Space Combat: Difference between revisions

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Starfield, developed by Bethesda, is a next-generation role-playing game set against the backdrop of space exploration. One of the game's most anticipated features is its intricate space combat mechanics. This wiki article delves deep into the combat intricacies, ship customization, and encounters based on insights from UncleMumble's video analysis.
{{see also|Ship Piloting|Combat|Guides}}
Combat in space, also known as [[Ship Combat]], utilizes various systems to disable, destroy and/or escape enemy ships.


Contents
==Weapons==
Overview
Your [[Starship]] can have up to three different weapons equipped. To fire them, press either Left Trigger, Right Trigger, and Y button on controller, or Mouse 1, Mouse 2, or G on keyboard and you can fire all of your different weapons at the same time.
Combat Mechanics
Ship Building and Customization
Power Allocation and Ship Dynamics
Space Encounters
Contraband and Smuggling
Conclusion
1. Overview
In the vast universe of Starfield, players will engage in thrilling space dogfights, requiring a blend of piloting skill, strategic thinking, and technological prowess. The game offers a unique mix of real-world science and high-octane space fantasy.


2. Combat Mechanics
===Types of Weapons===
Space combat in Starfield is not just about firing weapons. It's a strategic dance where players must manage their ship's power, weapons, and defenses while outmaneuvering their adversaries.
* '''Lasers''': Great for depleting enemy ship's shields, but doesn't do much damage to the hull/systems.
** Note: Auto-turrets will continue to fire on disabled ships, which can destroy a ship before you're able to board. To prevent this, completely power down your Lasers ship system to disable your auto-turrets.
* '''Ballistic''': These are great for destroying the enemy ship's Hull, but don't do much damage to a ship's shields if they are up.
* '''Missiles''': Missiles do the same damage to [[Shields]] as they do to the [[Hull]], but have an additional bonus that if you fire them while locked on long enough, they will track the target, even if they move.
* '''Electromagnetic''': These weapons will do more damage to the Hull than the shields, but also do extra damage to a ship's systems. If you would like to disable ships instead of destroying them, it is highly recommended that you have at least one EM weapon on your ship.


Targeting: Players can lock onto enemies, with the lock-on speed determined by how close the target is to the crosshair. Once locked, weapons will reliably hit the target. Advanced targeting allows players to focus on specific ship subsystems, crucial for boarding actions or disabling particular ship capabilities.
===Firing Modes===
Weapons can have two firing types - [[Auto]] and [[Manual]]. Auto Turrets rotate and aim independently of a ship's orientation and are fired automatically without a pilot's input. Manual Weapons are fired by the pilot in the direction the ship is facing.


Evasive Maneuvers: Enemy ships can lock missiles onto the player, requiring evasive actions to break the lock. The HUD provides indicators for enemy positions and incoming fire.
==Ship Targeting/Locking==
Locking onto an enemy ship makes aiming easier and allows missile weapons to home-in on enemy ships. You can disable specific parts of enemy ships, like their weapon and shield systems, if you damage them enough. Once disabled, they will no longer be able to use it. For example, if you disable a ship's engines, the enemy will not be able to move.


3. Ship Building and Customization
===How to Lock On===
Starfield offers extensive ship customization options:
[[File:space combat11.png|400px|right]]
To lock on to an enemy ship, select your target with [A] button on controller, or [E] on keyboard and keep the enemy centered on your screen. Once fully locked on, the word "Lock" will display on the targeted enemy. An enemy can break your lock by boosting, moving out of range, or maneuvering outside of your targeting systems, so make sure to keep them in your sights. (Similarly, when you are trying to evade attacks, boosting can reduce enemy accuracy, and break missile lock.)


Weapons: Ships can be equipped with up to three weapons. The main weapon types include Energy Weapons (for shields), Ballistic Weapons (for hulls), Electromagnetic Weapons (to disrupt systems), Missiles (high damage but limited), and Particle Beam Weapons (damaging multiple systems).
===Targeting Control Systems Skill===
[[File:space combat2.png|400px|right]]
If you have the [[Targeting Control Systems]] skill, when locked onto a ship, you can target specific systems on that ship. When you are locked onto a target you can press [X] on the controller, or [R] on the keyboard to target a ship's systems, and then use [A] and [D] on Keyboard and [LS] to select which system you want to target.


Upgrades: Players can upgrade their ships using the shipbuilder, enhancing weapons, shields, engines, and other systems. Some upgrades may require specific skills or ranks in Starship design.
==Escape==
If you decide that you are in over your head, and would like to leave combat, you can attempt to fly away from the ships targeting you. If your ship is fast enough and can maintain enough distance between yourself and your attacker, you will leave combat and regain the ability to either land on the nearby planet or jump to a different system.


4. Power Allocation and Ship Dynamics
==Tips==
Power management is crucial in Starfield's combat:
* Keep an eye on your [[Hull]]. If your shields are reduced to zero, your Hull will begin taking damage and you will need to repair it before your ship is destroyed.
* Remove power from your engines and add that power to your [[Shields]] and [[Weapons]] systems if you are in a battle.


