September 6th, 2023 | Updated on September 22nd, 2023
When it comes to open-world adventures, Bethesda has quite the reputation. They’ve given us gems like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, and after over two decades, they dropped their new IP, Starfield.
The excitement was through the roof, and it’s safe to say they’ve lived up to the hype. Starfield is a wild ride that any open-world game lover shouldn’t miss.
Now, when you dive into a game as massive as Starfield, it’s easy to stumble. This universe is vast, and you can pretty much go anywhere from the get-go.
Sure, sometimes you’ll find yourself underpowered or in need of a nifty lockpick or a better weapon, but that’s all part of the adventure as you explore the cosmos for hours on end.
But with our Starfield tips, we can help you dodge some of those early hiccups and get a head start in this vast world.
We’ve had some of our Game Spot crew put in countless hours in Starfield, and you know what that means – a few regrets, some course corrections, and plenty of “I wish I knew sooner” moments. In this guide, we’re spilling all the beans.
Whether you’re struggling to figure out how to build your spaceship, manage your inventory, or avoid getting your face eaten by a cool-looking alien, we’ve got you covered on various aspects of this colossal game.
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1. Building Your Starfield Character
In Starfield, like in many Bethesda RPGs, you get to craft your own character. There are tons of options, from sliders to presets to hairstyles, so you can really make your virtual self-unique.
But here’s the cool part: you don’t have to stress about creating the perfect character right off the bat.
As you journey through the universe, you’ll stumble upon Enhance stores.
These nifty places allow you to tweak your appearance whenever you like, and the best part? It only costs a measly 500 credits, which is basically pocket change in this vast universe! So, feel free to experiment and evolve your character as your adventure unfolds.
2. Making The Right Background Choice
In Starfield, you don’t just shape your character’s appearance; you also define their personality during character creation.
While this personality choice doesn’t have a significant impact on long-term gameplay, your chosen Background does matter. It determines the three skills your character starts the game with.
So, after you’ve fine-tuned your character’s looks, it’s time to decide on a background. Now, this background won’t drastically alter the game’s storyline, but it does affect a few dialogue options.
What it really does is set the stage for your initial skillset. For example, if you’re keen on roleplaying as a Bounty Hunter but find the starting skills don’t quite align with your early-game needs (hint: they often don’t), you can opt for a different background that offers more relevant skills.
As you progress, you can then invest in skills that better suit your Bounty Hunter persona.
3. Setting Your Character’s Unique Traits
There’s a complex web of interconnected systems that define your character and shape the bonuses and abilities you’ll enjoy throughout your journey.
One key aspect of this is the Traits system, introduced early in the game as you customize your character’s background and appearance.
Traits are a bit distinct from skills; they focus more on your character’s qualities and relationships rather than their active abilities.
You can have up to three active Traits at any time, and they can unlock new dialogue options and rewards.
The cool part is that you’re not stuck with your Traits choice throughout the entire game; you can remove them with a little effort. So, while it’s crucial to think carefully about your Trait selection, you’re not locked into your choices.
Starfield also adds optional Traits that offer advantages and disadvantages. For instance, “Alien DNA” boosts your health and oxygen levels but makes healing and food items less effective.
But not all Traits are just about your character; “Dream Home” lets you start the game with a remote house, but there’s a mortgage to consider, and the convenience factor is up for debate among players.
Remember, you don’t have to pick any Traits if you prefer not to, and you can permanently remove certain Traits in New Atlantis at The House of the Enlightened, located in the Well.
Unfortunately, if you chose the “Kid Stuff” Trait, therapy won’t help you forget your parents. So, choose wisely, and enjoy the unique traits that make your Starfield adventure your own.
4. Unlocking Skills In The Early Game
There’s a grand total of 82 skills spread across five distinct skill trees. These trees are divided into four tiers, and you’ve got to invest a certain number of skill points in a tier to unlock the next one.
But here’s the twist: higher-tier skills aren’t always better than their earlier counterparts. Some of the basic skills in Starfield can still pack a punch.
Each skill in the game comes in four different ranks, and each rank enhances the skill’s effectiveness in some way.
Higher-ranked skills usually offer more substantial buffs, increased damage, and even brand-new perks.
So, leveling up your skills is a vital part of your Starfield journey. It’s also crucial to understand how each skill operates and which ones complement each other.
Now, when you level up, you earn one skill point to spend in one of the skill trees. While it might be tempting to go all-in on one tree, it’s wise to diversify a bit. There are some skills that come in handy, regardless of your playstyle.
For example, even if you’re not particularly drawn to the tech tree, it’s home to the Boost Pack Training skill, Security skill, and Piloting skill, which you need to pilot Class B and C ships.
On the other hand, the Social skill tree houses the Commerce skill, a real gem that lets you buy items for less and sell them for more.
Since you’ll likely be doing a fair bit of trading in Starfield, this skill is a must-have.
While some skills might sound impressive on paper, like the Gymnastics skill for combat sliding, they can turn out to be less useful in practice.
