Before jumping into Starfield, know that exploration is key, the game has a massive scale and a detailed crafting system.
So, you’re about to embark on a grand adventure in the cosmos, huh? Well, before you get lost among the stars, there are some important things you should know. This is not just a quick space romp; this is Starfield, and it’s a lot.
Considering the sheer scale, knowing the core mechanics is quite crucial. Understanding the crafting system along with the importance of exploration are really Starfield essential things to know before playing. This way, you can make the best of your voyage.
Starfield Essential Things to Know Before Playing
Okay, space explorers! You’re about to jump into the vast universe of Starfield, a game so big it can feel like stepping onto a whole new planet. But before you blast off, let’s make sure you’re prepared for anything the cosmos throws your way. This isn’t just about knowing which button to press; it’s about understanding the core mechanics, making smart choices, and really getting the most out of your adventure. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist, ensuring a smooth and exciting journey.
Understanding the Vastness of the Starfield Universe
Starfield isn’t just one planet; it’s a whole galaxy! We’re talking hundreds of star systems and over a thousand planets. Some are bustling with life, while others are barren and waiting to be explored. This scale is both exciting and, well, a little overwhelming. Don’t feel you have to see everything at once. Take your time, enjoy the process of figuring things out, and don’t worry about missing something. Chances are you will find something new around every corner, a hidden cave, a secret quest or even just some cool resource to collect. This is a very different type of game from most of what you see. It’s designed for you to explore at your own pace.
The Importance of Star Systems and Travel
Each star system will have its own story. Some are controlled by certain factions; others are home to unique settlements or resources. Travelling between these systems requires understanding the game’s mechanics, including grav jumps. The game world is designed around realistic physics, so this means your ship’s grav drive needs to charge before it can jump to another star system. You cannot just jump around randomly, you will have to make choices on where to go and why. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your travel options, you never know what you might find. Every ship is different, and upgrades to them can make jumps easier, but the distance of a jump can affect the fuel consumption and power used by the ship. Plan your trips and don’t over extend your travel.
Navigating Planets and Discovering Points of Interest
When you arrive at a planet, it isn’t just a flat surface. Every planet has various points of interest, from thriving cities to small outposts, and even hidden caves. To locate these points of interest, you need to scan the planets. This action will reveal points of interest for you to then explore. Scanning the planet is essential to understanding where to go and what is on offer at a specific planet. Once you land on a planet, be ready for anything. There are dangerous animals, pirates and even mysterious structures. You may need to be prepared for a fight or a puzzle or maybe even just some interesting lore. The game is designed to reward exploration, so be curious, and take your time to see it all.
Character Creation and Customization
Your character is your avatar in the Starfield universe, so make them uniquely yours! The game has a very detailed character creation system, letting you customize everything from your appearance to your backstory.
Choosing Your Background and Traits
Your background in Starfield is more than just a description. It defines your starting skills, and it will impact how you see and interact with the world. Are you a chef, a doctor, or a bounty hunter? Each background has unique starting bonuses to help you on your adventure. Additionally, you pick traits that are positive and negative. These add additional elements to how your game will be played, and they may help you or hinder you depending on your play style. You can pick up to three of these traits, but some may conflict with others. The choices you make here are very important for the type of game you will play, so be sure to choose them carefully.
Skill System and Character Progression
Starfield uses a skill-based progression system. Instead of just leveling up, you earn skill points by completing tasks. These points are spent to enhance your abilities. You can be good with a gun, a tech master, or a great diplomat, it is up to you to spend those points. You are not locked into a specific path, you can always choose to go in different directions. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different skills to see how they change your game play. If you do not like a choice you made, later in the game you will have ways to change that. Remember, it is all about playing the way you want to play.
Combat and Weapons in Starfield
Combat in Starfield is an important part of the experience. Whether you are facing off against pirates or dangerous creatures, being prepared for a fight is essential. Let’s look at the different types of combat available to you in Starfield.
Understanding Different Weapon Types
Starfield has a variety of weapons, from laser rifles to ballistic shotguns and even melee weapons like swords. Each weapon has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some weapons are better against armor, while others are better for dealing direct damage. It is important to understand the different damage types and how they affect enemies. Experiment with different weapon types to find what best suits your play style. There will be weapons you favor over others, and you need to understand the stats of each weapon to be successful in battle. Try to have a backup option in case you find something that you don’t like.
Ship Combat and Customization
Not all battles happen on foot. Space combat is another important part of Starfield. You can engage enemy ships in battles, where you are piloting your ship. This type of combat is very different from on foot and it is important to get the controls for ship battles correct. You will need to manage your shield, power to weapons and even your engines. Customization is also a key feature for ships. You can customize every part of your ship. There are many ship parts that will allow you to add storage, better weapons, or even more shield. All of these upgrades allow you to create a ship that best suits your play style. Space battles can get complicated, so make sure you are prepared.
