Starfield: 17 BEST Ships [Detailed Comparisons]

In Starfield, a ship defines a player’s journey. From the combat power of the Abyss Trekker, and the versatility of the Star Eagle, to the sheer dominance of the Watchdog III, selecting the perfect ship to cruise space is crucial. Each ship, with its distinct strengths and weaknesses, promises a unique take on how you explore space in the game. So here’s a Starfield best ship list that will help you on your journeys! 

Best Ships In Starfield

Here is a quick look at the list of Starfield best ships along with Fuel, Hull, Cargo, Reactor, Crew, Jump, Shield, BAL, LAS, PAR, EM, MSL, Mass, and Value stats: 

17. Vista III

The Vista III ship in Starfield is a formidable “flagship” type vessel, having impressive stats like a large crew capacity of 6 members, powerful weapon systems, a big cargo hold of 3,280, and one of the game’s best shields at 1,350. These features make it an ideal choice for various in-game scenarios, ensuring confidence in almost any situation.

How To Get

Acquiring the Vista III is straightforward. It’s available for purchase in Neon’s Ship Services, priced at 300,000 credits.

16. Silent Runner

The Silent Runner ship is famous for its unmatched base cargo capacity, a staggering 6,080, making it the go-to ship for players prioritizing storage. This unrivaled carrying capacity allows players to essentially disregard weight limits when collecting resources, a significant benefit given Starfield’s emphasis on item & material collection.

How To Get

To get the Silent Runner in Starfield, head to HopeTown, situated on Polvo within the Valo star system. At Hopetech HQ, players can approach Inaya Rehman, who sells the ship for 390,150 Credits.

15. Stronghold

The Stronghold ship in Starfield stands true to its name, emerging as one of the best “defensive” ships in the game. With its robust shields and large Cargo Capacity, it ensures players can explore the galaxy without the constant threat of destruction.

How To Get

To acquire the Stronghold, players need to head to Akilia City in Starfield, where it can be purchased for 400,125 Credits.

14. Wanderwell

The Wanderwell ship in Starfield is an early-game ship, superior to the starter ship, Frontier, in many vital categories and is obtainable almost from the game’s very start. However, to unlock this ship, players must select the Kid’s Stuff Trait during the initial character creation.

How To Get

To get the Wanderwell in Starfield, players need to select the Kid’s Stuff Trait when they start the game for the first time and then visit in-game parents, who will give the Wanderwell ship.

13. Starborn Guardian

The Starborn Guardian in Starfield is a reward ship, only accessible post-campaign in a New Game+ run.

However, getting The Guardian ship after completing the main campaign might be a letdown for many players. While its stats are impressive, the Guardian’s inability to undergo upgrades limits its long-term potential. As a result, while it serves as a solid starting ship for New Game+ mode, players might pick more customizable ships once they get enough in-game credits.

How To Get

12. Vanquisher III

The Vanquisher III in Starfield is a mammoth star cruiser, ideal for those prioritizing cargo space without sacrificing speed.

• Undoubtedly, the Vanquisher III shines in its sheer size and functionality.
• Unlike many other ships, it retains missile capabilities.
• However, this doesn’t overshadow its weaker shields, a potential vulnerability during space combat.
• The biggest advantage is The Vanquisher III ship’s capacity to house up to six crew members while efficiently exploring resource-focused missions.

How To Get

Important: To get this behemoth, Vanquisher III in Starfield, be prepared to spend a whopping 490,000 Credits. The Vanquisher III can be acquired in Starfield New Atlantis.

11. Razorleaf

Ship Class	A
Reactor Power	19
Crew Capacity	2
Gravity Jump Distance	16 LY
Shield	468
LAS	6
BAL	none
MSL	36
PAR	16

The Razorleaf in Starfield is arguably the best early-game ship, perfect for those valuing speed and combat capabilities, and can be obtained as early as Level 10.

What sets the Razorleaf apart is its exemplary combat performance, coupled with a blazing speed. A unique feature is its unique effect that makes many bandits flee upon spotting it, providing an implicit combat advantage.

How To Get

Important: To obtain the Razorleaf, players must start & play the Mantis quest, triggered by discovering the "Secret Outpost" datapad found on a Spacer enemy in Starfield.

Successfully completing the Mantis quest rewards the player with the Razorleaf, free of charge.

10. Renegade III

The Renegade III in Starfield is a combat-capable, end-game starship, known for its vast cargo capacity and balanced attributes, available for around 490,000 Credits.

The ship's well-rounded attributes cater to various playstyles, making it one of the most prized ships in the Starfield.

How To Get

So far I've found potential locations at main starports such as New Atlantis, Neon, Akila City, Cydonia, and Paradiso.

9. Kepler R

The Kepler R in Starfield is a "free" high-capacity vessel famously known for its crew and cargo space, robust weaponry, shields, and fuel capacity.

