Missions

To navigate missions in Starfield, you must open the Missions menu to see the list of all your available quests, including main, faction, and miscellaneous. You can then select a mission and choose to track it, which will display a blue icon on your HUD leading you to the next objective. Some key mission types include the linear main story quests for Constellation, faction-specific missions for groups like the Crimson Fleet or Freestar Rangers, and numerous side quests and activities.

Mission types

  • MAIN
  • FACTION
  • MISSION
  • MISC
  • ACTIVITY

Starfield’s main missions, primarily made up of missions for Constellation, are mandatory to advance the central storyline of Starfield. The central story begins on May 7, 2330 with the player in the Argos Extractors Mining Outpost on Vectera.

https://starfield.fandom.com/wiki/Missions#Main_missions

Faction-specific missions are those directly connected to or done in the name of four of the major factions in the Starfield universe — Crimson Fleet or UC System Defense, Freestar Collective, Ryujin Industries, and UC Vanguard. Though Constellation is a major faction, they are not counted here, as the Constellation missions make up the main story missions (and other available Constellation side quests are done through the mission board).

https://starfield.fandom.com/wiki/Missions#Faction

NOTE: Minor factions not tracked in the Ultimate Starfield Tracker (100% Checklist Spreadsheet)

Quests categorized under Mission are those “acquired through various mission boards” as contracts for different organizations and factions, though these are not considered part of the respective factions’ missions. Some known groups whom the Spacefarer can perform jobs for are Constellation, Crimson Fleet, Freestar Collective, Ryujin Industries, Stroud-Eklund, Trackers Alliance, Trade Authority, and UC Vanguard. These missions may entail bounties, cargo and passenger transport, supply, survey, etc.

https://starfield.fandom.com/wiki/Missions#Mission

NOTE: Not tracked in the Ultimate Starfield Tracker (100% Checklist Spreadsheet)

Miscellaneous missions are side quests not specifically associated with or commissioned by factions; it also includes certain Constellation missions related to but not required for the main quest line.

https://starfield.fandom.com/wiki/Missions#Misc_2

Activities are small, optional objectives that the Spacefarer can do. These activities may or may not branch out further into its own Miscellaneous mission. Unlike the other missions listed above, activities disappear from the Mission’s menu once completed.

https://starfield.fandom.com/wiki/Missions#Activity

NOTE: Not tracked in the Ultimate Starfield Tracker (100% Checklist Spreadsheet)


This video demonstrates how to track missions and navigate the mission menu:


Factions you can join in Starfield

Starfield has five major factions that we know of, though outside of Constellation — the engine of the main story — it’s easy to miss them unless you’re paying attention to side quests. The major factions in Starfield are as follows:

  • Constellation
  • Ryujin Industries
  • UC Vanguard
  • Freestar Collective
  • Crimson Fleet

Minor factions you can’t join in Starfield

There are other minor factions, though as far as we can tell, you are unable to join them. You can get special bonuses or dialogue options when interacting with these factions, if you choose certain traits affiliated with them, though. For instance, choosing the Raised Enlightened or Raised Universal trait grants you a chest full of items in New Atlantis.

The minor factions in Starfield are as follows:

  • Spacers
  • Ecliptic Mercenaries
  • House of Va’Ruun Zealots
  • House of the Enlightened
  • Sanctum Universuum
  • Trackers
  • The Trade Authority

How to track missions

  1. Open the Main Menu.
  2. Navigate to the Missions tab to see all your quests categorized as main, faction, miscellaneous, or activities.
  3. Select the mission you want to work on.
  4. Choose the next objective for that mission, which will be highlighted in blue.
  5. Exit the menu. A blue icon will appear on your HUD to guide you to your next objective. 

You can watch this video to learn how to use the mission markers:


Tips for managing missions

  • Start with the main story: Completing the first few main quests will introduce you to essential mechanics and characters.
  • Join a faction early: Joining a faction can provide you with new mission lines and unique rewards.
  • Explore at your own pace: While the main story is important, don’t hesitate to take breaks to complete side quests and explore other locations. There are many secrets to discover.