If you’re diving headfirst into the vast interstellar realms of Starfield, there’s a good chance you’re tantalized by the prospect of building your own Outpost. While Outposts are completely optional in your overall Starfield experience (and I encourage you to skip them, unless you are an architecture aficionado), as you can buy almost every resource in the game instead of extracting, crafting, or fabricating it, there is a lot to unveil if you decide to invest in Outpost-building.
Sure, you can build a barebones Outpost without any skills invested, but if you’re committed to creating something more than a glorified tin can in space, you must know the best skills to invest in.
Before we delve into the skills that will make your Outpost stand out, it’s also worth checking out the best planets to build your first outpost(s) and the list of all Outpost modules in Starfield.
Best Science Tree Skills for Outposts
The Science skill tree is the most important one for outposts, as it will unlock numerous new capabilities at a lower cost.
Outpost Engineering (Science Tier 3)
Outpost Engineering remains the quintessential skill for any serious outpost builder. It reduces the cost of constructing modules and allows you to build advanced installations. Investing up to Rank 4 is strongly advised.
- Rank 1: You can construct improved outpost modules and research additional modules at a Research Lab.
- Rank 2: You can research and construct superior outpost modules.
- Rank 3: You can research and construct cutting-edge outpost modules.
- Rank 4: Outpost modules now cost 50% fewer resources to build.
Research Methods (Science Tier 1)
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Research Methods allows you to unlock new technologies and modules faster. This skill gives your outpost the advanced edge it needs.
- Rank 1: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 10%.
- Rank 2: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 20%.
- Rank 3: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 40%.
- Rank 4: Sudden developments during research are twice as common. Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 60%.
Planetary Habitation (Science Tier 4)
Building on extreme environment planets can become a reality with the Planetary Habitation skill. You’ll need this skill if you’re considering setting up shop on an infernal or deep frozen planet. Some of the most resource-rich planets have extreme environments, while the increased number of outposts you can build will help you cover all your bases and ensure resource diversity.
- Rank 1: You can build outposts on planets with extreme temperatures (Deep Freeze and Inferno). The maximum number of Outposts you can build is increased by 4.
- Rank 2: You can build outposts on planets with extreme pressure. The maximum number of Outposts you can build is increased by 8.
- Rank 3: You can build outposts on planets with toxic or corrosive atmospheres. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 12.
- Rank 4: You can build outposts on planets with extreme gravity. The maximum number of Outposts you can build is increased by 16.
Botany (Science Tier 2)
The “Life Sciences” trilogy Botany, Zoology, and Geology are great additions to expand your knowledge of the environment and acquire resources at a higher rate.
- Rank 1: Get more common and uncommon organic resources from plants (flora), learn additional info about them from the scanner, and allow some plants to be cultivated at your outposts.
- Rank 2: Use the scanner to extract more rare organic resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly.
- Rank 3: Get more exotic organic resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
- Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
Zoology (Science Tier 2)
Zoology will help you maximize your resources from animals (fauna), without harming them. Quite a big plus.
- Rank 1: Get more common organic resources from creatures and harvest from them without harming them, learn additional info about them from the scanner, and allows you to produce animal resources at your outposts.
- Rank 2: Get more uncommon organic resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
- Rank 3: Get more rare organic resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
- Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
Geology (Science Tier 1)
Geology can significantly increase the amount of minerals your outpost extractors yield.
- Rank 1: Get more common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects.
- Rank 2: Get more rare inorganic resources from surface objects.
- Rank 3: Get more exotic inorganic resources from surface objects.
- Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from surface objects.
Best Social Tree Skills for Outposts
The Social Skills Tree has one of the best Outpost-specific skills in Starfield (arguably the second best… Actually, I don’t think it’s arguable).
Outpost Management (Social Tier 3)
The be-all and end-all of managing your cosmic neighborhood is Outpost Management. From linking up more outposts with Cargo Links to increasing Extractor yields, this skill is a must-have.
