As you prepare to embark on your journey through the infinite expanse of Bethesda’s Starfield, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is the choice of your class. Your selection not only shapes your gameplay style but also forms the bedrock of your experiences and interactions within this vast, open-world cosmos.
When you’re creating your character in Starfield, you’ll have 21 different backstories to pick from. These aren’t just for show—they give your astronaut a unique flavor and even unlock some exclusive dialogue lines. More importantly, these backstories set the stage by offering three initial skills. This is a crucial factor, especially for newcomers to the game.
Once you’re in the Starfield universe, you’ll quickly realize that without training, certain actions like piloting large spacecraft or utilizing the much-coveted boost pack are off-limits. Although you’ll have the chance to acquire new skills as you progress, your starting background plays a significant role in shaping your initial capabilities. So, choosing wisely can really impact your early game experience.
You’ll be able to choose your backgrounds and traits once you complete the first mission in the cave.
Every background offers a trio of initial skills. Consider this your head start for aligning the game with how you prefer to play. However, as you progress and level up, you’re free to switch gears and focus on different skills.
[File Not Found]
Oddly, there’s no information on file about your past life. Clerical oversight? Deletion by some powerful unknown faction? Or was there just nothing of note to mention? Whatever the reason, your past is known only to you. What’s important is the here and now, and the path you’re about to forge.
Included skills are Wellness, Ballistics, and Piloting.
The background is considered neutral and balanced. The skills give you a few basic stats in health, combat, and piloting to get you started. There’s not much to it, but it’s a great background if you’re not sure what to pick.
Beast Hunter
From the Ashta of Akila to the Terrormorphs that plague the whole of the Settled Systems, hostile alien life abounds. You’ve learned the skills to track them, find them, and take them down.
Included skills are Fitness, Ballistics, and Gastronomy.
Bouncer
You’ve worked the line at the toughest clubs in the Settled Systems. Back then, you learned that most non-lethal confrontations can be solved one of two ways: a strong right hook, or a more strongly secured door.
Included skills are Boxing, Security, and Fitness.
Bounty Hunter
Wherever there are wanted individuals, there are those who profit from their capture. And your quarry knows that in the vastness of space, they can run… but they can’t hide.
Included skills are Piloting, Targeting Control Systems, and Boost Pack Training.
Recommend Traits for Bounty Hunter:
- Introvert: Consuming less oxygen is an advantage when you’re journeying solo, compared to when you’re accompanied by human allies. Most bounty hunters prefer to operate alone or with a robotic sidekick for this reason. This approach not only conserves oxygen but also increases your odds of surprising your targets and reduces the likelihood of mistakes when you have a machine as your partner.
- Neon Street Rat: Since you’ll be picking up quite a few missions along the way, this could be a great option for additional dialogue options and increased bounty.
- Taskmaster: When your ship’s systems fall under 50% functionality, crew members with the proper training can fix them autonomously. However, recruiting new crew will come at double the usual cost. This aligns well with a Bounty Hunter’s Introvert approach—opting for a smaller, more effective crew.
Recommended Skills for Bounty Hunter:
- Piloting: While it’s an included skill, consider further upgrading this skill. You’re going to be in space a lot as a Bounty Hunter.
- Pistol, Lasers, Shotgun, and Ballistics: None of the starting skills provide much for combat which you’ll be doing often. Rifles and Lasers perhaps a stronger focus.
Chef
While the unrefined masses scarfed down Chunks by the shipload, you catered to those with a more… discerning palate. In your kitchen, countless alien species became true culinary masterpieces.
Included skills are Gastronomy, Dueling, and Scavenging.
Combat Medic
Leave it to human beings to fight over something as infinite as outer space. That’s where you come in. You’ve never been afraid to take on the enemy… but you’d much rather take care of your friends.
Included skills are Pistol Certification, Medicine, and Wellness.
Cyber Runner
From Neon to New Atlantis, the megacorps stand as monuments to power, prestige and profit. You’ve worked both for and against them, on the inside and out, often sacrificing conscience for credits.
Included skills are Stealth, Security, and Theft.
Cyberneticist
Robots? Mere toys. Neuroamps? Good for parlor tricks. The Colony War may have made implants and upgrades available to veterans, but you once saw a greater future. Humans and machines, as one.
Included skills are Medicine, Security, and Lasers.
Diplomat
The wars are over. Peace now reigns in the Settled Systems. But only because there are those quietly fighting to keep it. Because of you, agreements were signed, words were heeded… lives were spared.
Included skills are Persuasion, Commerce, and Wellness.
Explorer
They said exploration is a lost art. You didn’t listen. As the major factions argued over the space they desperately tried to control, you were busy uncovering the wonders of the Settled Systems.
Included skills are Lasers, Astrodynamics, and Surveying.
Gangster
You were always disgusted by suckers killing themselves to make an “honest wage.” As soon as you were old enough to hold a weapon, you took what you wanted from anyone unlucky enough to have it.
Included skills are Shotgun Certification, Boxing, and Theft.
Homesteader
The discovery of the Settled System’ many oxygen-rich planets and moons meant humans could live just about anywhere… if they had the know how. You did, and utilized it to great effect.
Included skills are Geology, Surveying, and Weight Lifting.
