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(Created page with "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. Contents Overview Combat Mechanics Ship Building and Customization Power Allocation and Ship Dynamics Space Encounters Con...")
 
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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.
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{{see also|Guides}}
[[Space 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.


Contents
==Ship Weapons==
Overview
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:
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
* '''[[Energy Weapons]]:''' Effective against shields. Includes lasers.
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.
* '''[[Ballistic Weapons]]:''' Decimate enemy hulls.
* '''[[Electromagnetic Weapons]]:''' Disrupt enemy systems.
* '''[[Missiles]]:''' Deal massive damage but limited ammo and slow reload.
* '''[[Particle Beams]]:''' Damage multiple systems but lower damage per second.


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.
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.


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.
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.


3. Ship Building and Customization
==Power Management==
Starfield offers extensive ship customization options:
[[Power Management|Managing power allocation]] is key in space combat. Your [[reactor]] has a max output, and you distribute that [[energy]] between systems:


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).
* '''[[Engines]]:''' More power = faster speed.
* '''[[Gravity Drive]]:''' Shortens spool-up time to jump away.
* '''[[Ship Weapons|Weapons]]:''' Maximize offensive capabilities.
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Maximize defensive capabilities.


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.
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.


4. Power Allocation and Ship Dynamics
==Targeting Systems==
Power management is crucial in Starfield's combat:
Unlock the [[Targeting Control System]] skill to target enemy subsystems. This is essential for capturing ships. Use it to eliminate:


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.
* '''[[Engines]]:''' Cripple their movement for boarding.
* '''[[Shields]]:''' Expose the hull.
* '''[[Ship Weapons|Weapons]]:''' Disarm dangerous foes.


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.
Bring down shields first unless you are facing serious threats.


5. Space Encounters
==Boarding Enemy Ships==
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.
You have options when engaging enemies:


Derelict Ships: These abandoned vessels can be explored, offering loot, lore, and potential dangers.
* '''Destroy:''' Obliterate the ship and loot the remains.
* '''Board:''' Dock and take control of the ship. Repair to claim it.


Black Holes: While not confirmed, there's speculation about the presence of black holes, offering high-risk, high-reward exploration opportunities.
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.


NPC Interactions: Players can hail other ships for trade, information, or piracy. These interactions can lead to peaceful exchanges, combat, or even boarding actions.
== Looting Wrecks ==


6. Contraband and Smuggling
Destroyed ships become floating wrecks you can loot from your ship's cockpit. Or you can exit and EVA to search the debris field.
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.
 
Valuable salvage includes:
 
* '''Weapons/Components:''' 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.
 
== 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 components 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.
 
== HUD and Controls ==
 
* '''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.
 
Master all systems for maximum performance in space combat!
 
== 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
 
== 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.
 
==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]]
[[Category:Guides]] [[Category:Pre-release Speculation]]