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{{see also|Ship Piloting|Combat|Guides}}
{{see also|Guides}}
Combat in space, also known as [[Ship Combat]], utilizes various systems to disable, destroy and/or escape enemy ships.
[[Space Combat]] also known as [[Ship Combat]] is a major part of gameplay in the upcoming sci-fi RPG [[Starfield]]. As a spacefaring adventurer, you'll engage in intense ship-to-ship battles across the [[Settled Systems]]. This guide covers everything you need to know about outfitting your ship and dominating foes in combat.


==Ship Weapons==
==Weapons==
<nomobile>[[File:space combat1.jpg|350px|right]]</nomobile><mobileonly>[[File:space combat1.jpg|350px]]</mobileonly>
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.
Your ship can equip up to 3 [[Ship Weapons|weapons]] at a time, designated Weapon 0, 1, and 2. There are 5 main weapon types:


* '''[[Energy Weapons]]:''' Effective against shields. Includes lasers.
===Types of Weapons===
* '''[[Ballistic Weapons]]:''' Decimate enemy hulls.
* '''Lasers''': Great for depleting enemy ship's shields, but doesn't do much damage to the hull/systems.
* '''[[Electromagnetic Weapons]]:''' Disrupt enemy 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.
* '''[[Missiles]]:''' Deal massive damage but limited ammo and slow reload.
* '''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.
* '''[[Particle Beams]]:''' Damage multiple systems but lower damage per second.
* '''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.


Choose weapons to suit your combat style. Ballistics and EM weaken ships for [[boarding]], while energy weapons grant quick access to enemy [[cores]]. Particle beams are good against evasive enemies, and missiles reward skilled pilots.
===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.


Higher rank weapons cost exponentially more but offer superior firepower. For example, the [[Dragon L1 Laser]] deals 50% more damage than the [[Dragon L0]] at 16x the price. You'll need to invest skill points into [[Starship Design]] to unlock top-tier gear.
==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.


==Power Management==
===How to Lock On===
[[Power Management|Managing power allocation]] is key in space combat. Your [[reactor]] has a max output, and you distribute that [[energy]] between systems:
[[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.)


* '''[[Engines]]:''' More power = faster speed.
===Targeting Control Systems Skill===
* '''[[Gravity Drive]]:''' Shortens spool-up time to jump away.
[[File:space combat2.png|400px|right]]
* '''[[Ship Weapons|Weapons]]:''' Maximize offensive capabilities.
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.
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Maximize defensive capabilities.


Constantly adjust power mid-fight for optimum performance. Dump extra juice into weapons for assaults, then rapidly shift it to engines for evasion. Never waste it on gravity drive during combat.
==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.


==Targeting Systems==  
==Tips==
Unlock the [[Targeting Control Systems]] [[skill]] to target enemy subsystems. This is essential for capturing ships. Use it to eliminate:
* 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.


* '''[[Engines]]:''' Cripple their movement for boarding.
==Repair==
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Expose the hull.
===How to Repair Your Starship===
* '''[[Ship Weapons|Weapons]]:''' Disarm dangerous foes.
*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]]


Bring down shields first unless you are facing serious threats.
[[Category:Guides]] [[Category:Features]]
 
==HUD and Controls==
<nomobile>[[File:Ships51.png|350px|right]]</nomobile><mobileonly>[[File:Ships51.png|350px]]</mobileonly>
* '''[[Speedometer]]:''' Shows current speed. Hit boost for temporary burst.
* '''[[Hull]]/[[Shields]]:''' Monitors health.
* '''[[Target Lock]]:''' Flashes when taking fire. Close on target to lock on.
* '''[[Power Allocation]]:''' Distribute reactor energy between systems.
* '''[[Gravity Drive Timer]]:''' Shows time until next [[jump]].
 
==Defenses==
* '''[[Hull]]:''' Your health, can regenerate based on upgrades.
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Absorb damage, up to 100 strength based on upgrades.
* '''[[Evasion]]:''' Break target locks with evasive maneuvers.
 
==Upgrading Your Ship==
Purchase new [[modules]] or upgrade existing ones to improve performance:
 
* '''[[Weapons]]:''' More damage, faster fire rates.
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Stronger protection.
* '''[[Engines]]:''' Higher speeds, better handling.
* '''[[Reactor]]:''' Powers all systems, upgrade to increase available energy.
* '''[[Gravity Drive]]:''' Reduce jump spool-up time.
 
Master all systems for maximum performance in space combat!
 
==Boarding Enemy Ships==
<nomobile>[[File:ship boarding1.jpg|350px|right]]</nomobile><mobileonly>[[File:ship boarding1.jpg|350px]]</mobileonly>
You have options when engaging enemies:
 
* '''Destroy:''' Obliterate the ship and loot the remains.
* '''Board:''' [[boarding|Dock and take control]] of the ship. Repair to claim it.
 
To [[board]], take out the [[engines]] first. Then dock and use your hacking skill to override internal systems. Once captured, fly the ship to a [[spaceport]] and pay to register it.
 
==Looting Wrecks==
Destroyed ships become floating wrecks you can [[loot]] from your ship's cockpit. Or you can exit and [[EVA]] to search the debris field.
 
Valuable salvage includes:
 
* '''[[Ship Weapons|Weapons]]/[[Ship Modules|Modules]]:''' Sell for credits or use for your [[ships]].
* '''[[Resources]]:''' Elements, chemicals, consumable items.
* '''[[Quest Items]]:''' Retrieve special objects for rewards.
 
Exploring wreckage can uncover useful goods but also danger, so beware of traps, enemies, and malfunctioning systems.
 
==Upgrading Captured Ships==
Captured ships can be fully customized like normal purchases. However, you must pay to [[register]] them at a [[spaceport]] first.
 
Registering lets you mod [[components]], change paint jobs, rename ships, and more. It prevents abuse of capturing and selling ships for easy money.
 
Stolen ships often need repairs to be flightworthy. Allocate reactor power to restore engines quickly.
 
==Combat Details==
The HUD speedometer shows your speed increasing dramatically when boosting. Power levels deplete and regen during boosts. Hull health and shield strength are displayed, with shields regening based on upgrades. Targeting controls let you attack specific subsystems like engines to capture ships. Loot can be secured from destroyed ships.
 
You can dock and board enemy ships to claim them. Repairs may be needed to fly captured ships back. You'll need to register stolen ships to modify them. Ships can retreat if you don't disable their grav drive quickly. Upgrading targeting systems helps disable key systems for boarding ships.
 
==Space Encounters==
Beyond combat, there are many sights and stops in space:
 
* Asteroid fields to navigate
* Derelict ships to explore
* Massive staryards to dock at and trade
* Cruise ships to mingle with the elite
* Hailing random ships to trade, get quests or commit piracy
* Unique characters like grandma with a meal
* Strange travelers unaware of the past 300 years
 
==Tips and Tricks==
* Keep moving and utilize cover
* Time boosts to evade attacks
* Use targeting control to eliminate threats quickly
* Funnel power between weapons and engines
* Take out engines to capture ships
* Upgrade reactors to power more systems
* Keep power balanced during normal flight for quick reactions.
* Hit engines first when fleeing battles. Don't waste grav drive charge.
* Circle strafing while locking missiles can evade enemy turrets.
* Use EM weapons to disable systems on ships you plan to board.
* Mix up your weapon types to take down shields and hulls rapidly.
* Disable gravitational systems to confuse enemy crews aboard ships.
 
[[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.
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