If you're interested in knowing which character backgrounds you can choose from in Starfield, then you're in the right place! Stick around to find out what they can be useful for and which skills come along with each background.
Starfield offers its players a wide variety of customization options to choose from. If you aren't sure what kind of character you want to create yet, it might help to gather some inspiration by looking at all available options first.
Amongst the many different aspects you can change about your character, one important decision you're going to have to make is what type of background your character will have.
Depending on which background option you pick, it might give you somewhat of an advantage in some areas, while it may make other areas a bit harder. So it's worth looking at all available options before starting your playthrough.
Here's what we already know about the different character backgrounds you can choose from.
Starfield: Background Options
There are 21 different background options you can choose from. Basically, your background will mostly relate to different career types.
Each background will offer your character a different skill set at the beginning, which will also help guide you when you start your Starfield journey.
Your background will also offer chances to take special missions and paths, as well as unique dialogue options. So, you don't necessarily need to pick your character's background based solely on a specific skill set, but also based on which story path you might want to embark on!
But first, let's check which background options will be available to pick from:
Beast Hunter
From the Ashta of Akila to the Terrormorphs that plague the whole of the Settled Systems, hostile alien life abounds. You've learned the skills to track them, find them, and take them down.
Starting skills:
Fitness
In space, the greatest commodity is oxygen, and the increased lung capacity gained by a regular physical fitness regimen is essential to survival.The fitness skill means you will have more oxygen available.
Ballistics
Centuries of conflict have proven that when it comes to threat elimination, few things stack up to the reliable power of high-speed projectiles.Ballistic weapons will deal more damage.
Gastronomy
Access to brand-new worlds means access to brand-new ingredients, and there is almost no limit to the delicious foods and drinks a talented chef can prepare.Gastronomy unlocks the ability to craft and research specialty food and drinks.
All that time hunting down hostile alien life has helped you gain quite some skills. Not only did your lung capacity increase, which means you have more oxygen available, but you also know how to handle a ballistic weapon, which lets you deal more damage when using those.
Travelling around the galaxy has helped you pick up more than just one or two different intergalactic recipes and has increased your own cooking skills.
Bouncer
You've worked the line at the toughest clubs in the Settled Systems. Back then, you learned that most non-lethal confrontations can be solved one of two ways: a strong right hook, or a more strongly secured door.
Starting skills:
Boxing:
Once considered a "sport of kings," boxing is still practiced as a recreational competitive activity, but its combat applications can't be denied. The boxing skill makes your unarmed attacks do more damage. You also use less O2 when using a power attack.
Security:
While the standardized digital locking mechanism is renowned for its security, any code can be broken with the proper training. Security unlocks the ability to attempt to pick tough locks and also banks multiple auto attempts.
Fitness
In space, the greatest commodity is oxygen, and the increased lung capacity gained by a regular physical fitness regimen is essential to survival.The fitness skill means you will have more oxygen available.
No matter who approaches you, they'll definitely not be passing through. Those that have tried, have helped you learn how to deal a mean punch, so your unarmed attacks now deal more damage.
Having to stop others constantly also means you have to stay fit, which has helped you have high oxygen availability. But don't worry if you want to enter somewhere. Locks won't always be able to stop you, thanks to your lockpicking abilities.
Bounty Hunter
Wherever there are wanted individuals, there are those who profit from their capture. And your quarry knows that in the vastness of space, they can run...but they can't hide.
Starting skills:
Piloting
As more people journey into space, the number of those certified to effectively pilot various types of spacecraft has increased dramatically.
Piloting helps you steer and control your spaceship.
Targeting Control Systems
Missile weapons are favored because they can lock onto an enemy ship, but an intimate knowledge of tracking systems can make them even more effective.
Targeting lets you target other ships and enables quicker targeting when ranked up.
Boost Pack Training
Specialized training and innovations in personal mobility systems have allowedfor unfettered exploration on alien worlds.
Lets you utilize boost packs.
Having to follow your bounty all across the galaxy has helped you become an amazing pilot, and an even better shot at enemy ships. But even if your foes aren't up in the air, your Boost Pack training helps you quickly reach your targets, no matter where you are.
Chef
While the unrefined masses scarfed down chunks by the shipload, you catered to those with a more... discerning palate. In your kitchen, countless alien species became true culinary masterpieces.
Starting skills:
Gastronomy
Access to brand-new worlds means access to brand-new ingredients, and there is almost no limit to the delicious foods and drinks a talented chef can prepare. Gastronomy unlocks the ability to craft and research specialty food and drinks.
