The best ships for exploration in Starfield often feature a good balance of fuel capacity, cargo space, and grav jump capability, like the Frontier, or the Narwhal.
Venturing into the vast cosmos of Starfield demands reliable spacecraft. Choosing the right vessel makes all the difference when you are seeking distant planets. So, what are the top contenders for Starfield best ships for exploration?
Many players prioritize fuel range for those long jumps across systems. Cargo capacity is also important to carry those essential resources. A powerful grav drive will help you quickly travel to new star systems.
Finding the perfect blend of these features is key to making your explorations efficient and fun. The Frontier ship and the Narwhal are excellent examples.
Starfield Best Ships for Exploration
Venturing into the vastness of space in Starfield is an incredible experience. But having the right ship makes all the difference, especially when your goal is to explore. A good exploration ship isn’t just about fighting; it needs to be your home away from home, a reliable partner that can carry you across the stars to see all the wonders that await. This section will guide you through what makes a good exploration ship and talk about some of the top contenders.
What Makes a Great Exploration Ship in Starfield?
Before we dive into specific ships, let’s look at the key features that make a ship perfect for exploring the Starfield universe. It’s not always about the biggest guns or fastest speed; exploration has different needs. We need to think about several important factors:
Jump Drive Range
Think of this as your ship’s ability to jump from one place to another. A long jump range lets you travel to far-off star systems without needing to stop at a bunch of places along the way. You want a ship that can cover as much ground as possible with each jump, minimizing travel time and keeping the adventure moving. Ships with a very low jump range will mean more stops, more chance of encounters, and more time wasted. A large jump range opens up distant corners of the galaxy for exploration.
Cargo Capacity
As you travel around, you will gather tons of resources, research data, and unique items. A large cargo hold is incredibly important to carry everything back to your base. It also means you can stock up on fuel, repair parts, and other things you need for your journey, and you won’t need to stop at stations so often. Exploration often means staying away from civilization for longer periods of time, so the ability to take everything with you, including that super rare rock, is vital.
Shield Strength
Space can be dangerous! Even if you’re trying to avoid fights, you might encounter a hostile ship. Having solid shields gives you protection and buying you time to escape and protect yourself. You never know what you might find out there, so it is always better to have good shields to help you to survive. A strong shield means fewer repairs and more time exploring.
Crew Capacity
Exploring the galaxy can be lonely. Having a good crew not only provides extra help, it can also boost your ship’s performance, and they can help you fix it. Some crew members are good engineers, other are good in battles, so it’s great to have a range of crew members to cover all aspects. You can also make new friends, and share your journey with others. A crew is also vital for outpost operations, and you will require more crew to keep operations going smoothly at your base.
Mobility
While speed is useful, mobility is even more important for exploration. This means how easily your ship can turn, dodge asteroids, and navigate space stations. A maneuverable ship makes traveling through space smoother and prevents dangerous collisions. A clunky, hard to control ship makes exploring a struggle, while a mobile, agile ship lets you fly through the cosmos with ease.
Habitable Modules
Exploration trips take time. You’ll want a ship that feels comfortable and where your crew will have the things they need. Habitable modules provide spaces for science, sleeping, and other important things. A ship that is comfortable to live in will greatly enhance your journeys, meaning you are always ready to explore. A good hab module setup can make you feel more comfortable during long space flights.
Customization
The ability to customize your ship is a great way to tailor it to your own personal needs. Some ships are better starting points for customization and allow you to build upon the basic design. The ability to change weapons, move modules, and add new hab units makes a ship that you really feel that you own and is a reflection of you. Make sure to look at ships that allow for a good level of customization and allows you to make it your own.
Top Ships for Exploration in Starfield
Now that we know what makes a great exploration vessel, let’s look at some of the most popular choices that are great for exploring the Starfield Galaxy. These ships combine many of the elements of our guide, which means they are excellent exploration vessels.
The Frontier
Yes, the ship that you start with, and you might be thinking, how can this be a great exploration vessel? In the early game, this is more than capable of taking you across the galaxy. It’s not the biggest or fastest, but it’s reliable. It has a decent jump range for early exploration and can get you to new star systems. The Frontier is a solid starter ship for exploration, and it can be customized in later parts of the game to improve its exploration features. It’s great for new explorers and gets you into the main game.
- Pros: Easy to obtain, customizable, good for early game.
- Cons: Limited cargo space, basic weaponry.
The Razorleaf
The Razorleaf is a really cool ship that you can get early on by finishing a side mission. It has some good perks and can be a great ship to carry you through the mid game. The Razorleaf is a very agile ship and allows for smooth movement and exploration. It also has a special ability to scare off pirates which is really helpful. It’s a very reliable ship and can be modified to improve it in terms of cargo space and range.
- Pros: Agile, good against pirates, easy to get.
- Cons: Limited customization, cargo space is less than ideal.