Crafting and Resource Management
Crafting is a major part of Starfield. It allows you to create weapons, armor, and modifications for your equipment. To be able to craft, you need resources, and knowing where to find those resources will be vital for success.
Gathering Essential Resources
Resources are all over the place in Starfield. You can mine them from planets, find them on enemy corpses, or even buy them from vendors. Certain planets will be better for certain resources. Remember, resources are not just for crafting. Some can be used to modify your ship and its parts, create and upgrade outposts, and even use for research. Understanding where to find specific resources will make your life much easier, so keep an eye out for them. Resources are also used to build items, so if you are planning on creating specific items, then always have the correct resources.
Crafting and Modifying Equipment
Crafting is your best friend in Starfield. You can create custom weapons, armor, aid items and more from the crafting menus. You will find workbenches and crafting stations, and each of these stations will allow you to modify and craft different items. It’s important to plan out your crafts, and focus on items that will be beneficial to you at that time. Modifying items can also improve a weapon or armor stat to be better or more effective. As an example, you can modify your space suit to be more resistant to damage, radiation or even environmental hazards. Use these skills to your advantage and create a custom set of gear for your needs.
Factions and Relationships
Starfield is home to many different factions, each with their own agendas and ways of life. Your relationships with these factions will have a huge impact on your game. These relationships can unlock quests, items and even change the ending of your play through.
Joining and Aligning with Factions
As you explore, you can choose to join different factions, from the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective to the crimson fleet pirates. Some of these factions have good intentions and some have questionable goals. Each has different missions and rewards for their loyal followers. Be careful which faction you join, as some may even turn against you if you align yourself with an enemy faction. As an example, if you join the United Colonies, you may not be able to complete certain quests for the Crimson fleet. Choose carefully as you may need to play through the game several times to experience all the factions.
Reputation and Consequences
Your actions in Starfield affect your reputation with the various factions. If you complete quests, they will like you. If you cause trouble, they may attack you on sight. It is important to choose the path you take as there are consequences for your actions. There will be times where you may need to become an enemy with one faction to succeed in another. Your actions may also have a long term effect on game play and even change the ending you may receive. Choose your path carefully and always think about how it may affect the world.
Outpost Building and Management
Outposts are a great way to create a base or an area that is uniquely yours. Outposts also allow you to generate resources for your crafting needs. Let’s take a look at how outposts can help you during your Starfield adventure.
Creating and Customizing Outposts
You can create outposts at any location that you can land on, providing you have enough resources. These outposts can be simple, or they can be expansive and complex. The outposts can have crafting stations, resource harvesters, and even living quarters for your crew. The customization for outposts is very expansive, so you can create something that is truly your own. Remember, your outposts can have defenses to protect them, as there may be pirates that may try to take your resources. Be sure to plan carefully, and always have the resources needed to build an outpost.
Resource Gathering and Production
Outposts can be more than just places to stay. You can use them to gather resources automatically. You can set up resource harvesters to gather resources for you when you are away exploring. These resources are then stored and available for you to use. Your outposts can be used to create a resource supply chain, so you can travel from your main base and always have the crafting resources that you need. This system can be very helpful as you no longer have to travel to each resource location to collect manually, freeing you up to do other things. This system is great and it is something that you should take advantage of as you play through your game.
Exploring the Main Story and Side Quests
Starfield has a main story that will keep you engaged, but also has many other things to do in the form of side quests. Lets explore both main and side quests.
The Main Storyline and its Mysteries
The main story in Starfield is about exploration and understanding mysterious alien artifacts. This quest line will take you through the various systems in the galaxy. This is not something that you will have to do all at once, or even need to finish. You can take it at your own pace, and even move onto other quests if you prefer. Always be aware that some decisions in the main quests will have an impact on the ending of the game, so plan your choices carefully. It is recommended to not skip the main quest, as there are some story elements that are very interesting and should be taken in.
Side Quests and Optional Content
Starfield has a massive amount of side quests to enjoy. These side quests can range from simple fetch quests to very complicated story lines. The side quests are a great way to level up your character and find new and interesting items. These quests will take you to planets and locations that you may not have found yourself, and are a good way to see everything the world has to offer. You can choose to focus only on side quests, and ignore the main story for a while, but it is recommended that you explore both options as they each add value to your game experience. Take your time and have fun with these side quests, as they can be an experience in themselves.
Starfield is a huge game, with a lot to experience and learn. Take your time, and enjoy the journey through the vastness of space. There is no need to be rushing, so plan your goals and adventures as you play. There is no wrong way to play this game, so explore the areas that are of interest to you, and if you are ever confused, refer back to this article for help.
Starfield: BEST TIPS BEFORE YOU PLAY! Beginners Guide (Spoiler Free!)
Final Thoughts
Understanding character creation’s impact and the various factions is must. You need to grasp ship building basics early. Don’t ignore the importance of scanning planets for resources.
Knowing how the skill system functions and companion abilities is crucial for your journey. Starfield essential things to know before playing include these key systems. Your early decisions will greatly influence your game experience.
