A strong start in Starfield requires focusing on completing the main quest early, selecting useful skills like piloting and persuasion, and carefully exploring the initial planets to gather resources.
Embarking on a new cosmic adventure can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. This guide provides you the essential steps for a successful beginning in Bethesda’s sprawling RPG. ‘Starfield a complete guide for a strong start’ will get you off the ground quickly. We’ll cover the core mechanics you need to understand right away.
Knowing which skills to choose and which planets to explore can greatly impact your early game progress. This guide is your pathway to building a powerful character early on. We will help you navigate the vast galaxy.
Starfield: A Complete Guide for a Strong Start
Welcome, space explorer! Getting started in Starfield can feel like stepping into a vast, unknown galaxy. Don’t worry, though! This guide is here to help you get your bearings and set you up for a successful journey. We’ll go over everything from choosing your background and traits, to early game missions, and how to get the best gear so you can boldly go where no one has gone before with confidence!
Character Creation: Your Journey Begins
Before you blast off, you need to create your character. This is where you decide who you are in the Starfield universe. You have lots of choices, so let’s look at what’s important.
Backgrounds: Who Were You?
Your background is like your past job, and it gives you three starting skills. These skills will help you in different situations. Some backgrounds are better for fighting, while others are great for talking your way out of trouble or exploring new planets. Here are some popular backgrounds and what they do:
- Bounty Hunter: If you like a lot of action, this is a great starting point. You start with skills in piloting, combat, and targeting, which help you in ship battles and shootouts.
- Diplomat: If you prefer talking to fighting, pick the diplomat background. With the negotiation skill, you can get better deals with vendors and in social situations. You also have skills in persuasion and health.
- Explorer: A balanced choice for exploration. It offers skills in surveying, planetary exploration, and health. Great if you like to see new worlds.
- Homesteader: For those who want to build and produce, this is a good option. You begin with skills in wellness, geology, and surveying.
- Cyber Runner: An interesting background to chose. You’ll start with skills in stealth, security and theft. Ideal for sneaky characters.
Don’t worry too much about choosing the absolute “best” background. Pick the one that seems the most interesting and fits how you want to play. You can always learn new skills later!
Traits: Special Perks
Traits are like special perks that add to your character. Each trait has both a positive and a negative effect. Here are some to consider:
- Introvert/Extrovert: If you like to work with others, choose extrovert for a boost to your health while traveling with companions. If you want to travel alone, go with introvert to see a boost to your health while exploring alone.
- Taskmaster: The taskmaster trait makes crew skills more efficient, but your ship needs to be maintained more often.
- Terra Firma: You have more health and endurance while on a planet surface, but less while in space. This is great if you prefer planetary exploration.
- Spaced: The opposite of Terra Firma. More health and endurance in space but less on the surface.
- Kid Stuff: Your parents are alive and well, and will randomly send you gifts and visit you. However, you need to send them weekly funds.
Like backgrounds, there are no “best” traits. Choose what complements your playstyle. You can also choose to not pick any traits at all, giving you no special perks or hindrances.
Early Game Missions: Getting Your Feet Wet
After character creation, the game begins! It’s important to understand how to start strong in the first few hours. Here’s what you need to focus on:
Main Quest: Following the Story
The main story will give you direction, introduce key characters, and help you get used to the game. Don’t rush it! Take time to explore and complete side quests too. The first main mission will guide you to meeting with the Constellation team.
- Follow the main missions to get acquainted with important locations and the game’s mechanics.
- Make sure you’re leveling up to make each quest easier, as each one becomes slightly more difficult.
Side Quests: Explore and Learn
Side quests are scattered across the galaxy and will help you level up your character, earn money and items. Don’t ignore these! Look for people with mission markers, or listen to conversations in towns and cities. Here’s why side missions are great:
- XP: You’ll gain experience to level up your character by completing side quests.
- Credits: You’ll gain money which is known as “credits” in Starfield. With credits you can buy valuable items like ammo, weapons and medical supplies.
- Gear: You’ll sometimes get weapons, armor, and other great items as rewards.
- Exploration: You’ll find places that you might have missed by simply following the main story.
- Story: Side quests often give unique stories about the world and it’s inhabitants that add to the lore.
First Encounters: Fighting and Exploring
Your first fights can be tough, but with some strategy, you will make it through. Here are some tips:
- Use Cover: Don’t just stand out in the open. Use walls, rocks, and other objects to protect yourself.
- Headshots: Aim for the head for more damage.
- Take Time to Heal: Use medpacks to heal during the fight. Don’t wait to get hit low on health!
- Learn Enemy Types: Some enemies are weaker to certain weapon types, so try them out.
- Explore Carefully: Check all corners and containers. You never know what you might find.
Resources and Crafting
Collecting resources and using them to craft items is key to survival. Here’s what you need to know:
Gathering Resources
Resources are everywhere! You’ll find them on planets, in containers, and sometimes on enemies. Here’s how you collect:
- Surveying: When you scan planets, you will see what resources are available. You can find resources using a hand scanner.
- Mining: Use your cutter to mine resources from mineral deposits.