The Kepler R
This ship is a beast of a machine. This ship offers more cargo space and improved mobility. The Kepler R is a huge step up from the first ships and allows you to really dive into the exploration of the game. It is a heavy freighter class ship that offers a wide range of features. It’s great for carrying all the goodies you find during your exploration missions, and has some decent firepower for any threats you might face.
- Pros: Great cargo capacity, strong weapons, versatile.
- Cons: Slower than other ships, not as maneuverable.
The Wanderwell
The Wanderwell ship is a versatile, general-purpose ship with a solid jump drive and decent cargo capacity. It’s designed for moving people, but it’s also great for exploration. This ship feels like your own personal starship and allows for lots of personalization. The Wanderwell has a modular design and has a good capacity for expansion and is great for players looking to take a variety of missions and wants a ship that can do it all.
- Pros: Good balance of all stats, excellent for customization, flexible.
- Cons: Lacks specialized features, not the best in any one category.
The Star Eagle
The Star Eagle is an excellent combat ship that you gain through the Freestar Collective questline. But don’t let the combat focused elements put you off, it can still be used for exploration and has a good cargo capacity and range. It has some advanced shield technology which gives you more protection and allows you to survive even the most dangerous encounters. This ship is an excellent all-rounder for exploration and combat and will allow you to navigate through the galaxy.
- Pros: Great defenses, solid firepower, very capable all-rounder.
- Cons: More expensive to upgrade, less of a focus on exploration specific features.
The Narwhal
The Narwhal is a unique looking ship that is really designed for luxury travel. It has plenty of living space for the crew, but also has strong cargo space. This ship is very stylish and is a favorite for players who want to travel around in style. The Narwhal is a premium ship and offers unique features that are not seen in other vessels. It has a luxury interior which makes exploration a very enjoyable experience. This is a popular choice for players who want a great looking ship, but one that offers the essential features for exploration.
- Pros: Very stylish, spacious interior, very luxurious, good cargo.
- Cons: Expensive, less emphasis on combat.
The Abyss Trekker
The Abyss Trekker is a very popular ship amongst explorers. It boasts a fantastic jump range and has a very high cargo capacity. This ship will allow you to go deeper into the outer regions of space, and is great for those looking to explore the most remote areas. The ship feels very well designed for exploration and is a serious contender for the best exploration ship in the game. This ship is best suited for the players who want to explore the game without focusing too much on combat.
- Pros: Excellent range, large cargo space, ideal for deep space exploration.
- Cons: Weaker shields, less firepower.
Tips for Choosing Your Exploration Ship
Choosing a ship is a personal experience, and you need to find what’s right for you. But there are some things you can keep in mind.
- Think about your playstyle: Do you prefer to travel peacefully and avoid combat, or do you like to have strong firepower and take the fight to the enemy? Some ships are better suited for one or the other.
- Consider your budget: Some ships can be very expensive. Make sure you have enough credits to upgrade it fully and get all the modules that you need.
- Don’t be afraid to customize: You can change the look and functionality of your ship in the ship builder. Try out different configurations and see what works best for you.
- Try different ships: Don’t feel like you have to stick with one ship for the whole game. Experiment with different ships and see which one fits your goals.
Upgrading Your Ship
Regardless of which ship you choose, you’ll want to upgrade it to make it even better for exploration. Here’s what you should focus on:
Grav Drive Upgrades
This will help improve the jump range, allowing you to get to places faster. It can allow you to jump further into the galaxy, without needing to jump to multiple locations on the way.
Cargo Hold Enhancements
A larger cargo space lets you carry more items and resources without needing to stop at a station so often. More cargo means you can explore longer without needing to return to sell items.
Shield Improvements
Better shields will help keep you safe from pirates and space dangers. A strong shield means less time worrying about taking damage, and more time exploring.
Reactor Upgrades
A more powerful reactor will let you use more advanced systems and provide the power needed to make your ship really go. More power means more capabilities overall, so it is an essential part of upgrading your ship.
Scanning Module Upgrades
Upgrading your scanner will allow you to identify resources and unique items from far away, and can reveal new locations that are not immediately visible. A better scanner helps you find more things as you travel the galaxy.
Picking the right ship for exploring the galaxy is a big part of Starfield, and you will need to make your choice based on what you like to do most in the game. By considering all of the elements mentioned in this guide, you can select a ship that will give you the most enjoyable exploration experience. Each ship has its strengths and weaknesses, and what’s right for one player might not be right for another. Have fun on your travels through the stars, and make sure you find the best ship to carry you on your adventure.
TOP 10 BEST SHIPS – Starfield BEST SHIPS To Buy & How To Get Them
Final Thoughts
For long journeys, the Frontier with its cargo space works well initially. Later, focus on acquiring a ship like the Kepler R or a custom-built vessel with high jump range and good shields. These allow reaching distant systems safely.
Consider crafting your own ship with a focus on scan range and reactor power for better exploration. Prioritize a cockpit with a good view and plentiful crew slots if that fits your play style.
Ultimately, the best choices for the ‘Starfield best ships for exploration’ depend on player preference, but long range and survivability are very important factors. Choose what suits you to travel space easily.
