Starfield How To Be Successful Early Game

To be successful early game in Starfield, prioritize completing main quests for skill points and a good ship, loot everything, and engage in side activities for extra experience and resources.

Want to get a great start in the vast universe of Starfield? This guide gives you the essential tips to make your early hours count. Knowing how to be successful early game in Starfield can significantly impact your journey. It will help you navigate the challenges and enjoy the exploration much easier. You’ll start building your empire in no time!

Starfield How to Be Successful Early Game

Starting a new game in Starfield can feel like stepping onto a whole new planet – exciting, but a little overwhelming! There’s so much to see and do, and it can be tricky figuring out the best path to success in those first few hours. Don’t worry, though! This guide will help you navigate the early game and get you on track to becoming a powerful space explorer.

Choosing the Right Background and Traits

Your journey begins with a choice: your background and traits. These aren’t just for show; they influence your starting skills and how you experience the world. Let’s break down what these choices mean:

Backgrounds

Backgrounds are like your character’s past jobs. Each one starts you with three specific skills already unlocked. It’s like starting with a little head start! Think about your play style when picking. Do you want to be a smooth talker? A tech whiz? A tough fighter? Here are a few good options for early-game success and what they give you:

Diplomat: If you enjoy talking your way out of problems, this is a great choice. You get Persuasion, Commerce, and Wellness, which help with conversations, trading, and staying healthy.
Combat Medic: This background mixes fighting and healing. You start with Pistol Certification, Medicine, and Wellness, making you a good all-around character.
Explorer: If you are eager to scan everything and learn the secrets of the galaxy, the Explorer background is a good fit. You start with Lasers, Surveying, and Astrophysics.
Bounty Hunter: For a more action-focused start, pick Bounty Hunter. You start with Piloting, Targeting Control Systems, and Ballistics.

There are many other backgrounds, each with their own perks. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find one that fits your play style. Remember, you can always level up other skills as you play, so this just gives you a starting nudge.

Traits

Traits are like little quirks or talents your character has. Some are good, some are bad, and some have both good and bad effects. You can choose up to three traits at the start. Here are some early-game recommended traits with their positives and negatives:

Introvert: If you like playing solo, this is great. You’re stronger when you’re alone, but weaker when you travel with companions.
Extrovert: If you plan on using companions, this is the opposite of Introvert. You will be stronger when you have companions, but weaker alone.
Spaced: This trait gives you more health and oxygen in space, but you’re weaker when on planets.
Terra Firma: This is the opposite of spaced. You will be stronger on planets but weaker in space.
Taskmaster: If you use ships, this might be your go-to, because ship repair is cheaper when you have this trait, however you will have double the ship repair costs if you don’t have a crew on board.

Read each trait carefully to understand its effect before choosing. Some might be great for your play style, while others might not. For instance, if you dislike traveling with companions, don’t pick Extrovert. It is all about making a good decision that goes with your own play style.

Mastering the Basics

Once you’ve created your character, it’s time to get familiar with the basics. Here are a few key things to focus on early:

Understanding Your Inventory

Your inventory is where you keep all your stuff: weapons, armor, resources, and more. The game has weight limits. If you carry too much, you’ll move slowly and use more oxygen. It is important to pay close attention to the weight limit so you don’t slow yourself down.

Manage Weight: Regularly drop or sell items you don’t need. Food, spare gear, and low-level weapons can quickly fill your inventory.
Store Items: Use storage containers in your ship or outposts. You’ll find a Captain’s Locker on your ship, for example. This helps with inventory management.
Organize Items: Knowing how to filter and organize items in your inventory makes it easier to find what you need quickly. Get used to the controls for navigation in your inventory.

Exploration and Scanning

Scanning is a great way to learn about your surroundings. You can scan plants, animals, minerals, and even points of interest. This gives you experience, resources, and information about the planet. You need to scan everything so you learn about the planet you are on and you gain knowledge of the world.

Use Your Scanner: Activate your scanner by holding down the “scan” button. Then look around for anything that glows.
Survey Planets: Scanning everything on a planet will complete its survey and usually gives extra credits for your effort. This is a good source of income and can be a fun side quest.
Look For Resources: Scanned resources can be mined for building materials. This is essential for making upgrades and building outposts later on.

Combat Tips

Combat in Starfield can be tough, especially at the start. Here’s what you need to know to survive those early fights:

Use Cover: Don’t run straight into the open. Use walls and crates to avoid getting hit.
Aim for the Head: Headshots deal more damage, making them a great way to take down enemies faster.
Use Different Weapon Types: Experiment with different weapon types to see what works best for you. Some weapons are better against specific enemies.
Take Breaks: If you are struggling in a fight, then it is okay to back off and take a break to recharge.

The Value of Stealth

Stealth is not just an option in Starfield, it’s often the best way to handle encounters, especially early on when you may not have the best gear. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Crouch: Crouching makes you harder to detect. Use it when moving between covers or sneaking past enemies.
Observe Enemy Patterns: Watch how enemies move before attacking. This can help you get a better position for your fight.
Use Suppressors: You can install suppressors on your weapons to make your attacks silent, avoiding drawing the attention of other enemies.

Earning Credits and Resources

Credits (money) and resources are vital for getting new gear, upgrading your ship, and building outposts. Here are some good ways to gather them:

Completing Missions

Missions are the main way to earn credits and experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind when taking on missions.

Accept Side Missions: Don’t just stick to the main story. Side quests often give good rewards and allow you to explore more of the game world.
Read the Mission Details: Make sure you understand the mission before accepting it. Some missions might be too hard for your current level or equipment.
Talk to Everyone: Check for any small tasks or favors that people may ask you to do. Sometimes these are simple fetch quests and will give you rewards.

