Starfield How To Get A Good Ship Early

‘Complete the Mantis questline. This rewards you with a powerful ship early in Starfield.’

Jumping into the vast expanse of space in Starfield can feel overwhelming at first. Many players are eager to know ‘Starfield how to get a good ship early’. The initial ship is functional, but leaves much to be desired for longer journeys.

Luckily, there’s a specific path you can follow. It involves a relatively short quest chain which presents a clear improvement. This route allows you to skip the early game grind for better space travel.

Starfield How to Get a Good Ship Early

Getting a cool spaceship early in Starfield is like finding a secret cheat code that makes the game way more fun! A good ship means you can travel farther, fight better, and carry more stuff. This guide will show you some easy ways to get a great ship without spending a ton of credits or grinding for hours. We’ll go through some simple tricks and tips that can give you a major head start in the vast universe of Starfield. So buckle up, future space explorers, because we’re about to boost your journey!

Why a Good Early Ship Matters

Why are we making such a fuss about getting a good ship early? Well, your first ship, the Frontier, is okay for starting out. But it’s like riding a bicycle when you really need a spaceship! A better ship lets you:

Travel further: With a better grav drive (that’s the engine for jumping between star systems), you can explore more planets and find cool missions faster.
Fight better: Stronger weapons and shields mean you can take on space pirates and other enemies without getting blasted into stardust.
Carry more loot: Bigger cargo holds let you collect more resources and valuable items, making you richer and better equipped.
Survive longer: Better armor and stronger hulls mean you’re more likely to make it out of tough situations.
Have more fun: Let’s be honest, piloting a sweet-looking, powerful ship is just plain awesome.

Basically, a better ship makes the whole game smoother, more rewarding, and just more fun. Don’t settle for the basics when you can easily get something better! Let’s dive into how.

The “Mantis” Ship Quest

One of the earliest and easiest ways to grab a superior ship is by completing the “Mantis” quest line. This isn’t hidden away on some obscure planet; it’s pretty easy to trigger early in the game, and it rewards you with a formidable ship called the Razorleaf. Here’s how you start this special mission:

Finding the Secret Note

The key to starting the Mantis quest is to find a specific “Secret Outpost!” note. You can find these notes in various locations, but one reliable spot is in the abandoned listening post near the landing pad on the planet of Kreet. It can also drop randomly from Spacers you defeat. Here’s how to identify and grab the note:

Look for a Spacers note or datapad: When you defeat Spacers, make sure to search their bodies. Sometimes they carry datapads with valuable info.
Check Abandoned Listening Post: Head to the Kreet Research Lab where you did your first mission and keep going past it and you will see an abandoned Listening Post. Check the bodies and the surrounding area.
Read the Note: The note or datapad is labelled “Secret Outpost!”. When you read it, a new quest marker will appear, leading you to a distant outpost.

Navigating the Lair

Once you have the note, you’ll be pointed towards a location named “The Lair.” It is on a moon called Denebola I-b in the Denebola system. Be ready because this place is not friendly at all. Inside, you’ll face various challenges:

Turrets and Robots: The lair is defended by deadly turrets and robots. You will need to be careful. Use cover and move slowly and carefully. Use whatever weapons you have on hand.
Puzzles: You’ll encounter a few small puzzles, but these are relatively straightforward. Look for clues in your surroundings.
Enemies: There will be more Spacers inside. Take your time and use cover to avoid being overwhelmed.
A deadly encounter: At the end, you will encounter a boss, this will require everything you have learned so far.

Claiming the Razorleaf

After clearing The Lair and completing the challenges within, you will get the Mantis’s armour and the Mantis’s legendary ship, the Razorleaf. The Razorleaf is a significant upgrade over the Frontier in many ways. It boasts increased:

Shields: A more solid shield will be helpful for surviving encounters with pirates.
Weapons: Upgraded weapons give you better firepower during space battles.
Cargo Capacity: Allows you to carry more items.

This ship comes with an additional awesome perk that if you fly the Razorleaf, Spacers are more likely to run away from you! That is how legendary the Razorleaf is.

Stealing Ships – The Risky (but Rewarding) Path

Another path to getting a good ship early is by stealing one. This is a more complicated and dangerous method, but the rewards can be amazing. This method is good for getting unique ships. Here’s how to do it:

Finding Vulnerable Ships

Not all ships are easy to steal. You need to find one that you can actually board and take control of. Here’s what to look for:

Parked Ships: Look for ships that are parked on planets or space stations. These are often easier to board than ships in flight.
Landing Pad Locations: Check landing pads near outposts and spaceports. Sometimes, ships will land there, allowing you to sneak aboard.
Enemy Vessels: Attacking and disabling an enemy ship in space often gives you the option to board and steal it, if you have the right skill.

