When you upgrade to a new ship in Starfield, your old vessel doesn’t just vanish into the void – it goes into storage, ready for you to switch back anytime through a ship technician at a city or spaceport. Your new ship instantly becomes your “home” ship, with your old ship’s inventory automatically transferred over, allowing you to seamlessly continue your cosmic journey without losing precious cargo or crew.
What happens to your old ship when you get a new one?
When you get a new ship in Starfield, your old ship does not disappear; it remains where you left it, either landed on a planet or in orbit. The game automatically designates your new ship as your home ship, and you switch to it for travel and missions. Cargo and crew from the old ship attempt to transfer to the new one, but anything that doesn’t fit stays in the hold of the previous ship until you return to it. You can switch back and forth between ships, managing cargo and crew as needed. However, be cautious, as some players have reported bugs with ship switching and cargo management, so it’s wise to empty valuable or contraband items before changing ships to avoid potential loss.
You’ll get new ships by buying them at a spaceport or by stealing them from enemies (or by starting a New Game ). Acquiring a new ship in Starfield makes your old ship just kind of. disappear without any fanfare. When you steal a ship, you’ll even watch your old ship just fly away.
Taking control of a new ship doesn’t replace your old one. While you can only have one active Home Ship at a time, every ship you own exists out there somewhere. And you can switch between them at any time by visiting either a Ship Services location at a spaceport or by building a Landing Pad with Ship Builder at an outpost. There, you can switch back to your old ship by changing your Home Ship, or by selling your new ship for cash.
What surprises await when your old ship is replaced in Starfield
When you replace your old ship with a new one in Starfield, expect more than just a simple swap – your previous ship disappears from your immediate control, sometimes leaving you stranded if the new vessel has limited jump range or capabilities. Unlike before, where you could easily switch back, recent updates mean your old ship can vanish, forcing careful planning before taking over a new one. Plus, stolen ships come with their own quirks, such as registration fees and potentially inferior specs, adding unexpected challenges to your spacefaring adventure.
Will replacing my ship in Starfield cause unexpected losses or surprises
Replacing your ship in Starfield can indeed bring unexpected surprises and potential losses. While switching to a new home ship does not cause you to lose your cargo or crew, your old ship often disappears once you make the new one your home ship, which can leave you stranded if the new ship has limited fuel or jump range. Additionally, there are bugs reported with stealing ships that can cause controller issues or force you to quit the game, and sometimes stolen ships come with quirks like registration fees or problematic quest progressions. If you lose your original ship by leaving its location or warping out, it’s gone for good, requiring you to rely on landing pads or outposts to manage ships thereafter. Therefore, careful planning is advised before replacing your ship to avoid surprises such as being stuck without a viable vessel or encountering bugs.
