Starfield How To Make The Most Of Your Time

Starfield How to Make the Most of Your Time

Okay, space explorers! Starfield is HUGE. It’s got planets to visit, cities to see, and space pirates to fight. It’s easy to feel like you’re just scratching the surface, or that you’re spending time doing things that aren’t really moving you forward. So, how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of your Starfield adventures? Let’s break it down into some easy-to-follow tips that will have you exploring the galaxy like a pro in no time.

Understanding Starfield’s Time Sink

First, let’s talk about what makes Starfield such a time-eater. It’s not just the main story, which is plenty long. It’s all the side quests, exploration, base-building, ship customization, and talking to everyone that really adds up. This can be great, but if you don’t have a plan, it’s easy to wander aimlessly. We need to be smart about how we spend our valuable playtime.

The Main Story vs. Side Activities

The main story in Starfield takes you through the big events of the game, but it also opens up new systems and opportunities. While you might be eager to dive into every side quest you see, sometimes it’s better to push forward in the main story a bit first. This will often give you access to better equipment, locations, and even companions who can really make those side activities easier and more enjoyable. On the other hand, if you focus only on main quests, you might miss out on unique experiences and valuable resources, it’s always best to strike a good balance. It is good to take breaks from the main quests and do side quests every now and then. The best way to go about it is to first identify the system that you want to fully explore, and then go for main questlines until you feel you are ready for side quests in that particular region.

The Allure of Exploration

Starfield really encourages you to go explore. Each planet has something new to offer, whether it’s resources, creatures, or abandoned facilities. But, not every planet is going to give you gold. Some are barren, others are dangerous. Before you land, look at the planet info. This can tell you what kind of resources you’ll find, how dangerous the planet might be, and whether there are any interesting landmarks. This can save you a lot of time, so that you are not blindly landing everywhere you go.

Planning Your Adventures

Okay, so how do you manage this chaos? Planning is key. It’s not about being rigid, but having some goals in mind will make your time more productive.

Setting Clear Goals

Before you blast off, think about what you want to achieve during that play session. Do you want to advance the main story? Are you looking for specific resources? Maybe you want to build a new outpost? Once you know what you’re aiming for, it’s easier to stay on track. Here are some examples:

• Advance the main quest: Decide on a specific main quest and make progress on it.
• Find certain resources: Target the systems and planets that have the specific resources you want.
• Build a new ship module: Make sure you have the required crafting materials to accomplish this.
• Complete a faction quest: Identify quests available by going to faction hubs.
• Improve your character: Level up a specific skill.

Prioritizing Quests

You’ll get a lot of quests in Starfield. Some are going to be more important than others. Some will give you unique items, while others might just provide some extra credits. Look at the quest description and what the reward is. Try to prioritize those that give you rewards that will help you progress faster, like better weapons or resources. If the reward looks too less and takes a lot of time, then feel free to skip it. A good way to handle it is by following these steps:

1. Check the Rewards: See if the reward is something you need or will be valuable to you in the near future.
2. Consider the Time Investment: Don’t spend hours on a minor quest if you have more important tasks.
3. Look at the Difficulty: Do you feel like you are at the appropriate level to complete a particular quest?
4. Go for the unique: Prioritize those that give unique items and open up new possibilities.
5. Focus on what’s fun: If a quest isn’t fun for you, it’s okay to put it aside.

Resource Management

Resources are essential in Starfield. They are used for crafting, building, upgrading, and much more. Here’s how to manage them like a space-faring pro.

Scanning Planets Effectively

Scanning planets is the best way to know what each planet offers. But, you don’t need to scan every single plant and rock on each planet. Scanning only once shows what resources are on the planet. Focus on the resources you need the most at that point of the game. For instance, if you are trying to build an outpost that needs aluminum, then you need to prioritize scanning for aluminum resource on a planet. Don’t waste your precious time scanning every possible object that you see.

Storage Solutions

Your ship has limited storage space, and you will be hauling around various materials and items, so you will need more storage. Here’s how you can keep things organized:

• Increase Your Ship’s Cargo Capacity: This one’s simple. Purchase ship upgrades that increase your ship’s storage capacity as soon as you are able to.
• Build Outposts: Outposts can have storage containers for your resources. They act as your permanent storage units for all the things that you are hoarding, which is very useful in this game. You can even setup cargo links between outposts, which will transfer items across multiple outposts.
• Use Your Companion: Your companions can carry a small amount of extra items, so don’t be afraid to burden them with your resources.

