The Tool Desk
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What are the best reactors in Starfield?
The figures below come from the community-maintained ESO-UI reactor table, accessed October 4, 2026. They are useful for comparing listed attributes, but confirm each reactor’s current values and availability in the in-game shipbuilder before committing to a design. A Siliconera guide published September 20, 2023 also recommends the Spheromak DC202, 104DS Mag Inertial, and Pinch 8Z for their respective classes; its dated figures may not reflect later changes.
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| Reactor | Class | Power | Hull | Repair rate | Mass | Listed requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spheromak DC202 | A | 33 | 730 | 2.25 | 45 | Starship Design 4; listed minimum level 43 |
| 104DS Mag Inertial | B | 39 | 1125 | 3.55 | 71 | Piloting 3 and Starship Design 4; listed minimum level 60 |
| Pinch 8Z | C | 40 | 1350 | 6.44 | 129 | Piloting 4; listed minimum level 60 |
| SF40 Sheared Flow | C | 40 | 1315 | 5.8 | 116 | Piloting 4 and Starship Design 4; listed minimum level 57 |
| Fusor DC403 | C | 38 | 1190 | 5.75 | 115 | Piloting 4 and Starship Design 3; listed minimum level 49 |
The model-level figures and requirements are community-maintained reference data, not a Bethesda item catalog. The listed minimum level is not a substitute for the skill requirements shown in the table.
Which reactor should I use for a Class A ship?
Spheromak DC202
The Spheromak DC202 is the high-output pick in this shortlist for an A-class ship: the table lists 33 power, 730 hull, a 2.25 repair rate, and 45 mass. Its listed requirement is Starship Design 4, with a minimum level of 43. Check the shipbuilder to confirm that it is available for your character and build.
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Which reactor should I use for a Class B ship?
104DS Mag Inertial
The 104DS Mag Inertial has the highest listed power among the B-class options in this shortlist, at 39. Its table entry also lists 1125 hull, a 3.55 repair rate, and 71 mass. The stated gates are Piloting 3, Starship Design 4, and a minimum level of 60, so it is a candidate once your progression supports it.
Which reactor should I use for a Class C ship?
Pinch 8Z: strongest listed durability figures
The Pinch 8Z pairs 40 listed power with 1350 hull and a 6.44 repair rate, the highest hull and repair figures among these three C-class choices. Its trade-off is mass: 129, more than either alternative here. The listed requirement is Piloting 4, with a minimum level of 60.
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SF40 Sheared Flow: the lighter 40-power option
The SF40 Sheared Flow also lists 40 power. Compared with the Pinch 8Z, it has lower listed hull (1315) and repair rate (5.8), but lower mass (116). Its listed requirements are Piloting 4 and Starship Design 4, with a minimum level of 57.
Fusor DC403: an alternative with different unlock gates
The Fusor DC403 lists 38 power, 1190 hull, a 5.75 repair rate, and 115 mass. It does not match the two 40-power choices on listed output, but its stated requirements—Piloting 4 and Starship Design 3, with a minimum level of 49—may better fit a build or progression path. Compare the in-game options rather than choosing by power alone.
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What reactor gives the most power?
Among the five reactors compared here, the Pinch 8Z and SF40 Sheared Flow tie at 40 listed power. The table does not establish that either reactor is best for every ship: the Pinch 8Z has higher listed hull and repair rate, while the SF40 has lower mass. Reactor output is only one part of a ship design.
What skills do I need for a Class C reactor?
All three Class C options in this shortlist list Piloting 4. The SF40 Sheared Flow also lists Starship Design 4, and the Fusor DC403 lists Starship Design 3; the Pinch 8Z lists no Starship Design requirement in the community table. Those model-specific gates are separate from the broader class rules.
Bethesda’s shipbuilding guide explains that a ship’s reactor class determines which class of modules can be used, and that the reactor is one of the parts required for a ship to fly. It also describes Piloting progression as unlocking the ability to use B- and C-class ships and modules, and Starship Design progression as opening improved modules. The guide is available in Spanish; these points are paraphrased from it.
Quick Recap
How to choose and verify a reactor
- Match the reactor class to your ship plan. Class affects which class of modules the ship can use, so start with the class your intended build requires.
- Check your skills and level. Compare the listed model requirements with your character’s progression; a reactor that looks ideal on paper may not yet be available to you.
- Compare the attributes that matter to the build. Consider power alongside hull, repair rate, and mass. For instance, the Pinch 8Z and SF40 share 40 listed power, but differ on the other three figures.
- Confirm the current shipbuilder values and availability. Community tables and older guides can lag game updates. Bethesda’s April 7, 2026 Free Lanes Update 1.16.236 notes establish a later update, but do not document reactor-stat changes in the consulted text.
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