Starfield Best Planet Landing Spots: Zone Guide
Exploring the vast, uncharted reaches of space in Starfield is a core part of the experience. With over a thousand planets spread across numerous star systems, knowing where to land your ship can mean the difference between a lucrative adventure and a catastrophic encounter. This guide highlights some of the best planetary landing zones, categorized by primary interest: Resource Farming, Story and Lore, Combat and Danger, and Scenic Vistas. Whether you're a miner, a historian, a thrill-seeker, or a sightseer, there’s a perfect spot for you.
1. Resource Farming Zones
For players focused on upgrading gear, building outposts, or earning credits, targeting resource-rich planets is essential.
Kreet in the Narion System Kreet, a moon orbiting Anselon, is an ideal early-game location for resource gathering. Its surface is abundant with iron, aluminum, and helium-3, all critical for initial outpost construction and fuel production. The low gravity allows for easy traversal, and the lack of aggressive fauna makes mining operations relatively safe. Landing near the equatorial region will often yield the highest concentration of these resources.
Procyon III in the Procyon A System This planet is a goldmine for rare elements. It features large deposits of tungsten, vanadium, and even occasional pockets of very rare neutronium. The planet’s extreme cold temperatures require thermal protection, but the payoff is substantial. The northern glacier zones are particularly rich, though watch out for occasional seismic activity that can open up new caves filled with resources—and hidden dangers.
Zamka in the Alpha Centauri System As a moon orbiting Olivas, Zamka is blanketed in toxic gases, but beneath this harsh atmosphere lies a wealth of organic and inorganic materials. It's one of the best locations for harvesting fiber, toxins, and metabolic agents used in advanced pharmaceutical crafting and chemical research. Landing near the gaseous vents at the poles will maximize your yield, but ensure your suit has robust toxin filters.
2. Story and Lore Zones
These planets are less about resources and more about uncovering the deep narrative threads and hidden secrets of the Starfield universe.
Jemison in the Alpha Centauri System Home to New Atlantis, the largest city in the United Colonies, Jemison is a must-visit for any player invested in the main story and faction politics. While the city itself is a hub of activity, landing at the remote “The Edge” location south of the city often triggers unique random encounters with settlers, diplomats, and spies that provide context to the broader conflict between the UC and the Freestar Collective. Data slates found here often contain logs that flesh out the world’s history.
Akila in the Cheyenne System The capital of the Freestar Collective, Akila is steeped in a history of independence and resilience. Landing outside the city walls in the rocky foothills to the east leads to several abandoned homesteads and old battle sites. Exploring these areas reveals logs and artifacts detailing the Colony Wars and the founding of the Freestar Collective. It’s a great zone for players who want to understand the motivations of this major faction.
Tau Ceti II This planet holds the ruins of an ancient civilization predating even the Settled Systems. Landing at the designated “Strange Signal” source on the western continent will bring you to a sprawling archaeological dig site. The environmental storytelling here is exceptional, with hieroglyphics, artifact fragments, and structural layouts that hint at a sophisticated culture wiped out by an unknown catastrophe. It’s a quiet, contemplative zone rich with existential lore.
3. Combat and Danger Zones
For those seeking a challenge, high-level enemies, and lucrative loot from fallen foes, these planets offer constant adrenaline-pumping action.
Kryx in the Kryx System The infamous prison planet, home to the Lock penitentiary, is a perpetual warzone. The entire planet is a high-level combat zone, but landing at the “Lock Landing Pad” directly engages you with the most hardened criminals and corrupt guards. The loot here is exceptional, featuring advanced weapons, contraband, and rare armor mods. Be prepared for sustained firefights; come heavily armed and with plenty of med packs.
Bannoc IV in the Bannoc System This desolate world is overrun with Crimson Fleet patrols and automated defense systems from a forgotten corporate war. Landing in the “Industrial Ruins” zone pits you against waves of pirates and deadly security robots. The challenge is high, but the rewards are worth it, including access to locked armories and the chance to secure Class C ship parts early in the game. This is not a landing zone for the unprepared.
Charybdis III A truly terrifying world, Charybdis III is infested with the most aggressive and lethal alien fauna in the game. Landing in the “Dense Jungle” biome will immediately attract swarms of creatures that hunt in packs and can quickly overwhelm an isolated explorer. However, defeating these beasts yields unique organic components needed for the most powerful weapon and armor upgrades. It’s a high-risk, high-reward scenario for end-game players.
4. Scenic Vistas and Photo-Op Zones
Starfield isn’t all danger and toil; it’s also a visually stunning universe. These planets offer some of the most breathtaking views for players who just want to explore and admire the beauty of the cosmos.
Nesoi in the Olympus System A paradisical world with lush forests, rolling hills, and calm blue lakes. Landing at the “Whispering Hills” location at dawn or dusk provides a stunning view of the system’s star reflecting off the water, with the gas giant Olympus in the sky. The ambient music and gentle wildlife create a serene experience, perfect for a break from the main quest.
Leviathan IV This moon orbits a brilliant blue gas giant, and the sky from its surface is a constant celestial light show. The low gravity and fields of glowing, crystalline flora make it feel like an otherworldly dream. The best landing spot is “The Shimmering Flats,” a vast plain where the crystals react to your movement, creating a wave of light and color. It’s arguably the best location in the game for stunning screenshot opportunities.
Frostfall in the Newton System A tidally locked planet with one side in perpetual frozen day and the other in an eternal icy night. Landing on the terminator line—the border between day and night—offers a unique vista. To one side, a brilliant white ice field shines under a blazing star; to the other, a stark landscape is illuminated only by the bioluminescent lichen and a sky full of unfamiliar constellations. It’s a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the universe’s scale and mystery.
Conclusion: Planning Your Landing
Before touching down on any planet, always check your scanner for resource nodes, scan from orbit for points of interest, and consult your mission log. The beauty of Starfield is that the “best” landing spot is entirely subjective and depends on your goals at that moment. The planets listed here are just a starting point in a galaxy filled with opportunity. So, fuel up your ship, plot a course, and discover your own perfect landing zone. The stars are waiting.
