How to use ship thrusters in Starfield

Welcome to our friendly guide on how to use ship thrusters in Starfield! In this post, we'll walk you through the steps of unlocking and utilizing ship thrusters, helping you master the art of maneuvering in space combat.

Starfield, developed by Bethesda, is an eagerly anticipated space-faring game that promises players an immersive experience in the vastness of the cosmos. As you explore the universe and engage in thrilling dogfights, understanding how to effectively use ship thrusters becomes essential. These thrusters allow you to make quick turns, dodge enemy fire, and gain an advantage over powerful opponents. So, let's dive in and uncover the secrets to becoming a master pilot.

To access ship thrusters in Starfield, you'll need to have the Piloting skill. Surprisingly, Bethesda's explanation of Starfield controls doesn't mention this crucial requirement. So before diving into using thrusters, make sure you've acquired the necessary skill. This skill can be obtained by completing specific piloting quests or by allocating skill points during character creation.

Using ship thrusters is simple and can be done with either a controller or mouse and keyboard input. If you're playing on a controller, hold down the right bumper to activate the thrusters. Alternatively, if you prefer mouse and keyboard controls, press the spacebar. The activation of thrusters will provide an immediate boost to your ship's maneuverability and responsiveness.

To achieve tighter turns or change your course quickly before boosting, it's essential to combine the use of thrusters with directional controls. By effectively coordinating these inputs, you'll notice a significant difference in your ship's agility and maneuverability. For example, if you're using a controller, combining the right bumper for thrusters with the left stick for directional control allows you to execute precise turns with ease. Similarly, on mouse and keyboard, combining the spacebar for thrusters with WASD keys enables you to navigate swiftly through space.

Mastering the art of combining thrusters with directional controls may take some practice, but it opens up a whole new level of control and finesse in your piloting skills. As you become more comfortable, you'll be able to execute complex maneuvers that will dazzle your opponents and give you the upper hand in combat.

Once you've gained "space legs" and become more familiar with navigating your ship, we encourage you to try out advanced maneuvers during live combat scenarios. Experimenting with different techniques will help build your confidence and improve your dogfighting skills. Here are a few maneuvers you can practice:

 Barrel Roll: By quickly activating the thrusters while tilting your ship sideways, you can perform a barrel roll maneuver. This technique allows you to evade incoming projectiles and surprises your opponents with your evasive prowess.

 Drift Turn: Execute a drift turn by activating the thrusters while making a sharp turn, providing a burst of speed coupled with a sudden change in direction. This maneuver is particularly effective when chasing down enemies or escaping their pursuit.

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 Strafe Boost: When engaging in close-quarters combat, using the thrusters in combination with strafing allows you to make quick lateral movements while maintaining your forward momentum. This technique is invaluable when trying to outmaneuver opponents and create advantageous firing angles.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these maneuvers in a controlled environment before attempting them in intense combat situations. By honing your skills, you'll be able to execute them effortlessly during critical moments.

While weaker enemies may not necessitate the immediate use of thrusters, powerful opponents are an entirely different story. Their attacks can deal substantial damage to your shields and hulls—potentially resulting in costly repairs. By unlocking and mastering the usage of ship thrusters early on in Starfield, you can effectively dodge incoming fire and minimize potential damage.

Additionally, using thrusters strategically allows you to outmaneuver your enemies, gaining the advantage in combat. By combining tight turns, drifts, and boosts, you can make yourself a difficult target to hit while keeping your weapons trained on the enemy. This level of control and evasion can be the difference between victory and defeat in intense interstellar battles.