Starfield Bounty Hunting Missions Explained

Starfield bounty hunting missions involve accepting contracts from mission boards and tracking down specific targets for a reward.

Eager to make a name for yourself among the stars? Then dive into the action with Starfield bounty hunting missions! These exciting contracts offer a fantastic way to earn credits and test your combat skills across the Settled Systems.

From dusty outposts to bustling spaceports, the variety of targets keeps each hunt fresh and engaging. You will quickly find these missions are not just about blasting enemies, it includes tracking and strategy. Be ready for anything, as the hunted rarely go down without a fight.

Starfield Bounty Hunting Missions: Becoming a Galactic Hunter

So, you’ve jumped into the vast universe of Starfield and are looking for a way to make some extra credits and maybe, just maybe, get a bit of a thrill? Look no further than bounty hunting missions! They’re a fun way to explore different planets, engage in some exciting combat, and earn a pretty penny. Think of it like being a space cowboy, tracking down bad guys across the stars. Let’s dive into what you need to know to become a successful bounty hunter in Starfield.

Where to Find Bounty Missions

The first thing you need to know is where to actually find these bounty missions. You won’t stumble upon them just floating in space. You need to go to the right places, and these are often at the heart of busy, populated areas. Here are a few key spots to check out:

Mission Boards: These are usually found in larger cities and towns. Look for terminals with signs like “Mission Board” or “Bounties.” They’re a great place to start. You’ll often find these in bars, spaceports, or even right in the middle of bustling market areas. Places like New Atlantis on Jemison and Akila City on Akila have prominent mission boards. They usually list out different bounties with the name of the target, the location where they can be found, and the payout you will receive when you complete the mission.
Bars and Taverns: Sometimes, folks with a less than stellar reputation will post bounties for their own reasons. Talking to people in these locales can sometimes yield quests. Keep your ears open for whispers of someone causing trouble. These quests might not be on official mission boards but they often provide more interesting back stories for the bounties, and this will help you to immerse yourself in the quest. Sometimes, you will need to talk to various characters in the bars before the quest giver will appear, so keep on looking around!
Faction Contacts: As you progress through the game, you may encounter certain factions that offer bounty missions. These can be more specific and even more challenging. For instance, the Freestar Collective might have bounties on space pirates, while the United Colonies might have bounties on smugglers. Getting to know the different factions can open you up to a wider variety of bounty quests.

Understanding Bounty Types

Not all bounties are created equal. You’ll see different types, each with its own challenges. Understanding what each one entails will help you plan your approach.

Simple Elimination: The most straightforward type. You are given a target name and location and told to eliminate them. It might involve a ship fight in space, or a firefight at a remote location. These are usually quicker than more complex bounties. This is the type of bounty that most people will begin with when they first start bounty hunting.
Extraction Bounties: Here, you might be asked to find a specific person, alive, and bring them back to the quest giver. This type of bounty often adds an extra layer of strategy, as you’ll need to be careful not to kill your target in the fight. Also, these types of quests may involve persuading other people to release the target of the bounty for you. You might have to make a speech check, or pay some credits for their release.
Asset Recovery: These bounties involve retrieving stolen goods. It’s similar to a simple elimination bounty, but with the added requirement that you have to loot and secure the stolen item after neutralizing the target. You’ll often find these items on the body of the target or in a nearby container, sometimes this item will be guarded by robotic enemies as well, so be prepared for anything.
Unique Bounties: Sometimes, you’ll get bounties with specific requirements or interesting stories attached. They will not be like your usual bounty missions, and they might have unique or rare rewards, too. They can also introduce new elements into the game that you may not have experienced.

Preparing for the Hunt: Gear and Skills

Before you head off to chase down a bounty, you need to make sure you’re well-prepared. Going in unprepared can quickly turn a hunting trip into a one-way ticket to space dust. Having the correct skills and weapons will ensure your survival.

Essential Skills

There are several skills that will come in handy during your bounty hunting career. Investing in these skills will make your job easier and more rewarding.

Combat Skills: Any skill related to weapon handling (rifles, pistols, lasers, etc), or hand to hand combat, will help you in the inevitable fight that comes with hunting down a wanted individual. Focus on the weapon type you are most comfortable with.
Piloting: This will help you greatly when pursuing your target in the depths of space. Being able to use your ships engines efficiently can mean the difference between life and death. This will also help you to board your targets ships, if you are planning on doing ship boarding tactics.
Persuasion: Sometimes talking your way out of a tricky situation or persuading a target to surrender peacefully is a better option. If a target is too powerful, talking your way out of combat can preserve your precious items, resources and ammo.
Stealth: There are times when it is much better to sneak around rather than confront everyone head on, stealth skills will allow you to navigate areas unseen and get the drop on unsuspecting enemies.

Choosing the Right Gear

Your weapons and equipment can also significantly impact your success. Here is a rundown of the types of items you should consider when preparing for your bounty.

