What Does Background Affect Starfield?
In Starfield, a background represents a significant aspect of a character’s past, providing a foundation for their identity and shaping their skills, abilities, and interactions throughout the game. In this article, we’ll dive into the various ways backgrounds affect gameplay and explore their impact on the Starfield experience.
Starting Skills
A background determines your character’s starting skills, which are essential for completing quests, interacting with other characters, and overcoming obstacles. Each background comes with three starting skills, such as Stealth, Security, and Theft, which cater to different playstyles.
| Background | Starting Skills |
|---|---|
| Cyber Runner | Stealth, Security, Theft |
| Ranger | Survival, Medicine, Tracking |
| Mystic | Divination, Willpower, Meditation |
Choose a background that aligns with your playstyle or personality, and you’ll get a head start on the skills you need to progress through the game.
Interaction and Dialogue
A background can influence how you interact with other characters and the dialogue options available. For instance, a character with a Ranger background might have dialogue options related to wilderness survival and hunting, while a character with a Mystic background may have options centered around magic and the unknown.
This added layer of depth provides a more immersive experience, as your background becomes a reflection of your character’s personality, values, and experiences.
Starting Abilities
Backgrounds also impact your character’s starting abilities, such as Pilot skills, which can affect ship handling, navigation, and combat capabilities. This is particularly relevant for those who plan to engage in space exploration or combat.
| Background | Starting Ability |
|---|---|
| Ranger | Survival – Increased resistance to environmental hazards |
| Pirate | Pilot – Better ship handling and navigation skills |
| Scientist | Engineer – Enhanced engineering abilities for ship repair and hacking |
These starting abilities will serve as a foundation for your character’s development and growth throughout the game.
Quest and Mission Affinity
Backgrounds can influence the quests and missions you receive, as different factions and organizations may cater to specific backgrounds. For example, a character with a Criminal background may receive missions from shady organizations, while a character with a Colonist background may get involved in colonization efforts.
This added layer of replayability encourages players to try different backgrounds to experience varied storylines and quests.
Ship Customization and Upgrade
Your background may also impact your ship customization and upgrade options. Some backgrounds may grant access to unique ship components, fuel types, or weapon modifications, allowing you to build a ship that suits your playstyle.
| Background | Ship Customization |
|---|---|
| Pirate | Ship Armor – Increased damage resistance |
| Pilferer | Cargo Capacity – Increased storage space for goods and resources |
| Explorer | Navigation System – Improved navigation and charting capabilities |
Choose a background that aligns with your playstyle, and you’ll get access to ship upgrades and customization options that support your character’s goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a background in Starfield is more than just a simple character trait – it’s a foundation that shapes your character’s abilities, interactions, and growth throughout the game. Whether you choose a Pirate, Ranger, or Mystic background, be prepared for a unique Starfield experience that reflects your character’s personality and abilities.
By understanding the effects of backgrounds on gameplay, you’ll be better equipped to create a character that suits your playstyle and goals, leading to a more immersive and engaging Starfield experience.