Starfield Background Perk Guide: Best Starting Skills

Starfield Background Perk Guide: Crafting Your Cosmic Destiny from the Start

Stepping onto the launchpad for the first time in Starfield is a moment of pure, unadulterated potential. The sea of stars above isn't just a backdrop; it's a canvas for your story. But before you can command a starship or negotiate a fragile peace, you're faced with one of the most crucial early-game decisions: choosing your Background and your initial three starting skills. This isn't just a minor character creation step; it's the foundational blueprint of your entire journey. It defines your past, your present capabilities, and the trajectory of your future growth.

This guide is designed to demystify that process. We won't just list the options; we'll explore the philosophy behind building a powerful and narratively satisfying character from day one. We're here to answer the core question: what are the best starting skills in Starfield and which Starfield background sets you up for success, whether your definition of success is wealth, power, knowledge, or sheer chaos?

Understanding the Synergy: Backgrounds and Skills

First, let's clarify a common point of confusion. Your Starfield character background is a pre-packaged set of three starting skills that tells the game (and you) who you were before the events of the main story. A Diplomat, for instance, starts with Persuasion, Commerce, and Wellness. Crucially, you are not locked out of any skill tree based on your Background. It simply gives you a head start in three specific areas.

This is where the magic of Starfield character building happens. The "best" choice is inherently tied to your intended playstyle. Are you a silent predator, a silver-tongued scoundrel, or a tech-savvy explorer? Your choices here will determine your effectiveness in those roles for the first dozen hours or more.

Top Tier Backgrounds for a Powerful Start

While all backgrounds are viable, some offer a more universally powerful or versatile starting package.

1. Bounty Hunter: A fantastic choice for players who want to engage with Starfield's core gameplay loops of combat and spaceflight. Its skills—Piloting, Targeting Control Systems, and Boost Pack Training—are incredibly impactful from the very first moment you sit in a cockpit or engage in a firefight. Piloting is arguably one of the most essential skills in the game, allowing you to maneuver better and, eventually, utilize ship docking and better ship classes. Targeting Control Systems is a game-changer for space combat, letting you disable enemy ship systems. Boost Pack Training is a non-negotiable for terrestrial mobility and combat evasion. This background provides immediate, tangible power.

2. Cyber Runner: If your playstyle leans towards stealth, hacking, and subterfuge, this is your go-to. Starting with Stealth, Security, and Theft, the Cyber Runner lets you bypass entire encounters, access restricted areas, and pilfer valuable contraband with ease. Security is a must-have for anyone who wants to open locked containers and doors, which are everywhere. Stealth multiplies your damage from sneak attacks and allows you to avoid unwanted conflicts. This is the ultimate "problem-avoider" background, turning potential combat scenarios into puzzles.

3. Industrialist: A surprisingly robust and versatile choice. With skills in Security, Persuasion, and Research Methods, the Industrialist is a master of preparation and profit. You can open locks, talk your way out of trouble, and—most importantly—drastically reduce the resource cost of crafting and research at the all-important Research Laboratory. For players who want to dive deep into Starfield's outpost building and weapon modding systems, Research Methods is a massive quality-of-life perk that saves countless resources.

4. Explorer: True to its name, this background is for those whose primary drive is to "see that moon over there? Let's go." With Lasers, Surveying, and Astrodynamics, you're well-equipped for the rigors of deep space. Surveying helps you get more data from planetary scans, a key activity for explorers. Astrodynamics increases your grav jump range, meaning you can reach farther star systems earlier. This is a pure roleplay background that perfectly supports the core fantasy of discovery.

Analyzing the Best Starting Skills for Any Build

Beyond the pre-set packages, let's break down the individual skills that are so powerful you might want to build a custom background around them (or prioritize them from your chosen one).

• S-Tier (Almost Mandatory):

  • Security: This is the master key to Starfield's world. Locked doors and containers often hide the best loot, from powerful weapons and rare resources to valuable credits and unique items. Neglecting this skill means willingly leaving a significant portion of the game's treasure behind.
  • Piloting: Your ship is your home, your transport, and your primary weapon. Piloting not only makes you a more lethal force in dogfights but also gates your access to the best ship components and classes. You cannot fly a Class C behemoth without investing in this tree.
  • Persuasion: While you can shoot your way through many problems, Persuasion often opens up unique dialogue options, resolves conflicts peacefully for greater rewards, and unlocks alternative quest solutions. It's the skill that makes the world feel more reactive to your personality.

• A-Tier (Extremely Impactful):

  • Boost Pack Training: The jetpack (boost pack) is a core movement tool. Without this skill, it's barely functional. With it, you gain unparalleled mobility in combat and exploration, allowing you to reach high places and reposition effortlessly. It fundamentally changes how you interact with the game's environments.
  • Commerce: Credits make the universe go 'round. This skill increases the prices you get for selling junk and loot while lowering the cost of buying essential items like ammo, med packs, and ship parts. It's a slow-burn perk that pays massive dividends over a long playthrough, accelerating your ability to afford better gear and ships.
  • Targeting Control Systems (Ship): This turns chaotic space battles into tactical engagements. The ability to target and destroy an enemy's engines (for boarding), weapons (to reduce their threat), or grav drive (to prevent escape) is immensely powerful and rewarding.

• B-Tier (Build-Defining):

  • Stealth: Essential for the silent assassin or thief. Less critical for a heavily armored soldier, but for the right build, it's an S-tier skill.
  • Research Methods: If you plan on crafting, modding weapons, building outposts, or brewing chems, this skill is a massive resource-saver. If you don't, it's useless. Know your playstyle.
  • Weapon Certification Skills (e.g., Ballistics, Lasers): A direct damage increase for your preferred weapon type. Always good, but often a secondary priority to the utility skills listed above.

Crafting Your Perfect Starting Build: A Step-by-Step Approach

So, how do you put this all together? Follow this simple process:

1. Define Your Fantasy: Are you a Han Solo-esque smuggler? A scientific explorer? A corporate spy? The name you give your archetype will guide your choices.
2. Choose Your Background: Look for the background that gives you at least two skills that directly support your fantasy. Don't worry about the third; a little versatility is never bad. For our Han Solo, the Space Scoundrel (Pistol Certification, Persuasion, Piloting) is a perfect fit.
3. Identify Your "Must-Have" Skill: Is there one skill from the S-Tier list that your background missed? For many, this is Security. If your chosen background doesn't include it, your first three skill points upon leveling up should be used to acquire it.
4. Plan Your First 10 Levels: Have a rough idea of the first 4-5 skills you want to invest in. This usually means getting your core S-Tier skills online first, then beginning to specialize and rank up your key combat or crafting skills.

Final Recommendations for Different Playstyles

• The Combat Specialist: Start with Bounty Hunter. Immediately invest your first skill points in a weapon certification (like Ballistics) and Security. You'll be a force on the ground and in the stars.
• The Stealth Operative: Cyber Runner is your only choice. Your early skill points can go into perfecting your stealth or perhaps into Commerce to fund your illicit activities.
• The Charismatic Explorer: Consider the Explorer or Diplomat background. Use your early levels to grab Piloting and Security to complement your social and scientific prowess.
• The Crafter/Builder: The Industrialist is ideal. Your first priority outside of its skills should be gathering resources, but securing Piloting early will also help you find the perfect planet for your first Starfield outpost building project.

Remember, there are no wrong answers, only more or less optimized ones for your personal story. Your Starfield background and starting skills are the first step in a long and rewarding journey. Choose wisely, but don't be afraid to let your own story guide you. The stars are waiting, and they're full of opportunities for the captain who is properly prepared. Now, go forge your legacy.