What to do with Outposts in Starfield?
As an aspiring space explorer in Bethesda’s latest sci-fi endeavour, Starfield, it’s essential to know the best ways to utilize these valuable outposts. This article will guide you on the various functions and functionalities of outposts, ultimately helping you make the most of your space travel. Let’s dive in and explore the possibilities!
Generating Resources
An outpost is primarily useful for generating resources, especially Helium-3, Iron, Tungsten, and Titanium. These resources are essential for crafting and upgrading equipment. You can collect these by sending Resource Containers to the outpost. Assign the containers to specific gathering sites, and the automated drones will collect the requested resources. This process becomes increasingly efficient as you grow your outpost and unlock upgradeable containers.
Research and Development
Another major purpose of outposts is conducting research and development in the fields of Scientific Research, Experimental Research, and Survival Research. Invest in research facilities and experimental equipment to advance your civilization. This will not only improve your understanding of alien species and the galaxy, but also grant access to new technologies and equipment enhancements.
Crafting and Upgrades
- Crafting: Allocate resources to the Refinery and Silo facilities to craft essential items like Medkits, Fuel Cells, Repair Kits, and others. These will aid your survival and progress throughout your journey.
- Equipment Upgrades: As new technologies become available, equip your spacecraft and ground personnel with upgraded components, enhanced shields, and improved capabilities. This will increase resistance to damage, boost speeds, and enhance combat and exploration capabilities.
Storing Resources and Outfits
Don’t hesitate to expand your outpost whenever possible. This will provide adequate storage space for resources and outfits. With the freedom to store items, allocate space for essential equipment and materials, allowing you to access them when needed.
Storage Hubs
- Resource Rooms: Store excess resources away from the main hub of the outpost.
- Clothing Storage: Separate your outfits from your consumables and other items. This will help you distinguish between essential and non-essential items.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Outpost Expansions: Prioritize expansions that grant more Resource Containers, Experiment Labs, or Armor Racks. Expansion decisions should be based on your current needs and immediate goals.
- Planetary Exploration: Establish nearby outposts on newly visited planets to streamline resource production and research.
- Base Security: Upgrade Security Facilities to ensure the defense of your outpost from aggressive alien species and rogue asteroid threats.
Top Locations for Building Outposts
When deciding where to build your outposts, consider the following factors:
- Resource Availability
- Alien Influence
- Planetary Distance
- Neighbor Outposts
Here is a list of the first 5 planets in proximity to the Sol system for reference:
| Planet | Distance (Light Minutes) |
|---|---|
| Mercury | 1 |
| Venus | 2 |
| Earth | 8 |
| Mars | 10 |
Some notable locations include:
- Callisto : Rich in Helium-3 and Iron resources; an excellent starting point. Io : Sufficient resources, close proximity to the Sol system.
| Jupiter’s Moon 1: 0 |
| Jupiter’s Moon 2: 50 |
Tips For First-Time Outpost Management
- Priority Expansion: Expand your Refinery and Silo areas to increase resource storage space.
- Upgraded Resource Containers: Regularly upgrade Resource Containers as new technologies become available. This will enhance resource processing and collection.
- Experiment Lab Placement: Position Experiment Labs strategically depending on the type of research and resource availability.
- Resource Room Allocation: Allocate storage space according to your resource needs, optimizing resource storage efficiency.
- Armor Rack Strategy: Prioritize upgrading security facilities and storing essential, high-priority equipment securely.
By understanding the main purposes and functionalities of Starfield’s outposts, you’re now equipped to maximize its benefits. Make the most of your space travel journeys, and explore the mysterious expanse with confidence, knowing the best ways to utilize these valuable outposts!