The Boarding Process

Once you find a ship that looks boardable, here’s how to try and take it:

Approach Carefully: Get close enough to the ship to see the ‘board’ prompt.
Eliminate the Crew: On the inside you need to clear the crew, and make sure they do not damage you or disable your systems.
Claim Your Prize: After you have defeated all the threats inside the ship, you can pilot it. Make sure to register it and then you can use it.

Challenges and Risks

Stealing ships isn’t always easy, and there are some potential issues to be aware of:

Combat: You’ll likely have to fight the ship’s crew, who may be heavily armed.
Bounties: Stealing ships can result in a bounty being placed on your head by different factions.
Skills: You may need to invest in the Piloting skill to fly bigger or more complex ships.

Side Missions and Faction Quests

Another path to a good ship involves completing side missions and progressing through faction questlines. Certain missions and quests can award you with ships, sometimes as a direct reward or by unlocking access to better ships. Here is how:

Exploring Side Missions

Side missions can sometimes give you access to a specific ship. These are usually easy to access and they do not take much effort. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

Check Mission Boards: Look for mission boards in cities and space stations to find a variety of side missions.
Talk to NPCs: Some characters will give you quests that can reward you with ships or the opportunity to buy a good ship at a discount.

Faction Quests and Rewards

Joining a faction, like the United Colonies or Freestar Collective can open up options for better ships. Here’s how faction progression can be beneficial:

Military Ranks: As you increase your rank in a faction, they will give you new ships with the latest technologies.
Special Assignments: Sometimes, faction missions will reward you with unique ships that cannot be found anywhere else.
Access to Shipyards: Faction alliances often unlock access to special shipyards where you can purchase better ships.

Buying a Good Ship

Sometimes the easiest way is just to buy a good ship. But credits in the early game can be hard to come by, so making sure you have some capital is important to get your desired ship. Here’s what you need to know:

Ship Dealers and Their Locations

You can find ship dealers in most major cities. Here’s where to look:

New Atlantis: Head to the Spaceport, find the technician and buy from them.
Akila City: The ship services technician is in the middle of the Spaceport.
Neon: You can find a technician outside of the main part of the city.
Cydonia: Go to the central hub of the mining facility.

Tips for Buying

Buying ships can be expensive, so here’s how to maximize your credits and ensure you’re spending wisely:

Save Your Credits: Don’t spend credits on unnecessary things in the early game.
Sell Loot: Be sure to sell all the loot you can and the supplies you do not need.
Compare Stats: Before buying a ship, compare its stats, such as cargo space, weapon power and jump distance, with other options.

Ship Customization and Modification

Even if you don’t get the best ship right away, you can make it much better with some upgrades and customizations. Here’s how to tweak your ship:

Ship Building Basics

You can modify your ship at any ship service technician. This will let you:

Add Modules: Add modules such as cargo holds, better shields, and weapons to improve your ship’s performance.
Change Weapons: You can change your weapons at the ship building interface.
Cosmetics: Change the paint and other aesthetic pieces to customize the look of your ship.

Focus on Early Upgrades

Early in the game, concentrate on:

Better Shielding: Make sure that your ship has better shielding as that will help you during ship battles.
Upgraded Weapons: More powerful weapons will make your life easier in dogfights.
Cargo: Increase your cargo capacity to help you loot more items from planets.

Early Game Ship Recommendations

If you want some ships that can help you have a good start, here are some options you can aim for:

The Razorleaf: This ship, gained from the Mantis quest, is a great early choice because of its enhanced weapons, shields, and the ability for Spacers to run away.
The Kepler R/S: From early Ryujin quests, this can be acquired as early as level 15 and is a well-rounded ship.
Stealable Ships: Keep an eye out for any higher-tier ship that you can board and steal. These ships may not be as good as the Mantis ship but they can work for early game.

Remember, the best ship for you depends on your play style. Do you prefer combat, exploration, or cargo hauling? Use this information to find a ship that best suits your needs.

Getting a good ship early in Starfield can significantly improve your gaming experience. Whether you choose the Mantis quest, stealing, faction rewards, or buying, each method offers its own advantages. Remember to save your credits, complete side missions, and consider upgrading your ship as you go. This will help you soar to new heights and become a true space explorer. Happy flying!

How To Get The Best Ship Early In Starfield

Final Thoughts

Securing a decent vessel quickly involves focusing on main mission progression. You will find a suitable ship after completing specific quests. Completing these early missions gives you a significantly improved ship, replacing your initial small craft.

Another method is targeting Spacer enemies; sometimes they drop ships you can claim. Remember to improve your piloting skill to manage these more advanced ships. This approach demands some risk, but the rewards make it worthwhile. In short, for “Starfield how to get a good ship early”, main quests and Spacer encounters present great starting points.