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This guide lists the best ship weapons you can purchase and equip in Starfield. Read on to learn the best ship weapons, the different weapon types, the stats of ship weapons, and to see a list of all ship weapons in the game.
List of Contents
Ship Weapon Total Damage Equations | |
---|---|
Total Damage Output | Damage Equation |
Total Damage per Unit | [Fire Rate x Specific DMG] |
Total Damage Maximizing Power | [Fire Rate x Specific DMG x (12 / Max Power)] |
Best Ship Weapon Ranking Explained | |
The Best Ship Weapons are determined by their total relevant damage output per unit, and maximizing all 12 power available. This is to determine which weapons deal the most damage if you only equip one, and if you equip multiple of it. Both weapons (if they are different) will be considered the 'best' and listed respectively. This is to accommodate different players who have smaller ships that can only equip a few weapons, and players who have large ships that can equip many weapons which use up all 12 power. |
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlatl 280C Missile Launcher | 4000 | 1 | 264 | 264 | 4 |
The Atlatl 280C Missile Launcher is the best ship weapon in terms of dealing the most hull damage and shield damage combined, even if you choose to only equip one or multiple units on your ship. The only downside is that, being a missile launcher, you need to target-lock enemies or else the missiles will likely miss their targets.
The Atlatl 280C Missile Launcher is a Class C ship weapon, therefore a Reactor part of the same class is required. Rank 3 of Starship Design is also needed to use this ship weapon. This weapon can be bought from almost all ship technicians in major cities once your character reaches level 43.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlatl 270C Missile Launcher | 4000 | 1 | 149 | 149 | 4 |
The Atlatl 270C Missile Launcher would be the next best missile launcher for any Class C ship where the player does not have the Starship Design Skill. However, this will be the heaviest alternative out of the rest.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Atlatl 270A Missile Launcher | 4000 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 3 |
For players that have not spec'd into the Tech Skill Tree, the Atlatl 270A Missile Launcher will provide the best damage per second despite it being the heavier alternative among the rest of low tech Class-A Missile Launchers.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
KE-49A Autocannon | 1250 | 5 | 33 | 9.90 | 4 |
The KE-49A Autocannon deals the most hull damage per unit with decent range, which means if you can only equip one ballistic ship weapon, then this would be the best choice.
You can obtain the KE-49A from various ship vendors in most cities, and you would need at least a Class B ship and rank 4 of the Starship Design Skill to equip it.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard Hellfire Autocannon | 800 | 7.5 | 18 | 5 | 2 |
With the higest firing rate and lowest possible max power, 6 Vanguard Hellfire Autocannons will deal the most amount of damage per second in the game. This ship weapon is best for Class B ships and above. The weakness for this weapon, however, is its weak range stat of 800, and equipping all 6 would mean sacrificing shield damage.
This weapon can be bought from almost all ship technicians in major cities once you have progressed enough through UC Vanguard faction's questline.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dangan PB RF Autocannon | 1000 | 6.65 | 11 | 3.30 | 3 |
The Dangan Pb RF Autocannon out-damages its competition in hull damage but does not have much shield damage to boot. The KE-20 Cannon would be a better option for players looking for a better balance.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reza 300 PHz SX Pulse Laser | 800 | 4 | 10 | 34 | 4 |
For the players that have allocated into the Tech Skill Tree to unlock the best Ship Parts, the Reza 300 PHz SX Pulse Laser will be the best option for quickly destroying shields, regardless if you attach only one or multiple units of it. Although it does have a relatively short range of only 800.
This weapon can be bought from almost all ship technicians in major cities once you reach level 51, and it requires a Class C ship and Starship Design (Rank 2).
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard Starseeker Pulse Laser | 1000 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 4 |
For C-Class ships, the best low tech option for shield damage would be the Vanguard Starseeker Pulse Laser.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flare 15MW IR Laser | 1250 | 3.49 | 8 | 28 | 6 |
The Flare 15MW IR Laser will out damage it's competition, the Reza 45 GHz MW Laser, due to its max power allowing to install 4 Flare 15MW IR Lasers to your ship. This ship weapon also out-ranges its competition by around 60%!
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exterminator 95MeV Auto Helion Beam | 3250 | 5 | 26 | 26 | 4 |
If you can only afford to attach a few weapons, or if you want to have versatile and consistent damage, then particle weapons would be the recommended option. The best particle weapon is the Exterminator 95MeV Auto Helion Beam since it deals the highest damage per unit.
