Starfield Beginners Guide

NEW! - STARFIELD BEST TIPS BEFORE YOU PLAY

Starfield Review - No Spoilers

STARFIELD - 100+ HOURS GAMEPLAY REVIEW

About Starfield ♦ Patch Notes ♦ DLC ♦ Controls ♦ Combat ♦ Cheat Codes ♦ FAQ

Character Creation ♦ Backgrounds ♦ Traits ♦ Stats ♦ Status Effects ♦ Backgrounds ♦ Skills ♦ Builds ♦ Companions ♦ Crew ♦ Romance

Weapons ♦ Powers ♦ Armor ♦ Apparel ♦ Helmets ♦ Prefixes ♦ Items ♦ Crafting ♦ Mods ♦ Ships ♦ Ship Modules ♦ Resources ♦ Workbench ♦ Research Laboratory ♦ Pharmaceutical Lab ♦ Cooking Station

Story ♦ Locations ♦ Missions ♦ Faction Missions ♦ Miscellaneous Missions ♦ Side Missions ♦ Mission Board ♦ Activities ♦ Vendors ♦ NPCs ♦ Factions ♦ Enemies ♦ Star Systems ♦ Planets ♦ Moons ♦ Outposts

Walkthrough ♦ New Player Help ♦ Missions ♦ Bosses ♦ Endings ♦ Build Guides ♦ New Game Plus ♦ Game Progress Route ♦ Trophy and Achievement Guide

Starfield Release Date: Early 2023

When will Starfield be released?

Starfield is projected to be released in the first half of 2023. The game was originally announced to be released on November 11, 2022, but was later delayed. In March 2023, it was announced that the game would be released on September 6, 2023.

What platforms will Starfield be on?

Starfield will be available on PC,  Xbox Series X & S, and on the Xbox One via Xbox Game Pass Membership.

Starfield News

For more updates and news for Starfield, please visit our blog.

 

Starfield PC Requirements

Recommended Requirements

• OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
• DirectX: Version 12
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 125 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Required

Minimum Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6800K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 125 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Required

 

Starfield Gameplay: Reveal Trailer

Bethesda's latest Starfield Gameplay Reveal gives us a sneak peek into many in-game mechanics, such as:

• Planet exploration
• Character Customization
• Skills
• Crafting
• Outpost building
• Spaceship building

About Starfield

Starfield is set in a universe in space very similar to our own solar system. The game, it is assumed, will only provide players with the freedom to customize human characters, and as the game progresses, various races of alien life will be introduced.

Starfield is set in the universe the game has created, in an area of our solar system called The Settled Systems. The game is set in the year 2330, in a relatively small pocket of the Milky Way, in an area that extends outward from our solar system for approximately 50 light years.

Around 20 years before the start of the game (2310) the 2 largest factions in the Settled Systems, the United Colonies and Freestar Collective, engaged in the bloody Colony War. Today, the major factions enjoy uneasy peace, but the Settled Systems is still pretty dangerous. There are plenty of human threats our there, like the Ecliptic Mercenaries, Pirates of the Crimson Fleet, Violent Spacers, or even the Fanatical Religious Zealots of House Va'ruun.

Starfield Environment

Starfield may introduce a bigger environment that is even larger than The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series' maps, allowing players to explore a variety of planets on a scale seen in few games. The planets in may include different cities with diverse alien races. It's also safe to assume that Starfield will have factions similar to Fallout 76, that players may join, and will inject other groups as the story progresses.

A large part of the environment will be the NPCs you encounter. Starfield will have significantly more intricate dialogue, reaching over 252,953 lines of dialogue as opposed to 60,000 lines and 111,000 lines of dialogue in Skyrim and Fallout 4 respectively. In addition, the game will feature a persuasion mechanic, allowing you to sway both enemy and friendly NPCs alike towards your direction.

Starfield Features

The game may offer a firm focus of freedom when it comes to character customization, weapons, armors, and possibly vehicles. The game will also launch with full mod support.

For its Character Customization, players can choose their character's background, with many options for customization that will impact how certain events in the game will unfold. Players will also be able to choose their own pronouns (he, she, they) and all relevant dialogue will support this choice. 

