Starfield Things You Need To Know Early

Early Starfield gameplay emphasizes resource management, exploration, and engaging with the main quest line to quickly get access to better gear and ship upgrades.

So, you’re about to jump into the vastness of space, eh? Many are, and I get it. The hype is real. But before you spend hours wandering aimlessly, let’s get real about Starfield things you need to know early.

Getting a head start in Bethesda’s new universe is all about making smart choices from the get go. Don’t neglect those starting resources, and make sure you understand the core mechanics from the first hour.

Starfield Things You Need to Know Early

So, you’re about to jump into the vast universe of Starfield? Awesome! It’s a huge game with so much to see and do. But with that kind of freedom comes a bit of a learning curve. Don’t worry, though! We’re here to help you get started on the right foot. This guide is packed with all the crucial stuff you need to know early on, so you can explore the stars like a pro from day one. We’ll cover everything from character creation and ship building to combat and resource management. Let’s dive in!

Character Creation: Your Spacefaring Self

Your journey starts with creating your character, and Starfield offers a lot of choices here. It’s more than just picking a face and a hairstyle; it’s about shaping how you’ll play the game. Here’s what to focus on:

Backgrounds: Your Past, Your Path

Backgrounds are like your character’s backstory. They give you three starting skills, and these can heavily influence your early gameplay. For instance, a “Bouncer” character might start with skills that make combat easier, while a “Diplomat” might be better at talking their way out of trouble. Think about what kind of gameplay you want – do you want to be a smooth talker, a tech expert, or a fearless fighter?

Combat-focused backgrounds : Such as Soldier, Bounty Hunter or Ronin start with combat related skills such as Ballistics and Fitness.
Diplomacy-focused backgrounds : Such as Diplomat, or Cyber Runner start with skills in Persuasion or Stealth.
Exploration-focused backgrounds : Such as Explorer, or Professor start with skills in Scanning or Geology.

Don’t worry too much if you’re not sure what to pick. You can develop any skill as you play. The background just gives you a helpful push in a certain direction.

Traits: Quirks and Perks

Traits are like quirks that can give your character some advantages and disadvantages. Some might give you extra health or boost your damage output, while others might make your character a bit more challenging to play. It’s important to note that you can only pick up to three traits. Here are some examples of traits you might find:

Introvert: You are more effective when adventuring alone.
Extrovert: You are more effective when you are with human companions.
Taskmaster: Crew cost less to hire, but cost more.

Read the description carefully before picking because traits often have both good and bad sides to them. Think about how the traits align with your playstyle to make the most out of these attributes.

Skills: The Foundation of Your Abilities

Skills are how your character gets better at specific things. You have a variety of skills to learn, like piloting, weapon handling, science, and more. It is important to note that you’ll gain new skills as you level up and complete skill challenges. However, your character background will provide you some skill to begin with.

Physical Skills : These skills pertain to your character’s health and fitness. It include skills such as Weight Lifting and Stealth.
Social Skills : These skills pertain to your social abilities and include skills such as Persuasion and Commerce.
Combat Skills : These skills pertain to your fighting skills and include skills such as Ballistics and Lasers.
Science Skills : These skills pertain to your scientific expertise and include skills such as Scanning and Medicine.
Tech Skills : These skills pertain to your technological abilities and include skills such as Piloting and Ship Design.

Focus on skills that you’ll use a lot. If you plan to fight often, putting points into combat skills is a good idea. If you like building and crafting, focus on science and tech skills.

Exploring the Galaxy: Your First Steps

Once you’ve got your character ready, it’s time to start exploring! Starfield is huge, so here’s how to navigate it and some tips to keep in mind.

Understanding the Star Map

The star map is your main tool for jumping from planet to planet. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but here are the basics:

Star Systems: Each star you see is a whole system to explore.
Planets and Moons: Within each system, there are many planets and moons. You can land on most of them.
Jump Range: Your ship has a limited range for jumping. You might need to upgrade your ship to travel farther.
Mission Markers: Look for the markers on the star map to find mission locations.

Remember to check the information on the star map before you jump, as different places have different resources, challenges, and quests.

Navigating Planets

Landing on a planet is just the start! Once you’re down, you have a few things to keep in mind:

Scanning: Use your scanner to find resources, wildlife, and places of interest.
Gravity: Some planets have low or high gravity, which can affect how you move and fight.
Environmental Hazards: Be aware of dangerous weather and extreme temperatures. Your suit can protect you, but it has its limits!
Fast Travel: If you’ve explored an area well enough, you can fast travel from your map to reach it again easily.

Don’t be afraid to explore! There are always hidden stories, loot, and challenges to find just beyond the main path.

The Importance of Your Scanner

Your scanner is one of your most valuable tools in Starfield. Use it frequently to:

Identify resources around you.
Spot creatures and plants.
Find interesting locations.
Scan items for research.

The more you scan, the more you’ll understand about the world around you. It also helps you collect resources faster and advance in research.

Ship Management: Your Home in the Stars

Your spaceship is your home, your transport, and your weapon. Taking good care of it is vital for survival in Starfield. Here’s what you need to know.

Ship Basics

Every ship has core attributes that you should keep an eye on:

Shields: Protect your ship from damage.
Hull: Your ship’s health. If your hull reaches 0, your ship is destroyed.
Weapons: The damage output and type of weapons your ship is carrying.
Cargo Space: The amount of items your ship can carry.
Jump Range: How far your ship can travel in one jump.

Understanding these basics will help you make informed decisions about upgrades and modifications.

Ship Customization

One of the coolest features of Starfield is how much you can customize your ship. You can:

Add Weapons: Make your ship pack a bigger punch.
Upgrade Engines: Travel faster and farther.
Add Shield Modules: Improve your ship’s defenses.
Change the Layout: Customize your ship’s interior.
Change the Appearance: Give your ship a unique look.

