Is the Razorleaf Good in Starfield? A Comprehensive Review
Yes, the Razorleaf is an exceptionally good ship in Starfield, especially for early to mid-game players. It stands out as a free ship that’s not only easy to acquire, but also offers a significant upgrade over the starting ship, the Frontier. The Razorleaf boasts a potent combination of offense, defense, and utility, making it a versatile choice for various playstyles. It’s not just a freebie; it’s a well-rounded vessel capable of handling combat, cargo transport, and even a bit of contraband smuggling thanks to its shielded cargo hold. Its value goes beyond its impressive stats, as it’s the centerpiece of a rewarding questline. If you’re looking for a reliable and capable ship without spending credits early on, the Razorleaf is definitely a must-have.
The Razorleaf: A Deep Dive
The Razorleaf distinguishes itself from other free ships through its balanced capabilities. It’s a class A ship, meaning it’s relatively agile and easy to handle, which is great for players who are just getting the hang of spaceship combat in Starfield.
Combat Prowess
This ship is armed with powerful weapons, making it more than capable of holding its own in dogfights against initial enemies. It may not have the sheer firepower of some later-game ships, but it provides a considerable boost in combat effectiveness compared to the Frontier. Players will find the Razorleaf much more capable in engagements, allowing them to confidently tackle early-game space battles.
Cargo Capacity & Shielded Hold
The Razorleaf also features a decent cargo capacity of 420 units, which allows for carrying plenty of loot and resources, enabling the completion of early-game quests without numerous trips to vendors. More crucially, it comes with a shielded cargo hold, perfect for smuggling contraband. This opens up possibilities for players who want to explore the more lucrative, and often illicit, corners of Starfield’s universe.
Enhanced Stats
Compared to the Frontier, the Razorleaf presents clear improvements in key areas. It has a stronger reactor, shield, and hull, which translate to better survivability in combat, more available power for ship systems, and a more robust overall design. These upgrades make it a more capable and reliable ship, and gives players more confidence in space exploration.
The Mantis Quest Reward
Beyond the ship itself, obtaining the Razorleaf unlocks the “Mantis” quest line. This involves a unique storyline that offers further rewards beyond the ship itself. This adds substantial value to the ship and makes obtaining it a high priority for most players.
Early-Game Powerhouse
The Razorleaf excels as an early-game ship due to its accessibility and impressive performance. It provides players with a significant advantage in both combat and exploration and can easily carry players through the early parts of the game. Its versatility makes it a standout option that won’t be quickly outpaced.
Razorleaf vs. The Competition
While the Razorleaf is a great ship, it’s worth comparing it to other commonly available ships.
Razorleaf vs. The Frontier
The Frontier is the default starter ship, and the Razorleaf is a significant upgrade. The Razorleaf has superior weaponry, defenses, and a shielded cargo hold, whereas the Frontier is a more basic ship with fewer features and lower overall performance. The Razorleaf is the obvious choice as a step up.
Razorleaf vs. Wanderwell
The Wanderwell boasts a larger cargo capacity of 880, making it good for resource hauling. However, it lacks the shielded cargo hold of the Razorleaf, making it less versatile. Ultimately, the Razorleaf is better in most situations due to its superior weapons and contraband smuggling capabilities.
Razorleaf vs. Star Eagle
The Star Eagle is another highly rated free ship obtained later in the game. While the Star Eagle is more combat focused, boasting an EM weapon and higher crew capacity, it lacks the shielded cargo hold that makes the Razorleaf so appealing to certain players. Which ship is better comes down to preference, but both are excellent free ships worth acquiring.
Razorleaf vs. Other Free Ships
Other free ships, like the Dagger or the UC Prison Shuttle, are often not as powerful or as well-rounded as the Razorleaf. The Razorleaf remains one of the very best free ships available in Starfield.
Final Verdict: Is the Razorleaf Worth it?
The Razorleaf is undoubtedly a worthwhile ship in Starfield. Its accessibility, balanced capabilities, and the unique questline it unlocks make it an essential acquisition for all players. It’s a capable vessel that provides a substantial upgrade over the starting ship and can serve as a reliable companion throughout much of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned smuggler, an aspiring combat pilot, or simply a player looking for a well-rounded vessel, the Razorleaf is a ship that should not be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do you get the Razorleaf in Starfield?
The Razorleaf is obtained by completing a questline triggered by reading a note found on a dead body in a specific location. This will begin the Mantis Quest which culminates in you taking ownership of the Razorleaf.
2. Is the Razorleaf a good early-game ship?
Yes, the Razorleaf is an excellent early-game ship. It is a significant improvement over the Frontier, boasting better weapons, shields, and a unique shielded cargo hold.
3. Does the Razorleaf have a shielded cargo hold?
Yes, the Razorleaf has a shielded cargo hold, which is essential for smuggling contraband and avoiding detection by authorities.
4. How does the Razorleaf compare to the Frontier?
The Razorleaf is a clear upgrade over the Frontier in almost every aspect. It has better weapons, shields, a higher hull, and a shielded cargo hold.
5. What class of ship is the Razorleaf?
The Razorleaf is a class A ship, making it agile and suitable for both combat and exploration.
6. How much is the Razorleaf worth?
The Razorleaf is worth over 120,000 credits. However, it’s obtained for free by completing the Mantis quest, making it an even more valuable addition to your fleet.
7. Can you steal ships in Starfield?
Yes, you can steal ships in Starfield if you have a least one rank in the Targeting Control Systems skill which allows you to target the engines of enemy ships and disable them, then board and take over the ship.
8. Is the Wanderwell better than the Razorleaf?
The Wanderwell has a higher cargo capacity, but it lacks the shielded cargo hold of the Razorleaf, making the Razorleaf better for many players. It depends on if you prioritize smuggling or resource hauling.
9. What are the other best free ships in Starfield?
Some of the best free ships in Starfield include the Star Eagle, UC Prison Shuttle, Wanderwell, Kepler R, and the Starborn Guardian (which is unique to the end of the main quest line).
10. Does the Razorleaf come with a unique quest line?
Yes, acquiring the Razorleaf unlocks the Mantis quest, which is a unique storyline offering further rewards.
11. Is the Shieldbreaker a better option than the Razorleaf?
While the Shieldbreaker is a decent ship, the Razorleaf or Star Eagle are generally considered better options due to their balance of features and capabilities.
12. Can you board legendary ships in Starfield?
No, legendary ships in Starfield are not intended to be boarded. They’re designed to be destroyed.
13. How many ships can I own in Starfield?
You can own up to ten ships in Starfield.
14. What happens to my old ship when I get a new one?
Your old ship will simply disappear with no real fanfare. It will fly away when you acquire another ship through purchase or by stealing.
15. Is the Razorleaf the best ship in Starfield?
While the Razorleaf is a very good early-game ship and highly recommended for all players, it is not the best in the long run. There are other ships, particularly those later in the game, that have better features. The Razorleaf is however a very powerful ship, and is one of the best free options, making it a valuable acquisition early in the game.