Exploring the galaxy in Starfield is not all about enjoying breathtaking celestial views and interacting with interstellar communities. As you pilot your ship, you’ll inevitably encounter damagefrom minor grazes to your shield to full-blown hull damage that could cost you dearly. Here’s your definitive guide to maintaining and repairing your ship so you always have it ready for battle.
Shield Damage vs. Hull Damage
Your shield is your first defense against incoming enemy fire. You should always aim for the best shield generator you can afford to maximize your ship’s shield value.
Once your ship’s shield is depleted, your ship’s hull (its value is your ship’s HP) takes the brunt of the damage from Ballistic Weapons, while your ship is also susceptible to damage to its systems with EM weapons (and more often than not, the end is near).
Contrary to shields, which can get replenished over time (as long as you don’t receive fire), hull damage must be repaired.
How to Repair Your Ship’s Hull & Systems
There are two ways to repair your ship’s hull. Visiting a Ship Services Technician is the best option when you are out of combat, but when matters are urgent, using Ship Parts for repairs is essential and can pull you out of tight situations.
Visit a Ship Services Technician
When docked at a major city, staryard, space station, or spaceport, your go-to solution should be a Ship Services Technician, usually found near the landing pad. Ship Services Technicians require 1,000 Credits to repair your ship (“100 Credits My ship needs some repairs.” dialogue option). The fee is flat; no matter how much damage your ship has received, you will always pay 1,000 Credits for repairs.
In-Combat or In-Flight Repairs: Use Ship Parts
But what if you’re in the heat of an interstellar battle or far from any habitable outpost? If your ship ends up looking like mine does in the above image, you’d better have some Ship Parts on you (I didn’t).
These are limited-use items that can start the repair process even while you’re in combat. Press “O” on your keyboard or R3 on your controller to activate a ship part and start repairing your ship (yes, that’s an “O,” not a zero).
The repair isn’t instant but occurs gradually over 10 seconds at a rate of 4% Ship Hull/s. Given that you will not encounter them often in space and the utility of on-the-fly repair, it’s wise to reserve Ship Parts for dire situations.
How to Get Ship Parts
There are two primary ways to obtain Ship Parts. You can loot them from the remnants of the ships you destroy or buy them from general stores. Of course, there will always be cases where you can loot or steal them.
Loot Ship Parts from Ships You Destroy in Space Combat
Engaging in space skirmishes isn’t just a test of your piloting skills and an opportunity to earn Ship Parts. Whenever you encounter a pirate attack on a local faction’s ship and decide to intervene, you can be rewarded with Ship Parts after resolving the conflict. Look for the little chest icon whenever you destroy a ship, target it, and get within 500 meters to loot it.
Buy Ship Parts from General Stores
While Ship Parts can be earned, they can also be bought. The irony is that even though Ship Services Technicians can install ship modules to your ship and repair it, they don’t sell Ship Parts.
Instead, you must visit general goods stores across various cities to stock these valuable items. In New Atlantis, for instance, you should head to Jemison Mercantile in the Spaceport district, conveniently situated next to Terrabrew Coffee and The Viewport. Ship Parts are not only scarce but heavy, so consider taking a companion along when you go shopping.
Here are some vendors that sell Ship Parts:
- Jemison Mercantile in New Atlantis (Spaceport District)
- UC Distribution Center in New Atlantis (Commercial District)
- Newills Goods in Neon (Core)
- Siegharts Outfitters in Neon (Core)
- UC Exchange in Cydonia (Central Hub)
- Shepherds General Store in Akila City
- Trade Authority Stores in various cities
Note that each Ship Parts piece costs 1,225 Credits. They weigh 10 kg each, so ensure you or your follower have plenty of free space in your inventory.
Understanding the nuances of ship repair in Starfield can make or break your interstellar adventures. Keep these guidelines in mind, and you’ll find that no amount of Crimson Fleet pirates, Spacers, or Ecliptic Mercenaries will keep you grounded for long (although most of my deaths have come from my crashing into space stations and staryards).
Originally posted 2023-09-28 20:56:59.
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