Dueling
Considered by many to be a lost art, close attacks with a melee weapon can often be deadlier than ranged combat when carried out by a skilled practitioner.
Dueling lets you deal more damage with melee weapons.
Scavenging
There are those who can find just about anything, and their success is usually dependent on knowing how, and where, to look.
Increases your chances to find additional items when scavenging.
Your time in the kitchen was well spent. Besides your obvious culinary skills thanks to your years of work, which allow you to whip up many different recipes, your knife skills also come in handy in other areas.
Not only can you chop up enemies, but also your foes thanks to your melee weapons dealing more damage. And you could always create a masterpiece even in the most barren of kitchens, which helps you find more items than others whenever you go scavenging.
Combat Medic
Leave it to human beings to fight over something as infinite as outer space. That's where you come in. You've never been afraid to take on the enemy...but you'd much rather take care of your friends.
Starting skills:
Pistol Certification
Considering the popularity of the personal sidearm in the Settled Systems,familiarity with such weapons is often considered essential.
Your pistol certification will make attacks with pistols deal more damage.
Medicine
Only through advancements in medical training and technology has humanity been able to withstand the galaxy's many dangers.
The medicine skill lets Med Packs, Trauma Packs and Emergency Kits restore more health than usual and also quicker.
Wellness
By embracing an active lifestyle and good nutrition habits, one may improve their overall sense of health, and even gain prolonged life expectancy.
Wellness increases your maximum health.
While you aren't too shabby with weapons, especially pistols, you prefer to help others over fighting.
With your medical background you can heal better and quicker, while also knowing how to take care of your own health well enough. Thanks to that, you'll have a higher maximum health.
Cyber Runner
From Neon to New Atlantis, the megacorps stand as monuments to power, prestige and profit. You've worked both for and against them, on the inside and out, often sacrificing conscience for credits.
Starting skills:
Stealth
For a combatant who values discretion above all else, the ability to approach a target while undetected and kill with a silenced weapon is as terrifying as it is effective.
The stealth skill unlocks a stealth meter which will make you more difficult to detect while sneaking. Your stealth meter upgrades with rank ups.
Security
While the standardized digital locking mechanism is renowned for its security, any code can be broken with the proper training. Security unlocks the ability to attempt to pick tough locks and also banks multiple auto attempts.
Theft
While not entirely honorable, and certainly not legal, it is nonetheless occasionally necessary to discreetly remove property from someone's person.
The theft skill unlocks the ability to pickpocket others. The success rate increases with each rank.
You're no stranger to getting your hands dirty, as long as the price is right. Having done some jobs more sketchy than others means that you can get in almost anywhere, even undetected.
You can get your hands on almost anything you want, even if it means having to take it directly out of others pockets.
Cyberneticist
Robots? Mere toys. Neuroamps? Good for parlor tricks. The Colony War may have made implants and upgrades available to veterans, but you once saw a greater future. Humans and machines, as one.
Starting skills:
Medicine
Only through advancements in medical training and technology has humanity been able to withstand the galaxy's many dangers.The medicine skill lets Med Packs, Trauma Packs and Emergency Kits restore more health than usual and also quicker.
Security
While the standardized digital locking mechanism is renowned for its security, any code can be broken with the proper training. Security unlocks the ability to attempt to pick tough locks and also banks multiple auto attempts.
Lasers
Personal laser weapons are in widespread use across the Settled Systems, and specialized training can greatly increase their effectiveness.
The laser skill increases the damage laser weapons deal.
You like to dream big and you once wished to combine the powers of technology and humanity.
Sadly, that isn't the case at the moment, but it still helps you use technology to enter areas that you aren't supposed to be in, while being able to protect yourself with laser weapons, how cool is that? You also know your way around a Med Kit, and have no problem using these quickly and more efficiently than others.
Diplomat
The wars are over. Peace now reigns in the Settled Systems. But only because there are those quietly fighting to keep it. Because of you, agreements were signed, words were heeded... lives were spared.
Starting skills:
Persuasion
In the Settled Systems, the nuanced ability to listen and discuss can often accomplish far more than simply shooting first and asking questions later.
Increases your ability to persuade others.
Commerce
In the Settled Systems' free market economy, almost anyone with the right skillset can open and run a successful business.
The commerce skill enables you to buy items for less money and sell items for more than their usual worth.
Wellness
By embracing an active lifestyle and good nutrition habits, one may improve their overall sense of health, and even gain prolonged life expectancy.Wellness increases your maximum health.
