Starfield – All Ships and How to Get Them

If you've started playing Starfield, you already know that ships are one of the most exciting parts of the game. Your ship isn't just transport — it's your base, your defense system, and your gateway to the galaxy. Understanding how ships work will completely change your experience. In this guide, we'll run through the full ship roster, the best options for different playstyles, and all the ways you can get your hands on them.

In Starfield, your ship is your lifeline. Without a solid one, exploring space becomes difficult and risky fast. Ships get you between planets, handle combat encounters, carry your cargo and resources, and serve as a mobile home base between missions. There are many types to choose from, and each has its own strengths — some are built for speed, others for heavy combat, and others still for hauling large amounts of cargo.

Here's a rundown of the most notable ships in the game and how to get each one.

Razorleaf — One of the most popular early-game ships, the Razorleaf is fast and capable in combat. It's earned by completing the Secret Outpost mission, making it one of the best free ships you can get before you've spent a single credit.

Star Eagle — A well-rounded mid-game ship with solid weapons and decent cargo space. You unlock it by completing the Freestar Rangers questline, and it holds up well enough that many players stick with it for a long time.

Narwhal — Powerful, expensive, and worth it. The Narwhal boasts strong weapons and excellent shields, and can be purchased from a vendor when you're ready to invest in something serious.

Silent Runner — Not the strongest in combat, but ideal if you're focused on trading and storage. It can be bought from ship vendors and is one of the best options for players who want maximum cargo capacity.

Stronghold — A tank-style ship built for durability. If you want to survive long, punishing battles, the Stronghold's high defence stats make it a strong pick. Available from vendors.

Starborn Guardian — A late-game ship with unique abilities that sets itself apart from everything else on this list. The catch: you have to finish the game and enter New Game Plus to get it. For many players, it's the ultimate endgame reward.

There are four main ways to add ships to your fleet, each with its own appeal.

Buying is the most straightforward method. Major spaceports — New Atlantis, Neon, and Akila City — all have ships available for purchase, and the selection improves as you level up. It's reliable, but it gets expensive quickly.

Completing missions is arguably the best approach for early and mid-game ships. Both the Razorleaf and the Star Eagle are quest rewards, meaning you get genuinely strong ships without spending anything.

Stealing ships is exactly as fun as it sounds. Board an enemy vessel, take out the crew, and claim it as your own. It's risky, but it's one of the few ways to get high-level ships earlier than you'd normally be able to afford them.

Building and modifying is the most involved route, but also the most rewarding. The ship customisation system lets you overhaul almost any vessel — swapping out engines, weapons, cargo modules, and more. Even a basic ship can become something formidable with the right upgrades, which is why a lot of players end up preferring a custom build over anything on the standard ship list.

The customisation system is genuinely flexible. You can modify weapons, shields, engines, cargo space, and crew capacity — and the changes can be dramatic. A ship that felt underwhelming out of the box can become one of your favourites after a few well-chosen upgrades. It's worth experimenting with, especially once you've settled on a playstyle.

If you're just starting out, keep things simple. Your starting ship, the Frontier, is balanced and easy to manage. The Razorleaf is the natural next step if you want something stronger for combat. The Discovery is a budget-friendly option with decent cargo space for players who want to focus on trading early. These three will carry you through the learning curve without overwhelming you with complexity.

Ships fall into three classes — A, B, and C — moving from basic to advanced. To pilot higher-class ships, you'll need to invest in the Piloting skill. It's easy to overlook, but it's worth upgrading early if you have ambitions beyond Class A vessels.

There's no single best ship in Starfield — it depends entirely on how you play. Combat-focused players should prioritize strong weapons and shields. Traders will want as much cargo space as possible. If you want something that handles everything reasonably well, the Star Eagle is hard to argue with. Whatever you choose, a few universal tips hold true: always keep your shields upgraded, don't neglect weapons, balance cargo against speed, and keep a reserve of credits for when upgrade opportunities come up.

In Starfield, your ship becomes part of your story. One minute you're flying the basic starter vessel, the next you're commanding something you stole, built from scratch, or saved up for over twenty hours of play. That moment — when your ship finally feels like yours — is one of the best the game has to offer. So try different builds, upgrade often, and enjoy the ride. In space, your ship is your identity.