The Exterminator 95MeV Auto Helion Beam can be bought from certain ship technicians after reaching level 60, having a Class B ship, and rank 4 of Starship Design.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBO-175 Auto Helion Beam | 3000 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 3 |
On the other hand, if you can afford to equip multiple Particle ship weapons, then having 4 PBO-175 Auto Helion Beam would be the best. This is because you can equip 4 units of this weapon, which compared to the Exterminator 95MeV, you can only attach 3.
The PBO-175 Auto Helion Beam can be found from most ship technicians after reaching level 48, having a Class B ship, and rank 4 of Starship Design.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vaporizer 35MeV Auto Proton Beam | 3250 | 3.49 | 24 | 24 | 4 |
For players without the Starship Design Skill and a Class A ship, then the next best particle weapon would be the Vaporizer 35MeV Auto Proton Beam, which you can get starting at level 51.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | EM DMG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tatsu 501EM Suppressor | 800 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 100 |
If you're going for a pacifist run, then you'll need weapons that can disable enemy ships fast since ship combat is unavoidable in Starfield. If you can only equip one EM weapon, then the best is the Tatsu 501EM Suppressor. It boasts the highest electromagnetic damage per unit while also being lightweight.
The Tatsu 501EM Suppressor can be bought from almost all ship technicians once you hit level 60, have a Class C ship, and Starship Design (Rank 4).
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | EM DMG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nullifier 1750 Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 48 |
Although, if you can equip multiple EM weapons on your ship, then a full set of Nullifier 1750 Suppressors would deal even more damage than a set of Tatsu 501EMs. This is because you can equip 4 units of the Nullifier 1750s, which outdamages the max units of 2 Tatsu 501EMs.
The Nullifier 1750 Suppressor can be found from most ship technicians once you hit level 38 and Starship Design (Rank 3).
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | EM DMG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spark 750 Suppressor | 1000 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
The best option for players without the Starship Design Skill and a Class A ship would be the Spark 750 Suppressor.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | EM DMG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Obliterator 250MeV Alpha Turret | 3250 | 1.5 | 86 | 86 |
Turrets are incredibly powerful in Starfield because you do not have to aim or fire to deal any damage. With that, the best turret is the Obliterator 250MeV Alpha Turret because it deals the most hull and shield damage compared to other turrets, even if you only equip one, or multiple units of it.
The Obliterator 250MeV Alpha Turret can be obtained from various ship vendors after reaching level 60, having a Class C ship, and Starship Design (Rank 4).
Laser (LAS) | Generally deals more damage to ship's shield. |
---|---|
Ballistic (BAL) | Generally deals more damage to a ship's hull or health. |
Missile (MSL) | Slow fire rate and needs to target lock an enemy ship first, but equally deals a lot of damage to both a ship's shield and hull. |
Particle beam (PAR) | All-around weapon. |
Electromagnetic (EM) | Aims to damage and disable a target ship's systems. |
If your aim in space combat is to destroy ships, install laser, ballistic, missile or particle weapons to your ship. These weapon types deal hull and shield damage. Their differences lie in each type's range and fire rate.
If you aim to incapacitate ships to be able to board them, install electromagnetic weapons to your ship. This weapon type won't deal a lot of damage but rather targets a ship's systems to disable them.
As of the writing of this article, these are the weapon types we discovered so far.
Weapon Stats Overview | |
---|---|
Class | Indicates the tier of a ship part. Parts with a class stat can only be added to a ship with a reactor of the same class or higher. |
Range | Indicates the maximum distance of the weapon's efficiency. |
Fire Rate | Indicates the frequency at which the weapon can fire or launch its projectiles. |
Hull DMG | Indicates the amount of damage the weapon will deal to a ship's health. |
Shield DMG | Indicates the amount of damage the weapon can deal to a ship's shield. |
Max Power | Indicates the maximum power that can be allocated to the part's function during space flight. |
Hull | Increases your ship's health by the indicated number. |
Crew Capacity | Increases the number of crew members your ship can accommodate. |
Aside from the regular gunplay and shooting mechanics when exploring the surfaces of planets with your character, Starfield also features dogfights in outer space. You can attach weapon modules to your ship to fare well, survive, and be able to fight back in these situations.
Ships in Starfield have 3 weapon slots that can be equipped with different weapon modules. However, how these slots differ in terms of restrictions and use has not been revealed.
What is the Class Stat? |
---|
|
Ship weapons come with a stat called class. Classes can either be A, B, or C, with the latter being the highest tier being accompanied by the best stats.
