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Starfield is a sci-fi RPG game from Bethesda that lets you explore a vast and diverse galaxy full of planets, stars, asteroids, and spaceships. Whether you want to upgrade your own ship, sell them for profit, or just have some fun, steal ships in Starfield from other players can be a great way to spice up your gameplay.
However, stealing ships is not as easy as it sounds. You need to have the right skills, weapons, and strategies to pull off a successful heist. You also need to be aware of the risks and consequences of your actions, such as attracting enemies, bounties, or factions. In this article, we will show you how to steal ships from other players and NPCs in Starfield.
Find Target to Steal Ships in Starfield
The first step in stealing a ship is finding a suitable target. There are many types of ships in Starfield, each with their own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. You can find ships in various locations, such as planets, space stations, asteroid fields, or warp gates. You can also encounter ships randomly while traveling in space or during missions.

Steal ships in Starfield depends on your preference, playstyle, and goals. For example, if you want a fast and agile ship, you may want to steal a fighter or a scout. If you want a powerful and durable ship, you may want to steal a cruiser or a destroyer. If you want a unique and rare ship, you may want to steal a prototype or a legendary ship.
Therefore, before you decide to steal a ship, you should consider the following factors:
- The size and class of the ship
- The speed and maneuverability of the ship
- The firepower and defense of the ship
- The value and rarity of the ship
- The owner and affiliation of the ship
- The location and situation of the ship
You can use your scanner or your HUD to identify and analyze potential targets. You can also use your stealth or your skills to avoid detection and unwanted combat when approaching a target.
Disable a Stolen Ship’s Engine in Starfield
The second step in stealing a ship is disabling its engines. Once you steal ships in Starfield you need to disable engines to prevent the ship from escaping or fighting back while you dock and board it. The best way to disable a ship’s engines is using electromagnetic (EM) weapons. EM weapons are special weapons that emit pulses or beams of EM radiation that can disrupt electronic systems and devices.

EM weapons are ideal for disabling engines because they do not cause physical damage to other systems or the hull. This means that you can preserve the integrity and value of the ship you are stealing. It also means that you can avoid killing the crew or triggering self-destruct mechanisms that some ships may have.
You can acquire EM weapons in various ways in Starfield. You can buy them from vendors or black markets, loot them from enemies or containers, craft them from materials or blueprints, or find them in hidden locations or quests.
To disable a ship’s engines with an EM weapon, you need to do the following:
- Target the engines specifically using your crosshair or your lock-on system
- Fire your EM weapon at the engines until they are disabled
- Avoid hitting other systems or the hull with your EM weapon or other weapons
- Keep a safe distance and angle from the target to avoid counterattacks or collisions
Also Read: How to Make Money in Starfield and Get Rich Quickly
How to Dock and Board a Ship
The third step in stealing a ship is docking with it and boarding it. This will allow you to enter the ship and eliminate the crew. Docking and boarding are essential for stealing a ship, as you cannot claim or control a ship remotely or from outside.
However, docking and boarding are not as simple as they seem. You need to meet certain requirements and limitations to dock and board a ship. For example, you need to be out of combat and have enough space to dock. You also need to have a compatible docking port and a matching docking code. Some ships may have different docking ports or codes that may prevent you from docking.

To dock and board a ship, you need to do the following:
- Approach the target ship slowly and carefully
- Align your ship with the target’s docking port using your HUD or your camera
- Enter the target’s docking code using your keyboard or your voice
- Confirm the docking request using your HUD or your voice
- Wait for the docking sequence to complete
- Exit your ship and enter the target’s airlock
How to Eliminate the Crew and Claim the Ship
The fourth step in stealing a ship is eliminating the crew and claiming the ship. This will allow you to take full ownership and control of the ship. Eliminating the crew is necessary for stealing a ship, as you cannot register or sell a ship that has living occupants.
You need to fight and kill the crew members that may resist or attack you. The crew members may vary in number, type, and difficulty depending on the ship you are stealing.

For example, some ships may have more crew members than others. Some ships may have different types of crew members, such as pirates, spacers, or faction members. Some ships may have more skilled or equipped crew members than others.
To eliminate the crew and claim the ship, you need to do the following:
- Equip your weapons, armor, and items
- Explore the ship and locate the crew members
- Engage and kill the crew members using stealth, combat, or skills
- Loot the corpses and containers for valuables
- Access the ship’s terminal and override its security
- Rename the ship and assign it to yourself
How to Register or Sell a Stolen Ship
The fifth step in stealing a ship is registering or selling it. This will allow you to legalize or monetize your stolen ship. Registering or selling a stolen ship is optional but recommended for stealing a ship, as it can provide you with benefits or profits.
Registering a stolen ship may make it legal and customizable, but it may also increase your bounty or lower your faction reputation. Selling a stolen ship may make it profitable and disposable, but it may also decrease its value or limit its potential.

