Due to the tremendous in-depth dynamics of Starfield base building, learning how to utilize your resources while constructing your base is necessary. Regarding this, it is also to be noted that while the construction work in Starfield is much more detailed, Bethesda did a great job of simplifying things.
Key Takeaways
- Firstly, enter the Scan Mode and place an Outpost to start building.
- Each building is somehow connected to another. For the resource-gathering, you must plant an Extractor at a certain location on the surface.
- You will have to power it up by building an energy generator. You will have options in the Power section where you will select according to your needs.
- Build a collector under the Storage section according to your extracting element.
- Your basic resource-gathering base is fully ready. You can explore other sections and do some advanced-level designing for your base.
Players can explore the galaxy once the main quest, “One Small Step,” is complete. At the very moment, players can talk to Vasco. There will be a dialogue option available following the Outpost Development. Although it will not be very detailed, players will still go through a basic overview of Outpost development.
Base building in Starfield is a massive aspect of the game. It enables you to collect various resources and significantly boosts your abilities. Regarding resource gathering, players must identify the specific resource that they desire.
To start with the base building in Starfield, reach an area where construction is available. You can do so by entering the Scan Mode. If the base building is possible, an Outpost option will be available. Once it becomes available, build an Outpost to access the objects and structures to start working on your base.
It is best to establish an outpost on a planet with abundant resources. This means various resources, ranging from standard to rare elements, should be available. Furthermore, a Toggle View option in building mode will enable you to enter Flycam mode. A handy feature that makes the base building much more efficient and incredibly convenient in Starfield.
Extractor
For example, you must find a planet whose surface comprises copper elements to collect copper. From there on, you can plant the Extractor – Copper. The extractors work on power so you will have to generate electricity. You can do that by going to the Power section and selecting a suitable power source that fulfills your needs.
Following the copper extractor, you will need to meet specific requirements:
| Name | Requirement | Production | Operating Cost |
| Extractor – Copper | Aluminium (4) Iron (5) Tungsten (2) |
Copper | 5 Power |
Do note that these requirements are only for copper. Different resource extractors will require different elements to be built.
Moreover, location is the crucial factor in placing any extractor. Supposedly, a copper extractor must be placed on the surface which contains the copper element in its soil. To find such a location, enter the Scan mode and search the area. A portion of the land and the element’s name will be highlighted. Now, you can build the Extractor – Copper anywhere on that land.
Power
If you want your extractors to function correctly or in any way at all, you must provide them with energy. Following this, you can switch to the Power tab and only build the structures that generate power. There might be some unique additional requirements for the power-providing structures other than building cost.
Unlike Fallout 4, Starfield offers a much more convenient and basic method of power production for building your base. You do not have to make any connections to the power source. Just build one, and the structures that require energy will start functioning.
The Power section consists of the following structures:
- Power generating structures
- Switches
- Lights
Whereas your goal in this current scenario will be only to establish the structures that can provide the electricity. Each structure will have its own requirements, specialty, and energy production.
| Name | Requirement | Production | Operating Cost |
| Solar Array | Aluminium (4) Beryllium (2) Copper (3) |
Power (4) | – |
| Wind Turbine | Aluminum (5) Cobalt (2) Nickel (3) |
Power (3) | – |
| Fueled Generator | Austenitic Manifold (1) Isocentered Magnet (1) Tau Grade Rheostat (1) Tungsten (4) |
Power (20) | Helium-3 (1) |
The Solar Array is suitable for planets that receive a fair amount of sunlight. The Wind Turbine will work effectively under a thick atmosphere. The Fueled Generator produces energy in abundance in comparison to others. However, it must be placed on a surface where you can find Helium-3 to make it function.
Your base will collect the designated resource once you finish your extractor and power setup.
Storage
Now that you have covered the basics to set up a working resource-collector base, it’s time to move on. All the resources your extractors dig in for must be stored somewhere. Following this, the storage components come into play.
To connect an extractor to a storage, go to the extractor and click on Create Output Link. Drag the pointer to your storage container and link it. An extractor can access multiple storages at the exact moment. You can choose from several storage structures according to your needs.
| Name | Requirement | Limit |
| Transfer Container | Iron (8) Lubricant (4) Tungsten (5) |
1 per Outpost |
| Storage – Solid | Adaptive Frame (3) Aluminum (5) Iron (6) |
– |
| Storage – Liquid | Adaptive Frame (3) Aluminium (6) Nickel (5) |
– |
| Storage – Gas | Adaptive Frame (3) Copper (6) Tungsten (5) |
– |
The Transfer Container will collect all kinds of resources. Therefore, you will face no restrictions while connecting an extractor with this structure.
