basic ship must include a cockpit, docker, engine(s), grav drive, landing bay, reactor, fuel tank, landing gear, and cargo hold.
Check the Flight Check menu for errors and warnings, then adjust your ship's components to eliminate them.
Yes, after ensuring your ship has no errors or warnings, you can change its color or name through the Flight Check menu.