(Because some galaxies age better than others)
You’ve either come back to Starfield after a year-long break or you’re firing it up for the first time now that it finally runs smooth. Either way, here’s the stuff you actually need to know in 2026 — straight from a player who’s already burned through 100+ hours, looted half the Settled Systems, and still hasn’t finished the main quest.
Forget the “press F5 to quicksave” nonsense — here’s what actually improves your run.
🧠 1. Pick these early skills and forget the rest
Start with Boost Pack Training, Security, Targeting Control Systems, Persuasion, and Theft.
That combo makes early combat, dialogue, and exploration 10× smoother. After that? Don’t stress too much. By the time you’ve done all side quests, you’ll unlock almost everything anyway.
💾 2. You don’t need to hoard skill points forever
Sure, saving points can help you min-max, but if you plan to do faction lines and side quests, you’ll max your skill tree eventually.
And let’s be honest — there are XP exploits if you ever get impatient.
🧙 3. Play the main story long enough to get powers
You don’t have to become the chosen one, but at least grab your first few Starborn powers. They’re ridiculously fun and make late-game exploration way more interesting.
💰 4. Smuggling 101
Contraband items (yellow icon) are illegal in UC or Freestar space. Don’t risk scans.
Instead, jump to The Den station in the Wolf System — sell your loot there, no questions asked.
Want to go full outlaw? Invest in Commerce for fatter profits.
🧳 5. Infinite storage exists — use it
In your room at The Lodge is a storage chest that doesn’t care about weight limits.
But if you prefer full independence, build a storage crate in your ship or outpost — both do the job.
Dump all your minerals and crafting junk there.
🛠️ 6. Ship building is where Starfield truly shines
Designing your dream ship is half the game. Once you have the credits, go nuts.
I based mine on a YouTuber build (video below) — huge, full of turrets, crew quarters, and all the useless but awesome extras.
Honestly? Flying it felt like piloting a personal Star Destroyer.
🚀 7. Don’t just destroy ships — board them
Space combat can get repetitive, but boarding enemy ships keeps it exciting and way more profitable.
Disable their engines, dock, clean house, and grab everything that isn’t nailed down.
The loot you get from pirates easily beats blowing them up for scraps.
🧭 8. Fast travel smarter
Skip the clunky map navigation. Open your missions menu, pick your active quest, and press Set Course. You’ll jump straight to your next objective — no need to manually hunt systems.
🪐 9. Don’t waste money early
Ship parts, base modules, random armor upgrades — ignore them early game.
You’ll soon get free ships from side missions like The Mantis that outperform anything you could buy.
Plus, you can sell those ships later for solid credit boosts.
😴 10. Always grab the Well-Rested buff
A quick nap gives +10% XP gain for 24 in-game minutes. It stacks with everything, costs nothing, and resets fast.
If you’re grinding, sleep — it’s basically an XP steroid.
🧍 11. Treat companions right
They can’t die, they carry your junk, and they sometimes hand out gifts.
Talk to them when they want attention. And gear them properly — giving a rifle expert a pistol is gamer malpractice.
🔧 12. Mods and Research = hidden power
Research stations (on your ship or at The Lodge) unlock better weapon mods, crafting recipes, and base utilities.
It’s easy to ignore early, but once you start crafting custom weapons, you’ll never go back to vendor trash.
💼 13. Vendors reset stock after 24 hours
If a shopkeeper runs out of credits or ammo, wait 24 in-game hours. Their inventory resets like magic.
It’s a simple trick that saves you a lot of backtracking between cities.
💸 14. Outposts are worth it if you go all-in
Setting up outposts takes resources and patience, but the payoff is huge — automated mining, crafting hubs, and safehouses for contraband.
Pick a planet outside faction control and turn it into your personal galactic HQ.
🔫 15. Loot smart
Ammo weighs nothing. Everything else does.
Ignore décor items and focus on meds, digipicks, weapons, and resources you actually need.
Encumbrance drains oxygen, and there’s nothing more humiliating than gasping for air while jogging 20 meters.
🧩 16. Learn how afflictions work
Every injury or infection has its own cure.
Match the color of the affliction to the medical item. Or, you know, just carry one of everything like a space hypochondriac.
🧠 17. Use the scanner for everything
It’s not just for rocks — the scanner highlights interactable objects, paths, and mission markers.
Keep it active when exploring; it saves hours of pixel-hunting.
⚔️ 18. Play your way — no rules apply
This isn’t an MMO. You can mod, cheat, or save-scum all you like.
Bethesda’s sandbox is there for you. Whether you’re a space Robin Hood or a serial reload addict — embrace it.
🌠 Final Word
Starfield in 2026 isn’t perfect — it’s still a Bethesda game, after all — but it’s finally stable, moddable, and genuinely worth playing if you love exploration and freedom.
Once you learn its quirks and start making your own fun, it becomes the Skyrim in space we were all promised.
So get out there, board a pirate ship, build a ridiculous cruiser, and remember: space is only boring if you play it safe.
