Starfield Best Ship To Start With: Early Picks

The Frontier is the best ship to start with in Starfield, providing a solid balance of combat, cargo, and exploration capabilities early in the game.

Choosing your first ship in Starfield can feel overwhelming, with various stats and models available. The question of the “Starfield best ship to start with” often arises for new players. Luckily, the game actually provides you with a decent vessel right away.

The Frontier, gifted to you at the beginning, offers a great jumping-off point. It handles combat well enough, and has space for cargo you collect. It’s also sufficient for basic exploration, letting you get a feel for the game.

Starfield Best Ship to Start With

Choosing the right ship in Starfield is a big deal. It’s your home in the vastness of space, your way to get around, and sometimes, it’s the only thing between you and a bunch of angry space pirates. When you first start playing, you get a ship called the Frontier. While the Frontier is alright for the early parts of the game, you might be thinking about upgrading it or getting a different one. But which ship is really the best to start with?

Understanding Starter Ship Limitations

The Frontier, your first ship, is like your first bicycle. It gets you where you need to go, but it’s not exactly a high-speed racing machine. It has some key limitations, which is why a lot of players start looking for a new ride. These limitations include:

• Limited Cargo Space: The Frontier’s cargo hold can fill up quickly, especially when you start gathering resources and loot.
• Basic Weapons: While the lasers and missiles on the Frontier can take out basic enemies, they might struggle against tougher foes.
• Weak Hull: The hull of the Frontier is not very strong, and in a tough fight, it can take some damage.
• Small Crew Capacity: You might be stuck with a smaller group of companions.

These limitations become very clear once you begin exploring and fighting more often. That’s when figuring out a better ship becomes important. A ship with greater cargo capacity can keep more of those rare resources you find. Improved weapons make those space fights less scary. A stronger hull makes sure your ship stays in one piece, and more crew space lets you bring your favorite friends along for the ride. Let’s investigate what makes a great starter ship in Starfield and if there are better options than the Frontier.

What Makes a Good Starter Ship?

Before we jump into specific ships, let’s think about the features that make a ship great for early gameplay. A good starter ship should balance a few key things:

Essential Features for a Beginner

A beginner-friendly ship needs to be easy to handle and shouldn’t feel like you’re driving a spaceship made of paper. Here are some key factors:

• Durability: A strong hull will keep you alive longer in combat.
• Decent Weapons: Reliable lasers and missiles are crucial for taking down enemies and defending yourself from pirate ambushes.
• Adequate Cargo Space: You’ll need space for all the resources you collect while exploring planets and space stations.
• Good Mobility: You want a ship that can turn quickly and avoid enemy fire.
• Fuel Efficiency: You will want a ship that can travel far without refueling all the time.

Long-Term Considerations

While you need a great ship for now, you should also consider your game plan for the future. Some ships can be upgraded more easily, allowing them to stay helpful long term. Consider:

• Upgrade Potential: Can you swap out components for better weapons, shields, and engines?
• Customization Options: Can you change the looks of your ship?
• Role Suitability: Do you want to be a trader, explorer, or fighter? Your ship will match that.

Exploring Early Alternatives to The Frontier

While the Frontier is the first ship everyone gets, you don’t have to stick with it forever. Several alternatives can be found fairly early in the game, either through completing missions, buying them, or by other means. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders for an upgraded starter ship.

The Razorleaf – A Popular Choice

One of the most popular options for players is the Razorleaf. You can acquire it by completing the “Mantis” side quest. This ship is considered one of the best early game ships for multiple reasons:

• Solid Armor: The Razorleaf has strong shields.
• Good Weapons: It comes with good weapons and is good in combat.
• Unique Design: It looks sleek and different compared to the basic Frontier.
• Easy Acquisition: You get it by completing a fun mission early in the game.

The Razorleaf also has a feature called “Mantis” that can scare enemy ships in certain situations. This extra ability can be incredibly helpful in tight spots.

The Kepler R and Kepler S

The Kepler R and Kepler S are options you can get by working with the Ryujin Industries faction. These ships are more geared toward exploration and trading, with a big cargo capacity.

• Kepler R: A heavily armed variant with multiple weapon mounts, it is ideal for combat encounters.
• Kepler S: Boasts a larger cargo capacity, making it better for hauling goods and resources.