The Kepler R ship serves as a reliable tank in Starfield, shielded by a robust hull and sufficient cargo space, facilitating lengthy space missions due to its significant fuel storage. However, its sheer size limits optimal combat performance, and it doesn't dominate in any specific category.

How To Get

8. Conqueror

The Conqueror in Starfield is a mammoth ship, notable for its impressive size, and can be acquired around the game's midway point.

If you prioritize size, cargo space, and crew capacity over combat efficiency, the Conqueror is a worthy addition to your Starfield fleet.

How To Get

7. Shield breaker

The Shieldbreaker is a premier combat ship, renowned for decimating enemy shields with its powerful laser weaponry and agility.

While its cargo capacity may not be monumental, its sheer combat efficiency coupled with its satisfactory storage makes the Shieldbreaker a worthy investment.

How To Get

6. Kepler S

The Kepler S is an important ship obtainable via the Overdesigned quest, following the completion of the "High Price to Pay" mission, initiated at The Lodge in New Atlantis.

This ship isn't only about aesthetics or prestige; its balanced stats make it a gem for those traversing the vastness of Starfield.

How To Get

This conversation is very important in obtaining the Kepler S; if players fail to convince Frank about the budget reduction, the Kepler S remains hard to get. That is why you should increase persuasion skills or items before the conversation. 

5. Crimson Fleet Wight III

The Crimson Fleet Wight III is a premium pirate ship design, having unparalleled defensive capabilities and offering an exciting appeal to those players who want a life of space piracy.

How To Get

To acquire the Crimson Fleet Wight III, players must align with the Crimson Fleet faction in Starfield.

Once allegiances are declared, players can head to "The Key", where Crimson Fleet Wight III ship is available to be taken by its next commander after paying of course 300,000 credits.

4. Narwhal

The Narwhal is an elite vessel in Starfield, famously known for its potent combination of defense, firepower, and crew capacity, however, it comes with a very high price.

The ship's crowning feature, however, is its capacity to support seven crew members. When loaded with a skilled crew that enhances the ship's functionalities, the Narwhal is virtually unparalleled. While certain aspects might be taken as weaknesses, they're effortlessly reduced after basic ship upgrades.

How To Get

Players must begin their journey in Neon City, located within the Volii star system on Voli Alpha to get the Narwhal ship in Starfield.

3. Watchdog III

The Watchdog III in Starfield is a highly agile fighter, known for its missile firepower and impressive mobility, frequently seen in both Akila City and Neon.

The ship's compact design doesn't limit its efficiency; the Watchdog III boasts a large reactor, fueling its power beyond what its size might suggest. This makes the Watchdog III an invaluable asset for those skilled in ship-based combat, offering both agility and the firepower to destroy space pirates in Starfield.

How To Get

To get the Watchdog III for your fleet, a journey to either Akila City or Neon is in order. Once there, players will find the ship available for purchase, with its value marked at 140,643 Credits.

2. Star Eagle

The Star Eagle is a versatile, well-rounded ship, obtainable relatively early, having powerful weaponry, a robust hull, and a generous cargo hold.

The Star Eagle does have its limitations, notably in its jump capabilities. However, its exceptional performance in many areas means it remains a viable choice for an extended period in Starfield.

How To Get

In Akila, located in the Cheyenne System, players will intersect with the Freestar Rangers, kicking off with the "Job Gone Wrong" mission. Progressing through their tasks will eventually reward the player with the Star Eagle, a ship that excels in its class.

1. The Abyss Trekker

The Abyss Trekker in Starfield is a combat-centric ship best known for its impressive firepower and rapid engagement capabilities, despite some flaws. 

• One of the standout attributes of the Abyss Trekker is its space combat power.
• While it might not be the largest or fastest ship in Starfield, it compensates with unmatched combat efficiency.
• Few ships can rival the Abyss Trekker's speed in dealing with enemy vessels.

How To Get

Players must head over to Paradiso in Starfield first. Here, the Abyss Trekker ship can be acquired from the Ship Services Technician for a price tag of approximately 365,000 Credits.

However, those prepared to look beyond this limitation will find the Abyss Trekker an invaluable asset, particularly when confronted by enemy factions like the Crimson Fleet or the Va'ruun.

To wrap it up, exploring Starfield's worlds demands a vessel worthy of the challenge. Whether prioritizing combat, speed, or cargo capacity, the Abyss Trekker, Star Eagle, and Watchdog III stand out as top-tier choices. These ships, each exceptional in its own right, ensure every spacefarer's journey is as thrilling as the destination.

I strongly suggest you also go over & read the Starfield enlightened vs universal, All console commands, ships inventory, and Starfield United Colonies guides.

Next:

• Starfield: Religions
• Starfield: Alternating currents
• Starfield: Money Glitch
• Starfield: Earth