Before you dive into the vastness of space, knowing all the things to do for start in Starfield will make your journey smoother. Focus on completing the initial story missions, explore New Atlantis for quests, and gather resources while learning the game’s mechanics.
So, you’ve jumped into Starfield, the massive Bethesda RPG, and are feeling a little lost in space? It’s okay, the game is huge! It’s important to understand all the things to do for start, to make sure you don’t miss crucial steps. The early hours are really important.
The beginning can feel overwhelming. Don’t get bogged down in complex systems right away, just focus on the core story. These beginning quests help guide you. Then, explore New Atlantis carefully.
Starfield: All the Things to Do for a Stellar Start
So, you’ve just jumped into the vast universe of Starfield, huh? Awesome! It can feel a little overwhelming at first, with so many planets, space stations, and things to do. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get your bearings and set yourself up for an amazing adventure. This isn’t just about completing the main story fast; it’s about making your own journey through the stars, from picking your starting skills to your first space dogfight. Let’s dive in!
Character Creation: Picking Your Path
Your journey starts with creating your character, and it’s more than just picking a hairstyle. This is where you choose your background and traits, which greatly affect your early gameplay. Let’s break down the important parts:
Backgrounds: Your Past Life in the Stars
Backgrounds aren’t just flavor text; they give you three starting skills. These skills are important for how you’ll play in the beginning. For example, if you pick “Bounty Hunter,” you’ll be skilled at fighting and piloting, which is great for early combat. If you choose “Diplomat,” you’ll be better at talking your way out of situations and persuading others. Think about what kind of play style you like. Here are a few examples, and what skills they provide:
- Combat focused: Bounty Hunter (Piloting, Ballistics, Targeting), Soldier (Fitness, Ballistics, Medicine)
- Exploration focused: Explorer (Astrodynamics, Surveying, Geology), Professor (Astrodynamics, Geology, Research)
- Social focused: Diplomat (Persuasion, Commerce, Wellness), Ronin (Stealth, Dueling, Scavenging)
There are many different backgrounds so take some time to look at the descriptions and find the one that suits you. Don’t worry too much about making the “perfect” choice. You can always get better at other skills throughout the game.
Traits: Special Advantages and Quirks
Traits are another key element of character creation. You can select up to three traits, and each one gives you a bonus, but also a downside. Some are fun, some are difficult, but all of them affect your game. Here are a few examples:
- Extrovert/Introvert: You do better when adventuring with companions/without companions. Choose depending on whether you like to roll solo or with friends.
- Spaced: Your health and endurance are higher in space, but lower on the ground. Good if you plan to spend a lot of time in your ship!
- Raised Universal: You get along with members of a specific religion faction in the game, but other religions may not like you.
Think carefully about the pros and cons of each trait. You can’t change them later, so make sure you’re comfortable with your choices!
These choices will significantly shape your early game experience, so choose wisely!
Early Missions and Exploration
Once you’re out of character creation, the game will guide you through the initial missions. Don’t rush through these. They’re there to introduce you to the mechanics of the game and the world.
Getting to Know the Lodge
Your first main mission will take you to the Lodge, the headquarters of Constellation. Here you will get acquainted with the members, pick up some quests, and learn about your connection to the mysterious artifacts. Spend some time talking to the people there. They will often have side quests that will give you experience and gear.
Exploring Kreet and Beyond
One of your early missions will send you to the planet Kreet. There you’ll get to see combat, explore the world, and learn a bit about scanning resources. This is also a good place to get a handle on your character skills, and try out your powers if you got any. After completing that, you’ll be exploring more planets in your own ship. The galaxy is your oyster!
Mastering the Basics
Starfield throws a lot at you at once. Let’s go over the basic skills you’ll use every time you play.
Combat Basics: Weapons, Stealth, and More
Combat is a big part of Starfield, and it’s important to get the hang of it quickly. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:
- Weapons: You will find a variety of guns including lasers, ballistic guns, and particle beams. Try different guns and see what you like! Some guns are better for different situations, such as using a shotgun in close quarters. Don’t forget to upgrade your guns when you can.
- Stealth: If you don’t want to go head to head with enemies, try sneaking. You can move slowly to not be detected by enemies. Stealth can help you avoid a fight or get a good head start.
- Ammo: Keep an eye on your ammo. Some weapons use different types of ammo, so don’t just think “I have ammo”. You’ll need to find more or buy it.
- Space combat: When you enter space combat, you’ll be piloting your ship. Learn how to lock onto targets, use your ship’s systems, and manage your shields.
Understanding Skills and Leveling
Skills are how your character progresses in Starfield. Every time you level up, you get a skill point to put in various areas, like combat, tech, science, social, and physical. Here is how that all works:
- Skill Tiers: There are 4 tiers of skills; Novice, Advanced, Expert, and Master. To move to the next tier of skills, you need to first use skill points to get the previous level in that tree.
- Skill Challenges: To get to the next level of skills, you need to do challenges in each of the skills. For instance, you may need to do a certain amount of kills, research a certain number of things, or use powers a certain number of times. Check the descriptions of skills to see what challenges are available.