The Kepler R and S also have lots of space inside, which is a bonus for moving around. The drawback to these ships is you have to work with Ryujin Industries to get them, which is a longer commitment. However, if you like trading and space exploration, these ships are great.

The Wanderwell – A Basic Upgrade

The Wanderwell is a common ship that you can either get through a quest or buy from various vendors. It’s a step up from the Frontier and acts as a great stepping stone if you’re not sure of the direction you’re taking. It’s well balanced.

• Moderate Cargo: The Wanderwell has a good amount of storage for resources and loot.
• Upgraded Components: It has some minor improvements over the Frontier in its weapons, shields, and engine.
• Easy To Find: You can find it relatively easily in the game, usually at one of the vendors.

The Wanderwell is a good option if you want a simple upgrade that is not very expensive or hard to find. It doesn’t have the special features of the Razorleaf, but it is still a nice and reliable option.

The Star Eagle – A Reward for Faction Loyalty

The Star Eagle is one of the best starter ships you can get, and it is given to the player for completing the Freestar Collective faction questline. This is a large ship, with good weapons and shields.

• Great Weapon Systems: The Star Eagle has powerful weapons and decent shields, making it good in combat.
• Solid Cargo: The Star Eagle has a good amount of cargo space, so you can store more loot and resources.
• Superior Durability: It is more durable compared to many other starter ships.

The Star Eagle is a fantastic option for players willing to invest time in the Freestar Collective quests. The faction quest is a long commitment, but it is worth it to get this ship.

Comparing the Ships

Let’s put these ships side-by-side to see how they stack up against each other. This comparison can help you decide which ship suits your play style.

How to Get a Better Ship

Now that you have some ideas for other ships, how do you get them? There are a few methods to obtain a ship in Starfield:

Completing Quests

Many ships, like the Razorleaf and Star Eagle, are given as rewards for completing specific quests. These quests often involve interesting stories and can introduce you to the different parts of the world in Starfield. This is a great method to get ships if you enjoy doing quests and missions.

Purchasing Ships

You can also buy ships from vendors at various starports. These ships vary in price, so be sure to have some credits saved. Look for ship technicians in major cities. These vendors usually have a variety of ship options available.

Ship Hijacking

In the dangerous parts of space, you can find yourself in fights with pirates. If you have the right skills, it is possible to disable their ships and take them for yourself. This is a riskier option but can be a quick way to get some unique ships.

Ship Registration

If you are taking ships through hijacking, be sure to register them. Registered ships become legal under your ownership, and this will also allow you to sell them. This avoids any issues with the law and is useful in the long run. Be sure to find a technician and register the ship.

Tips for Managing Your Early Ship Upgrades

When you start trying to acquire and upgrade your ships, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

• Focus on Your Needs: Do you want a combat ship? Or do you want a ship that helps you store more loot and resources? Do not get a ship that is not useful for your play style.
• Check Ship Stats: Always compare the stats of different ships to see how they perform. Don’t just pick one based on looks.
• Save Often: Make sure to save the game, especially when you are getting into risky situations or experimenting with a new ship.
• Upgrade Gradually: If you are going to stick with your current ship for a while, invest in upgrading key components. Prioritize what you need the most to stay safe in space.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to test out different ships and see which fits your needs. The best way to find your dream ship is by trying them out.

Picking the right starter ship in Starfield is key to making your early space explorations more comfortable and fun. The Frontier is good for learning the basics, but there are many other better options that can be attained with a little exploration and missions. Whether you love combat, prefer exploring, or like being a space trucker, knowing the best starter ship for your personal play style can improve your overall enjoyment of the game. Consider the Razorleaf for combat, the Star Eagle for a powerful all-rounder, the Kepler S for cargo, or the Kepler R for fighting, while the Wanderwell is a good, balanced middle point. Always look to upgrade your ship and keep making it better for your needs as you move through the game.

How To Get The Best Ship Early In Starfield

Final Thoughts

The Frontier is a capable starter ship, providing decent cargo and combat abilities. It serves well in the initial stages of the game. Upgrading its parts incrementally proves quite effective. This strategy lets you gradually improve its capabilities according to your needs.

Choosing the best starting ship truly depends on individual playstyles. However, for a balanced experience, the Frontier remains a solid foundation. Therefore, for ‘Starfield best ship to start with’, consider its all-around utility.