Traits contribute to a big part of the player's character, providing several unique benefits and drawbacks. Players may find their negative effects to gameplay too challenging however, and may want to remove certain traits. Starfield gives you an option to do so in the middle of a run by doing certain quests and missions.

Combat Basics

Combat mechanics in Starfield will resemble those in other RPG shooters such as the Fallout series. Here, players will be have the freedom of running, jumping, crouching and sliding while shooting at enemies. Defeating enemies will grant you experience points (XP) that improve your stats and give you skill points to invest in to further increase your combat ability.

Combat will be more than just shooting your foes, however. Gameplay reveal footage shows that pickpocketing Enemies will be an option while they are still alive, granting you free items. Following Fallout's pickpocket mechanics, it is speculated that pickpocketing can also be done on friendly NPCs to steal their items without provoking them. Besides pickpocketing, players will be able to fly around using a jetpack while in combat. This jetpack can also be used out of combat to better navigate through planets and harvest materials, but in combat it may give you a positioning edge over your opponents.

 

Levelling up & Skills

Reaching experience point (XP) thresholds and levelling up in Starfield will grant you Skill Points. XP can come from many sources including defeating enemies, completing Missions, and discovering new places. Skill Points will be used to unlock new skills in the various skill trees available.

Skills are are divided into 5 skill trees. While not much has been revealed, these are the speculated focuses of each tree:

• Physical: may focus on improving the character's base stats, such as health and endurance, increasing natural damage reduction, allowing the character to sprint quicker and jump higher, or even increase the amount of XP gained.
• Social: may focus on NPC interactions, including improving the character's pickpocketing ability, getting discounts at stores, increasing your relationship gain when completing NPC quests, or even being able to tame alien creatures temporarily in combat.
• Combat: may focus on weapon-related upgrades, including increasing gun damage, improving accuracy, quickening reload speed, increasing ammo count, and making grenades deadlier.
• Science: may focus on the crafting system, allowing you to unlock more crafting recipes, speed up research times, increase crafting yield, and increase the effectiveness of crafted consumables, as well as upgrading your exploration equipment such as your scanner and mining laser.
• Tech: may focus on matters regarding Outpost and Spaceship building, allowing you to purchase and use better Ship Modules and outpost parts, reducing the number of crew required to maintain them, or improving the resource gathering efficiency and capacity of outposts.

Once a skill has been unlocked, it can be further ranked up to increase the benefits gained when using them. Skills can be ranked up naturally when using them or by completing their respective challenges. Ranking up skills also requires using skill points.

 

Weapons & Crafting

In Starfield, it is expected that you'll be able to collect, craft and carry numerous weapons of different types and uses. From the gameplay reveal, it seems like weapons will be split into 4 categories - pistols, rifles, shotguns, and machine guns - and you'll be able to assign up to three of each gun in their respective wheel slot. Players may be able to find more weapons when defeating Enemies, exploring planets and opening chests, through crafting, and by completing Missions.

Weapons, and Armor, can then be further upgraded through several Mods crafted. From the Research Laboratory, players will be able to conduct various research projects under 5 main categories: Pharmacology, Food and Drink, Outpost Development, Equipment, and Weaponry. Resources found during exploration will be key in crafting. Every research project in a research tree has to be done sequentially - for example, the research project on Barrel Mods 1 must be completed before being able to conduct research on Barrel Mods 2. Not only will this in-depth crafting system allows players to improve their gear and equipment, but also create new items helpful in exploring new planets and consumables that will give them an edge in combat.

 

Lockpicking

Besides being able to loot items and weapons off of defeated enemies, these can be looted from boxes all over the map. Some of these lootboxes will be locked and require you to lockpick them open. However, Starfield's lockpicking mechanics do not follow the conventional mechanics found in other games. Here, the game provides up to four Digipicks that have set shapes. You will have to decide which pick fits in what layer of the lock and when to use them. 

Locks will have various security levels, and so similar to Fallout, it is speculated that you will need to invest in a certain lockpicking skill to successfully pick locks of higher difficulty.

