Can I Sell Ships in Starfield? A Comprehensive Guide to Starship Sales
Yes, absolutely! Selling ships in Starfield is not only possible but can be a lucrative (though sometimes costly) venture. The process involves a few key steps, especially if you’re dealing with stolen ships or those carrying contraband. So buckle up, spacefarer, and let’s dive into the ins and outs of selling starships in Starfield.
Understanding the Ship Selling Process
The fundamental principle is simple: if you own a ship and don’t need it (perhaps you’ve upgraded to something bigger and better), you can sell it at any Ship Services Technician or your own outpost shipbuilder kiosk. However, there are nuances that can significantly impact your profit margin, particularly registration fees and the value of your ship.
Registration: The Necessary Evil
One of the biggest hurdles in selling ships, particularly those you’ve… acquired through less-than-legal means, is the registration fee. This fee, as the article notes, can be a hefty chunk – often around 85% of the ship’s total value. It’s a significant expense but necessary if you want to sell the ship legitimately. Think of it as paying your dues to the United Colonies or Freestar Collective. Without registering a ship, you are limited to selling it with a very specific glitch, which we will get into later.
Why is registration so important? It essentially legalizes the ship, allowing you to fly it without attracting unwanted attention from system authorities and enabling you to modify it at shipyards or even rename it. It’s the difference between owning a car and just… driving it away.
Stolen Ships and Contraband: Extra Steps Required
If you’re planning to offload a ship that you, shall we say, liberated from an enemy faction, or if it’s carrying contraband, you’ll need to take extra precautions. First and foremost, you must register the stolen vessel.
Once registered, you can approach a Ship Services Technician. When interacting with the technician, select the option to view available items for sale and, from there, select “Sell” (usually the ‘G’ key on PC). Be warned, selling stolen ships isn’t always a reliable income stream, but it is an option, particularly if you are constantly disabling and boarding enemy ships.
The Glitch Method: Selling Unregistered Ships
There’s also a way to sell ships without registering them, by using a glitch. This may or may not be patched out in future updates, so keep that in mind.
The Glitch: To sell a ship without registering, your target ship can not be your home ship, it must be one of your ships on reserve.
- Open the ship technician interface.
- The first ship on your screen will be your home ship.
- Then press and hold LB and A and release at the same time.
- Your unregistered ship will show up on the screen and will ask you if you want to sell it for the value on the screen.
Maximizing Your Profits
Here are a few tips to increase your profits when selling ships:
- Improve Your Commerce Skill: Investing in the Commerce skill can significantly increase the prices you receive when selling goods, including ships. Every little bit helps.
- Sell High-Value Ships: Focus on acquiring and selling ships that are naturally worth more. Look for heavily armed, well-equipped vessels.
- Minimize Modifications (Before Selling): While upgrades can improve a ship’s performance, they don’t always translate into a higher selling price. Consider stripping down unnecessary modifications before selling to recoup some of the upgrade costs.
- Utilize the “Sell from Ship Inventory” Feature: Don’t forget you can directly sell items from your ship’s cargo hold to vendors. This eliminates the need to lug everything around.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Selling Ships in Starfield
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address some common concerns:
1. Can you sell ships in Starfield without registering them?
Yes, but with some caveats. By using a glitch. As stated above, the value you get from selling an unregistered ship is next to nothing.
2. Is selling ships in Starfield worth it?
It can be, but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. The registration fees can be significant, eating into your profits. However, if you consistently acquire ships (through piracy or other means) and don’t need them, selling them is a viable way to generate income.
3. How many ships can you own in Starfield?
You can own up to ten ships at a time. Once you reach this limit, you’ll need to sell or dismiss a ship before acquiring another.
4. Can you sell ships from your ship’s inventory?
Yes! You can sell items directly from your ship’s cargo inventory, streamlining the selling process. No more trekking back and forth to vendors!
5. What happens to your old ship when you get a new one?
When you acquire a new ship, your old ship simply disappears. There’s no ceremony, no storage, just poof! It’s a clean slate, which can be a little disappointing for those attached to their first starship.
6. How do you sell a ship for full price in Starfield?
You can’t really sell a ship for full price. The registration fee will always take a cut. The only way to sell the ship is to find one you like.
7. Can you sell pirate ships in Starfield?
Yes, you can sell any ship you own, regardless of how you acquired it, at a Ship Services Technician. Just remember to register those stolen vessels first.
8. What is the maximum ship limit in Starfield?
The maximum ship limit is 10. Keep that in mind when you are on a ship-grabbing spree.
9. Can you steal Starborn ships in Starfield?
Initially, no. During your first playthrough, you cannot steal Starborn ships. However, when you enter New Game Plus (NG+), you’ll be rewarded with your own Starborn ship.
10. What is the best ship to buy in Starfield?
The Razorleaf is often considered one of the best early-game ships. It’s fast, maneuverable, and comes with decent weapons. While its cargo capacity is limited, its overall performance makes it a solid choice.
11. What is the point of registering a ship in Starfield?
Registering a ship legalizes it, allowing you to fly it without interference, modify it at shipyards, and sell it legitimately. It’s an essential step for any stolen or acquired vessel.
12. Can you be a pirate in Starfield?
Absolutely! You can join the Crimson Fleet, a faction of space pirates, and embrace a life of piracy and plunder. Of course, this will have consequences and affect your relationships with other factions.
13. Are there legendary ships in Starfield?
Yes, there are Legendary ships, which are essentially extremely difficult and rare encounters with powerful enemy vessels. These encounters are some of the toughest dogfights in the game.
14. Is the Razorleaf worth keeping?
Yes, the Razorleaf is definitely worth keeping, especially early in the game. In addition to its speed and weapons, it features a shielded cargo hold that can be invaluable for smuggling contraband.
15. What is the maximum crew size on a Starfield ship?
The maximum crew size on a Starfield ship can reach eight, but you’ll need to invest in the Ship Command skill to increase your crew capacity. You’ll also need to improve your Piloting skill to handle larger vessels that accommodate more staff.
Final Thoughts
Selling ships in Starfield can be a profitable endeavor, but it requires understanding the mechanics, especially registration fees and the potential risks associated with stolen vessels. By maximizing your Commerce skill, focusing on high-value ships, and carefully managing your modifications, you can turn your ship-selling business into a respectable income source. So, get out there, explore the galaxy, and start building your fleet (and dismantling your enemies’ fleets) today! The world of gaming is constantly evolving, and organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, are helping to shape its future.