Outposts

Outposts

To start an outpost in Starfield, open your scanner, press the outpost button to place an Outpost Beacon, and then use the build menu to construct structures like extractors and power sources. Find a location rich in resources, like the “Holy Trinity” of Helium-3, Iron, and Aluminum, and place the beacon to claim the land. You will need to have the necessary building materials, which can be purchased at general stores or found by exploring.

This video explains how to set up your first outpost in Starfield:

How to get started

  • Find a planet: Use the star map to select a planet or moon and travel to it.
  • Scan for resources: While in space or on the planet, use your scanner to see where resources are located on the surface.
  • Place an Outpost Beacon: While on the ground, open your scanner and press the outpost button (X on Xbox, R on PC) to place a beacon and claim the area.
  • Build your outpost: Press the button to enter the build menu (Tab on PC) and construct buildings like power sources, extractors, and habs.
  • Gather resources: Build resource extractors for the materials available in the beacon’s radius. Power generators are needed to make them work.
  • Add a workbench: Build an Industrial Workbench inside a hab to craft more advanced components. 

This video demonstrates how to find resources and build extractors in Starfield:

Tips for a successful outpost

  • Find the best location: For maximum efficiency, find a spot where multiple resource veins overlap by landing on the border between different biomes.
  • Prioritize key resources: When starting, try to find a location with at least Iron, Aluminum, and Helium-3 to power extractors and generators.
  • Gather building materials: Stock up on materials like Aluminum, Beryllium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Nickel, and Tungsten before you begin, or buy them from vendors.
  • Defend your outpost: On planets with creatures, build turrets to protect your structures from attacks.
  • Assign crew: Once a Crew Station is built, you can assign crew members to work at your outpost.
  • Unlock skills: Investing in the Planetary Habitation skill tree will increase the number of outposts you can build and allow you to build on more extreme planets.