 

Fast Travel

Fast Travel in Starfield is an incredible feature that provides players with the amazing ability to swiftly and conveniently transport themselves to various well-known locations on each planet they explore, right after they touch down. This remarkable functionality is a popular and widely used element found in many open-world games, granting players the extraordinary capability to effortlessly move between already discovered spots or predetermined waypoints without having to painstakingly navigate the entirety of the vast distances on foot or through manual travel. With this handy feature at their disposal, players can save valuable time and energy by instantly jumping to their desired destinations, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the captivating and expansive universe of Starfield without unnecessary delays or tedious journeys across the game world. It truly enhances the overall gaming experience, enabling players to focus on uncovering thrilling adventures, engaging quests, and breathtaking discoveries in the vast and enigmatic planets of Starfield.

 

Boost Packs

Boost Packs are a remarkable invention designed specifically to assist your character in traversing the diverse gravitational conditions encountered on different planets. With their extraordinary functionality, they become an indispensable asset, offering a significant edge when engaging in combat with adversaries. By harnessing the power of Boost Packs, you gain the ability to swiftly evade and elude incoming bullets, granting you an invaluable layer of protection. Moreover, these exceptional devices enable you to seamlessly navigate the battlefield, swiftly maneuvering to strategic locations that can provide you with a tactical advantage during intense engagements. As the anticipation grows, rest assured that in due time, a wealth of additional information about the intricacies and capabilities of this groundbreaking equipment will be divulged, leaving you even more prepared to conquer the challenges that lie ahead.

 

Space Flight Combat

You have a wonderful opportunity to embark on a realistic space travel adventure where you are in charge of your very own spaceship. This means you can travel from planet to planet and experience the vastness of outer space. Although the space game has few limits, the game developers have given great importance to battles between spaceships. So, yes, Starfield includes space combat, and your skills as a pilot will be extremely important. Moreover, you will need to cleverly manage the power allocation system in order to effectively engage in fights or cleverly avoid them.

In this game, you have the ability to distribute power to different parts of your spaceship. For instance, if you want to travel faster, you can increase the power to the engines, or if you want to make jumps more quickly, you can allocate power to the grav drives. If you're interested in engaging in combat, you can redirect power to Starfield weapons and shields. Additionally, there are specific abilities within Starfield that can assist you during space battles. It is highly recommended to unlock the Targeting ability if you are skilled at aerial combat and have aspirations of dominating the entire solar system. This particular ability helps you concentrate on enemy spaceships and target their important systems. It proves particularly useful when the enemy allocates power to their engines or grav drives to make a swift escape, or when you desire to disable their shields in order to launch an attack. Once you successfully defeat enemy ships, you can seize valuable items from them and salvage what remains. One remarkable aspect of space combat in Starfield is the opportunity to dock with enemy spaceships and engage in more intense and personal face-to-face battles. This allows you to directly confront the crew, eliminate them, and ultimately take ownership of their ship.

 

Spaceship Combat

One key aspect of combat in Starfield will be space combat. Spaceships in the game will be fully customizable, including weapon systems and shields, and the player will have complete control over them while travelling from planet to planet. Unfortunately, you're not the only one flying through space and you may have to engage enemies flying their own spaceships.

The ship's health is denoted by the integrity of the hull on the bottom right corner of the interface. If added, ships will have boosters, a pair of guns, and homing missiles. You will have to keep the ship's reticle on the enemy ship for a certain period of time before the missiles can lock onto them. The enemy will have access to all these utilities as well and a warning will pop up on your screen if you've been locked on by their missiles.

Fuel contributes an important part of the spaceship's capabilities. Previously, fuel mechanics were more realistic, with ships coming to a halt whenever fuel ran out. However, the development team felt this was too punishing, and changed it so that fuel doesn't ever completely run out during a voyage, but instead limits how far one can go at a time.

While navigating outer space, you will be able to dock onto friendly ships and space stations. From there you will have three options - to undock, get up, and board the other ship. Presumably, you'll not only be able to fly your spaceship, but you'll be able to walk around in its interior to interact with your ship's crew, meet new NPCs on new ships and space stations, chart new courses, and gather resources. There may also be a mechanic to replenish your ship's health and weapon supplies while docked on friendly structures.