Take note that we are currently working on a copper collecting base. Therefore, we need to figure out its type first. This will be logical working and help you select the proper storage structure. Copper, in its raw form, is a solid element. Therefore, you will need to create the Storage – Solid for it.
Considering the previous factors, we can simultaneously attach the Extractor – Copper to the Storage – Solid and Transfer Container.
Congrats! You ended up building an essential resource-gathering base in Starfield.
Structures
Now comes the part where your base starts taking shape. But most importantly, you will realize how easy it is to develop amazing-looking structures and combine them without in-depth knowledge of Starfield base building.
To simplify the Structures, you must know the types of buildings it offers:
- Rooms
- Gateways
- A fancy-looking Watchtower
| Name | Requirement | Variation | Variant Requirement |
| Four Wall Hab | Aluminium (6) Lead (4) Sealant (3) |
2 Variant | Aluminum (10) Lead (6) Sealant (5) |
| Hab Round | Aluminium (8) Lead (6) Sealant (4) |
2 Variant | – |
| Hallway | Aluminium (2) Lead (1) Sealant (2) |
4 Variant | – |
| Hydroponic Hab A | Aluminium (6) Iron (4) Sealant (3) |
2 Variant | – |
| Military hab | Lead (4) Sealant (3) Titanium (6) |
– | – |
| Outpost Airlock | Aluminium (3) Lead (2) Sealant (3) |
– | – |
| Science Hab Small | Aluminium (6) Lead (4) Sealant (3) |
2 Variant | – |
| Small Hex Hab | Aluminium (8) Lead (6) Sealant (4) |
2 Variant | Aluminium (14) Lead (10) Sealant (8) |
| Watchtower | Adaptive Frame (12) Aluminum (10) Argon (6) Iron (16) |
– | – |
To start with the Structure building, you need first to select a room or tower-like structure to build. After that, it will ask you to adjust its height. You can keep your base structures from ground level to high up in the sky. This factor will only affect the structures you build next to the first one.
This means a new structure will auto-adjust its height according to the one to which it is connected, except for the Watchtower.
Crafting
Now that your establishment is progressing rapidly, something is still missing. Your base must be relishing and glamorous for anyone who sees it. However, it shines only from the outside. The Structures are still empty on the inside. If you are to be an expert base-building person in Starfield, your base must be productive and have an eye-catching appearance.
Therefore, the Crafting section is your best choice to trigger the potential of your base to some extent.
| Name | Requirement | Function |
| Cooking Station | Alkanes (3) Copper (3) Iron (4) |
It allows you to cook various foods and drink
|
| Industrial Workbench | Aluminium (4) Iron (3) |
Enables you to create components used in crafting or building structures
|
| Pharmaceutical Lab | Aluminum (4) Benzene (3) Chlorine (4) Iron (3) |
Allows you to make medical items
|
| Research Lab | Aluminium (4) Beryllium (2) Copper (2) |
It helps in unlocking various crafting recipe
|
| Spacesuit Workbench | Aluminium (4) Cosmetic (4) Fiber (3) |
For the modification of your defensive gear
|
| Weapon Workbench | Adhesive (3) Nickel (2) Iron (4) Sealant (3) |
For the modification of your weapons
|
Defenses
Surely, you will be unable to continuously sit around your Outpost, protecting it from hostile beings. Therefore, the defenses are somehow your significant aspect of the base. Besides, why bother sitting around when robotics can take care of the job?
Defenses allow you to create Turrets that will take your enemies by surprise at a particular range. These mean machines will fire consistently with high accuracy and damage. Primarily, there is a limitation on the amount of Turrets you can build. But their impact will not make you consider this a negative factor.
| Name | Requirement | Type | Limit | Operating Cost |
| Ballistic Turret MK1 | Beryllium (2) Iron (4) Lead (3) |
Ballistic | 6 per Outpost | Power 3 |
| Laser Turret MK1 | Aluminium (4) Beryllium (2) Chlorine (2) Fluorine (3) |
Laser | 6 per Outpost | Power 3 |
| Tick Turret MK1 | Aluminium (3) Chlorine (1) Fluorine (2) Zero Wire (2) |
Laser | 6 per Outpost | Power 3 |
The best way to strategize your base regarding the defense system is to build Turrets on the boundary of your base. It is because the Turrets will attack the enemy on sight. Therefore, you will be alert about a hostile presence before they can reach your base. However, a Turret out in the open can also be easily targeted.