People like you know how to keep peace without the help of weapons. After all, the tongue is mightier than the sword, and you're here to prove it.
As a Diplomat it's important to be able to persuade others, which can also be useful when bartering at markets as well. But every sharp tongue needs a well rested mind behind it, so you know how to look after yourself, which increases your maximum health.
Explorer
They said exploration is a lost art. You didn't listen. As the major factions argued over the space they desperately tried to control, you were busy uncovering the wonders of the Settled Systems.
Starting skills:
Lasers
Personal laser weapons are in widespread use across the Settled Systems, and specialized training can greatly increase their effectiveness.The laser skill increases the damage laser weapons deal.
Astrodynamics
Advanced technology is one thing, but it takes skill, patience, and a little bit of love to coax even more capability out of a ship’s grav drive.
The astrodynamic skill increases the range of you grav jumps and reduces the fuel cost of jump drives.
Surveying
Humanity now has access to untold alien worlds, and the ability to decipher all that data while on the ground has become an essential skillset.
Surveying adds an optional zoom to your hand scanner and increases its scan distance.
You see endless potential all around the galaxy, but your experience taught you that while every corner can be hiding wonders, it can also be hiding dangers as well.
So, as an Explorer you'll know your way around a hand scanner, but can also handle laser weapons quite well. In order to check out the wonders of the galaxy, you have to get their first and you have some tricks up your sleve which will help you get there faster and without wasting fuel.
Gangster
You were always disgusted by suckers killing themselves to make an "honest wage." As soon as you were old enough to hold a weapon, you took what you wanted from anyone unlucky enough to have it.
Starting skills:
Shotgun Certification
The cornerstone of close quarters combat, or CQC, the shotgun has proven a simple, deadly weapon for hundreds of years.
Increases the amount of damage that shotguns deal.
Boxing
Once considered a "sport of kings," boxing is still practiced as a recreational competitive activity, but its combat applications can't be denied. The boxing skill makes your unarmed attacks do more damage. You also use less O2 when using a power attack.
Theft
While not entirely honorable, and certainly not legal, it is nonetheless occasionally necessary to discreetly remove property from someone's person.The theft skill unlocks the ability to pickpocket others. The success rate increases with each rank.
Bada bing, bada boom, you know how to get a job done, don't you? Gangsters walk around like the place belongs to them, because if they wanted it, they would take it.
You take things from others if you want it, and if they won't give it to you, then boom – you use your boxing skills to punch them in the face. If that doesn't work, well *click click* bring out the shotgun, that'll show them.
Homesteader
The discovery of the Settled System's many oxygen-rich planets and moons meant humans could live just about anywhere...if they had the know how. You did, and utilized it to great effect.
Starting skills:
Geology
Newly discovered minerals mined from alien planets and moons have directly led to some incredible technological advancements.
Increases the amount and rarity of inorganic resources you get from surface objects.
Surveying
Humanity now has access to untold alien worlds, and the ability to decipher all that data while on the ground has become an essential skillset.Surveying adds an optional zoom to your hand scanner and increases its scan distance.
Weight Lifting
Weight training can significantly increase one's ability to carry weapons and equipment, both in space and on the ground.
Since you're such a beast, you'll be able to carry around mor
e weight.
There's no place like home, well, unless you make it your home! You know how to make the best out of whatever you have, thanks to your surveying skills you'll find just about anything, anywhere.
With your geology skills, you'll be able to pick up resources from any surface and since you've done this so often, your back is used to all the extra weight.
Industrialist
There was a time when all you wanted to be was a titan of industry, maybe a ship designer or megacorp exec. Thankfully, that skillset never goes out of style in the settled systems.
Starting skills:
Persuasion
In the Settled Systems, the nuanced ability to listen and discuss can often accomplish far more than simply shooting first and asking questions later.Increases your ability to persuade others.
Security
While the standardized digital locking mechanism is renowned for its security, any code can be broken with the proper training. Security unlocks the ability to attempt to pick tough locks and also banks multiple auto attempts.
Research Methods
By skillfully employing both new and time tested methods, a researcher may complete projects faster, and even gain unexpected insights.
Reduces the amount of resources needed to craft items or complete research projects.
Maybe you'll come back to your megacorp dream, but for now you'll be able to use your persuasiveness otherwise. You're quick on your feet and know quite a lot about researching new things. If you don't have the necessary ressources yet, then you might just have to lockpick your way to them.
Long Hauler
Let those other hothead pilots obsess over laser weapons and maneuverability. You're a space trucker, pure and simple. Pack the cargo, get it there fast, get paid, repeat. Life is simple and good.