Docking will also be available with enemy ships, though what you can do from then has not been revealed. You may be able to infiltrate the ship to defeat it's crew internally, or even steal their ships for parts and credits.

 

Spaceship Crafting

Spaceships in Starfield will be completely customizable and will feature an intricate assembly system. Players will be able to choose from a wide selection of Ship Modules to assemble their dream spaceship, such as cockpits, engines, landers, shields, fuel tanks, habitation modules, reactors, and more.

Ship Modules will come in all shapes, sizes, stats, and manufacturers, and players will be able to freely design the layout, color palette, and power of their spaceship. These parts will cost credits and resources to use, and some may even require the player to have specific Skills unlocked.

 

Outposts

In Starfield, players will have access to a 'home away from home' in each planet with Outposts. Using the Build Mode, players will be able to mix and match different structures to customize their own player-made bases. Structures require resources to build, and once built, require power to operate. NPCs players meet on their journey can be recruited to maintain their outposts and these outposts will feature some kind of resource generation mechanic.

Players will first have to place down an Outpost Beacon, defining the area in which they can build in. From there, you will have several structures to choose from such as airlocks, hydroponic units, science units, military units, and watchtowers.

 

Systems

As you carefully examine and explore the intricacies of your starmap, a fascinating array of possibilities unfolds before you. With each glance, you will have the incredible opportunity to behold and assess all the captivating planets that beckon for visitation within the very system you presently inhabit. Notably, your keen eyes will be drawn to planets that hold invaluable key locations, exhilarating missions to embark upon, and perhaps even harboring the enigmatic presence of life itself.

But hold on, for the adventure doesn't end there! Prepare yourself for an even grander revelation as you gradually zoom out from the starmap, expanding your cosmic perspective to encompass the vast expanse of multiple interconnected systems within the very galaxy that cradles you. It is within this awe-inspiring panorama that a multitude of unseen wonders comes into focus, awaiting your intrepid exploration.

Allow your imagination to soar as you contemplate the remarkable possibility of charting a course to those ethereal systems, shimmering like distant jewels amidst the cosmic tapestry. Picture yourself navigating through the vastness of space, propelled by the extraordinary power of your ship's Grav Drive. Through its formidable capabilities, you will defy the limitations of conventional travel, transcending vast distances in the blink of an eye as you seamlessly Fold Space and elegantly leapfrog into these remote celestial domains.

Yet, dear adventurer, let not the allure of these distant systems overshadow the importance of self-improvement and diligent ship maintenance. Remember that the vastness of space holds its challenges, and venturing into the unknown requires not only the yearning for discovery but also the dedication to upgrade your trusty vessel and refine your skills. Through steadfast effort and occasional enhancements, you shall steadily fortify your ship's capabilities and hone your own proficiency, enabling you to venture even further into the cosmos and embrace the mysteries that lie within those far-off destinations

 

Variety of Weapon Attachments

Starfield provides a wide range of modifications and accessories for your weapons, allowing you to tailor them to suit your individual style of gameplay. With numerous options available, you can personalize various aspects of your firearm, including the sights you use to aim, the amount of ammunition your magazine can hold, the attachments at the end of the barrel, the handles you hold onto, the tubes that guide the bullets, and even the types of bullets or ammunition you load, such as those that explode upon impact. By offering such diverse customization possibilities, Starfield empowers you to create a truly unique arsenal that aligns with your preferred tactics and preferences on the battlefield.

 

Does Starfield have Third Person View?

Indeed, Starfield graciously provides players with the option of a third-person view, a feature that can significantly enhance their combat prowess. By opting for this perspective, gamers can strategically assess their surroundings and carefully scan the corners, ensuring that no adversaries or formidable creatures lie in wait within hostile territories. The third-person view empowers players to navigate perilous environments with increased awareness, granting them an upper hand in encountering potential threats head-on. The ability to survey the battlefield from this vantage point enables a more comprehensive understanding of the surrounding dangers, allowing for well-informed decisions and swift reactions when confronted with challenging situations. Thus, Starfield's inclusion of the third-person view serves as a valuable tool for players seeking to master the art of combat within its immersive and treacherous universe.

