Choosing Your First Starship: The Best Starter Vessel in No Man’s Sky
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The vast, procedurally generated universe of No Man’s Sky awaits, but before you can truly explore its boundless wonders, you need a reliable starship. So, what’s the best ship to start with? The short answer: It doesn’t really matter. Your starter ship is a Fighter, and it’s perfectly adequate for the initial steps of your journey. Its high maneuverability makes it great for dodging asteroids and handling those early space battles. However, as soon as you have the opportunity, you should start thinking strategically about acquiring a ship that better suits your play style and long-term goals. No Man’s Sky offers a plethora of ship types, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, making your choice a matter of preference and practicality.
Understanding the Ship Classes
Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s break down the different ship classes in No Man’s Sky:
- Fighters: As mentioned, these are your agile dogfighters. They excel in combat with bonuses to damage and shields. Great for taking on pirates and Sentinels.
- Haulers: These are the cargo trucks of space. They boast the highest inventory space, making them ideal for trading and resource gathering. Sacrificing some agility for sheer carrying capacity.
- Explorers: These ships excel at long-range travel thanks to their hyperdrive bonus. Perfect for quickly covering vast distances and discovering new systems.
- Shuttles: These are the generalists of the ship world. They offer a balance of stats, making them versatile but not particularly outstanding in any specific area. They are often cheap and readily available early on.
- Exotic: These are unique and often visually striking ships with well-rounded stats. They usually come with S-class ratings, making them highly desirable.
- Living Ships: These organic ships are grown rather than built. They are very unique ships with a host of interesting characteristics. They can warp to any star system without the need for specific hyperdrive upgrades.
- Solar Ships: These ships feature unique solar sails that recharge its impulse drive when near a star. The sails also boost maneuverability and boost stats.
Beyond the Starter Ship: Early Game Strategies
While your starter Fighter is serviceable, consider these factors when choosing your next ship:
- Economy: Early on, Units (in-game currency) are crucial. Consider a Hauler or a Shuttle with decent storage to maximize profits from trading.
- Exploration: If you prioritize discovering new planets and systems, an Explorer ship with an enhanced hyperdrive is a good investment.
- Combat: If you enjoy battling pirates or Sentinels, stick with Fighters or consider upgrading your existing one.
- Multi-purpose: For a general use ship, a Shuttle or Explorer can be your go-to ship for various situations.
Finding Your Ideal Early Game Ship
- Crashed Ships: Keep an eye out for crashed ships on planets. Repairing and claiming them is a cheap way to acquire a new vessel. These ships are free to claim!
- Space Stations: Visit space stations in different systems. You can often find a variety of ships for sale. Ships of higher wealth systems are more likely to be of better quality and class.
- Trading Posts: Similar to space stations, trading posts on planets offer another opportunity to find ships for sale.
Ship Class and Slots
Don’t forget about ship class (C, B, A, S) and the number of slots available. Higher classes offer better stat bonuses and the potential for more inventory and technology slots. These can be further upgraded by using Nanites.
Long-Term Ship Acquisition
As you progress, you’ll unlock the ability to own up to 12 ships. This allows you to curate a diverse fleet, each tailored to specific tasks. Don’t be afraid to experiment and collect different ship types.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best ship to start with in No Man’s Sky is the one you enjoy flying. However, by understanding the different ship classes and their strengths, you can make informed decisions and build a fleet that supports your unique play style. Remember to always be on the lookout for opportunities to upgrade or acquire new ships. The universe is vast and full of possibilities!
The Games Learning Society can provide more insight into games as experiences and learning tools. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best ship class in No Man’s Sky for beginners?
While the starting Fighter ship is perfectly fine, consider an Explorer or Shuttle early on. They offer a good balance of versatility and can be acquired relatively easily. The Explorer is excellent for covering vast distances and discovering new systems, while the Shuttle is an overall generalist ship.
2. Is a Hauler a good early game ship?
A Hauler can be beneficial early on, especially if you focus on trading and resource gathering. Their large inventory allows you to maximize profits. However, their slower maneuverability can be a drawback in combat.
3. How do I find crashed ships?
You can use distress signal charts purchased from the space station cartographer to locate crashed ships on planets. Alternatively, you can find them randomly while exploring.
4. How do I repair a crashed ship?
Repairing a crashed ship requires resources like Ferrite Dust, Chromatic Metal, and other specific materials depending on the damaged components. Focus on repairing the essential systems first, like the launch thrusters and pulse engine.
5. What are the different ship classes (C, B, A, S)?
Ship classes indicate the ship’s overall quality and potential. S-class ships are the best, followed by A, B, and C-class. Higher classes have better stat bonuses and can be upgraded further.
6. How do I upgrade my ship’s class?
You can upgrade your ship’s class at the Space Station’s Ship Outfitting terminal, using Nanites. This will improve its stats and allow you to unlock more inventory slots.
7. How many ships can I own in No Man’s Sky?
You can own up to 12 ships in No Man’s Sky. This allows you to curate a diverse fleet for different purposes.
8. How do I acquire more ships?
You can acquire new ships by purchasing them from NPCs at space stations or trading posts, claiming crashed ships, or completing certain missions.
9. Are Living Ships worth getting?
Living Ships are unique and have the advantage of being able to warp to any system without needing special drives. They also have a distinctive appearance and unique upgrade system. However, upgrading them requires specific resources obtained through missions.
10. What is the difference between a freighter and a starship?
A freighter is a massive capital ship that serves as a mobile base. It can store your starships, house your base, and launch frigate missions. Starships are smaller, personal vehicles used for flying around planets and engaging in space combat.
11. How do I get a freighter?
You can acquire a freighter by completing a freighter rescue mission. After warping a certain number of times, you’ll encounter a freighter being attacked by pirates. Defeat the pirates, and the freighter captain will offer you the ship for free (first freighter only).
12. What should I sell to make money early in the game?
Good early-game items to sell include Cobalt, Chlorine, and salvaged technology data. Farming Chlorine using an oxygen multiplier is a very efficient early game money strategy.
13. What are the best planets to live on in No Man’s Sky?
Paradise Planets are the most desirable, offering perfect weather conditions and abundant resources. Lush planets are also excellent choices.
14. What is the economy scanner for?
The economy scanner allows you to determine the wealth level of a star system. Systems with higher wealth levels are more likely to have better ships and higher-priced goods.
15. Are Solar Ships the best?
Solar ships are excellent for intra-system travel due to their recharge capabilities near stars and boost to maneuverability. They are great for comfortable travels between planets.