Conquer the Cosmos: A Starfield Guide to Ship Acquisition

Politics, News Sept. 10, 2023, 4:59 a.m.

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font size="4"bMastering Ship Acquisition in Starfield: A Comprehensive Guide/b/font

In the sprawling expanse of the Settled Systems in Starfield, you'll often find yourself surrounded by enemy vessels – the scourge of pirates, daring Spacers, and, depending on your loyalties and choices, a myriad of others. The allure of these ships, and the possibility of making them your own, beckons if you're willing to embark on the audacious journey of boarding and stealing a ship. Our Starfield guide is here to impart the wisdom you need, from boarding and hijacking enemy vessels to the intricate art of disabling an adversary's ship systems, docking procedures, and ultimately, claiming a ship as your personal prize.

However, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to establish a fundamental distinction – piracy, in both the real world and Starfield, is not synonymous with theft. With the Deception skill from the Social tree, you'll unlock the coveted "[Piracy]" dialogue option when communicating with a ship. In this context, piracy pertains solely to plundering the ship's cargo, not purloining the entire vessel (or even docking with it), which demands a different set of skills and actions.

To successfully commandeer an enemy ship, you must possess at least one rank in the Targeting Control Systems (Tech) skill. This invaluable skill enables you to directly target various systems of an enemy ship, such as weapons, shields, engines, or the grav drive.

When locked in combat with an enemy vessel – essentially any ship marked in ominous red on your HUD, either signifying their initial aggression or an unfortunate accident involving your weaponry – and you harbor the ambition of making it yours, your primary objective is to incapacitate its engines. Once your weapons have a firm lock, press the X button, then use the left stick to highlight the "ENG" option, and commence your assault. It's advisable to initiate this maneuver relatively early in the confrontation, as damaging the engines also inflicts harm on the ship's hull. Reducing the hull integrity to zero results in a cataclysmic explosion, rendering the ship unsalvageable.

Once the engines are rendered inoperable, the coveted option to dock with the enemy ship becomes available. Once on board, you'll face the daunting task of eliminating any hostile crew members. Once the ship is cleared of adversaries, you can confidently occupy the pilot's seat, effectively claiming the ship as your own. It's worth noting that a stolen ship is classified as contraband, necessitating registration before venturing to any of the closely monitored planets.

Subsequently, upon plotting a gravitational jump, initiating a landing sequence, or selecting a fast travel destination, the stolen ship seamlessly assumes the role of your Home Ship, ready to serve your spacefaring needs. Post-registration, you gain the liberty to modify the ship, rename it to your liking, or even explore the lucrative option of selling it.

Nevertheless, a significant challenge awaits you before you can fully savor your new acquisition. The entire ship is unequivocally branded as contraband, regardless of the cargo contained within its hold. This label makes it impossible to land at major cities or settlements or even enter their orbital zones.

Fortunately, you have several strategic options at your disposal to navigate this conundrum. One highly recommended tactic is to dock at The Den in the Wolf system. Alternatively, you could venture to the clandestine haven of the Red Mile on Porrima III. If you happen to possess an outpost positioned outside patrolled space, equipped with a Landing Pad and Ship Builder facilities, you can address the issue there. Each of these alternatives offers a refuge where you can discreetly enjoy your purloined craft without attracting unwanted attention.

Finally, be aware of two common reasons that might prevent you from assuming the pilot's seat in a stolen ship and result in an error message:

Insufficient Tech Skill: Ensure you have the minimum required level of the Targeting Control Systems (Tech) skill to interact with the ship's systems effectively.

Remaining Hostile Presence: Make sure all enemy crew members have been neutralized before attempting to claim the ship.

In conclusion, mastering the art of ship acquisition in Starfield opens up a world of opportunities for intrepid spacefarers. With the right skills, tactics, and a bit of audacity, you can turn the tables on your adversaries and sail the cosmos in your newly claimed vessel.