How to Steal Ships

1. How to Steal a Ship in Starfield

In the vast universe of Starfield, Bethesda’s ambitious open-world space RPG, players have the opportunity to explore, battle, and navigate through space. One of the thrilling aspects of the game is the ability to steal ships, adding them to your fleet. This guide will walk you through the process of successfully stealing a ship, registering it, and even selling it if you wish.

1. 1. Stealing a Ship

Stealing a ship in Starfield can be done while exploring other planets or during space combat. If you spot a ship landing or docking in the distance, there’s a good chance it’s unguarded, making it a prime target for theft. Approach the ship and head to the hatch, which will likely be locked. Use a Digipick to unlock the hatch. If the lock is too advanced, you need to rank up your Security skill to access higher levels of hacking.

After successfully lockpicking the hatch, board the ship. If there is no crew aboard, head straight to the Pilot Seat and take off. If there are crew members on board, you'll need to eliminate everyone on board. This could lead to combat scenarios, so ensure you're well-prepared.

Alternatively, if you want to take over a hostile starship, then you must board it and kill the crew. Once you eliminate all enemies, go to the ship’s pilot seat to take it over. This ship will become your home ship when you use grav jumping, land on a planet, or fast travel.

1. 1. Registering and Selling a Stolen Ship

Before you can sell a stolen ship, you first need to register the ship for a fee. Visit a Ship Services Technician at any of the major settlements or spaceports. When speaking with the Ship Services Technician, select the option, “Let me see what ships you have for sale” to bring up the menu with available ships to buy and sell. Switch to the ‘Sell’ menu and find your newly stolen ship. You will have an option to ‘Register’ the ship. A confirmation window will appear with the amount of Credits you need to pay for your ship registration.

You can now sell your registered (and stolen) ship! Be sure to make a different ship your home ship and then select ‘Sell’. A confirmation window will appear with the amount of Credits you will receive for selling that ship.

1. 1. Stealing Ships via Space Combat

Stealing ships in Starfield via space combat requires a little more skill as you’ll need to disable it but not destroy it. Find the ship you want to steal and disable it in combat, using targeted lock-ons to specifically take out its engines without destroying it. At this point, you should be able to board the disabled ship. Once you're on board, clear the ship of enemy NPCs. Make your way to the cockpit and interact with the pilot's seat to fly it.

However, if the ship is grade B or C, you won't be able to fly it without several ranks in Piloting, one of the Starfield skills in the tech tree. If you can fly it, undock from your previous ship and take it to a spaceport. The ship left behind will magically be added to your fleet and can be retrieved from any port.

1. 1. Consequences of Stealing Ships

While stealing ships can be exhilarating, it’s not always a smooth ride. It’s possible to draw attention and be pursued by enemy factions or security forces. If you find yourself under heavy fire or in a tough spot after stealing a ship, consider making a quick jump to another system to escape immediate threats. It’s important to remember that stealing ships can have in-game consequences. Certain factions might become hostile, or you might gain a reputation that affects your interactions with NPCs and missions.

In conclusion, Starfield’s vast universe isn’t just about exploration and combat; it’s also about choices. While buying ships is an option, the thrill of theft provides an alternative route for those looking for excitement and challenge. By understanding the mechanics of stealing ships and being aware of potential risks, players can expand their fleet and experience the game from a whole new perspective.