Explorers’ Essential Guide to Planet Hopping: Starfield Starters 101

# Starfield Starters: A Guide to Exploring the Vastness of Starfield

Starfield, Bethesda’s highly anticipated space exploration game, is finally here. Set to launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC with Game Pass on September 6th, the game promises to take players on an epic adventure through a vast galaxy filled with mysteries and wonders.

At Xbox Wire, we’ve been fortunate enough to get our hands on Starfield early, and we’re here to share our insights and tips to help you navigate the game’s complex mechanics and succeed in your journey. In this four-part “Starfield Starters” guide, we’ll dive into some of the game’s most important and lesser-known features without spoiling the experience. So, let’s get started!

## Pathfinding in the Stars

When traversing the galaxy in Starfield, your ship’s capabilities determine your travel course. The grav drive, in particular, dictates how far you can jump. The Starmap menu provides an overview of the entire galaxy. It allows you to select destinations by zooming in on stars and exploring the planets, star stations, or other points of interest within that system. Remember that different systems have varying difficulty levels, indicated by color coding, so be prepared to face tougher challenges if you choose to visit higher-level systems.

## The Bounty of Planets

Exploring new worlds in Starfield isn’t just about curiosity and discovery; it can also be lucrative. Mission Boards located in various ports offer surveying missions that reward you for collecting data on specific planets. These missions provide a structured path for exploration and offer financial incentives. Additionally, fully surveying a world can become a profitable business, as you can trade survey data for cash.

## Journeying Into the Unknown

When embarking on interstellar journeys, you must be prepared for what awaits you at each destination. Starfield presents a range of potential dangers, from encounters with unsavory characters to hostile environments. Even if you don’t plan on getting into fights, carrying Ship Parts is wise to repair hull damage during your travels. Additionally, each planet you visit will have its own unique ecosystem and conditions, such as aggressive fauna or extreme climates. Stocking up on different types of medicines and understanding their effects is crucial for surviving and exploring these diverse environments.

## Scanning, Surveying, and Discovering

A scan from orbit is necessary before landing on a planet in Starfield. Scanning reveals basic resources, rare resources (with upgraded scanning skills), discoverable traits, and points of interest on the planet’s surface. By pinpointing these locations, you can plan your landing and focus your exploration on areas that offer the most rewards or align with specific mission objectives. So, don’t forget to scan and gather valuable information before setting foot on uncharted terrain!

## Navigating the Terrain and Building Outposts

Once you’ve landed on a planet, your journey continues on foot. Activating your scanner will reveal valuable resources, flora, fauna, and distant points of interest that may not be visible from space. Scanning skills enhance your range and accuracy while building outposts on planets allows you to establish bases of operation and automate resource extraction. Building custom outposts requires substantial resources, but they provide opportunities for crew management, research projects, and more extensive control over the planet’s resources.

## Mastering Skills for Success

As you progress in Starfield, honing skills will become vital for maximizing your exploration and resource-gathering efforts. Skills like Surveying, Scanning, Botany, Zoology, and Geology enhance your abilities to gather data, uncover hidden resources, and expedite research tasks. Additionally, skills like Fitness, Weightlifting, and Environmental Conditioning help you navigate extreme biomes, carry more supplies, and endure the hazards of deep space.

The Standard Edition of Starfield is available for $69.99, while the Premium Edition, priced at $99.99, includes additional content such as the Shattered Space Story Expansion, early access, and exclusive in-game items. Both editions are Xbox Live enabled and compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing you to enjoy the game on multiple platforms.

Starfield represents Bethesda Game Studios’ grand vision for a new universe in over 25 years. With vast exploration opportunities, an array of customization options, and a rich narrative to uncover, it promises to be an unforgettable journey among the stars.

Whether you’re a seasoned space explorer or new to the genre, Starfield offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered. So suit up, activate your grav drive, and prepare to embark on a cosmic adventure like no other.

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