Efficient Gathering

When you are gathering resources, don’t just blindly pick up everything. Focus on the specific resources you need. Remember that certain resources are found in certain biomes and in certain planets. Try to be specific about where you go, and what you collect. If you’re looking for iron, go to planets or areas that are known to have a lot of it. Here are some ways to make the process faster:

• Look for Clusters: Resources often spawn in clusters. You might see a bunch of plants all with the same resource, it will be far more time efficient if you gather them all at once.
• Use Your Cutter: Use your laser cutter on minerals to gather faster. This will save you a lot of time compared to picking them up one at a time.
• Upgrade Your Skills: Invest in skills that will make gathering more efficient, like the planetary scan skill.

Ship Management and Travel

Your ship is your home in Starfield. Keeping it in good condition and using it smartly is key to saving time and making your space journey smooth.

Upgrading Your Ship

Don’t wait too long before upgrading your ship. New weapons, faster engines, better shields and a higher cargo capacity make a HUGE difference. Prioritize the upgrades that suit your playstyle. If you’re a fighter, focus on weapons and shields. If you are hauling resources, prioritize more cargo capacity.

Fast Travel Effectively

Starfield has a fast travel system, use it to save precious time. But, before you go to a place, make sure that you have explored that system. Once you have already visited a planet, then there is no shame in fast travelling. Also, if you are going to a new place, make sure to explore a bit before fast traveling again. It really does save a lot of time.

Fuel Management

Fuel is important in Starfield. You need fuel to jump between star systems. Don’t forget to check the fuel capacity before you start exploring. It is usually displayed when you click on the Starmap. Make sure to refill when you are at a settlement that offers fuel for sale.

Combat and Skills

Combat is part of the game, and a good build can mean the difference between a quick win and a long, drawn-out fight. Skills are the heart of that.

Choosing Your Skills

Don’t try to be good at everything at once. Pick a combat style that you enjoy and invest in those skills. Are you a sniper? Put points into rifle skills. Do you prefer close combat? Melee skills. When you level up, focus on your core skills and build your playstyle. Here is the list of some of the most efficient skills:

• Combat Skills: These are the core skills that you need to be efficient in combat, such as pistol skills, rifle skills, or melee skills.
• Science Skills: Invest in skills such as research methods and planetary scanning, these help you a lot for outposts and exploration.
• Social Skills: These skills help you to persuade people in dialogues and it also helps you in many other areas of the game.
• Tech Skills: Invest into ship related skills like piloting and ship design skills, these are required to be able to pilot stronger ships, and design your custom ships.

Winning Fights Quickly

Combat can take a lot of time if you’re not effective. Here are some tips to finish those fights quickly:

• Use Cover: Try to not stand out in the open, utilize cover while fighting.
• Use Weapons Effectively: Don’t waste your ammo on small enemies, and use the appropriate weapons for the appropriate situations.
• Target Weak Points: Learn the enemy weak points, and try to target those, for faster kills.
• Use Companion Abilities: Let your companion do the heavy lifting, and take advantage of their unique skills and abilities.

Outpost Building

Outposts are a fun part of the game, but they can also take up a lot of time if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to build outposts more efficiently.

Planning Your Outposts

Don’t just put down an outpost everywhere you land. Think about what you need from an outpost, like specific resources or a place to store your goods. Here’s how you can plan your outposts effectively:

• Identify a Resource: If you are planning on gathering a resource at a specific planet, then outpost is necessary to make the process automatic.
• Determine a Storage Location: If you are storing a lot of items, then an outpost at a convenient location is a good way to go.
• Plan the Logistics: Setting up cargo links between your outposts can save you travel time later.

Building Efficiently

Here are some tips to build an outpost more efficiently:

• Prioritize Resource Extractors: Focus on resource gathering structures first, so that you can start making a profit.
• Optimize Layouts: Make sure that your structures are close together, to avoid longer travel times between buildings.
• Use Crew: Use assigned crew members at your outposts to increase your outpost efficiency.

Using Your Time Wisely

The most important thing in Starfield is to enjoy your time. Don’t get caught up in min-maxing everything. It’s a game, after all! Here are some final points to remember:

• Take Breaks: Don’t get burnt out from playing the game. Take regular breaks and come back when you are refreshed.
• Vary Your Activities: Don’t just do one thing. Try out different areas of the game, like quests, combat, and exploration.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Try new builds and playstyles, you might discover something that you like even more.

There you have it, fellow spacefarers. By planning, prioritizing, and staying organized, you will not only save time in Starfield but also make your adventures much more enjoyable. Remember to have fun and keep exploring!