Industrialist
There was a time when all you wanted to be was a titan of industry, maybe a ship designer or megacorp exec. Thankfully, that skillset never goes out of style in the settled systems.
Included skills are Persuasion, Security, and Research Methods.
Long Hauler
Let those other hothead pilots obsess over laser weapons and maneuverability. You’re a space trucker, pure and simple. Pack the cargo, get it there fast, get paid, repeat. Life is simple and good.
Included skills are Weight Lifting, Piloting, and Ballistic Weapon Systems.
Pilgrim
Wayfarer, wanderer, seeker… transient. You’ve been called many things during your travels, and learned something those others could never understand – the journey IS the destination.
Included skills are Scavenging, Surveying, and Gastronomy.
Professor
You’ve always enjoyed learning, but nothing could compare to the joy of teaching others. As humankind spread throughout the stars, there was never a lack of knowledge to obtain, and you gladly assisted.
Included skills are Astrodynamics, Geology, and Research Methods.
Ronin
Masterless and unbound, you wandered the Settled Systems as a blade for hire. To some, you were a simple mercenary. To others, a hero. And to a select few… a nightmare they could never wake from.
Included skills are Dueling, Stealth, and Scavenging.
Sculptor
With your knowledge of anatomy and skilled, steady hands, you could have become a surgeon. Instead, you followed your heart, and created works of art to amaze and inspire.
Included skills are Medicine, Geology, and Persuasion.
Soldier
The Settled Systems is no stranger to warfare, and if there’s one thing armed conflict relies on it’s trained warriors with guns and guts. You had both. Simple, bloody work… and you were great at it.
Included skills are Fitness, Ballistics, and Boost Pack Training.
Space Scoundrel
Good? Bad? Whose right is it to say? If there’s anything you’ve learned traipsing through the galaxy, it’s this: space may look black, but it’s really one shade of grey.
Included skills are Pistol Certification, Piloting, and Persuasion.
Xenobiologist
The Settled Systems is home to untold alien species. And while none of them have yet proven sentient, that never deterred you. So you sought out and studied them for whatever gifts they offered.
Included skills are Lasers, Surveying, and Fitness.
Traits
Once you’ve selected your background, you’ll have the option to adopt up to three Traits that can influence your gameplay. These Traits are entirely up to you and each comes with its own set of pros and cons. For example, a Trait might improve your relationship with a certain faction or religious group but worsen it with another. You can choose up to three non-conflicting Traits to either enrich your character’s narrative or to make the game more challenging by adding certain limitations.
Each trait provides a pro and a con. They are completely optional as well but does provide some fun additions to gameplay.
Spaced
Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when in space, but decreased when on the surface. (Incompatible with Terra Firma)
Terra Forma
You’ve never acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when on the surface, but decreased when you’re in space. (Incompatible with Spaced)
Extrovert
You’re a people person. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring with human companions, but more when adventuring alone. (Incompatible with Introvert)
Introvert
You really need your alone time. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when adventuring with other human companions. (Incompatible with Extrovert)
Alien DNA
You volunteered for a controversial experiment that combines alien and human DNA. As a result, you start with increased health and oxygen, but healing and food items aren’t as effective.
Dream Home
You own a luxurious, customizable house on a peaceful planet! Unfortunately it comes with a 125,000 credit mortgage with GalBank that has to be paid weekly.
Empath
You are deeply connected to the feelings of others. Performing actions your companion likes will result in a temporary increase in combat effectiveness. But, performing actions they don’t like will have the precise opposite effect.
Hero Worshipped
You’ve earned the attention of an annoying “Adoring Fan” who will show up randomly and jabber at you incessantly. On the plus side, he’ll join your ship’s crew and give you gifts…
Kid Stuff
Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. But you will automatically send 2% of your credits home to them every week.
Taskmaster
Occasionally, if you have crew trained in a certain ship system, that system will automatically repair itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50%. However, all crew cost twice as much to hire.
Wanted
Someone put a price on your head, and word has spread. Occasionally, armed mercenaries will show up and try to kill you, but being cornered gives you an edge – when your health is low, you do extra damage.
Freestar Collective Settler
You gain access to special Freestar Collective dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. But, crime bounty towards other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Neon Street Rat, United Colonies Native)
Neon Street Rat
You grew up on the mean streets of Neon. You gain access to special dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions on Neon. Crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Freestar Collective Settler and United Colonies Native)
United Colonies Native
You gain access to special United Colonies dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. However, crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Freestar Collective Settler and Neon Street Rat)
Raised Enlighted
You grew up as a member of the Enlightened. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis, but lose access to the Sanctum Universum chest. (Incompatible with Raised Universal and Serpent’s Embrace)
Raised Universal
You grew up as a member of the Sanctum Universum. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the Sanctum Universum in New Atlantis, but lose access to the House of the Enlightened Chest. (Incompatible with Raised Enlightened and Serpent’s Embrace)
Serpent’s Embrace
You grew up worshiping the Great Serpent. Grav jumping provides a temporary boost to health and oxygen, but health and oxygen are lowered if you don’t continue jumping regularly – like an addiction. (Incompatible with Raised Enlightened and Raised Universal)