- Experiment with Skills: Don’t be afraid to try different skills. You’re not locked into your initial choices. A well-rounded character can adapt to any situation.
Inventory Management: Staying Organized
Space is limited in Starfield, both in your inventory and in your ship. You’ll get into the habit of managing it well, and here’s how:
- Carry Capacity: There is a weight limit to what you can carry. If you go over that limit, you’ll move slowly. You need to be strategic about what you collect.
- Storage Options: You can store items on your ship, in your home, and in special containers. This is a good way to keep things you don’t need right away.
- Sell Excess: When you find that you have too much loot, don’t be afraid to sell it at vendors. This will help you get credits to buy other useful things.
- Research: When you find resources, try to research them at a research station. You can get a lot of information, and find out how to craft some useful items.
Navigation and Travel: Charting Your Course
Traveling through space in Starfield can feel complex, but it’s just about understanding the map:
- The Star Map: The Star Map will be your friend in this game. It shows every star system, planet, and location. This map shows you how far things are, so you can plan your trips accordingly.
- Fast Travel: For places you’ve already been, you can fast travel right to them. This is great for cutting down on travel time, especially for those quests that make you jump all over the galaxy.
- Scanning: Don’t just skip planets, use your scanner! Scan for resources, points of interest, and more. You might find a hidden quest or something cool.
Early Game Goals
Now that you have the basics down, let’s talk about the goals you could set for yourself early on in the game.
Building Your First Ship
Your ship is your mobile home in Starfield, so making it better should be one of your goals. You can customize your ship with different components. Here are things to consider:
- Ship Upgrades: Add new weapons, more powerful reactors, and better engines.
- Shields: A good shield will keep you alive during combat, so invest in some good shields!
- Storage: More storage means you can carry more resources and loot.
- Aesthetics: Even if you don’t care about looks, some cosmetic changes can help you feel more at home in your ship.
Earning Credits
Credits, the in-game currency, are vital for buying ship upgrades, ammo, and other important things. Here are some ways to make credits early on:
- Completing Missions: Missions are a great source of credits. Even small side quests will add up over time.
- Loot and Sell: Sell excess weapons, armor, and resources at vendors.
- Mining: Collect minerals and resources from planets, and then sell them.
- Piracy: (If you’re brave) You can become a pirate and loot other ships.
Joining a Faction
Starfield has several factions, each with their own story and goals. You’ll probably meet a couple of them early in your journeys. Each faction offers different benefits, rewards, and questlines. Consider what you want out of the game, and join the faction that fits you best. Here are the main ones you’ll encounter:
- Constellation: This is the main faction that you are introduced to at the start of the game. They are the ones who are investigating the mystery of the artifacts.
- United Colonies: This is the main government of the game. They are involved in lots of quests, and you may be able to join them as well.
- Freestar Collective: This is another group that you will probably encounter while going through missions. They have their own ideals, and joining them may give you new insights on the world.
You don’t need to join a faction right away, but exploring their quests can be a fun way to see different parts of the game.
Building an Outpost
Once you get a little farther in the game, you can start building outposts on various planets. It’s not just for fun, though. Outposts can help you:
- Resource Gathering: Place extractors to get resources without working for them!
- Storage: Make a place to store all of your gear.
- Crafting: Create a workshop for crafting better weapons and armor.
- Home: Make a home out in the galaxy!
Building an outpost can feel a little complicated at first, but it’s worth it for the benefits you can get. Take your time, and use your resources wisely!
Exploring Beyond the Main Path
Starfield has a ton of content that is not related to the main story. Don’t feel like you have to rush to the end. Here are a few fun things to check out outside the main missions:
Side Quests
Talking to everyone you meet will bring you to new places, give you new skills, and help you find fun missions that are not in the main story. These missions are great for getting credits and gear, so never skip talking to people!
Random Encounters
While traveling between planets, or even on the ground, you’ll sometimes come across random encounters. These can lead to anything; from short fights with pirates, to finding a crashed ship with cool loot. These are always a surprise, and will keep you on your toes!
Planet Scanning
Scanning planets is something that is often overlooked. Don’t ignore the scan button! Scanning can tell you valuable information about resources, plant life, and even find new areas of interest. This can lead to more quests, more resources, and more fun!
Photography
Starfield has a photography mode! If you see something that is cool, interesting, or just has good vibes, use the photography mode and take some pictures. This is a great way to make the game your own, and it’s a good way to remember all the cool places you’ve visited.
The most important thing you need to remember about playing Starfield, is that it is your story, not a guide’s story. If you want to become a pirate, do it! If you want to become a peaceful explorer, do that instead! The beauty of the game is that it is completely up to you!
Starfield Guide: 15 Things You NEED To Do First
Final Thoughts
Prioritize the main story quests initially to establish a foundation. Explore the starting areas fully, locating resources and points of interest. Engage with early side missions to gain experience and credits.
Crafting and building are crucial aspects of gameplay, start practicing early. Be mindful of your inventory, avoid overburdening. Experiment with ship customization for efficient travel.
‘Starfield all the things to do for start’ involve establishing a strong foundation. These first steps directly impact your entire game experience. Focus on the game’s core mechanics, learning quickly.



