Upgrading your reactor in Starfield will give you more ship power, but there are some nuances to this that make it more complicated than just buying the next biggest module. There are A, B, and C-class reactors, but they don’t offer a linear improvement in your power supply. In fact, a B-class reactor can end up providing less power than an A-class despite being large and more expensive.
How do I upgrade reactors and get more ship power in Starfield?
You can upgrade your ship’s reactor in Starfield by visiting pretty much any large settlement. New Atlantis, Akila City, Cydonia, and most other locations with a dedicated starport will allow you to modify your ship. The starter ship, the Pioneer, has a fairly paltry reactor, and you’ll want to upgrade it ASAP so you’re not constantly allocating power between systems.
However, it’s not immediately obvious which reactor you should choose. When the game begins, you have access to A class parts, and by putting points into Piloting, you can unlock access to B and C class modules. Without studying the stats, you’d think that the higher class a reactor is, the more power it generates. However, that’s not the case.
In addition to controlling how much power is available to your ship, reactors also control the maximum class of modules you can equip. For example, if you want to fit a B-class weapon or grav drive, you must first have a B-class reactor. So, if you don’t plan on using any B or C-class modules, you’re better off going with a cheaper A-class reactor that provides more power output.
So, when choosing a reactor in Starfield, there’s a balance between meeting the requirements for the modules you have equipped and how much power is generated. With this being the case, you’ll have to be discerning about which model you go with.
Starfield reactor upgrade FAQ
A: You can upgrade your ship’s reactor in Starfield by visiting large settlements such as New Atlantis, Akila City, Cydonia, and most other locations with a dedicated starport. These places will allow you to modify your ship.
A: No, higher class reactors don’t necessarily generate more power. Despite being larger and more expensive, a B-class reactor might provide less power than an A-class reactor. The classification is not a linear representation of power output.
A: Reactors control the maximum class of modules you can equip. For instance, to fit a B-class weapon or grav drive, you need a B-class reactor. Thus, when choosing a reactor, you should balance between the requirements for the modules you want to equip and the power the reactor generates.