Starting skills:
Weight Lifting
Weight training can significantly increase one's ability to carry weapons and equipment, both in space and on the ground.Since you're such a beast, you'll be able to carry around more weight.
Piloting
As more people journey into space, the number of those certified to effectively pilot various types of spacecraft has increased dramatically.Piloting helps you steer and control your spaceship.
Ballistic Weapon Systems
While there have been significant advancements in ship-borne weaponry, sometimes the simplest tool is the most effective.
Increases the damage dealt by ballistic ship weapons and increases their efficiancy.
Some might find your job repetitive, but you like the routine your job gives you and you're good at it.
All those hours lifting cargo and piloting your ship have not only given you crazy back muscles to help you carry more than the average Joe, but you can also maneuveur your spaceship almost anywhere. If anyone come in the way between you and your job, you won't shy away from using your ballistic weapons.
Pilgrim
Wayfarer, wanderer, seeker...transient. You've been called many things during your travels, and learned something those others could never understand - the journey IS the destination.
Starting skills:
Scavenging
There are those who can find just about anything, and their success is usually dependent on knowing how, and where, to look.Increases your chances to find additional items when scavenging.
Surveying
Humanity now has access to untold alien worlds, and the ability to decipher all that data while on the ground has become an essential skillset.Surveying adds an optional zoom to your hand scanner and increases its scan distance.
Gastronomy
Access to brand-new worlds means access to brand-new ingredients, and there is almost no limit to the delicious foods and drinks a talented chef can prepare. Gastronomy unlocks the ability to craft and research specialty food and drinks.
Space. The final frontier. You've spent your life traveling the universe and you've got the skills to prove it.
Sharing recipes with people from other planets has given you quite the cookbook and you know how to find some great knickknacks for your friends back home. You can use those keen eyes to scan your way around any planet and pick up any item that you can find.
Professor
You've always enjoyed learning, but nothing could compare to the joy of teaching others. As humankind spread throughout the stars, there was never alack of knowledge to obtain, and you gladly assisted.
Starting skills:
Astrodynamics
Advanced technology is one thing, but it takes skill, patience, and a little bit of love to coax even more capability out of a ship’s grav drive.The astrodynamic skill increases the range of you grav jumps and reduces the
fuel cost of jump drives.
Geology
Newly discovered minerals mined from alien planets and moons have directly led to some incredible technological advancements.Increases the amount and rarity of inorganic resources you get from surface objects.
Research Methods
By skillfully employing both new and time tested methods, a researcher may complete projects faster, and even gain unexpected insights.Reduces the amount of resources needed to craft items or complete research projects.
Every good Professor needs to keep their knowledge fresh and you've travelled far and wide to for whatever your newest research project was.
With the help of your geology skills you can find rare inorganic resources and later use those to craft items or use them for your research projects. When you're done, hop into your spaceship, because thanks to your astrodynamic skills you'll be back in no time, at a low fuel cost.
Ronin
Masterless and unbound, you wandered the Settled Systems as a blade for hire. To some, you were a simple mercenary. To others, a hero. And to a select few...a nightmare they could never wake from.
Starting skills:
Dueling
Considered by many to be a lost art, close attacks with a melee weapon can often be deadlier than ranged combat when carried out by a skilled practitioner.Dueling lets you deal more damage with melee weapons.
Stealth
For a combatant who values discretion above all else, the ability to approach a target while undetected and kill with a silenced weapon is as terrifying as it is effective.The stealth skill unlocks a stealth meter which will make you more difficult to detect while sneaking. Your stealth meter upgrades with rank ups.
Scavenging
There are those who can find just about anything, and their success is usually dependent on knowing how, and where, to look.Increases your chances to find additional items when scavenging.
You know how to get a job done without having to face repercussions. Use your scavenging skills to find helpful items and sneak your way to your targets, then attack them using your melee weapons!
Sculptor
With your knowledge of anatomy and skilled, steady hands, you could have become a surgeon. Instead, you followed your heart, and created works of art to amaze and inspire.
Starting skills:
Medicine
Only through advancements in medical training and technology has humanity been able to withstand the galaxy's many dangers.The medicine skill lets Med Packs, Trauma Packs and Emergency Kits restore more health than usual and also quicker.
Geology
Newly discovered minerals mined from alien planets and moons have directly led to some incredible technological advancements.Increases the amount and rarity of inorganic resources you get from surface objects.