Furniture, Decoration, Displays
There are sections in building mode, creating many opportunities to decorate your base. However, the decorative aspect is only associated with the interior. This building section covers sitting arrangements, computers, appliances, storage boxes, and the interior.
You may require the storage boxes as there can be a lot of stuff that you can transfer there.
Miscellaneous
This section allows your base to have some outside features from the base building. In brief, you can bring many features of Starfield into your base, enabling you to save some time spent traveling. Furthermore, a base can run smoothly without the Miscellaneous structures. But it is impossible to say that a base contains all the features without this section.
Undoubtedly, the Miscellaneous section is not a priority on a basic-level base. However, it is genuinely the one worth striving for. Note that every structure in this section unlocks a unique feature in your base.
Scan Booster
| Name | Requirement | Operating Cost | Function |
| Scan Booster | Aluminium (4) Beryllium (2) Copper (3) |
Power 3 | Scan range x2 |
| Scan Booster – Advanced | Aluminum (5) Comm Relay (1) Isocentered Magnet (1) Zero Wire (3) |
Power 6 | Scan range x3 |
| Scan Booster – Military Grade | Aluminium (6) Comm Relay (2) Paramagnon Conductor (1) Supercooled Magnet (1) |
Power 12 | Scan range x4 |
The Scan Booster allows you to scan for elements at a better range than your current level. The higher you go in its variation, the more considerable boost you will receive.
Cargo Link
| Name | Requirement | Limit |
| Cargo Link | Aluminum (12) Beryllium (2) Iron (20) Zero Wire (2) |
3 per Outpost |
The Cargo Link will allow you to transfer your resources from one Outpost to another. This will benefit the players who wish to set up multiple Outposts and maintain only one as their primary establishment. You must know that trade is only possible when Cargo Link is available in both or various Outposts.
One will act as an importer, and the other will serve as an exporter. Moreover, your ship will have no fuel charges if the link is within the exact Solar System. Otherwise, fuel consumption will vary on the distance between the Cargo Links.
Crew Station
| Name | Requirement | Limit |
| Crew Station | Aluminum (5) Iron (2) Nickel (3) |
3 per Outpost |
To have your base in a well-working state, assigning your crew to it is better. This feature allows you to make space for an individual NPC to work in your base according to the assignment you give them. The crew is limited to 3 per Outpost. However, you can increase the number through Outpost Management Skill.
Above all, your base will appear full of life and functioning correctly without needing to do certain things yourself. At this moment, your base is fully automated.
Landing Pad
| Name | Requirement | Limit |
| Landing Pad – Small | Aluminum (8) Iron (20) |
1 per Outpost |
| Landing Pad With Shipbuilder | Adaptive Frame (18) Beryllium (2) Iron (30) Zero Wire (2) |
1 per Outpost |
The small landing pad determines that only the ship below 40 meters can land at this location. Otherwise, players will have to build a Landing Pad With Shipbuilder. There are benefits to going with the shipbuilder option. Players can modify their ships and will also be able to purchase new ones.
You will be farther away from your ship if you do not have a landing pad and fast-travel to your Outpost. Therefore, building a -Landing Pad can reduce the hassle of walking long distances from your Outpost to your ship.
Mission Board
For your convenience, you can build Mission Boards at your Outpost. This includes both the Mission Board and the Constellation Mission Board. The building requirement is the same for both.
- Aluminum (4)
- Beryllium (2)
- Zero Wire (2)
This will enable you to access the missions straight from your Outpost. Traveling back to settlements and reviewing the Mission Boards is unnecessary from now on.
Lastly, the Self-Service Bounty Clearance also comes under this section—a handy tool to prevent unwanted chasing of settlements on your trail. Building requirement is similar to the Mission Board.
A detailed and basic overview of the base building in Starfield comes to an end. Do note the fact that this was only for the primary level. You can construct more enhanced buildings once you unlock the Outpost Engineering Skill.
The base design in Starfield is genuinely captivating as it engages the player in a continuous activity of exploring different planets. It could be tiresome to gather a specific element, but it’s fun to construct a well-fortified base on a planet.
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