Trading

Trading is a fast way to make money, if you do it right. You can buy low and sell high if you use your brain. Here’s how to use trading to your benefit:

Find the Right Merchants: Each vendor has different prices. Look for the best place to buy or sell your goods.
Sell Unwanted Items: Sell everything you are not using. This is a simple way to make money.
Buy Resources in Bulk: If you are planning to build an outpost, then sometimes it is worth while to buy all of your necessary resources from vendors.

Mining Resources

Resources can be used to build outposts, upgrade gear, or craft items. Here is how you can effectively mine for resources:

Use Your Cutter: Your mining laser (the cutter) is a great way to gather resources. Equip it and point it at any ore veins you find.
Look for Clusters: Resource deposits usually come in clusters. Always look for the whole set, to make sure you get the most.
Upgrade Your Cutter: If mining is your thing, upgrade your cutter. Some upgrades can increase how much resources you are able to get.

Looting

Looting containers is a good way to get resources and items early game. You should always loot whatever you can get your hands on. Here are some tips:

Explore Everything: Check every container, box, or shelf. You never know what you might find.
Be Patient: Some containers are hidden in secret locations. Always make sure you look everywhere and be thorough.
Don’t Forget Enemy Loot: Enemies always drop loot. After fights make sure you check for any armor, weapons, or ammo that they may have dropped.

Ship Management and Upgrades

Your ship is your home in space. Taking care of it is important. Here’s how to manage it:

Basic Ship Navigation

Your ship is controlled by a couple of important buttons. You need to know them, here is how they work:

Throttle: Use the throttle to control your speed in space.
Boost: Use boost to move quickly for short distances.
Fast Travel: Use the map to fast travel between known locations. This saves time and is necessary when traveling long distances.

Upgrading Your Ship

As you play, you’ll want to improve your ship. Here is why it is so important:

Increase Cargo Space: This is important for carrying more loot and resources.
Get Better Weapons and Shields: Upgrading these will help you in combat and protect you from damage.
Upgrade Your Grav Drive: A better Grav Drive lets you travel greater distances in fewer jumps.

Ship Customization

You don’t just need to upgrade your ship, you can also make changes to it. Here are some changes you can make:

Change Paint Jobs: This is just for style, but can also allow you to have your own feel for your ship.
Add Modules: Add rooms and modules to your ship.
Make Changes to Shape: You can change the shape of your ship, add or remove weapons, and move things around.

Skill Progression and Character Development

Leveling up and picking the right skills will increase your odds of success early game. Here is a quick guide to skills and how they work:

Understanding Skill Points

Every time you level up, you get a skill point. You will use this skill point to unlock or increase the ranks of skills in the skill tree. Here is how you need to do it:

Access the Skill Tree: Open the menu and find the skill tree. This will show you every skill and how to get them.
Invest Wisely: Spend your points wisely and don’t waste them on skills you don’t plan to use. Pick skills that fit your play style, not what others say to choose.
Read the Skill Descriptions: Always read the skill descriptions before you spend a point. Some of the skills might not be what you want, and reading them will give you a better understanding.

Essential Early Game Skills

Some skills are more helpful than others early game, here are some of the essential skills that you should focus on:

Piloting: This is essential for ship maneuvering and the ability to use better ships.
Boost Pack Training: This allows you to use a boost pack which makes exploration much more easier.
Persuasion: If you enjoy talking to people, this will increase your odds of success during conversations.
Weight Lifting: This will allow you to carry more weight before you become over encumbered.
Medicine: If you are getting beaten up a lot, this will help heal you more.
Surveying: This increases the odds of getting more information when you scan, meaning more credits and XP.

Outpost Building (Optional Early Game)

Outposts are a great way to expand your presence in the galaxy. While it is not necessary early game, it is still an option. Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to try this:

Finding a Good Spot

When picking an area to build an outpost, it is important to choose wisely. Here is how to choose:

Look for Resources: Pick spots that have many resources, if you plan to harvest them.
Check the Climate: Pick a comfortable planet if you are looking for a good place to settle.
Look for Level Ground: Level ground makes it easier to build, so make sure to look for areas that are flat and not very hilly.

Building Basic Structures

When starting out, you should not try to build the best possible base, focus on the basics, here are some of the basics you should have:

Landing Pad: This is necessary for any outpost, it is how you and your crew will arrive to your base.
Habitats: These give you a place to rest and store things.
Resource Extractors: If you plan to mine for anything, this is how you will do it.

Managing Your Outpost

If you choose to build an outpost, you will need to take care of it. Here are some basic tips for your outpost:

Supply Lines: Set up supply lines between outposts to move resources automatically.
Hire Crew: If your outpost is a home base, then you will want to hire crew members to maintain the outpost.
Defenses: Keep your outpost defended to ensure nobody can attack you and destroy your hard work.

Early in Starfield, focusing on exploration, combat, and basic resource gathering is key to success. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your play style. As you progress, you will get better at the game. With a little planning and smart choices, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals in the vast universe of Starfield.

Starfield Guide: 15 Things You NEED To Do First

Final Thoughts

To succeed early, prioritize completing faction quests. These missions provide good rewards and valuable experience. Also, focus on crafting and base building early; resources you gather will quickly improve your gear and settlements.

Don’t forget to explore side locations. You often find helpful items and skill books. Remember ‘Starfield how to be successful early game’ requires you to think smart about where you spend resources and time.