- Containers: Look in all containers, boxes, and lockers.
- Looting: Loot enemies that you have defeated. They will sometimes carry valuable resources.
Crafting: Making Gear
Crafting is important for improving your equipment. Here’s how:
- Workbenches: You’ll need a workbench to craft. Look for these in towns and your ship.
- Research: You need to research blueprints to make new items, so prioritize research projects.
- Experiment: Try different items to see what you can craft, as well as what is most useful for you.
Combat: Tips and Tricks
Space combat and ground combat can both be tricky, but with these tips, you’ll improve:
Space Combat
Space battles require fast reflexes and strategy.
- Ship Upgrades: Upgrade your ship’s weapons and shields to handle bigger fights.
- Targeting: Target enemy weak points to do more damage.
- Maneuvering: Use your thrusters to dodge enemy fire.
- Shield Management: Keep an eye on your shields and use them effectively.
Ground Combat
Ground combat is more about taking cover and making every shot count.
- Weapon Variety: Use different weapons for different situations, and try each one out.
- Stealth: Sneaking can give you an advantage.
- Grenades: Use them to flush enemies out of cover.
- Armor: Make sure you’re wearing good armor to reduce damage.
Skills: How to Improve
As you level up, you’ll earn skill points that you can use to improve your character. Here’s how to prioritize:
Combat Skills
These skills make you more dangerous in battle. Prioritize what fits your play style.
- Ballistics: Improves damage with standard firearms.
- Lasers: Improves damage with laser weapons.
- Heavy Weapons: Improves damage with heavy weapons.
- Stealth: Lets you move silently and increases the damage done in sneak attacks.
Exploration Skills
These help with discovering new areas and resources.
- Surveying: Helps you identify resources more easily.
- Geology: Increases the amount of resources you get from mining.
- Astrodynamics: Improves your ship’s jump range.
- Scanning: Lets you scan objects and planets in greater detail.
Social Skills
These skills help with interacting with people and getting better deals.
- Persuasion: Lets you talk your way out of situations, and helps you get better deals when you barter.
- Commerce: Allows you to buy and sell items for better prices.
- Security: Lets you pick locks and open locked containers.
Ship Management: Your Home in the Stars
Your ship is your home base in Starfield. It’s very important to maintain and upgrade it.
Ship Components: What to Upgrade
Here are the essential parts to focus on:
- Weapons: Upgrade to do more damage in space fights.
- Shields: Helps protect you from enemy attacks, and will help in survival.
- Engines: Lets you travel faster and further.
- Reactor: Improves your ship’s energy production.
Customizing Your Ship
You can customize the look and layout of your ship.
- Ship Builder: Use the ship builder to change how your ship looks and functions.
- Cargo: Make sure you have enough cargo space for resources and items.
Making Credits: Money in the Galaxy
Credits are essential for buying upgrades and other items. Here’s how to get them:
Selling Loot
Sell the weapons, armor, and other items you don’t need.
- Vendors: Look for vendors in towns and cities to sell your items.
- Trading Authority: Some vendors buy things for higher prices.
Completing Missions
Complete quests to get credit rewards. Check the mission board in major cities and space stations.
Mining and Trading
Mine and sell valuable resources.
- Resources: Find valuable resources to sell for higher prices.
- Trading: Some locations pay more for certain items.
Companions: Explore the Galaxy Together
Companions are characters that join your adventure, and can be very valuable for support.
Recruiting Companions
You’ll meet people in your travels that can join you on your journey. Some will want to join right away, while others may need to be persuaded.
- Main Story: Some companions are introduced through the main story.
- Side Quests: Some side quests will reward you with a companion as well.
- Exploration: Some companions can be found while traveling to unique locations.
Companion Skills and Abilities
Companions have unique skills that will help in battle, and while exploring.
- Combat Skills: Some companions are great in a fight, and can make even the toughest battles more bearable.
- Skill Bonuses: Some companions will give skill bonuses when you travel together.
- Affinity: Build a stronger bond with companions to get even greater rewards.
Tips for Success
- Save Often: The game can be challenging, so save your game regularly.
- Explore Everywhere: Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path, and check all corners.
- Talk to Everyone: You never know what valuable information you will learn.
- Try Different Things: There are so many ways to play, so experiment!
- Have Fun: Remember to enjoy the journey!
Starfield is a vast game with a lot to offer. It can feel overwhelming at first, but by following this guide, you’ll have a good idea of how to begin your adventure. You can create a successful explorer by focusing on completing quests, gathering resources, and leveling up your character. Remember to enjoy your time in the stars!
Starfield – Ultimate Beginners Guide | How To Have The Perfect Start
Final Thoughts
Following this guide ensures a solid beginning in Starfield. A smart character build, combined with early resource gathering, gives you a big advantage. Focus on combat and exploration skills to thrive.
The right ship and crew upgrades are must have. Prioritize them early to travel further and with ease. Completing main story missions allows further progression.
Essentially, this ‘Starfield a complete guide for a strong start’ helps you establish yourself quickly. These key steps will set you on a path to galactic success.