The class of your ship's reactor sets the class limit for the other ship parts. If your ship has a Class B reactor, you can only attach ship weapons that are either from the same class or lower.
Piloting Skill | Starship Design Skill |
To be able to purchase and install parts from higher classes on your ship, you'll need to level up the skills listed above. At higher ranks, The Piloting skill will allow you to pilot Class B and C ships, while the Starship Design skill will allow you to install higher class parts to your ship.
Visit ship technicians in city spaceports to access the game's ship editor. From the ship editor screen, you can choose to either upgrade parts or fully customize your ship in the shipbuilder mode.
Ship Building and Customization Guide
Skill Tier Points Needed | Skills |
---|---|
- | ・
Ballistic Weapon Systems
・ Targeting Control Systems |
4 | ・ Energy Weapon Systems |
8 | ・
Missile Weapon Systems
・ Particle Beam Weapon Systems |
12 | ・
Automated Weapon Systems
・ EM Weapon Systems |
Several skills from the tech tree will improve the stats and functionality of your weapon systems.
You have a spare weapon assignment group to be bound to a weapon. Open the Flight Check menu and press T for the weapons tab. Select a weapon group and bind a weapon to it.
You have a weapon on your ship that is not assigned to a Weapon Assignment. Open the Flight Check menu and press T for the weapons tab. Select a weapon group you want to bind the weapon to.
Ship Building and Customization Guide
City | Shops |
---|---|
Akila City | ・Ship Technician |
Cydonia | ・Ship Technician |
Deimos Staryard | ・Nikau Henderson |
Gagarin Landing (Gagarin) |
・Ship Technician |
HopeTown (Polvo) |
・Ship Technician ・HopeTech Showroom |
Neon | ・Ship Technician ・Stroud Eklund Showroom ・Taiyo Astroneering Showroom |
New Atlantis | ・Ship Technician |
Paradiso (Porrima II) |
・Ship Technician |
Red Mile | ・Lon Anderssen |
Stroud-Eklund Staryard | ・Havershaw |
The Clinic (Deepala) |
・Ship Technician |
The Den (Wolf System) |
・Ship Technician |
The Eleos Retreat (Ixyll System) |
・Ship Technician |
The Key | ・Ship Services |
Better ship parts are locked behind character levels. If a ship part is not appearing in any shops, this means you'll need to level up your character first. You can also check the individual page of the weapon down below to find which shops carry it.
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | Max Pow |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mauler 104L Autocannon | 800 | 6.65 | 9.90 | 3.30 | 4 |
Mauler 104L Cannon | 800 | 3.49 | 14.30 | 4.40 | 4 |
Dangan Pb Cannon | 1000 | 3.49 | 16.5 | 5.5 | 3 |
Mauler 106T Cannon | 800 | 2.5 | 25.3 | 7.7 | 4 |
KE-20 Cannon | 800 | 3.49 | 18.70 | 5.50 | 3 |
Marauder 114ANC Railgun | 800 | 1.5 | 47.29 | 14.30 | 4 |
Dangan PB RF Autocannon | 1000 | 6.65 | 11 | 3.30 | 3 |
Jishaku Fe Railgun | 1000 | 2.5 | 31.20 | 9.60 | 3 |
Mauler 106S Shot-Cannon | 800 | 1.75 | 57.60 | 16.80 | 4 |
Jishaku Nd Railgun | 1000 | 1.5 | 55.20 | 16.80 | 3 |
Jishaku Fe RF Rapid Railgun | 1000 | 5 | 20.40 | 6 | 3 |
KE-20A Autocannon | 800 | 6.65 | 14.40 | 4.80 | 3 |
KE-42 Cannon | 1250 | 2.5 | 31 | 9 | 3 |
Jishaku Nd RF Rapid Railgun Turret | 1000 | 4 | 28.80 | 8.40 | 3 |
Jishaku Nd RF Rapid Railgun | 1000 | 4 | 26.40 | 8.40 | 3 |
MKE-4 Gauss Gun | 1250 | 1.5 | 51 | 15 | 4 |
Dangan W Cannon | 1000 | 3.49 | 22 | 7 | 3 |
Mauler 105U Cannon | 800 | 3.49 | 24 | 7.20 | 4 |
