Starfield armor modification guide enables you to improve your armor’s stats, add special effects, and customize its appearance using workbenches and resources.
Want to get the absolute best protection and style in Starfield? We’ve got you covered with this Starfield armor modification guide. It can be initially confusing on how to upgrade your gear.
You can find workbenches at various locations that allow armor modding. These upgrades require specific resources that you’ll gather on your travels. The process can significantly improve your survivability and how your character appears.
Starfield Armor Modification Guide
Welcome, space explorers! Getting the best gear in Starfield is super important, and armor is a big part of that. But it’s not enough to just find any old spacesuit; you need to make it your own! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making your armor better in Starfield. We’ll talk about finding different mods, how to put them on, and what they all do. So, let’s jump in and get you looking good and staying safe!
Understanding Armor Basics
Before we dive into modifications, let’s talk about the basics of armor in Starfield. You’ll notice different pieces, like your helmet, suit, and pack. Each piece has stats that protect you against different types of damage, like physical, energy, and environmental hazards like heat, cold, radiation, and corrosive. The better your armor, the less damage you take. Think of it like having a strong shield that you can upgrade. Always check the stats of each piece and mix-and-match to create the perfect set for your missions.
Armor Tiers: From Basic to Epic
Just like in many games, Starfield has armor tiers, or levels of quality. The most common tier is basic armor that you might find in early missions. Then, as you explore deeper and complete tougher challenges, you’ll come across advanced pieces that have better base protection and come with mod slots. Rare pieces can have pre-installed mods, making them even more effective. Finally, legendary pieces have great stats and multiple mods. Remember, you need to look at the armor tier in addition to the mods you install.
Where to Find Armor and Mods
Finding cool armor and mods is part of the adventure! You’ll find armor in all sorts of places: loot crates, enemy drops, and as rewards for finishing quests. Vendors in big cities like New Atlantis also sell armor and mods, so be sure to check them out. Don’t forget to scavenge every place. Keep your eyes peeled for that loot that contains something really good. Sometimes, a seemingly useless box might have an awesome armor mod.
Vendor Locations: Your Shopping Guide
Here are some places where you might find great armor and mods:
- UC Distribution Center (New Atlantis): A good place to find basic to intermediate pieces of gear.
- Reliant Medical (New Atlantis): Offers items that help with health but can also carry some suits.
- Neon Tactical (Neon City): Great for combat armor and related mods.
- Various Outposts: Many smaller settlements will have vendors offering all sorts of items.
Looting and Scavenging: Don’t Leave Anything Behind
Always look around. Check every container, and fight every enemy. Enemies can drop armor, mods, and credits. You never know what you will find, so be prepared to search in every nook and corner. Sometimes, you can get some of the very best items from the most unexpected places.
How to Modify Your Armor
Now, let’s get to the fun part: actually modifying your armor! To modify your gear, you’ll need to use a workbench. You’ll find these in your ship, at various outposts, and in major cities. Workbenches let you apply mods to your armor. You must collect mods before you use them. To start the process, approach a workbench and interact with it. Select your armor from the inventory, and then see what mods you can use.
Using the Workbench
The workbench screen is easy to use. It shows the different pieces of your gear. Select the piece you want to upgrade. The screen then lists available mods. Mods may have specific requirements, like having a certain skill level or using specific resources.
When modifying your armor, you can change:
- Helmet: This provides head protection, and offers visual enhancements like night vision or targeting options.
- Spacesuit: The main piece of armor, it boosts physical and energy resistance.
- Boost Pack: Helps you move quickly and adds extra mobility to your jump ability.
Understanding Mod Types
Starfield has lots of different mods, and each one does something special. Some might make you tougher, while others give you special skills. Here’s a breakdown of the most common mod types:
Defensive Mods
These mods increase your damage resistance. You might find mods that specifically reduce physical, energy, or environmental damage. Some of the defense types are:
- Physical Resistance: Reduces damage from bullets and melee attacks.
- Energy Resistance: Decreases damage from laser weapons and plasma attacks.
- Environmental Resistance: Protects you from things like heat, cold, and radiation.