Weapons: Don’t just pick any old gun! Select the weapons that match your skills. Rifles for distance, shotguns for close-range, and pistols for quick engagements. Different types of enemies might be weaker to different types of weapons so try to carry a range of different firearms with you.
Armor: Make sure your armor can absorb the damage you might take. You can find armor in stores throughout the game, or loot it from fallen enemies. The higher the armor rating, the better protected you will be.
Boost Packs: These help you quickly move around the battle field, get into cover fast, or traverse tricky terrain. A good boost pack can be a great advantage in a gun fight. If you are fighting on a low gravity planet, using a boost pack can quickly change your position.
Med Packs and Aid items: Being able to quickly restore health is paramount. Make sure you have plenty of aid items and med packs with you, or you could quickly fall. You can also use items to temporarily increase your combat abilities. Make sure to utilise all the aid items that are available to you.
Ship Equipment: Don’t forget to upgrade your ship’s weapons, shields, and engines. The ship you use for bounty hunting should be fast and well armed. You will more than likely get into combat in space, so ensure that you are ready for it.

Tracking Your Target

So, you have the bounty mission. Now, the detective work begins. You will need to understand the best way to track down your target so you can get to the fight faster. Here are a few steps you might take.

Using Mission Markers

Starfield usually gives you markers on your map that show you the general area your target is located. Pay close attention to these. They will often take you to the right planet, but not necessarily directly to the target. These markers act as the first step on the path to finding your target. Follow them closely, and be prepared for anything once you reach your destination.

Investigating Locations

Once you are in the area that your bounty marker indicates, you might need to do a little searching to pinpoint the exact location. Check your map often to see if the location is updated. Check for buildings or installations in the area that may hold your target. Scan areas for life signs if your target is not actively visible. Sometimes, the target is hiding in plain sight but this will usually be in areas that have a specific building or landmark.

Dealing with Security

Often, your target will be guarded by other people who are working with them. Be prepared for this. Use the cover around you to help you gain an advantage in the fight. There are usually many areas that you can use to keep yourself out of danger. Sometimes, there will be turrets that you will need to deal with. If you can take down turrets from a distance, this will make your hunt much easier.

The Confrontation: Combat Strategies

You’ve found your target, now what? Getting into a fight in Starfield can be tricky, so it is best to think of strategies before you begin fighting. Here are a few things to keep in mind when engaging in combat.

Engaging in Ground Battles

Ground battles can be chaotic, and cover is your best friend. Use the environment to your advantage. Don’t run out into the open. You should always be moving from cover to cover to prevent yourself from taking damage. Using stealth to gain a tactical advantage can help you begin the fight in a good position. Try to single out specific targets and take them out first, before moving on to the next one. If you use your scanners, you will be able to see the health of your enemy, so be sure to use this to make informed tactical decisions.

Engaging in Space Combat

Space battles are different. Make sure your ship is upgraded before taking on difficult bounties. Use your ship’s boost to get away from enemy fire and line up shots. If your target is a large ship, concentrate on one point of weakness first, like the engines or weapons. If you have a smaller ship, then use your manoeuvrability to get behind the enemy and fire from a blind spot. If you are feeling brave, you could always try to board the ship of your target. This can be an effective way to subdue a dangerous enemy. If you do board an enemy ship, be prepared for a fight as they will not be happy to see you there. Boarding a target ship is a risk-reward strategy. If you can pull it off, you can potentially gain a lot of credits and loot.

Claiming Your Reward

You’ve done it! You’ve tracked down the bounty and taken them down. Now for the best part, claiming your reward. Here’s what happens next.

Returning to the Quest Giver

Once your bounty is complete, return to the place where you picked up the mission. Most mission boards are located at bars, spaceports and market places. If the quest was given to you by a specific person, then you should return to them so you can get paid. Depending on the type of bounty that you completed, you may have to talk to someone different, but usually this will be indicated by the mission marker. Remember, you will not receive your reward until you talk to the correct person, so do not skip this step.

What You Get

The best part of any bounty hunt is the reward, as well as bragging rights. Completing a bounty will net you with some credits. It will also often help you to gain experience that is used to level up your character. Completing bounty missions for different factions can also improve your standing with them, opening you up to more and better bounty opportunities in the future. Not all bounty rewards will be monetary, you might gain a unique item for completing a difficult quest, or you may be rewarded with some resources that will help you to improve your equipment.

Bounty hunting in Starfield is a really fun way to explore the game, get into some action, and make some extra credits along the way. It provides a different way to enjoy the game, and opens the door to some side stories that you may not otherwise experience. With the right preparation, a keen eye for tracking, and good combat skills, you will become a legendary bounty hunter in no time.

How to Be A Bounty Hunter – Free EXP and Credits STARFIELD

Final Thoughts

Starfield bounty hunting missions offer a straightforward way to earn credits. Players accept contracts, track targets, and engage in combat or capture. Completing these tasks grants rewards, often credits and sometimes unique items.

This activity provides a fun and repeatable loop. The diverse locations and targets keep the gameplay interesting. Therefore, consider Starfield bounty hunting missions as a viable option for building wealth and experiencing action.