Starfield: Using EM Weapons to disable ships, explained

In Starfield, you don’t always have to blow up enemy ships. Sometimes, it’s smarter to play it cool and save the ship for other stuff. That’s where EM Weapons come in. They let you stop ships without destroying them.

Have you taken on a Starfield mission requiring you to disable an enemy ship to board it, only to shoot it out of the sky instead and piss off your superiors? I know, I’ve been there.

Which is why, when I heard about the use of EM Weapons, I was immediately interested in picking up a few of my own for my ship.

What are EM weapons in Starfield?

EM Weapons are a unique class of weaponry in Starfield. Unlike your typical lasers or ballistic weapons that cause direct damage, EM Weapons are designed to target and disable a ship’s systems. The primary advantage? They keep the ship’s overall structure intact.

You can tell whether something is an EM Weapon because of how much EM Damage it deals relative to normal damage when checking its stats. The EMP-200 Suppressor is a good example.

Why use EM weapons in Starfield?

There are several scenarios where disabling a ship is more beneficial than destroying it.

• Looting: A ship that is intact can be boarded and pillaged for valuable resources, contraband, or other prized loot.
• Rescue Missions: If there are hostages or allies aboard an enemy ship, using EM Weapons ensures their safety.
• Ship Acquisition: Fancy commanding an enemy’s ship? Instead of buying a new one, why not just disable theirs and steal it?

All EM Weapons in Starfield

As you go about creating your ideal spaceship and kitting it with your preferred EM weapon loadout, it’s important to keep two things in mind: ship classes and the Commerce skill.

• When it comes to ships and ship components, Class A is the lowest rank, and Class C is the highest.
• The price for ships and ship components may vary slightly depending on how high your Commerce skill is. For this reason, the prices listed below are rounded estimates of what you can expect to spend.

Are EM weapons worth adding to your ship?

If you’re not too worried about doing any looting, boarding, or grand theft spaceship activities in Starfield, EM weapons won’t do a whole lot for you. As stated above, they’re exceptional when it comes to disabling a ship without destroying it.

An EM weapon system combined with the targeting control system is a stellar way to stop a ship from moving without blowing it, its inhabitants, or its loot to smithereens. If you don’t mind adding some extra debris to the vastness of space, you don’t need to worry about adding EM weapons to your ship.

Then again, you never know what quests you’ll stumble upon out there in the starfield, and an EM weapon might be useful to have as an option.

How to use EM weapons in Starfield

Getting close is key

The catch with EM Weapons is their range. With an effective distance of about 1000 meters, players need to get relatively close to their target.

It’s a risk, but the rewards can be well worth it, especially when you consider the potential loot or the perk of adding another ship to your fleet.

Tips for effective EM weapon use

• Pair Up: For maximum efficiency, consider equipping multiple EM Weapons and using them in tandem.
• Stay Alert: Getting close means you’re in the enemy’s firing range. Be ready to dodge, weave, and use defensive measures.
• Target Locking: Before firing, ensure you have a solid lock on the enemy ship’s systems. This increases the chances of a successful disable.

EM Weapons are a cool way to fight other ships in Starfield. They might take some skill and guts to use right, but they’re super powerful. So, whether you’re playing as a space pirate wanting more ships or a hero saving the day, give EM Weapons a try. They’re worth it.