Mauler 106T Autocannon Turret | 1000 | 5 | 20.40 | 6 | 4 |
Marauder 114ANC Rapid Railgun | 800 | 4 | 24 | 7.20 | 4 |
KE-31 Cannon | 1250 | 4 | 29.70 | 8.80 | 2 |
Mauler 105U Autocannon | 800 | 6.65 | 15.40 | 4.40 | 4 |
KE-42 Cannon Turret | 1500 | 2.5 | 49.5 | 15.40 | 4 |
KE-42A Autocannon | 1250 | 5 | 22 | 6.60 | 4 |
KE-49 Cannon | 1250 | 2.5 | 47.29 | 14.30 | 4 |
KE-49A Autocannon | 1250 | 5 | 33 | 9.90 | 4 |
Mauler 106T Autocannon | 800 | 2.5 | 25.35 | 7.70 | 4 |
KE-31A Autocannon | 1250 | 6.65 | 20.89 | 6.60 | 4 |
Mauler 107I Cannon | 800 | 2.5 | 37.40 | 11 | 4 |
Mauler 107I Autocannon | 800 | 5 | 27.5 | 8.80 | 4 |
Marauder 115N Railgun | 800 | 1.5 | 62.70 | 18.70 | 4 |
Marauder 115N Railgun Turret | 800 | 1.5 | 89.09 | 26.40 | 4 |
Marauder 115N Rapid Railgun | 800 | 4 | 36.29 | 11 | 4 |
MKE-4A Auto Gauss Gun | 1250 | 4 | 26.40 | 7.70 | 3 |
MKE-9 Gauss Gun | 1250 | 1.5 | 68.20 | 20.89 | 4 |
MKE-9A Auto Gauss Gun | 1250 | 4 | 40.70 | 12.10 | 4 |
PBO-300 Auto Alpha Turret | 3000 | 4 | 22 | 22 | 3 |
Dangan W RF Autocannon | 1000 | 6.65 | 18.70 | 5.5 | 3 |
Jishaku Fe RF Rapid Railgun Turret | 1250 | 5 | 19.80 | 5.5 | 3 |
Jishaku AlNiCo Railgun | 1000 | 2.5 | 42.90 | 13.20 | 3 |
Jishaku AlNiCo RF Rapid Railgun | 1000 | 5 | 30.80 | 8.80 | 3 |
Vanguard Hellfire Autocannon | 800 | 7.5 | 18 | 5 | 2 |
Weapon | Range | Fire Rate | Hull DMG | Shield DMG | EM DMG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMP-80 Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 36 | 5 | 24 |
Spark 750 Suppressor | 1000 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
EMP-1000 Suppressor | 800 | 0.8 | 1 | 1 | 54 |
EMP-500 Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 45 |
Supaku 110GC Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 36 |
EMP-200 Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 36 | 5 | 42 |
Nullifier 1750 Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 48 |
Firebolt 4000 Suppressor | 800 | 1.25 | 1 | 1 | 78 |
Fulminator 8000 Suppressor | 800 | 0.8 | 1 | 1 | 58 |
Supaku 250GC Suppressor | 800 | 1.5 | 1 | 1 | 54 |
Tatsu 500EM Suppressor | 800 | 0.8 | 1 | 1 | 87 |
Tatsu 501EM Suppressor | 800 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 100 |
Supaku 600GC Suppressor | 800 | 1.25 | 1 | 1 | 55 |
Ship Parts Guides | |
---|---|
Best Ship Parts | All Ship Part Level Unlocks |
All Ship Part Types | |
---|---|
Cowling | Shield Generator |
Docker | Fuel Tanks |
Grav Drive | Weapons |
Hab | Engines |
Cockpit | Cargo Hold |
Reactor | Landing Bay |
Landing Gears | Equipment |
Your best weapon calculations seem off. Please explain my oversight or error in following: The better ballistic weapon seems to be the Vanguard Hellfire Autocannon since it uses just 2 power, you can mount 6 of them dealing: 6 pieces * 7.5 dmg * 18 ROF = 810 damage per time unit at 12 power. Your suggested KE-49A Autocannon uses 4 power hence you can only use 3 which do: 3 * 5 * 30 = 450 damage per time unit in comparison.
Best Ship Weapons and Ship Weapon Types Explained
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the Jishaku AlNiCo RF Rapid Railgun and KE-31 cannon both outperform KE-49A. "Best" is a pretty bad word for stuff this complex. It all depends on the equation though. Fire rate × damage, hellfire is best. Firerate × damage ÷ energy, K-31 is best. Who knows what's best for firerate × damage ÷ energy ÷ mass. Bottom line, anytime someone says what is "best", take it with a grain of salt