Offensive Mods
Offensive mods can increase your combat skills. These could make your attacks stronger or give you advantages in combat. Some examples include:
- Weapon Holsters: Allow you to carry more types of weapons.
- Improved Aiming: Makes your shots more accurate.
- Melee Boost: Increases the damage you do with melee weapons.
Utility Mods
These mods are all about making your life easier. Utility mods can increase your carry capacity, improve your movement, and more. Some of the options include:
- Increased Carry Weight: Lets you carry more loot.
- Faster Movement: Helps you move around quicker.
- Resource Gathering: Makes it easier to collect resources in the environment.
Special Ability Mods
These mods give you specific new skills. Some may allow you to see better in the dark or use your boost pack better.
- Sensor Enhancement: Gives you enhanced vision.
- Emergency Boost: Triggers a boost pack when you take severe damage.
- Improved Scanner: Enhances your scan ability.
Choosing the Right Mods
It’s not enough to just find mods; you also have to make smart choices. Your mod choices should always match your play style. For example, if you love to fight, choose mods that increase combat strength. If you want to explore, go for the utility mods. Think about how you want to play the game when choosing modifications.
Playstyle-Based Mod Selection
Here are some mod suggestions depending on how you like to play:
- The Combatant: If you enjoy close-quarters combat, focus on mods like physical resistance, melee damage, and weapon holsters.
- The Explorer: Prioritize mods that boost resource gathering, carry weight, and movement speed. Environmental protection can also be helpful.
- The Stealth Expert: Opt for mods that improve sensor readings and reduce noise.
- The Scavenger: Go for carry weight and resource gathering mods, and get some extra defense for when you find yourself in a bad situation.
Resource Management
Adding mods uses up resources. You will find these materials all over Starfield. Before applying the mods, check that you have the materials needed. Some rare resources can be difficult to find, so be sure to look in every area you go to.
Some of the resources you might need include:
- Iron: A very common material found on many planets.
- Aluminum: Another common resource; essential for many crafting recipes.
- Copper: Used in electronic components and also very common.
- Polymer: A more advanced resource needed for some higher-tier mods.
- Zero Wire: Another higher-tier resource, often used in special projects.
Remember to recycle unwanted weapons and items for materials. This is a good way to gather more of the items you need for modding.
Advanced Armor Modification Tips
As you play more and more, you will get better at making strong armor. Here are some great tips that will help you be the best at making your gear!
Mix and Match Armor Pieces
You don’t have to use the same type of gear for each slot. Mix-and-match is a very good way to create awesome combinations. Try using a strong helmet, good armor, and a boost pack that all help with a specific type of build. For example, you might use a helmet that improves accuracy with a suit that boosts physical resistance and a boost pack with greater movement. By doing this, you create a well-rounded set of gear that works best for you.
Skill Level Bonuses
Your skill level has a big impact on what kinds of mods you can apply. Some mods are only available once you’ve increased specific skills, such as engineering or science. The higher the skill, the more effective your mods are, making each piece of gear that much more effective. Make sure you improve the correct skills, so you have all the mods available to you.
Experimentation is Key
Don’t be afraid to try new combinations. The best way to find the best gear for your playing style is to experiment with a variety of mods. Take advantage of the save system and save before you begin modifying, so you can go back if you don’t like the changes you made. Try applying different pieces, and don’t be afraid to go back and change it if it doesn’t work. The game has many different combinations, and testing out different types of mods will give you the best idea of how they work.
Stay Informed
Starfield is always changing with new updates that might change the game. Keep looking online for good guides and other useful tips. These can help you find good gear and mods.
By using these tips, you’ll be able to create the best armor possible in Starfield. Make sure to explore, experiment, and stay focused. Good luck exploring the star fields!
Do this to Craft the BEST Weapons & Armor Sets Early in Starfield!
Final Thoughts
Modifying armor in Starfield significantly boosts your survivability. Experiment with different mods to find what best suits your playstyle. The right combination offers tactical advantages, enhancing various stats. This allows you to tailor your gear for any challenge.
Consider material upgrades and special effects. Choose wisely for maximum protection and bonus perks. Refer to our Starfield armor modification guide for a detailed overview. This will help you create the perfect defense.