Keep an eye on your skill ranks and remember, to rank up a skill, you’ll need to complete a little challenge. So, choose your skills wisely and level up strategically to make the most of your adventure in Starfield.
5. Mastering Lockpicking In Starfield
Lockpicking is a common feature, but it comes with its unique twist. To unlock doors and containers, players will need Digipicks, special consumable items resembling traditional lockpicks.
But there’s a bit of brainpower required too, as each lock presents a puzzle, with more complex ones demanding a bit more thought.
You’ll get the hang of lockpicking relatively early in the game’s main story, especially during your investigation of the pirate base on Kreet.
However, if you’re in a rush, you might accidentally skip the single-screen lockpicking tutorial. Some players might also crave more details than the tutorial provides.
Locks in Starfield consist of circular security layers, and the more intricate the lock, the more layers there are.
Each layer has gaps, and you’ll use the keys provided by your Digipick to fill these gaps.
You can only progress to the next layer after filling all the gaps in the outermost one. So, you’ll need to be clever about the order in which you use your keys.
Upgrading the Security skill can help as it lets you see which keys fit which layers, making the process smoother.
Once you’ve aligned all the pins on a key correctly with the gaps, press the A button to slot it and move on to the next key.
Repeat this until you’ve unlocked all the security layers. Keep in mind that certain keys only work on specific layers, so pay attention to the order you use them. If a Digipick doesn’t align with the outermost layer, come back to it later.
Digipicks are vital for lockpicking and can be found in various locations. You can loot them from deceased characters or pickpocket them from the living if you’ve unlocked the Theft skill.
You can also purchase Digipicks from most general-purpose merchants by checking their misc section in their inventories.
The standard price is 35 Credits, but you can score them cheaper by unlocking and upgrading the Commerce skill. So, get those Digipicks, solve those lock puzzles, and uncover the secrets of Starfield!
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6. Form Your Crew
Space travel doesn’t have to be a solo adventure in Starfield. As you explore the vast universe, you’ll come across various companions eager to join your party.
Some of them will become your companions due to the storyline, while others can be hired, albeit for a hefty sum of credits.
But here’s the good news: With a bit of luck and some smooth talking skills from the Persuasion skill, you can convince some potential crew members to sign up for your cause at a reduced cost.
These recruited party members usually come with a set of skills that can greatly benefit your crew in various ways.
For instance, take Marika Boros, who hangs out at the Viewport Bar in New Atlantis. She’s an expert in Shotgun Certification, Ballistics, and Particle Beam Weapon Systems.
If you bring her on board, any ship you assign her to will gain the advantage of her Particle Beam Weapon Systems skill.
Just remember, ships have crew limits, so while you can load up your ship with a bunch of companions, the crew limit sets the cap on how many can enhance your ship.
But don’t worry, you can increase your ship’s crew size to accommodate more helpful hands on deck. So, gather your crew and set off for adventures in the cosmos!
7. The Art Of Convincing In Starfield
Persuasion is a valuable tool that can help you sway certain NPCs to your side. When you decide to persuade someone, you’ll face a series of dialogue options, each with a number attached to it and a persuasion bar to fill.
The catch is that you have only a limited number of attempts, so your choices need to be strategic.
The numbers associated with each dialogue option don’t necessarily indicate risk; they reflect what you’ve learned about the character.
So, it’s wise to explore all dialogue options before attempting persuasion. This way, you’ll be well-informed when it’s time to make your move.
For instance, if you’re dealing with a rule-following individual, asking them to bend those rules might not work.
On the other hand, someone more easily influenced might respond better if your persuasive efforts have a bit of assertiveness to them.
It’s like psychoanalysis… in space! So, remember, choose your words carefully and consider the personality of the person you’re trying to persuade for the best results.
8. Navigating Contraband And Stolen Items
It’s crucial to understand the distinction between stolen goods and contraband. Stolen items are easily spotted with a red symbol, indicating they’ve been pilfered from NPCs.
If you get caught swiping them, expect a call to the authorities. But if you succeed, your main concern is finding a buyer for those stolen goods, like the Trade Authority in New Atlantis or Neon.
Here’s a quick tip for some quick credits: consider clearing out one of the back rooms in a Trade Authority office and selling everything back to the vendor. It’s a sly move!
Now, contraband, marked with a yellow symbol, can be obtained without theft, but there’s a catch. When you enter a settled system, your ship undergoes scanning.
If they detect contraband, you’re in hot water. You can still sell your contraband at the Trade Authority, but you’ll need to smuggle those items first. Check our linked guide for details on how to pull it off.
If smuggling isn’t your style just yet, find a secure spot to stash them, like your “Dream Home.” Alternatively, if you join the Crimson Fleet, you can offload your contraband to their shopkeepers. So, tread carefully with stolen goods and contraband in Starfield!
9. Fueling Your Journey Through The Cosmos
Space travel is a significant aspect of the game, but it comes with some nuances. You can access your Star Map at any time by pausing, allowing you to view systems you’ve visited or fast travel to key locations you’ve discovered.
For instance, you can quickly travel to places like New Atlantis from anywhere, as long as you’re not carrying too much or engaged in combat.
