Starfield: How to target the engine? Starfield guide, tips

In Starfield, during space combat, you can target specific parts of the enemy ship - for example, the engine or the shield generator. By doing so, you will disable this component and make the ship stop moving (instead of destroying it), for example.

Last update: 05 September 2023

Our guide explains how to target enemy ships and shoot at specific parts, including the engine, in Starfield during space battles. Also, we describe why it's worth doing.

• Targeting specific ship parts
• Why target an engine?

Targeting specific ship parts

In Starfield, you can destroy specific parts of enemy ships while fighting in space.

1. It's best to invest in the Targeting Control System skill. The first rank unlocks the function of targeting ships. It's possible to destroy specific parts without this skill, but it's very difficult, and you don't always know what you're targeting.
2. If you unlock this skill, you can enter aiming mode after holding the cursor on an enemy ship for a set amount of time. Remember, you must first select a given opponent using the "E" key on the keyboard or the "A" button on the Xbox controller.
3. The locking must be charged to 100% to unlock the ability to shoot at specific parts.
4. If you stop aiming at the enemy, the locking level will start to drop.

1. When you enter aiming mode, you'll see a table with all the parameters of the enemy ship.
2. Use the directional buttons to select the engine. This ensures that your missiles will hit specific part of the ship.
3. If you shoot until all dashes of a given parameter of the enemy ship disappear, it will mean the complete destruction of the part.
4. It's worth keeping in mind that you won't be able to move the ship at all while targeting. If you are fighting more than one opponent, you must be very careful. However, you can exit aiming mode at any moment.

Why target an engine?

1. If you destroy the enemy ship's engine, you can approach it, dock and enter it, which means aborting it. Thus, you can dispose of the crew and steal the ship.
2. Remember that without a sufficiently high rank of Piloting skill in relation to the class of the enemy ship, you won't be able to take the helm, so it's worth developing the Piloting skill.
3. After the engine is damaged, the ship can still move and shoot.