How to Sell Your Boarded Ship in Starfield: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve boarded a ship in the vast expanse of Starfield, and now you’re looking to turn a profit. Selling boarded ships can be a lucrative endeavor, but it’s not as simple as docking and pocketing the credits. Here’s a direct and comprehensive answer to how you sell your boarded ship in Starfield:
First, you cannot sell a ship immediately after boarding it. Stolen ships are considered contraband and require an extra step: registration. Here’s the full process:
- Board the Ship: Successfully board your target ship. This might involve disabling their engines or using other tactics to gain entry.
- Pilot the Stolen Ship: Once inside, locate the cockpit and take control.
- Make it your Home Ship (Optional but recommended): It’s generally advisable to make the boarded ship your active “home ship” to prevent it from wandering off. This can be done by accessing the ship’s menu, usually while sitting in the pilot’s seat.
- Travel to a Ship Services Technician: Fly your newly acquired ship to a major settlement with a Ship Services Technician. These can be found in most major cities, like New Atlantis on Jemison or Akila City on Akila. Look for the distinctive sign with a ship icon.
- Register the Ship: Speak to the Ship Services Technician and select the option to view and manage your ships. Select the stolen ship from your list and choose the option to register it. This will incur a fee, typically around 85% of the ship’s value. This registration process removes the ship’s stolen status.
- Sell the Ship: After registration is complete, the technician will now recognize the ship as your legal property. Select the option to view your ships again, choose the registered ship, and then select the option to sell it. You will receive credits for the sale, albeit at a significantly reduced rate from its base value due to the registration fee.
That’s the core process. But the world of Starfield is nuanced, and there are many more questions you might have. Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to guide you further:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sell a ship without registering it in Starfield?
No, you cannot sell a stolen ship without registering it. The ship is considered contraband until registered, and Ship Services Technicians will not handle contraband for sale. Registration is a mandatory step for trading stolen vessels.
2. How do I register my stolen ship?
To register your stolen ship, you must visit a Ship Services Technician. Select the ship you wish to register from the list of ships you own and choose the “register” option. You will then be charged a fee, typically around 85% of the ship’s value, and the ship will lose its contraband status.
3. Why is the registration fee so high?
The high registration fee reflects the inherent risk and legal hurdles associated with acquiring and selling stolen vehicles. The game is designed to simulate a system where the registration cost acts as a sort of penalty for piracy, limiting how profitable it is to steal and flip ships.
4. Is stealing ships profitable in Starfield?
While you can make a profit, it’s not exceptionally lucrative. Due to the high registration fee (around 85% of the ship’s value), you’ll only net a small fraction of the ship’s total worth. Stealing ships is more about acquiring new vehicles for your fleet than a reliable source of income. If you steal a ship worth 100,000 credits you may only get around 16,000 for it, and after the registration fee you might only profit around 2,560 credits.
5. Where can I find Ship Services Technicians?
You can find Ship Services Technicians in almost all major settlements. Look for them at spaceports in cities like New Atlantis, Akila City, Neon, and many others. They are usually near the landing pads and have a ship icon displayed near them.
6. Can I sell ships at my outpost shipbuilder kiosk?
Yes, you can sell ships at an outpost shipbuilder kiosk, but the process is the same as selling at a Ship Services Technician. You still have to register the stolen ship first before being able to sell.
7. What happens to my old ship when I board a new one?
If you board a new ship without having the maximum amount of ships, your previous ship will remain where you left it. You can always board and reclaim your previous ship. If the previous ship undocks, target it and board it quickly. If it is still docked, simply board it again. Then, to reclaim it as your “home ship” go to the c***pit and change your home ship.
8. How many ships can I own in Starfield?
You can own a maximum of ten ships at any given time in Starfield. Once you reach this limit, you must sell a ship before acquiring a new one.
9. Can I sell items from my ship’s cargo hold directly to a vendor?
Yes, you can. When interacting with any vendor, you can press “LB” (or the corresponding key on your platform) to switch to the sell menu. You can then press “LB” again to access items from your ship’s cargo hold, eliminating the need to manually transfer items from your ship to your person.
10. What should I not sell in Starfield?
Consider holding onto the following items: Ammo (as it has no weight), Digipicks, Healing items, Rare resources, Starborn gear, and ships with specific functions you use. You may also want to hold onto any Legendary items you like.
11. Can I steal Starborn ships in Starfield?
No, you cannot steal Starborn ships during your first playthrough. They are inaccessible. However, after you start New Game Plus you will receive a Starborn ship as a reward that you can then fly.
12. Can I sell a bounty hunter ship?
Yes, just like any other ship, you can sell a bounty hunter ship. The process remains the same: you must register it first before you can sell it at any Ship Services Technician or at your outpost shipbuilder kiosk.
13. Where can I sell contraband items besides ships?
To sell contraband items (other than ships, which must be registered first), you need to find a Trade Authority vendor. These can be located in major settlements like Neon, The Key, or in the Trade Authority office in New Atlantis.
14. What is the best ship to steal in Starfield?
Some of the better ships to steal include the Crimson Fleet Wraith, Stronghold, Vanquisher, and others with strong weapons and defensive capabilities. Ship preferences do vary, but these provide a solid foundation. However, most ships you steal are not worth very much due to the registration fee.
15. Is there a level cap in Starfield?
No, there is no level cap in Starfield. You can continue to level up and gain skills indefinitely. There is an achievement called Reach for the Stars that is earned when you reach level 100.
Conclusion
Selling a boarded ship in Starfield is a straightforward process once you understand the necessity of registration. While the profit margin may not be as high as you might hope, acquiring and flipping ships can still add a thrilling layer to your adventures in the Settled Systems. Remember, while you should definitely sell off any ships you don’t need, the goal should be to keep useful ones you can identify the unique purpose of. Now, armed with this knowledge, go forth and claim your fortune from the stars!