How to Modify Your Ship in Starfield: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to become a starship architect in Starfield? Excellent choice! Modifying your ship is core to progression, and you’ll soon learn to appreciate a well-customized spacecraft. Modifying your ship in Starfield is done by interacting with a Ship Services Technician, or by using a Ship Builder at your outpost. Engage a Ship Services Technician at any major spaceport, choosing the “I’d like to view and modify my ships” dialogue option to enter the Ship Builder interface. There, you can swap modules, add weapons, change the layout, and fine-tune your vessel to perfectly suit your playstyle, your cargo needs, and the dangers you face in the vast expanse of space.

Navigating the Ship Builder Interface

The Ship Builder interface might seem a little daunting at first, but breaking it down makes it manageable. Here’s a brief breakdown:

• Module Selection: This is where the magic happens. You’ll see all available modules from various manufacturers. From hab modules and cargo holds to engines and weapons, there’s a massive variety.
• Stats Display: Keep a close eye on the stats display. It shows how your modifications affect your ship’s speed, maneuverability, hull integrity, cargo capacity, and weapon damage.
• Cost and Requirements: Each module has a cost, both in credits and potentially in specific skills. Make sure you have the necessary skills and credits before committing to any major changes.
• Connection Nodes: These are the points where you can connect new modules to your ship. Modules only work when attached at these nodes.
• Structural Integrity: Don’t overload your ship! Pay attention to structural integrity. If you add too many heavy modules without sufficient support, your ship’s performance will suffer.
• Power Management: Ensure you have enough reactor power to support all your systems, especially weapons and engines. You can allocate power between systems during combat for tactical advantages.

Essential Ship Upgrades

As you venture deeper into the Starfield universe, some upgrades become essential:

• Engines: Faster engines mean faster travel and better maneuverability in combat. Invest in high-end engines as soon as you can afford them.
• Weapons: Different enemies require different weapon types. Consider having a mix of lasers, ballistics, and missiles to handle any situation. Upgrade your weapon systems to higher mark models for improved efficiency and greater damage output.
• Shields: A strong shield can be the difference between survival and destruction in a firefight. Choose shields with high capacity and fast regeneration rates.
• Cargo Holds: More cargo space means more profit from trading and more room for resources you gather on planets. Expand your cargo capacity early and often.
• Hab Modules: These modules determine the interior layout and functionality of your ship. Add workshops, research labs, and medical bays to create a mobile base of operations.

Customizing Your Ship’s Interior

Beyond the functional aspects, you can customize your ship’s interior. Start by changing the habitat modules. The Ship Builder menu provides a range of HAB options. Install diverse models from different manufacturers, each offering distinct decorative styles. Further, you can manually decorate the interior of the ship. Drop, grab, and place ornaments on specific parts of the living quarters, storage, and cockpit. Add comfy chairs, a coffee maker, refrigerator, and paintings.

Outpost Ship Builder

Another way you can modify your ship is by using a Ship Builder at your outpost. This will allow you to craft ships in a remote place and have more control over your shipbuilding. You can get Starfield ship modules at your outpost at the large landing pad.

Tips for Effective Ship Modification

• Plan Ahead: Before diving in, think about what you want your ship to do. Are you a trader, a pirate, an explorer, or a bounty hunter? Your ship’s design should reflect your chosen profession.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of modules. The Ship Builder allows you to undo changes, so experiment until you find the perfect build.
• Visit Different Shipyards: Each shipyard specializes in different modules and manufacturers. Visit different shipyards to see the full range of options.
• Consider Skills: Invest in skills like Piloting, Ship Design, and Starship Engineering to unlock advanced modules and improve your ship’s performance.
• Balance Cost and Performance: The most expensive modules aren’t always the best. Consider the cost-effectiveness of each upgrade and choose the options that provide the best value for your money.
• Test Your Ship: After making major modifications, take your ship for a test flight. See how it handles in combat and how well it performs in different situations.
• Pay attention to tutorials: Don’t skip tutorials. Tutorials will teach you everything you need to know about ship building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions regarding the ship modification in Starfield:

1. How do I add modules to my ship in Starfield?

You can add modules to your ship by visiting Ship Services Technicians at any city or settlement or using the Ship Builder at the large landing pad at your outpost. Access the Ship Builder interface and connect new modules to available connection nodes.

2. Where can I find Ship Services Technicians?

Ship Services Technicians can be found at any major spaceport in cities and settlements across the galaxy. Look for them near the landing pads.

3. How do I upgrade my ship in New Atlantis?

Speak to the Ship Service Technician in New Atlantis, who is usually located just in front of where your ship lands. Select the “I’d like to view and modify my ship” dialogue option to access the Ship Builder.

4. Can I add a workbench to my ship in Starfield?

Yes, you can add workbenches to your ship by installing Hab modules that contain them. Filter through the different workbenches options to purchase. Read the description of the HABS inventory to double-check what you are about to purchase.

5. How do I use the Ship Builder in Starfield?

Access the Ship Builder by talking to a Ship Services Technician and selecting the “I’d like to view and modify my ships” dialogue option. Then, press the appropriate button to enter the Ship Builder mode.

6. Can I decorate my ship in Starfield?

Yes, decorating a ship’s interior in Starfield is a manual process. Drop, grab, and place ornaments on specific parts of the living quarters, storage, and the cockpit.

7. Can you customize the Starborn ship in Starfield?

Unfortunately, you cannot customize the Starborn Ship in Starfield. There are no options for swapping out parts, upgrading systems, or changing the ship’s colors.

8. How do I increase my ship’s power in Starfield?

Hold down the button for increasing or decreasing power in your ships power allocation system. After holding it down for one second you’ll hear an audible beep/ click. Once you release the button it will dump out all power or increase to max power!

9. How big can you make your ship in Starfield?

The game allows for significant ship customization, with a maximum ship size of 80m in any axis.

10. How do I get unique ship parts in Starfield?

Talk to the Ship technician next to the Trade Authority kiosk. They offer great all-around ship parts, unique cockpits, dockers, landing gears, structures, and a larger selection of hubs unavailable otherwise.

11. Is it better to buy or build a ship in Starfield?

Building your own familiarises you of how exactly each module and ship weapon works. Plus you can be very free of how you want your ship to look like. But otherwise it makes no difference whether you build, buy, or steal one.

12. Where is the best place to modify ships in Starfield?

The easiest way to upgrade the various modules on a ship in Starfield is to locate the Ship Services Technician at a landing/launch pad.

13. How do you unlock customization options for a ship?

Talk to the vendor and select Ship Customisations. Once you’re there, you’ll see everything you can buy and what you can unlock. Unlock items by leveling up with the respective trading company or by unlocking a specific commendation.

14. How do I get a new ship in Starfield?

You’ll get new ships by buying them at a spaceport or by stealing them from enemies (or by starting a New Game+).

15. Can I put furniture in my ship in Starfield?

Once active, you can craft and place anything in your ship that you would usually be able to place in a house or apartment in Starfield’s major cities.

Final Thoughts

Modifying your ship is a crucial and rewarding aspect of Starfield. Experiment, explore, and tailor your ship to perfectly match your playstyle. So get out there, start modifying, and conquer the stars! To learn more about game design and education, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.