Looking for Starfield ship customization details? We got 40 minutes of hands-on time with the space adventure game, and one thing we noticed was that customization is a key part of the game.
We got to assemble and color our ship however we wanted, so here’s all the details we could glean from this section of Starfield and all the sci-fi games out there. The game itself was the highlight for us, but the modular parts and style of color schemes give us an idea of what to expect from Space Engine 6, so we can’t wait to see what ship mods are in store – wherever the adventure takes us.
How to customize Starfield ships
Starfield allows players to customize their ships using modular parts and paint jobs. This can be done through a ship technician, found at every spaceport. Different manufacturers have different style parts, each with their own cost, health, and mass ratings. In addition to these parts, players can edit different colors on each piece using the color picker, allowing for precise edits to each piece.
Players can then assemble and color their ship however they want on the customization screen. Bethesda showed off what to expect in the Starfield Direct recap, with ships that came together to look like a giant mech, and – at the other end of the scale – a huge platypus.
How to paint Starfield ships
Here is what we know about how to paint Starfield ships so far:
The ship design menu goes into much more detail, showing off a blueprint schematic with dozens of specs we’re yet to find out about. Confirmed physical parts of the Starfield ship include cockpits, cowls, cannons, engines, fuel tanks, landers, and reactors.
We also know that modular modules can be installed to add crafting stations, weapon storage and display, captain’s quarters, habitat spaces for crew, and much more.
All of this will likely increase the ship’s stats in some way, though we don’t know how yet.
These 11 pieces of essential data communicate vital information about the ship, so it’s likely they stand for lasers, ballistics, and missiles for weapon types. Similarly, the hull and shield likely contribute to the ship’s health. Of course, Starfield custom ship colors depend on player preference, but these 11 parts give a great indication on how players can expect the space adventure game to play, with these ship stats likely communicating the ship’s offense and defense.
It also shows a number for how many crew members can fit on the ship, how far it can jump through space, how easily it moves through space, how fast it can go, and how heavy the ship is.
Ships can be made to look like a giant mech or even animals, but all of the parts mentioned above still apply. Modules can be added to the ship to add crafting stations, weapon storage and display, captain’s quarters, habitat spaces for crew, and more. We’re hoping this modular system carries through to other aspects of Starfield, as it really opens up the possibility of some incredible Starfield spaceship designs.
Now, as for what the different numbers in these stats mean… we’re really not sure. The Direct and E3 2019 press conference both contained ships with big, elaborate cannons, so perhaps these apparent weapon numbers denote just that – how big and lethal those weapons can be. Those are just our best guesses, of course, but until we get the chance to play the game for ourselves and put this information to the test, nothing here is 100% confirmed.
Thankfully, Bethesda has confirmed that Starfield ship customization isn’t just a cosmetic item, and that different parts not only affect the look of the ship, but also how it works. Previously, director Todd Howard said the game allows players to “make it look like whatever you want”, but he clarified at the Starfield Direct that “different parts offer different attributes” on top of the paint jobs.