Piloting

To fly your ship effectively in Starfield, master power allocation, manage speed for optimal turning, and use strafing for fine control. Allocate power to your engines for speed and to your shields for defense. Keep your engine throttle gauge centered for better maneuverability in combat. Utilize strafing to move laterally in space.

Will my ship run out of fuel?

Does the ship’s first person display show additional information?

In Starfield, the first-person view from the cockpit provides a more immersive display of information than the standard third-person view. While all essential data is available on the main Heads-Up Display (HUD) in both views, the cockpit screens show additional, non-critical details that enhance the simulation. i.e. The HUD provides all essential combat indicators, regardless of the camera view. The choice between first-person and third-person is a matter of preference regarding immersion, visibility, and control feel.

Information available in first-person cockpit view

Subsystem status: The various screens and displays within the cockpit provide a more detailed breakdown of your ship’s health and the status of its individual systems, such as engines, shields, and weapons.
Fuel level: You can see your ship’s current fuel level displayed on one of the dash screens, giving you a more grounded sense of your ship’s resources.
Ammunition: The display shows the ammunition status for your ship’s weapons, which can be useful during combat.
Detailed HUD info: The cockpit’s internal screens often present a more complex, expanded version of the basic data shown on the main HUD. This includes a more detailed view of your current target and lock-on status during combat.
Crew stations: Larger cockpits and bridges can feature multiple displays for your crew stations, offering specific information for each crew member assigned to a post.

Differences between first- and third-person views

Feature	First-Person View (Cockpit)	Third-Person View
Information	Shows additional, non-critical details on in-game screens. More immersive.	Displays only essential information on the main HUD. Less detailed.
Combat	Provides a more immersive experience but can be difficult with obstructed views from cockpit struts.	Offers better situational awareness and a broader view of the battlefield.
Aesthetics	The experience varies depending on the specific cockpit you have, which are often highly detailed and designed by different manufacturers.	Focuses on showing the external design of your ship, with minimal detail.

Power management

Engines: Divert more power to your engines for higher top speed and better mobility.
Shields: Adjust power to increase your shield strength, which protects your ship from damage.
Crew: Assign crew members to boost specific systems; for example, Vasco can boost shields.

This video explains how to allocate power to your ship’s systems for better performance:

Speed and maneuverability

Throttle: Center the speed gauge on the HUD for the best turning and handling.
Boost: Engage the boost for a temporary burst of speed, but be aware that it can drain power.
Maneuvering: Lower your speed and then increase it after you’ve turned to avoid being an easy target.

Ship control

Strafing: Hold the spacebar (on PC) to access thruster controls that allow you to strafe up, down, left, and right.
Docking: Press the A (Xbox) or R (PC) button when prompted to dock with other ships or stations.

Combat tips

Targeting: Focus on one enemy at a time to reduce the number of threats quickly.
Weaponry: Use EMP weapons to disable enemy shields and engines without destroying the hull, which allows you to board the ship later.
Skill progression: Increase your Piloting skill by completing challenges in the simulator at the MAST building.

Fast travel

Travel: Open the hand scanner, target a location on the planet or in space, and initiate fast travel.

Heads-up display (HUD)

The piloting screen in Starfield is your heads-up display (HUD), which shows your ship’s status, speed, system power, and enemy targeting information. Learning to manage your ship’s systems and allocate power is crucial for surviving combat and navigating space.

Ballistics ammo
Missle ammo
Laser ammo
Speed
Boost
Power Display and Available power
Shields

Ship HUD explained

1. Main indicators

Health and shields: On the bottom right of your screen, a meter displays the status of your ship’s shields and hull. The bar above the ship icon represents your shield’s health, while the bar below it represents your hull’s integrity. Once the shields are down, your hull will begin taking damage.
Targeting: The center reticle helps you aim, while a blue hexagon marker tracks your current objective. In combat, you’ll see a lead indicator (a circle) that you must aim at to hit a moving enemy. If you have the Targeting Control Systems skill, a separate keybind lets you lock onto a target and fire with improved accuracy.
Speed: On the bottom left, a gauge shows your current speed. The “sweet spot,” indicated by a white zone on the gauge, is the optimal speed for maximum turning and maneuverability.
Boost: Your ship’s boost meter is part of the speed gauge. When you engage your boosters, this bar is consumed and then recharges over time.

2. System power allocation
The bottom-left corner of the HUD shows your ship’s power allocation. Your ship’s reactor has a limited amount of energy (blue pips) that you can distribute among your ship’s systems. Use the directional pad on a controller or arrow keys on PC to adjust the power allocated to each system.

LAS (Laser Weapons): Affects the damage and firing rate of your energy weapons.
BAL (Ballistic Weapons): Affects the damage and firing rate of your projectile weapons.
MSL (Missile Weapons): Affects the damage and firing rate of your missile systems.
ENG (Engines): Increases your ship’s speed and mobility. More power gives you a higher top speed and improves turning.
SHD (Shields): Increases your shields’ strength and durability, allowing them to absorb more damage.
GRV (Grav Drive): Determines how quickly your ship can charge up for a Grav Jump to another star system. It doesn’t need power during combat.

3. Advanced piloting tips

Adjust power on the fly: As you fight, you can divert power from less-critical systems to those you need most. For example, transfer power from your Grav Drive to your shields and weapons in a dogfight.
Disrupt and board: If you have the Targeting Control Systems skill, you can target specific enemy ship systems, such as their engines, to disable them. This is necessary if you want to dock with and board an enemy vessel.
Level up your skills: Your abilities in space are directly tied to your skills. The Piloting skill improves your ship’s maneuverability and allows you to fly more advanced classes of ships (Class B and C).
Join the Vanguard: To quickly practice and level your Piloting skill, join the UC Vanguard in New Atlantis. This will grant you access to a flight simulator where you can engage in combat without risk.

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Piloting

Piloting

Will my ship run out of fuel?

Does the ship’s first person display show additional information?