Ship Customization

When visiting a space port, you'll encounter a reliable ship technician who offers various services. They can help you buy and sell parts, handle repairs, and even find a crew. The highlight is the opportunity to customize your own Starfield ships. Ship construction in Starfield uses a modular system where you attach engines, cockpits, shields, weapons, and storage areas. These components affect your ship's abilities and performance, requiring careful balancing. Crafting and research in Starfield focus on personal weapons and equipment, but certain skills can also impact your ship. Different manufacturers offer unique components based on factions and star systems. The ship building system allows for flexibility within rules and budgets, offering a variety of vessel options. Depending on your preferences, you can prioritize speed, combat, or cargo. Remember to retain essential parts for a safe takeoff. Proficiency in the "Starship Design" skill unlocks advanced components, so improving your skills leads to more sophisticated ships in Starfield.

 

Ship Power Allocation

In Starfield, power distribution determines your spacecraft's abilities. You can divide available power among various systems, visualized by a bar and indicators. Adjusting power bars lets you customize ship performance. Allocating more power to weapons increases damage, but at the expense of other areas. For instance, reducing engine power slows your ship, while lower shield power raises vulnerability. Less power to grav drive means longer jump initiation. Skillful power allocation is vital for ship customization, balancing trade-offs and managing limitations. Find the right balance to maximize potential and navigate this dynamic system effectively.

Aquiring Spaceships

Acquiring ships has become easier through Ship Technicians at Space Ports. These technicians provide convenient options to buy, sell, and customize ships based on your preferences. Whether you seek bounty hunting, cargo transportation, or smuggling, you can choose nimble fighters or versatile freighters. The Space Ports offer diverse possibilities to match your desires in the galactic frontier.

 

Spaceship Stats

In Starfield, ship customization involves several important aspects:

1. LAS
2. BAL
3. MSL
4. Hull
5. Shield
6. Cargo
7. Crew
8. Jump Range
9. Mobility
10. Top Speed

The ship's health is determined by the Hull and Shield attributes, which act as visual health bars, showing its resilience and ability to withstand damage. Mobility and Top Speed directly affect the ship's maneuverability and flight speed. Cargo capacity determines the amount of goods that can be stored onboard. Jump Range represents the maximum distance the ship can travel between star systems. It's important to consider cargo weight, as it affects jump fuel consumption and travel capabilities.

Starfield introduces specific weapon types: LAS (Laser), BAL (Ballistic), and MSL (Missiles), each with unique combat approaches and damage outputs. Modules like cockpits and habitats have Crew stats, indicating the maximum number of crew members they can accommodate. Mass is a crucial factor that affects all modules, increasing with the addition of components. It impacts Jump Range and Mobility, making maneuvering more challenging as the ship becomes heavier. Balancing desired features and practical limitations is crucial for ship design and customization in Starfield.

Companions

In the world of Starfield, companions are more than just bystanders; they have unique perspectives and opinions. Their views can impact your gameplay, offering choices that please or displease them. This motivates players to explore specific paths and make thoughtful decisions. Aligning with certain factions may impress or distance companions. Reactive companions add complexity, as actions affect relationships. These choices go beyond mechanics, delving into human relationships. Interacting with companions shapes your character's fate and the dynamics of your journey. Reactive companions in Starfield add depth, influencing paths, factions, and lawfulness. Relationships with companions are vital, creating an immersive journey through the vastness of Starfield.

Number of Companions

As shared in the revealing Gameplay Deep-dive video, Starfield grants players the exciting opportunity to enlist the Constellation crew members as their trusted companions during their thrilling adventure. These crew members represent one of the choices available to players, offering them the chance to join forces and embark on their journey together. What adds to the anticipation is the fact that the constellation consists of six members, all of whom have a special connection to the ship in some way. Furthermore, players will encounter a distinctive companion named Vasco, who stands apart from the rest as a robot companion. This inclusion expands the range of companions available, allowing players to form bonds and engage in interactions with each member of the crew, as well as Vasco. Every companion in Starfield possesses their own distinct personality and set of qualities, making the journey through the vast universe an even more engaging and immersive experience. It is worth noting that while exploring the various systems within the game, players may also come across potential crew members, providing additional opportunities to expand their team of companions and enhance their spacefaring adventure.