Persuasion
In the Settled Systems, the nuanced ability to listen and discuss can often accomplish far more than simply shooting first and asking questions later.Increases your ability to persuade others.
Every good artist knows how to use whatever tools are available and makes the most of it! Using the delicate hands for your sculptures also helps you to mend wounds precisely and quickly.
Don't worry if your parents are asking you yet again when you're going to become a doctor, quickly persuade them that you'll make more money soon, so they'll get off your back.
Soldier
The Settled Systems is no stranger to warfare, and if there's one thing, armed conflict relies on its trained warriors with guns and guts. You had both. Simple, bloody work...and you were great at it.
Starting skills:
Fitness
In space, the greatest commodity is oxygen, and the increased lung capacity gained by a regular physical fitness regimen is essential to survival. The fitness skill means you will have more oxygen available.
Ballistics
Centuries of conflict have proven that when it comes to threat elimination, few things stack up to the reliable power of high-speed projectiles. Ballistic weapons will deal more damage.
Boost Pack Training
Specialized training and innovations in personal mobility systems have allowed for unfettered exploration on alien worlds.Lets you utilize boost packs.
Your time as a soldier has given you a very particular set of skills, and you're proud of it.
No matter where you are, you can quickly win a fight with the help of your Booster Pack and your ballistic weapons. And when your opponent is gasping for air, already tired out, you can end your fight easily, since your fitness skills gave you more lung capacity.
Space Scoundrel
Good? Bad? Whose right is it to say? If there's anything you've learned traipsing through the galaxy, it's this: space may look black, but it's really one shade of gray.
Starting skills:
Pistol Certification
Considering the popularity of the personal sidearm in the Settled Systems, familiarity with such weapons is often considered essential.Your pistol certification will make attacks with pistols deal more damage.
Piloting
As more people journey into space, the number of those certified to effectively pilot various types of spacecraft has increased dramatically.Piloting helps you steer and control your spaceship.
Persuasion
In the Settled Systems, the nuanced ability to listen and discuss can often accomplish far more than simply shooting first and asking questions later.Increases your ability to persuade others.
You do whatever is necessary, there is no right or wrong. You get from one place to the next while relying on yourself. If you have to go someplace else, then you hop into your ship and go there.
No one will stop you from going. If they can't be persuaded by you, then you'll just have to use your pistol skills instead.
Xenobiologist
The Settled Systems is home to untold alien species. And while none of them have yet proven sentient, that never deterred you. So you sought out and studied them for whatever gifts they offered.
Starting skills:
Lasers
Personal laser weapons are in widespread use across the Settled Systems, and specialized training can greatly increase their effectiveness.The laser skill increases the damage laser weapons deal.
Surveying
Humanity now has access to untold alien worlds, and the ability to decipher all that data while on the ground has become an essential skillset.Surveying adds an optional zoom to your hand scanner and increases its scan distance.
Fitness
In space, the greatest commodity is oxygen, and the increased lung capacity gained by a regular physical fitness regimen is essential to survival. The fitness skill means you will have more oxygen available.
Aliens offer so much potential and you know it. You've studied aliens for so long, you know how to notice the fine details, even from a distance, thanks to the help of your hand scanner.
If an alien ever does try to attack you, you know how to get away quickly. It's happend often enough, that you barely lose your breath anymore. Some aliens are quicker than you, but you know how to stop them with the help of your laser weapons.
[File Not Found]
Oddly, there's no information on file about your past life. Clerical oversight? Deletion by some powerful, unknown faction? Or was there just nothing of note to mention? Whatever the reason, your past is known only to you. What's important is the here and now, and the path you're about to forge.
Starting skills:
Wellness
By embracing an active lifestyle and good nutrition habits, one may improve their overall sense of health, and even gain prolonged life expectancy.Wellness increases your maximum health.
Ballistics
Centuries of conflict have proven that when it comes to threat elimination, few things stack up to the reliable power of high-speed projectiles.Ballistic weapons will deal more damage.
Piloting
As more people journey into space, the number of those certified to effectively pilot various types of spacecraft has increased dramatically.Piloting helps you steer and control your spaceship.
Who are you? Well, that's up to you to decide apparently. This character background allows you to choose your own story, but also gives you a wellrounded skillset to start of with.
It seems your character will be able to take care of themselves, no matter where they end up flying to. Even if you get into a fight, you can use your ballistic weapons. After you've won the battle, you can take care of your wounds as though you've done this many times before. Or have you?
Starfield offers plenty of background choices to pick from, so take your time to find out which one you'll use when playing!
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