- Rank 1: Additional cargo links can be placed at outposts.
- Rank 2: Additional robots can be constructed at outposts.
- Rank 3: Additional crew can be assigned at outposts.
- Rank 4: Outposts extractors produce twice as fast.
Commerce (Social Tier 1)
Economics 101 applies even in space. The Commerce skill grants you access to resources at cheaper rates, providing a financial cushion for your outpost endeavors. While not an absolute must have, it can definitely make a difference.
- Rank 1: Buy for 5% less and sell for 10% more.
- Rank 2: Buy for 10% less and sell for 15% more.
- Rank 3: Buy for 15% less and sell for 20% more.
- Rank 4: Buy for 20% less and sell for 25% more.
Leadership (Social Tier 3)
An often-overlooked gem, Leadership provides additional carrying capacity for your companions. More carrying capacity equals more resources and smoother operations, while the combat bonuses at Rank 4 are significant.
- Rank 1: Companions gain affinity 25% faster.
- Rank 2: Companions have 50 more health and 50kg more carrying capacity.
- Rank 3: Companions will occasionally heal you when you get low health.
- Rank 4: Doubles the bonuses of Combat and Physical Crew Skills on Companions. Companions have a chance to pick themselves up from a downed state.
Best Physical Tree Skills for Outposts
Don’t underestimate the ability to carry more resources…
Weight Lifting (Physical Tier 1)
More carrying capacity is never a bad thing. Investing in Weight Lifting enables you to carry up to an extra 100 KG, making your resource-hauling missions a breeze.
Environmental Conditioning (Physical Tier 2)
The universe isn’t always a friendly place. With Environmental Conditioning, you can protect yourself from the harsh realities of space, making it a smart investment for outpost building on hostile planets. This may be the last skill I unlock in the game, but it can be useful for explorers.
- Rank 1: 10 resistance to Airborne damage.
- Rank 2: 10 resistance to Thermal damage.
- Rank 3: 10 resistance to Corrosive and Radiation damage.
- Rank 4: Reduced chance to gain afflictions from environmental sources.
Best Tech Tree Skills for Outposts
…With your feet or with your ship.
Boost Pack Training (Tech Tier 1)
When you need to zip across planetary landscapes to collect resources, Boost Pack Training can be a lifesaver, decreasing travel time and increasing efficiency. It really depends on the amount of exploration you want to do on planets, but Boot Pack Training can make a real difference in travel time.
- Rank 1: You can now utilize boost packs.
- Rank 2: Using a boost pack expends less fuel.
- Rank 3: Boost pack fuel regenerates more quickly.
- Rank 4: Doubles previous bonuses.
Piloting (Tech Tier 1)
Ranking up your piloting skills equals better reactors, and better reactors mean a better ship with higher capacity for resources (usually).
- Rank 1: You can now utilize ship thrusters.
- Rank 2: Increased ship turning rate and maneuverability.
- Rank 3: Unlock the ability to pilot Class B ships.
- Rank 4: Unlock the ability to pilot Class C ships.
Payloads (Tech Tier 2)
Though primarily for your ship, the Payloads skill increases cargo capacity, allowing you to bring back more resources to your outpost in a single trip. Trust me, it can make a massive difference.
- Rank 1: Ship cargo holds have 10% more capacity.
- Rank 2: Ship cargo holds have 20% more capacity.
- Rank 3: Ship cargo holds have 30% more capacity.
- Rank 4: Ship cargo holds have 50% more capacity.
Starship Design (Tech Tier 3)
An auxiliary skill for outpost building, Starship Design lets you install better mods on your ship, indirectly benefiting your outpost by enabling faster and more efficient resource-gathering missions.
Building a flourishing outpost in Starfield isn’t just about placing blocks in space. It’s a strategic endeavor that involves the judicious allocation of skill points across a multitude of areas. With this guide, you’re not just building an outpost; you’re building a future in the stars.
Originally posted 2023-10-05 00:11:13.
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