To register or sell a stolen ship, you need to do the following:
- Decide whether to register or sell your stolen ship based on your preference, playstyle, and goals
- Find a suitable location and vendor to register or sell your stolen ship
- Pay the registration fee or negotiate the selling price for your stolen ship
- Receive the registration certificate or the payment for your stolen ship
How to Use a Stolen Ship as Your Home Ship
The sixth step in stealing a ship is using it as your home ship. This will allow you to use your stolen ship as your primary vehicle for traveling, exploring, and fighting in Starfield. Using a stolen ship as your home ship is optional but beneficial for stealing a ship, as it can enhance your gameplay experience.
Using a stolen ship as your home ship may improve its performance, storage capacity, or aesthetics, but it may also reduce its compatibility, reliability, or uniqueness.
To use a stolen ship as your home ship, you need to do the following:
- Decide whether to use your stolen ship as your home ship based on your preference, playstyle, and goals
- Transfer your items, companions, and missions from your old home ship to your new home ship
- Modify and upgrade your new home ship using resources, skills, or vendors
- Enjoy your new home ship and its features
A Comparison of Different Types of Ships for Stealing
As we have seen, there are many types of ships in Starfield that you can steal from other players and NPCs. Each type of ship has its own strengths and weaknesses for stealing. To help you choose the best type of ship for stealing, we have prepared a table that compares different types of ships based on various criteria, such as size, speed, firepower, defense, or value. You can see the table below:
Type of Ship | Size | Speed | Firepower | Defense | Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fighter | Small | High | Medium | Low | Low |
Scout | Small | Very High | Low | Low | Low |
Bomber | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
Transport | Medium | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Cruiser | Large | Low | High | High | High |
Destroyer | Large | Medium | Very High | High | High |
Prototype | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Very High |
Legendary | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable | Very High |
As you can see, each type of ship has its pros and cons for stealing. For example, a fighter or a scout may be easy to disable and board, but it may also have low firepower and defense. A cruiser or a destroyer may be hard to disable and board, but it may also have high firepower and defense. A prototype or a legendary ship may be unique and rare, but it may also be immune or protected from theft.
Therefore, you should choose the type of ship that suits your playstyle and goals. For example, if you want a fast and agile ship, you may want to steal a fighter or a scout. If you want a powerful and durable ship, you may want to steal a cruiser or a destroyer. If you want a unique and rare ship, you may want to steal a prototype or a legendary ship.
Best Ships to Steal in Starfield
In addition to the general types of ships, there are also some specific ships that are considered the best to steal in Starfield. These ships are either very rare, very powerful, or very unique. They can provide you with a great advantage or a great challenge in the game. However, they are also very hard to find and steal, as they may be hidden, guarded, or protected by various means.
Here is a list of some of the best ships to steal in Starfield, along with their features and locations:
The Blackbird
The Blackbird is a stealth fighter that belongs to the Black Hand, a mysterious and secretive faction that operates in the shadows. The Blackbird is equipped with advanced cloaking technology that makes it invisible to most sensors and weapons.
It also has a powerful EM weapon that can disable any ship in one shot. The Blackbird is located in a hidden base in the Orion Nebula, but you need to infiltrate the Black Hand and earn their trust to access it.
The Starbreaker
The Starbreaker is a destroyer that belongs to the Star League, a noble and honorable faction that strives for peace and justice. The Starbreaker is armed with a massive plasma cannon that can destroy any ship in one blast.
It also has a strong shield and armor that can withstand any attack. The Starbreaker is located in the Star League’s headquarters in the Sirius System, but you need to join the Star League and prove your worth to use it.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is a prototype ship that belongs to the Phoenix Project, a secret and experimental program that aims to create the ultimate ship. The Phoenix is designed with adaptive technology that allows it to change its shape, size, and functions according to the situation.
It also has a self-repair system that can heal any damage or malfunction. The Phoenix is located in a hidden facility in the Andromeda Galaxy, but you need to hack the Phoenix Project’s network and bypass its security to find it.
The Leviathan
The Leviathan is a legendary ship that belongs to no one, as it is an ancient and mysterious artifact that predates any known civilization. The Leviathan is a colossal ship that resembles a living creature, with organic and mechanical parts.
It has unknown abilities and powers that defy any logic or explanation. The Leviathan is located in a dark and dangerous region of space known as the Void, but you need to survive its horrors and mysteries to reach it.
These are just some of the best ships to steal in Starfield, but there are many more waiting for you to discover and claim. However, be prepared for the challenges and consequences of stealing these ships, as they may not be as easy or safe as they seem.
Some Fun Things to Do with Stolen Ships in Starfield
Stealing ships in Starfield can be more than just a means to an end. It can also be an end in itself. There are many fun things to do with stolen ships in Starfield that can make your gameplay more enjoyable and rewarding. Here are some of them:
- Explore new regions of space with your stolen ship
- Engage in combat with other players or NPCs with your stolen ship
- Role-play as a pirate, a smuggler, or a rebel with your stolen ship
- Interact with other players or NPCs using your stolen ship
- Customize your stolen ship with your own name, color, decals, weapons, modules, or interior
- Collect and display your stolen ships in your hangar
- Trade or exchange your stolen ships with other players or NPCs
- Challenge yourself by stealing harder or rarer ships
These are just some of the fun things to do with stolen ships in Starfield, but there are many more that you can discover and create by using your imagination and creativity.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you will be able to steal ships from other players and NPCs in Starfield with ease and efficiency. You will also be able to enjoy the benefits and risks of stealing ships in Starfield with fun and excitement.
However, remember that stealing ships is not the only thing you can do in Starfield. There are many other activities and features that you can explore and experience in this amazing game. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and steal some ships in Starfield!
FAQs
Can I steal any ship in Starfield?
No, you can only steal ships that have engines that can be disabled by EM weapons. Some ships are immune to EM weapons or have other protection mechanisms that prevent you from stealing them.
Can I steal a ship without killing the crew?
Yes, you can use non-lethal methods to incapacitate the crew, such as stun grenades, tranquilizer darts, or hacking devices. However, this may be more difficult and time-consuming than killing them.
Can I steal a ship from another player?
Yes, you can steal a ship from another player if they leave it unattended or if you disable their engines in combat. However, this may have negative consequences for your reputation, bounty, or faction relations.
Can I keep multiple stolen ships?
Yes, you can keep multiple stolen ships, but you can only use one as your home ship at a time. You can store your other stolen ships in your hangar or sell them for profit.
Can I customize my stolen ship?
Yes, you can customize your stolen ship after you register it as your own. You can change its name, color, decals, weapons, modules, or interior. However, some customization options may require special resources or skills.