All Starfield Backgrounds

Guides Starfield | September 1, 2023 | By

Here is all about the Backgrounds in Starfield that have been revealed, which will allow players to build in this RPG by Bethesda, their character and however they like. 

Out of the many ways players can personalize their character in the latest RPG by Bethesda, one such way is the Starfield Backgrounds. At the beginning of the game, they form the basis of whom the player is and shape their character. So, what are the backgrounds in the game that have been revealed? Each of the backgrounds in the game provides three unique starting skills. Given that the game has a huge variety of skills, just these three won’t lock players into playing the game in a set way. However, early on in the game, they prove helpful, and even throughout your playthrough, this background will trigger dialogues and unique opportunity options.

All Backgrounds in Starfield

In the game Starfield, there are presently 16 Backgrounds that are confirmed. These backgrounds were spotted during the 2022 and 2023 Starfield showcases in the in-game menu. Here is a list of all 16 of them with everything we know.

Starfield Background In-game Description
 Starting Skills
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 skill to track them, find them, and take them down.
  • Fitness: You have 10% more Lung Capacity
  • Ballistics: Ballistic weapons do 10% more damage.
  • Gastronomy: You can research and craft specialty food and drinks.
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.
  • Fitness: You have 10% more Lung Capacity.
  • Boxing: Unarmed attacks do 25% more damage. Power attacks use 25% less O2.
  • Security: You can attempt to hack Advanced locks. +2 auto attempts.
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.
  • Boost Pack Training: You can now utilize boost packs.
  • Piloting: You can now utilize ship thrusters.
  • Targeting Control Systems: Unlocks ship targeting functionality.
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.
  • Gastronomy: Players can craft specialty drinks and fruits at a Research lab and even research additional recipes. 
  • Dueling: More damage is done by Melee Weapons (by around 25%).
  • Scavenging: You have chance to find extra credits from containers.
Combat Medic Leave it to humans 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.
  • Pistol Certification: More damage is done by Pistols (by around 10%).
  • Medicine: Med Packs would heal more(by 10%).
  • Wellness: +10% 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.
  • Stealth: You are harder to detect (25%) while you are sneaking. Also, you deal +5% extra sneak damage with suppressed weapons.
  • Security: Players can try hacking the advanced locks and even bank two auto attempts.
  • Theft: You can pickpocket targets.
Cyberneticist Robots? Mere toys. Neuroamps? Good for parkour 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.
  • Medicine: Med Packs would heal more (by 10%).
  • Security: You can attempt to hack Advanced locks. +2 auto attempts.
  • Lasers: More damage is done by Laser weapons (by 10%). 
Diplomat The wars are over. Peace now reigns 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.
  • Persuasion: On Speech challenges, the chance of success increases. 
  • Commerce: You get to buy stuff for 5% less and sell them for 10% more.
  • Wellness: +10% 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.
  • Lasers: More damage is done by Laser weapons (by 10%). 
  • Astrodynamics: The fuel cost for Grav Jump is decreased. 
  • Surveying: +20m scan distance.
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.
  • Shotgun Certification: You do 10% extra damage with Shotguns.
  • Boxing: Unarmed attacks do 25% more damage. Power attacks use 25% less O2.
  • Theft: You can pickpocket targets.
Homesteader The discovery of the Settled Systems’ 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.
  • Geology: You get extra common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Surveying: +20m scan distance.
  • Weightlifting: The player’s total carrying capacity is increased (by 10 Kilograms).
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.
  • Persuasion: On Speech challenges, the chance of success increases.
  • Security: You can attempt to hack Advanced locks. +2 auto attempts.
  • Research Methods: Crafting items and Completing Research Projects take in 10% less resources.
Long Hauler Let those other hotheaded 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.
  • Weightlifting: The player’s total carrying capacity is increased (by 10 Kilograms).
  • Piloting: You can use the Ship Thrusters.
  • Ballistic Weapon Systems: You get 10% extra Ballistic Ship weapon damage plus 20% reduction is cost for Targeting Mode.
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.
  • Scavenging: You have chance to find extra credits from containers.
  • Surveying: +20m scan distance.
  • Gastronomy: Players can craft specialty drinks and fruits at a Research lab and even research additional recipes.
Professor You always enjoyed learning, but nothing could compare to the joy of teaching others. As humankind spread throughout the stars, there was never a lack of knowledge to obtain, and you gladly assisted.
  • Astrodynamics: The fuel cost for Grav Jump is decreased.
  • Geology: You get extra common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Research Methods: Crafting items and Completing Research Projects take in 10% less resources.
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.
  • Dueling: More damage is done by Melee Weapons (by around 25%)
  • Stealth: You are harder to detect (25%) while you are sneaking. Also, you deal +5% extra sneak damage with suppressed weapons.
  • Scavenging: You have chance to find extra credits from containers.
Sculptor
 With your knowledge of anatomy and skilled, stead hands, you could have had a lucrative career as a surgeon. Instead, you followed your heart, and created works of art to amaze and inspire.
  • Medicine: Med Packs would heal more (by 10%).
  • Geology: You get extra common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Persuasion: On Speech challenges, the chance of success increases.
Soldier
 The Settled Systems is no stranger to warfare, and if there’s one thing armed conflict relies on it’s trained warriors with guns and guts. You had both. Simple, bloody work… and you were great at it.
  • Fitness: You have 10% more Lung Capacity
  • Ballistics: You do +10% damage with Ballistic Weapons.
  • Boost Pack Training: You can now utilize boost packs or jetpack.
Space Scoundrel
 Good? Bad? Whose right is it to say? If there’s anything you’ve learned while traipsing through the galaxy, it’s this: space may look black, but it’s really one big shade of grey.
  • Pistol Certification: More damage is done by Pistols (by around 10%).
  • Piloting: You can use the Ship Thrusters.
  • Persuasion: On Speech challenges, the chance of success increases.
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.
  • Lasers: More damage is done by Laser weapons (by 10%).
  • Surveying: +20m scan distance.
  • Fitness: You have 10% more Lung Capacity
File Not Found
 Oddly, there is 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…
  • Wellness: +10% maximum health.
  • Ballistics: You do +10% damage with Ballistic Weapons.
  • Piloting: You can use the Ship Thrusters.

Diplomat - Backgrounds in Starfield

That pretty much sums up all that there is to know about Starfield Backgrounds.

If you think this guide has helped you, then let us know in the comment section below. Also, you can check out our other guides on Starfield. Good luck.

That’s all, folks!

Last Updated on September 1, 2023

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