Starfield Follower Approval Increases: Affinity Guide

In the vast, star-studded expanse of Starfield, the companions you choose to journey with are more than mere hired guns or passive observers. They are complex characters with their own beliefs, values, and moral compasses. Building a strong relationship with them is not just about having a skilled fighter at your side; it’s about unlocking deep personal stories, unique perks, and even romantic possibilities. The key to this lies in the game’s affinity system, where your actions directly influence your companion’s approval. This guide will delve into the mechanics of increasing follower approval and building lasting affinity.

Understanding the Affinity System

At its core, the affinity system is a hidden relationship meter that tracks your companion’s opinion of you. Every significant action you take, dialogue choice you make, or quest you complete is filtered through your follower’s personal worldview. When you act in a way they agree with, you’ll gain approval, often signaled by a notification in the top-left corner of the screen (e.g., “Sarah Morgan liked that”). Conversely, acting against their principles will result in disapproval (“Barrett disliked that”).

Consistent approval raises your overall affinity level with that character, moving the relationship from neutral to friendly, then to committed, and potentially to a romantic partnership. Each stage unlocks new dialogue options, personal quests that delve into their backstory, and powerful companion-specific perks.

General Principles for Gaining Approval

While each companion is unique, some general behavioral patterns can help you earn favor with most of them.

Be a Hero (Mostly): The majority of companions in Starfield are morally upright individuals. Acts of heroism, such as helping citizens in distress, resolving conflicts peacefully, and choosing compassionate dialogue options, are almost universally appreciated. siding with major factions like the United Colonies Vanguard or Constellation itself often aligns with their values.
Prioritize Dialogue and Diplomacy: Drawing your weapon is often the last resort for a respected Constellation member. Whenever presented with a dialogue option to defuse a situation, investigate further, or offer help without immediate payment, take it. Companions respect a thoughtful and diplomatic approach.
Show Curiosity About the Universe: Constellation is an organization of explorers and scientists. Showing a genuine interest in the mysteries of the cosmos—scanning flora and fauna, investigating ancient alien artifacts, and choosing dialogue options that reflect wonder and curiosity—will earn you significant approval from many followers.
Be Loyal to Your Crew: Standing up for your companions or other members of Constellation is a surefire way to gain their respect. Defending them in arguments or showing unwavering loyalty during faction conflicts demonstrates that you value them as more than just crewmates.

Companion-Specific Approvals and Disapprovals

This is where nuance becomes critical. Understanding each companion’s personality is essential for maximizing affinity.

Sarah Morgan (The Idealistic Leader): As the head of Constellation, Sarah values responsibility, courage, and lawful solutions. She approves of upholding the law, making ethical choices, and putting the mission first. She strongly dislikes unnecessary violence, piracy, and selfishness. Avoid siding with the Crimson Fleet or making chaotic, unpredictable choices around her.
Barrett (The Charming Free Spirit): Barrett is jovial, adventurous, and has a more flexible moral code. He enjoys humor, creative problem-solving, and taking risks. He often approves of unconventional and charismatic dialogue options. While not outright evil, he is more forgiving of minor rule-breaking if it leads to an interesting story. He dislikes stuffy formality and excessive caution.
Sam Coe (The Space Cowboy with a Code: Hailing from a legendary family of space pioneers, Sam values freedom, independence, and family above all. He approves of helping the underdog, challenging corrupt authority, and acts of personal loyalty. He has a soft spot for his daughter, Cora, and any kindness shown to her will greatly increase his affinity. He despises betrayal and oppressive control.
Andreja (The Mysterious Pragmatist): Andreja is a complex individual with a secretive past. She is pragmatic, resourceful, and often wary of others. She appreciates self-sufficiency, cunning, and efficiency. She may approve of morally grey tactics that ensure survival and mission success, where others might not. However, she also has a strong sense of honor toward those she trusts. She dislikes naivety and gratuitous cruelty.
Other Crew Members: While the four main companions have the deepest stories, don’t ignore your other crew. Characters like Vasco (who approves of efficiency and protocol), Heller (the kindly miner), or Marika Boros (the adventurous freelancer) all have their own likes and dislikes that can be discovered through interaction.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Affinity

Travel Solo When "Misbehaving": If you plan on engaging in activities that are frowned upon—such as piracy, smuggling, or attacking innocents—it is best to leave your moral-minded companions safely on your ship. Travel alone or with a more amoral crew member who won’t judge your life choices.
Talk to Them Constantly: After every major story beat or when you gain approval, return to your ship or an outpost and speak to your companion. This often triggers new, affinity-locked dialogue layers that are crucial for progressing their personal quests.
Complete Their Personal Quests: When a companion approaches you with a personal matter, drop everything and help them. Successfully resolving their unique questline is the single largest affinity boost you can receive and is the gateway to the highest relationship tiers.
Use Gifts (If Applicable): While not a primary mechanic like in some games, paying attention to a character’s likes can help. If you notice a companion has a fondness for a specific type of book, item, or food, giving it to them might trigger a small approval increase.

The Rewards of High Affinity

The effort to build strong relationships pays substantial dividends. Beyond the rich narrative and role-playing depth, high-affinity companions will grant you powerful permanent perks that remain active even when they are not following you. These can include:

Combat bonuses like increased critical damage or damage resistance.
Skill enhancements, such as better prices at shops or more effective healing items.
Unique abilities that trigger randomly during combat.

Ultimately, mastering the affinity system transforms your journey through the Settled Systems. It’s the difference between being a lone explorer and being the captain of a trusted, loyal family—a family that will follow you to the furthest reaches of the galaxy and beyond.