Starfield Backgrounds: What We Know So Far

Starfield offers its players many ways to customize their character to the maximum, one of these ways is thanks to the Starfield backgrounds. After having discussed in detail what are the Starfield traits to customize your character, the time has come, in this article, to also tell you about the various backgrounds that the developers have thought up to give different facets to the protagonist of the story.

What are backgrounds in Starfield?

The backgrounds in Starfield, among other things, are used to determine the first three initial skills to be attributed to your character. However, it must be emphasized that these three skills are not binding and that therefore you can have access to all five skill trees in the game. They only serve as a starting point in your adventure, but then you may shape your character as you see fit throughout your adventure.

Another very important thing to say is that backgrounds, unlike traits, don’t have negative effects but only bonuses and buffs. For this reason, therefore, you can choose the one that inspires you most without fear of having to accept negative effects. Furthermore, although it has not yet been officially confirmed, it is likely that different Starfield backgrounds give rise to different dialogues with NPCs throughout the game, but at the moment we do not know if this is actually the case or not. Finally, it is also very unlikely that it will be possible to change the background once chosen, which can be done with traits instead.

All Starfield backgrounds

These are all the backgrounds present in the game:

• Beast Hunter
• Bouncer
• Bounty Hunter
• Chef
• Combat Medic
• Cyber Runner
• Cyberneticist
• Diplomat
• Explorer
• Gangster
• Homesteader
• Industrialist
• Long Hauler
• Pilgrim
• Professor
• Ronin

Chef

While the unrefined masses scarfed down Chunks by the shipload, you catered to those with a more… discerning palate. In your kitchen, countless alien species became true culinary masterpieces.

• Gastronomy – Craft special food and drink, and research additional recipes
• Duelling – 10% more melee damage
• Wellness – gain a extra 30 health points

Combat Medic

Leave it to human beings to fight over something as infinite as outer space. That’s where you come in. You’ve never been afraid to take on the enemy… but you’d much rather take care of your friends.

• Pistol certification – 10% extra pistol damage
• Medicine – 10% more healing from health packs
• Weight Lifting – extra 10kg carrying capacity

Cyber Runner

From Neon to New Atlantis, the megacorps stand as monuments to power, prestige, and profit. You’ve worked both for and against them, on the inside and out, often sacrificing conscience for credits.

• Pistol certification – 10% extra pistol damage
• Security – able to hack level 2 locks and bank two auto attempts
• Persuasion – increased chance of success on speech challenges

Cyberneticist

Robots? Mere toys. Neuroamps? Good for parlor tricks. The Colony War may have made implants and upgrades available to veterans, but you once saw a greater future. Humans and machines, as one.

• Medicine – 10% more healing from health packs
• Robotics – 10% more damage dealt to robots and turrets
• Lasers – 10% more laser weapons damage

Diplomat

The wars are over. Peace now reigns over the Settled Systems. But only because there are those quietly fighting to keep it. Because of you, agreements were signed, words were heeded… lives were spared.

• Persuasion – increased chance of success on speech challenges
• Diplomacy – Force a target NPC below your level to stop fighting for a time
• Bargaining – Buy for 5% and sell for 10% at vendors

Explorer

They said exploration is a lost art. You didn’t listen. As the major factions argued over the space they desperately tried to control, you were busy uncovering the wonders of the Settled Systems.

• Lasers – Give you “specialised training” to use and increase effectiveness with personal laser weapons
• Astrodynamics – Allows the player to”‘coax more capability out of a ship’s grav drive”
• Surveying – Allows you to “decipher data on the ground”