What Happens to Your Old Ship in Starfield? The Mystery Solved!
The vast expanse of Starfield offers players unparalleled freedom to explore, battle, and collect a diverse range of starships. But what happens when you acquire a new vessel? Does your old ship vanish into the ether? The short answer is: not quite. When you obtain a new ship in Starfield, your previous ship doesn’t simply disappear or get recycled. It is instead stored in your fleet, available for you to call back at any time. Your old ship enters a kind of “limbo”, a storage within the game’s mechanics rather than the physical in-game world. It’s not flying around on its own; it’s simply waiting for you to select it as your home ship again. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics and address all your questions about ship ownership in Starfield.
How Starfield Handles Ship Ownership
Unlike some games where replacing your ship means losing it forever, Starfield adopts a more player-friendly approach. You can amass a collection of up to ten ships at a time, each with its own unique stats, capabilities, and cargo. This system allows you to switch between different ships to suit your current needs.
When you acquire a new ship, either by purchasing it, stealing it, or receiving it as a reward, it doesn’t automatically replace your current home ship. Instead, it’s added to your fleet. You can then access a list of your owned ships at any ship technician, at the ship building controls located at a large landing pad on your outpost, or by selecting ‘Ship’ in your start menu. There you can view and select any of your ships to be your active home ship.
Stolen Ships and Their Fate
Stealing ships adds an exciting layer to the game. When you commandeer a vessel, your old ship isn’t destroyed or abandoned. It simply remains as one of the ships in your fleet. The moment you sit in the pilot’s seat, the stolen ship becomes yours, but only after completing one Grav Jump or landing on a planet. This action establishes it as your home ship, and your previous home ship will move into storage along with your other ships.
Cargo Management When Switching Ships
A common concern is what happens to your cargo when switching ships. Fortunately, Starfield handles this quite smoothly. When you select a new ship as your home ship, all the cargo from your previous ship automatically transfers to your new one. However, this process comes with a caveat. If your previous ship’s cargo was close to or at its limit, and your new ship has a lower cargo capacity, your new ship will be overencumbered. You won’t be able to add new items until you’ve removed enough to be under the limit, though everything will still transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Do I Change My Active Ship?
You can change your active ship at any ship technician, at the ship building controls located at a large landing pad on your outpost, or by selecting ‘Ship’ in your start menu. Access your ship list, and select the ship you want to make your home ship.
2. Can I Have More Than One Ship in Starfield?
Yes, you can own up to ten ships at a time.
3. Where Do My Other Ships Go When Not in Use?
Your other ships are stored within the game’s mechanics and are not physically located anywhere in the game world. They’re ready for you to select and use again as your home ship at any point.
4. What Happens to My Cargo When I Switch Ships?
All cargo transfers automatically to your new ship. However, if your new ship has a lower cargo capacity, you’ll be over encumbered until you remove some cargo.
5. Can I Lose My Ship in Starfield?
No, you cannot permanently lose a ship unless you decide to sell it, even if it gets damaged in combat. You can always select it again as your active ship.
6. Can I Sell My Stolen Ships?
Yes, you can sell stolen ships at any ship services technician or your outpost shipbuilder kiosk.
7. How Do I Register a Stolen Ship?
The easiest way is to select the stolen ship as your home ship in the ship menu. If it isn’t already registered, an option to register it will appear.
8. How Do I Get More Ships?
You can acquire ships by:
- Buying them from ship technicians
- Stealing them from NPCs
- Earning them as rewards from quests, traits, and in-game activities.
9. What is the Best Stolen Ship to Acquire?
Some of the best stolen or earnable ships include the Starborn Guardian, Razorleaf, and Star Eagle. The Crimson Fleet Wraith is another popular stolen ship.
10. Can I Fly All of My Ships?
You can only fly one ship at a time (your “home ship”). The other ships are safely stored within the game’s mechanics.
11. Does My Old Ship Fly Away When I Steal a New One?
Yes, you can see your old ship take off and leave when you steal a new one, but this is purely for visual effect. It does not vanish from your fleet.
12. What Are Some Good Free Ships to Get?
Good free ships include the Starborn Guardian, Star Eagle, Razorleaf, and Kepler R.
13. What Happens to My Ship If I Don’t Register It?
If you do not register a stolen ship, you cannot switch between your ships using that ship. You must register it to add it to your ship collection.
14. Can I Sell a Ship that Has Contraband?
Yes, but you’ll need to go to a specific vendor such as a Trade Authority representative on the “The Den” or a similar location to sell such ships.
15. How Do I Manage My Fleet If I Reach the Maximum Number of Ships?
You’ll have to sell an existing ship to acquire a new one once you have reached the limit of ten ships.
Conclusion
The ship ownership system in Starfield is designed to offer flexibility and convenience, allowing you to experiment with various vessels without losing your hard-earned acquisitions. Your old ships aren’t gone forever; they are simply in a state of storage, ready to be called upon when needed. This system enhances the overall gameplay experience, letting you focus on the exploration and adventure that Starfield has to offer.