8 Best Backgrounds In Starfield

Around 21 unique backgrounds can be chosen when creating your character in Starfield, giving you some of the best starting skills to jumpstart your galaxy-wide adventure. These combinations of different abilities affect your best ability from the beginning. Ranging from improved healing to a better chance to collect rare resources, it can be challenging to choose between every background.

Those looking to find the most reliable origin should remember that backgrounds are not the same as traits since traits apply a major positive and negative element to a character that goes beyond skills. The best traits in Starfield could provide you with a Dream Home as a starting house but also leave you in serious debt right from the start. Backgrounds only give you traits without drawbacks, simply giving you a head start on skill paths.

8 Explorer

The Explorer background suits anyone who wants to leap to the far-off systems of the galaxy immediately once their journey begins in Starfield. Discovering new places, creatures, and areas to farm resources is made easier through the Surveying skill, while Astrodynamics will allow your ship to travel longer distances. This background can be incredible for those looking to build an early Outpost to get money fast on a higher-level planet.

Related: Starfield: How to Make Easy Money From Outposts

7 Combat Medic

Better healing capabilities are always useful in a massive RPG like Starfield, allowing your character a better chance at survival at lower levels. The Medicine and Wellness skills give you extra durability, allowing you to survive tougher encounters and receive better loot. Since Pistols are good starting weapons due to their low Mass, the Pistol Certification skill helps you focus on defense with your lightweight weapon dealing more damage.

6 Cyber Runner

A stealthy approach in Starfield works best with the Cyber Runner background, which gives you every ability you might need to become the ideal space pirate. Sticking to the shadows becomes trivial thanks to the Stealth skill, while Security and Theft help you break into even the most secure facilities. While a dangerous way of life, those looking to live a little dangerously should consider picking this as their character’s past.

5 Soldier

The Soldier background might seem like a basic choice, but don’t underestimate the general benefits of having more Oxygen (O2). This resource acts like Stamina in Starfield, regulating every physical action you take. Having a chance to run farther and fight longer through the Fitness skill combines well with Ballistics and Boost Pack Training to make you an effective warrior in any combat that might break out against your enemies.

4 Industrialist

Perhaps the most balanced background available is the Industrialist, who gains skills that cover diverse aspects of Starfield that are often overlooked. Needing fewer resources to get better items via Research Projects is extremely convenient, giving you more materials to gather and sell for credits. Being able to hack Advanced locks through Security allows your character to reach places and items that are typically locked behind difficult Digipick puzzles.

The best benefit from Industrialist can be seen through the Persuasion perk, which gives you an edge in the difficult mini-game when trying to convince NPCs in Starfield. To bend a conversation to your favor, you have a limited number of dialogue “turns” to sway someone to your side. Having an advantage on the checks for these turns helps limit conflict and open new paths throughout your journey.​​​​​​​

3 Long Hauler

Most of your time in Starfield will be in space, going between distant worlds and collecting more items you’ll know what to do with. The Long Hauler background supports this lifestyle by giving you more room with Weight Lifting to carry the weapons, resources, or other junk you find. In addition, the Piloting and Ballistic Weapon Systems prepares whatever ship you choose for travel to help move your obtained cargo.​​​​​​​

2 Bounty Hunter

Space battles can be quite challenging toward the beginning levels of Starfield, making the Bounty Hunter background a fantastic choice that gives you the tools to excel during these hectic fights. Skills seen before mesh with Targeting Control Systems to instantly give your character mastery over a wide variety of space-faring vehicles. Almost every enemy ship you’ll encounter early may be easily fought using these skills.​​​​​​​

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Having the [FILE NOT FOUND] background means your past is hidden, giving you strong general skills compared to any Starfield specializations. However, the utility of these general abilities creates a solid foundation unlike any of the other choices available in the game. Having better health through Wellness, more damage to starting Ballistic weapons, and the ability to pilot more ships are all incredibly powerful traits on their own.

The best backgrounds in Starfield are those that grant strong skills that support different styles of play, adding more to the overall customization of your space-exploring character.