Experiment with different parts to find the best setup for your playstyle. Ship customization can be a real game changer! Don’t be afraid to make your ship uniquely yours.

Ship Combat: Engaging in Space Battles

Space combat is a core element of Starfield. Here are some things to keep in mind when engaging in ship battles:

Targeting Systems: Lock onto your target and aim your shots carefully.
Shields and Weapons Management: Keep an eye on your energy and make sure your weapons are ready.
Maneuvering: Use your thrusters to dodge enemy fire and outmaneuver opponents.
Weak Spots: Target enemy weak points for extra damage.

As you play more, you’ll become more familiar with different ship combat styles. Experiment and see what works best for you!

Combat: Getting Your Hands Dirty

While you can sometimes talk your way out of trouble, combat is inevitable. Starfield has a pretty engaging combat system, whether on land or in space.

Ground Combat

When you are on the ground, combat can be quite dynamic. Here are some essential tips:

Aiming: Aiming is key. Take your time to line up shots for maximum accuracy.
Cover: Use cover to protect yourself from enemy fire.
Weapon Types: Try different weapon types to see what you like. Some weapons are better against shields, while others are better against armor.
Grenades and Mines: Use these to your advantage to control the battlefield.
Boost Packs: Use the boost pack to jump over enemies or to reach higher places.

Ground combat requires smart tactics and an understanding of your weapon arsenal. Practice makes perfect!

Weapon and Equipment

Having good weapons and gear will make a huge difference in the game. Here are some pointers:

Find Upgrades: Look for better weapons and armor as you explore.
Crafting: Some items can be crafted, so collect resources.
Repair: Regularly repair damaged weapons and armor to keep your gear in good condition.

Good gear can give you an edge, so always check what you’re using and if it’s still effective.

Resource Management: Staying Well-Equipped

Resources are essential for crafting, building, and keeping your ship in good shape. Managing them well is a key aspect of Starfield.

Gathering Resources

You’ll need to gather resources from planets, defeated enemies, and abandoned locations. Here’s how:

Mining: Use your scanner to find resource deposits on planets.
Looting: Search crates, containers, and defeated enemies for useful materials.
Buying: You can also buy resources from vendors at stations or in cities.

Keep an eye out for rare materials as they are more valuable and useful for crafting high-end gear.

Crafting and Research

Using resources, you can craft items such as weapons, armor and mods. You can also use resources for research.

Research Labs: You can use a research lab to unlock new recipes and technologies.
Workbenches: Use a workbench to craft weapons, armor, and other items.

Experiment with different combinations of resources to craft new items and upgrades.

Cargo Management

Managing your cargo effectively is crucial in Starfield. Here’s how to do it:

Cargo Hold: Your ship’s cargo hold is limited, so try to only carry essential items.
Storage: You can use storage containers at your outposts to store resources.

Keep an eye on your cargo weight. You’ll move slower if you carry too much, and in space you will have less maneuverability.

Outposts: Building Your Bases

Outposts are your own little slice of the universe. They are a big part of Starfield’s gameplay. Let’s explore what you need to know about it:

Outpost Basics

You can establish outposts on most planets, and they will be the foundation for your empire in Starfield. Outposts can be used for:

Resource Gathering: Set up mining operations to automatically gather resources.
Storage: Create storage containers for your items.
Crafting Stations: Build workbenches for crafting.
Crew Housing: Provide housing for your crew.

Starting an outpost can be complicated at first, but it’s quite useful for mid and late-game.

Outpost Building

You can build a variety of structures in your outpost including:

Habitats: These are for your crew to live in.
Storage: To store your resources and items.
Defenses: To protect your outpost from dangers.
Resource Extractors: To gather resources automatically.

Customize your outpost to fit your needs, from research facilities to mining hubs. Remember to keep an eye on your outpost’s resources so it will stay operational.

Quests and Missions: Charting Your Course

Starfield has many stories and missions for you to go on. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re exploring:

Types of Quests

You’ll encounter various types of missions, including:

Main Quests: These are the main story quests that advance the game’s plot.
Faction Quests: These are missions given to you by different factions in the game.
Side Quests: These are extra missions you will encounter as you explore.

Pay attention to the details, such as where to go, what resources you need and whether the mission has a timer. The rewards will vary according to the difficulty of the quest.

Talking to NPCs

In Starfield, conversations are key. When speaking to NPCs:

Listen carefully: Pay attention to what they say, they will provide information.
Use Dialogue Options: Choose dialogue that suits your character.
Persuasion: You can sometimes talk your way out of conflict.

Your dialogue choices can affect how NPCs treat you and how stories unfold.

Following the Quest Markers

Quest markers on your map and scanner will guide you to your destination. But don’t feel like you have to only follow the main questline. Starfield is best enjoyed when you take your own time to do things and go on your own adventures.

So, there you have it – a comprehensive guide to get you started in Starfield. Remember, the universe is vast, and there’s a lot more to discover, but with these early tips, you’re well-equipped to begin your adventure. Take your time, experiment, and enjoy exploring the amazing universe that Bethesda has created. Happy travels!

Starfield Guide: 15 Things You NEED To Do First

Final Thoughts

Prioritize exploration early; scanning planets provides vital resources. Engaging with the main quest line gives crucial gear and abilities. Upgrade your ship frequently; this helps in combat and hauling cargo. Knowing these ‘Starfield things you need to know early’ makes the experience much smoother.

Crafting and research are must, they allow better weapons and mods. Factions offer varied storylines and rewards. Choose perks that align with your play style.