To dominate in the Starfield early game, focus on completing faction missions for good gear and experience, explore planets for resources, and prioritize upgrading your ship and skills.
So, you’ve just landed in the vast universe of Starfield and you’re eager to make your mark. It’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities. This guide will help you understand how to dominate in early game.
Many players get lost focusing on side activities. However, the quickest way to establish yourself is by investing in your main story and faction missions. These provide significant boosts to your character and ship.
Starfield How to Dominate in Early Game
So, you’ve jumped into the vast universe of Starfield, and maybe you’re feeling a little lost, like a space cadet without a map? That’s totally normal! This game throws a lot at you right from the start. But don’t worry, you can absolutely become a spacefaring superstar from the get-go. This guide will show you how to get a strong start, find cool stuff, and handle any space troubles that come your way. We’ll talk about things like choosing the right background, how to make money fast, and how to become a fighting pro. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Background and Traits
Before you even take your first step in the game, you’ll be asked to pick a background for your character. This isn’t just a pretty name; it actually gives you starting skills that will really help you in the early game. Think of it like choosing a superhero power. Here are a few great options for a strong beginning:
The Best Backgrounds for Early Success
- Combat Medic: This one gives you points in Medicine, Pistol Certification, and Wellness. You can heal yourself and fight with pistols, which is super helpful when you’re starting out and resources might be tight.
- Explorer: You’ll start with points in Surveying, Astrodynamics, and Geology. This makes exploring planets easier and you’ll find more resources, so you can get ahead quickly.
- Bounty Hunter: This gets you a head start in Piloting, Targeting Control Systems, and Boost Pack Training. You will fly your ship better and be a better fighter, great for space battles.
Understanding Traits
Traits are little things you pick that can make the game harder or easier. They often have both good and bad parts. Let’s look at some good ones for beginners:
- Empath: You get a temporary boost in combat if companions like you. It’s a good way to make your space friends help you fight.
- Introvert: You’re better when you explore alone. If you plan on being a solo space ranger, this is great.
- Taskmaster: Crew costs less, but you’ll have a hard time if you don’t complete tasks in the game. This is good to keep the costs down when you start.
It is best to avoid traits that have big downsides at the start. Some, like Wanted can bring lots of unwanted fights. It’s better to pick traits that help you, not make things more difficult.
Early Game Money-Making Strategies
Money, or credits, is the lifeblood of Starfield. You’ll need it to buy new spacesuits, upgrade your ship, and get resources. Here are some tried-and-true ways to get your bank account going:
Mining and Selling Resources
Many planets have valuable resources you can get with your cutter. Look for ore deposits and start mining. Places like Kreet are great for this. Then, sell the resources at shops in major cities like New Atlantis. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Find Resources: Use your scanner to find resources on planets.
- Mine Them: Use your cutter to get the resources.
- Sell: Go to a trade authority or any shop to sell what you mined.
Different resources are worth different amounts, so keep a look out for ones that give more credits.
Completing Early Missions
The main story missions are a solid way to earn money, but there are lots of smaller side quests too. Check the job boards at settlements and space stations. Many missions are quick and give a decent amount of credits. Look for missions that:
- Offer good payouts: Choose missions that pay well for the time they take.
- Are simple to complete: Some missions might ask you to fight a lot, if you’re a beginner try to avoid this kind of mission.
- Are close to you: The nearer the better, you can complete them faster and get more done.
Looting and Selling Gear
When you fight enemies, they often drop weapons and armor. Pick these up and sell them to merchants. Sometimes, you will find some very valuable things in containers and around places, so always look around carefully. Even the smallest things add up. Don’t be afraid to grab everything you see, even if it looks like junk, someone might want to buy it.
Combat Basics and Tips
Combat is a big part of Starfield, both on planets and in space. Here’s how to make sure you’re coming out on top:
Understanding Your Weapons
Starfield has many weapons. Each does different damage. Some are good at close range, and others are great at long distance. In the early game, you might find:
- Pistols: These are good for all sorts of fighting, and easy to use.
- Rifles: They do more damage, but can be heavier.
- Shotguns: These are great at very close range, but not from far away.
Try out different weapons and see what feels best for you.
Fighting on Planets
When you’re fighting on foot, remember these things:
- Use Cover: Stay behind rocks, boxes, or whatever is around. It helps you take less damage.
- Move Often: Don’t stay in one place too long. Keep moving so they don’t get a good shot at you.
- Aim for Weak Spots: Headshots do a lot more damage!
Space Combat
Space fighting is different from fighting on planets. Here are a few tips:
- Use Your Boost: Use your boost to move fast. This is great for dodging enemy fire.