Power Distribution: Players can dynamically allocate power to different ship systems. Boosting engines increases speed, powering weapons enhances firepower, and charging grav drives reduces jump times.
==Repair==
===How to Repair Your Starship===
*Visit a shipyard on any settled planet and repair your starship for 1000 Credits.
*You can repair your Hull with Ship Parts by pressing [0] on PC or [RSB] on Xbox controller.
**If your shields go offline, you will begin to take damage to your Hull and when it reaches zero, your ship will explode.
[[File:ship repair1.jpeg|400px]]
===Where to Find Repair Ship Parts===
*Ship parts can be found while exploring or can be purchased at vendors like at the shipyard.
**'''Note''': You can often choose to receive ship parts as a reward for helping NPCs in distress.
*Ship parts can also be crafted at the [[Industrial Workbench]]. You can unlock higher tier ship parts through the [[Research Bench]].
**You can find more info on crafting at an Industrial Workbench in this article: [[Industrial - Crafting - Starfield]]
**You can learn more about researching in this article: [[Researching - Crafting - Starfield]]


Reactor Capacity: The ship's reactor determines the total power available. Players must balance their power needs, ensuring they have enough energy for combat, defense, and movement.
[[Category:Guides]] [[Category:Features]]
 
5. Space Encounters
Beyond combat, Starfield's universe is teeming with opportunities and dangers:
 
Asteroid Fields: Navigating these can be challenging but may also hide resources or secrets.
 
Derelict Ships: These abandoned vessels can be explored, offering loot, lore, and potential dangers.
 
Black Holes: While not confirmed, there's speculation about the presence of black holes, offering high-risk, high-reward exploration opportunities.
 
NPC Interactions: Players can hail other ships for trade, information, or piracy. These interactions can lead to peaceful exchanges, combat, or even boarding actions.
 
6. Contraband and Smuggling
Certain items in Starfield are considered contraband. Players smuggling these items may need to evade detection, use special ship modules, or even bribe officials. Managing contraband adds another layer of strategy to space encounters.
 
[[Category:Guides]] [[Category:Pre-release Speculation]]

Latest revision as of 16:08, 10 September 2023

See also: Ship Piloting, Combat and Guides

Combat in space, also known as Ship Combat, utilizes various systems to disable, destroy and/or escape enemy ships.

Weapons

Your Starship can have up to three different weapons equipped. To fire them, press either Left Trigger, Right Trigger, and Y button on controller, or Mouse 1, Mouse 2, or G on keyboard and you can fire all of your different weapons at the same time.

Types of Weapons

  • Lasers: Great for depleting enemy ship's shields, but doesn't do much damage to the hull/systems.
    • Note: Auto-turrets will continue to fire on disabled ships, which can destroy a ship before you're able to board. To prevent this, completely power down your Lasers ship system to disable your auto-turrets.
  • Ballistic: These are great for destroying the enemy ship's Hull, but don't do much damage to a ship's shields if they are up.
  • Missiles: Missiles do the same damage to Shields as they do to the Hull, but have an additional bonus that if you fire them while locked on long enough, they will track the target, even if they move.
  • Electromagnetic: These weapons will do more damage to the Hull than the shields, but also do extra damage to a ship's systems. If you would like to disable ships instead of destroying them, it is highly recommended that you have at least one EM weapon on your ship.

Firing Modes

Weapons can have two firing types - Auto and Manual. Auto Turrets rotate and aim independently of a ship's orientation and are fired automatically without a pilot's input. Manual Weapons are fired by the pilot in the direction the ship is facing.

Ship Targeting/Locking

Locking onto an enemy ship makes aiming easier and allows missile weapons to home-in on enemy ships. You can disable specific parts of enemy ships, like their weapon and shield systems, if you damage them enough. Once disabled, they will no longer be able to use it. For example, if you disable a ship's engines, the enemy will not be able to move.

How to Lock On

Space combat11.png

To lock on to an enemy ship, select your target with [A] button on controller, or [E] on keyboard and keep the enemy centered on your screen. Once fully locked on, the word "Lock" will display on the targeted enemy. An enemy can break your lock by boosting, moving out of range, or maneuvering outside of your targeting systems, so make sure to keep them in your sights. (Similarly, when you are trying to evade attacks, boosting can reduce enemy accuracy, and break missile lock.)

Targeting Control Systems Skill

Space combat2.png

If you have the Targeting Control Systems skill, when locked onto a ship, you can target specific systems on that ship. When you are locked onto a target you can press [X] on the controller, or [R] on the keyboard to target a ship's systems, and then use [A] and [D] on Keyboard and [LS] to select which system you want to target.

Escape

If you decide that you are in over your head, and would like to leave combat, you can attempt to fly away from the ships targeting you. If your ship is fast enough and can maintain enough distance between yourself and your attacker, you will leave combat and regain the ability to either land on the nearby planet or jump to a different system.

Tips

  • Keep an eye on your Hull. If your shields are reduced to zero, your Hull will begin taking damage and you will need to repair it before your ship is destroyed.
  • Remove power from your engines and add that power to your Shields and Weapons systems if you are in a battle.

Repair

How to Repair Your Starship

  • Visit a shipyard on any settled planet and repair your starship for 1000 Credits.
  • You can repair your Hull with Ship Parts by pressing [0] on PC or [RSB] on Xbox controller.
    • If your shields go offline, you will begin to take damage to your Hull and when it reaches zero, your ship will explode.

Ship repair1.jpeg

Where to Find Repair Ship Parts

  • Ship parts can be found while exploring or can be purchased at vendors like at the shipyard.
    • Note: You can often choose to receive ship parts as a reward for helping NPCs in distress.
  • Ship parts can also be crafted at the Industrial Workbench. You can unlock higher tier ship parts through the Research Bench.