However, for unexplored systems, you’ll need to initiate a “Jump.” Jumping consumes fuel, and the amount of fuel determines how far you can jump.
The good news is that your ship automatically refuels after each jump, so you won’t ever run out of fuel.
So, if you have a quest marker in a system that’s out of your jump range, don’t worry. Just jump to a nearby system first, and then jump again to reach your destination.
If you’d rather minimize jumping, you can also upgrade your fuel capacity.
Keep in mind that if you’re over-encumbered, you’ll need to physically walk to your ship before embarking on any travel. Boost packs can come in handy here.
Also, remember that you can’t fast-travel into most cities if you’re carrying contraband. So, plan your travels wisely in the vast expanse of Starfield!
10. Encumbrance: Lightening Your Cosmic Load
Encumbrance in Starfield has its own unique twist compared to other Bethesda RPGs. When you’re carrying too much, you can still perform actions like moving, sprinting, shooting, and jumping.
However, your oxygen levels deplete faster as you move around. Running out of oxygen leads to CO2 buildup, which can chip away at your health, although it won’t be fatal.
Being over-encumbered also prevents you from fast traveling. To manage this, it’s best to transfer non-essential items, like resources, to your ship’s cargo or hand them over to your companions. You can do this while inside your ship or by interacting with the cargo panel near the cockpit.
Interestingly, being over-encumbered has a silver lining, as it’s an easy way to unlock upgrades for your carrying capacity, which requires you to run while carrying above a certain percentage of your available mass. So, balance your load wisely in the vast reaches of Starfield!
11. Unveiling The Secrets Of Planets
You have the freedom to land on any planet’s solid ground. Once there, you’ll earn XP as you uncover the planet’s properties, including natural resources, flora, and fauna, aiming to achieve a 100% exploration status for that planet.
Initially, this might seem like a daunting task, but there are ways to make it more manageable.
Certain skills can significantly speed up the process of reaching 100% exploration.
In the Science skill section, the “Surveying” skill, available early on, increases your scanner’s radius, making it easier to spot resources. “Zoology” and “Botany” skills allow you to achieve 100% completion with fewer scans of plants and animals.
Each planet in the game also possesses specific Traits, which are natural features or sights to discover.
You can see how many Traits a planet has in the scanning menu in space or in your on-foot scanner UI.
To uncover these Traits, focus on landmarks labeled as “Natural.” These could include geological or ecological elements, and they repeat across the entire planet.
So, no need to worry about landing in the wrong spot when exploring a vast planetary landscape.
12. Unlocking The Benefits Of Quality Rest
The “Well Rested” bonus, a familiar feature from Bethesda’s games, makes a return in Starfield, emphasizing the importance of sleep.
While sleep naturally passes time and restores your health, there’s an added perk: if you enjoy a full night’s rest, you’ll receive the “Well Rested” bonus, granting a 10% XP boost for the next 24 in-game hours.
Here’s a pro tip: whenever you touch down on a new planet, consider taking a quick nap. This way, anything you encounter will yield extra XP.
To check if the Well Rested bonus is currently active, simply press Start and then Y to review your status.
If you see “Well Rested,” you’re enjoying that bonus XP boost. So, make the most of your rest for a stellar journey in Starfield!
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13. Customizing Your Starfield Spacecraft
Ship-building and modifications in Starfield can be a bit pricey, but they’re incredibly valuable.
You’ll typically find a technician in most major cities, often located in the starport, who can assist you in upgrading your ship.
Once you access the building menu, click anywhere outside your ship to access a list of ship parts, including cabins and modifications.
To get started, it’s recommended to begin with a Workshop 2×1, which provides access to essential workbenches.
Be aware that you may need to rearrange other ship modules to fit the workshop, and the game can be specific about where certain parts can be placed. Additionally, some parts may not be compatible with your ship class.
The Frontier, your starter ship, is Class A. While you can buy Class B and C ships and parts, you won’t be able to pilot them until you’ve invested in the Piloting skill, which is one of the most valuable skills in the game. So, get ready to embark on ship-building adventures and make your mark in the cosmos!
And there you have it—valuable insights to enhance your Starfield experience. These are the things I wish I knew when I first embarked on my journey in the game.
From character creation and skills to managing contraband and exploring planets, these tips and tricks will help you navigate the cosmos with confidence. So, strap in, explore the stars, and make the most of your adventure in Starfield!
Check out more posts on Topic Starfield
- Launching Into Starfield: Must-Know Tips And Tricks
- 10 Top Rated Space Ships In Starfield
- Comprehensive Guide To Starfield Console Commands And Cheats
- Setting Course For Starfield: Predicting Game Duration
- Choosing The Adoring Fan Trait In Starfield: Weighing The Advantages And Disadvantages
- Picking The Perfect Starfield Crew
- 20 Top Starfield Mods Worth Adding To Your Game
- A Guide To The Best Starfield Weapons And Guns
- Circle November 11 For Starfield Fans : Here’s Why
- Starfield’s Diverse Cities And Their Offerings