- Target Systems: Try to break the engines of enemy ships first. This keeps them from moving around a lot.
- Keep Your Distance: It is good to keep a safe distance from some ships, especially when they have bigger guns.
Ship Management and Upgrades
Your ship is your home in Starfield. You should keep it in good shape and make it better as you go.
Basic Ship Maintenance
Keep an eye on your ship’s hull and shield. If you get hurt in combat, it’s a good idea to repair your ship. You can do this at a ship services shop in any major city. Make sure you have enough credits to do it, or you might be flying around with holes in your ship!
Upgrading Your Ship
As you get more money and levels, upgrade your ship. Some good first upgrades are:
- Better Weapons: Stronger weapons will make it easier to win fights in space.
- Stronger Shields: This will help you stay alive during space battles.
- More Cargo Space: The more cargo space the more loot and resources you can carry.
You can find ship parts at most places you buy and sell ships. It’s not cheap, but it is very much worth it to make your ship a strong flying machine.
Exploring Planets Effectively
Starfield has tons of planets to explore. Here’s how to get the most out of your adventures:
Using Your Scanner
Your scanner is the most important tool for exploring planets. Use it to:
- Find Resources: See where you can find different resources to mine.
- Find Points of Interest: See places that you should check out to find cool things.
- Scan Flora and Fauna: Scan plants and animals to complete surveys and get money.
Don’t forget to use it everywhere you go. You never know what you will find.
Understanding Planet Data
Before you land on a planet, look at the planet data. It will tell you:
- What Resources are Available: So you will know what to mine before you land there.
- What Kind of Environment it is: So you know if you’ll need special protection from the weather.
- What Life Forms Live there: So you know if it is a place you should go to look for new plants or animals.
Completing Planet Surveys
When you scan everything on a planet, you’ll complete the survey. This gives you a lot of credits. It is a good idea to explore every planet fully, it will pay off in the end.
Crew and Companions
Having a good crew and friends makes the game way more fun. They can help you with fighting, ship repairs, and just be fun to talk to.
Finding Crew Members
You will meet lots of people in the game. Some will be willing to join your crew. Here are a few places you can find them:
- Bars: Many bars in major cities are good places to find some people who are willing to travel with you.
- Space Stations: Some people on stations may want to join your crew.
- Story Missions: You’ll meet many characters during main missions who might become your friends and join your crew.
Companions and Their Skills
Companions have skills that help you. For example, some are good at fighting, others are good at fixing ships, and some have great science skills. Pick companions who are good at the things you are not.
Using Your Crew Effectively
When you have crew members, you can:
- Assign them to your ship: To make it better at combat.
- Assign them to outposts: To help gather resources.
- Bring them with you on missions: To have them help you in fights.
Make sure you use your crew to their full potential.
Crafting and Research
Starfield also has crafting, so you can make your own stuff. You’ll need resources, but this is another great way to get what you need.
Basic Crafting
- Weapon Mods: These can make your weapons stronger or more fun to use.
- Armor Mods: These can give you more protection when you’re fighting.
- Consumables: Things like food and medicine are very useful to have with you on a long trip.
Research Projects
You will also be able to research new things. This can unlock new gear or ways to craft things.
- Resource Gathering: Unlocking skills or technology to gather resources.
- Combat Enhancements: Unlocking new mods or upgrades for your gear.
- Exploration Tools: Unlocking scanners, or gear that are good for explorations.
Quick Tips for Success
Here are a few extra tips to make your early game even better:
- Save Often: Starfield can be tricky, so save often so you can go back if something goes wrong.
- Take Your Time: There is a lot to do. Don’t try to do everything at once. Take your time and enjoy.
- Talk to Everyone: Talk to everyone you can, you will meet many useful people, who can sell you stuff or be your crew.
- Read All the Lore: If you like the story, read the information you get from talking to people and reading the data pads.
Getting a great start in Starfield is all about making smart choices and exploring everything the game offers. By picking the right background, making money effectively, and knowing how to fight, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a star of the Starfield universe.
Keep these tips in mind, and you will be soaring through the stars in no time, becoming the ultimate space explorer and leader. The early game can be a bit challenging, but with a good plan, you’ll find yourself enjoying everything the game has to offer. Good luck out there in the cosmos, explorer!
Starfield Essential Early Game Tips | Top 15 Starfield Tips in 6 mins
Final Thoughts
Focus on completing early quests and exploring thoroughly to gain valuable experience. Prioritize upgrading your ship as this enhances combat and resource collection. Mining and selling resources is a great way to earn quick credits for better gear.
Remember, skilled combat and smart resource use are key factors to success. Apply these tips, and you will see results in your gameplay. Starfield how to dominate in early game becomes much easier with a solid foundation.
