Similar to Bethesda’s other action RPGs, Starfield features an extensive character customization system that empowers players to design their own main character. This includes shaping their appearance, physique, facial attributes, as well as defining their background and distinctive qualities, all of which will have an impact on the game’s narrative.
Please keep in mind that the lists represent what is currently known, and the information will be updated.
Character Creation
Following the initial sequence in which your character stumbles upon an enigmatic alien artifact, you’ll find yourself roused by your comrades at Argos Extractors. They’ll urge you to recollect your identity, leading you to delve into the company’s employee archives for self-identification.
You’ll have the opportunity to commence your journey with a choice among 40 distinct character templates. From there, you have the freedom to modify an array of elements including physique, skin color, walking style, facial attributes, hair, eyes, piercings, jewelry, and more.
Known Backgrounds
After deciding on your appearance, you’ll also need to pick your character’s backstory (Backgrounds). This acts like a blueprint for the kind of tale your character brings to the adventure. While it doesn’t have to exactly match your future actions, it can serve as a solid starting point. Your background might prove relevant in quests or story moments, potentially granting you extra rewards or dialogue choices if it ties into the current plot.
Each Background includes three Initial Skills. Think of these as a way to get an early advantage in skills that align with your preferred playstyle. However, you’re free to shift away from these skills as you progress through the game and level up.
The table below is based on previews from E3, Microsoft and Bethesda Press Conferences, and other early information. More details will be added as they’re disclosed closer to the launch.
| Background | Starting Skills |
|---|---|
| Ronin | |
| Professor | |
| Pilgrim | |
| Long Hauler | |
| Industrialist | |
| Homesteader | |
| Gangster | |
| Explorer | Astrodynamics, Lasers, Surveying |
| Diplomat | Commerce, Persuasion, Wellness |
| Cyberneticist | Lasers, Medicine, Security |
| Cyber Runner | Security, Stealth, Theft |
| Combat Medic | Medicine, Pistol Certification, Wellness |
| Chef | Dueling, Gastronomy, Scavenging |
| Bounty Hunter | |
| Bouncer | |
| Beast Hunter |
Known Traits
Once you’ve settled on your Background, you’ll also encounter the option to select up to three Traits that can influence your gameplay.
Traits are entirely up to you, and each one comes with a mix of pros and cons. For instance, you might gain favor with one religious group or faction while potentially facing opposition from another. You can choose up to three Traits (as long as they don’t clash) to deepen your character’s story or to challenge yourself with specific limitations.
The list below is based on previews from E3, Microsoft and Bethesda Press Conferences, and other early information. Additional details will be added as they’re revealed closer to the launch.
- Wanted – You deal greater damage at low health, but Bounty Hunters may unexpectedly appear to attack you.
- United Colonies Native – To be announced
- Spaced – Your body has adapted to space. Health and endurance increase when in space, but decrease on the surface (cannot be combined with Terra Firma).
- Taskmaster – To be announced
- Terra Firma – Your body is accustomed to solid ground. Health and endurance increase on the surface, but decrease in space (cannot be combined with Spaced).
- Serpent’s Embrace – You were raised worshiping the Great Serpent. Jumping in low gravity temporarily boosts health and endurance, but failing to jump regularly leads to lowered health and endurance – like an addiction (cannot be combined with any other religious traits).
- Raised Universal – You were brought up in the Sanctum Universum. This grants you access to a special chest of items in the Sanctum Universum in New Atlantis, but you lose access to the House of the Enlightened Chest (cannot be combined with any other religion trait).
- Raised Enlightened – You were raised as a member of the Enlightened. You gain access to a special chest of items in the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis, but lose access to the Sanctum Universum Chest (cannot be combined with any other religion trait).
- Neon Street Rat – You grew up on Neon’s tough streets. This grants you special dialogue choices and better rewards for certain Neon missions. But beware, your crime bounty from other factions significantly increases (cannot be combined with other faction allegiance traits).
- Kid Stuff – Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. However, you’ll automatically send 2% of your credits home to them every week.
- Hero Worshiped – You’ve caught the attention of an annoying “Adoring Fan” who will pop up randomly and chatter incessantly. On the positive side, he’ll join your ship’s crew and give you gifts…
- Introvert – You cherish your solitude. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when exploring with other human companions (cannot be combined with Extrovert).
- Freestar Collective Settler – To be announced
- Extrovert – To be announced
- Empath – To be announced
- Dream Home – You own a cozy house on a peaceful moon, but it comes with a 50,000 credit mortgage from Galbank.
- Alien DNA – To be announced