Looking to nail down the coolest Starfield backgrounds for your journey into the unknown? Well, now that early access is in full swing, it’s high time for all you budding space explorers to pick one out of the whopping 21 options available. Your choice here will shape your character’s backstory and set the stage for some epic adventures ahead.

In the world of Starfield, your chosen background grants you access to three nifty starting skills that can significantly impact your gameplay. Whether you’re diving into intense battles, charting new frontiers, making interstellar trades, or just trying to make friends in space, your background matters. Sure, you can fine-tune your character later on, but don’t rush this initial decision. It’s like picking the foundation for your space-faring alter ego.

But hey, we get it. 21 backgrounds with 26 different skills and abilities can be overwhelming. The struggle is real! That’s where our guide comes to the rescue. We’re going to break down each and every Starfield background, spill the beans on their starting skill sets, and even toss in our two cents about which backgrounds are the cream of the crop for new players jumping into Bethesda’s massive RPG adventure. Ready to decide if you’d rather be a Beast Hunter or a Xenobiologist, a Sculptor or a Gangster, a Homesteader or a Ronin?

All aboard the space exploration hype train! Each of the 21 Starfield backgrounds hooks you up with three starting skills, giving your initial gameplay a sweet twist that sets you apart from your fellow cosmic pioneers. And if you throw in up to three Starfield traits, you’ll have a character that’s as unique as your gaming style when you embark on your grand adventure through the Settled Systems. Check out the table below for backgrounds with the skills you’re craving.

Here’s the lowdown on all 21 Starfield backgrounds and their starting skill sets:

What’s the Best Background?

Picking the “best” background in Starfield ain’t easy because everyone’s got their own way of playing. No matter what skills your background throws your way, you can always switch things up later. But, we do have a few backgrounds that we reckon are a solid starting point for most players.

So, here are my suggestions for the best Starfield backgrounds to consider:

Beast Hunter

• Fitness – You have 10% more oxygen available.
• Ballistics – Ballistic weapons do 10% more damage.
• Gastronomy – You can research and craft speciality food and drinks.

In this game where your Oxygen (stamina) levels call the shots for your actions, going with the Beast Hunter background is like striking gold. Why? Well, it’s got that Fitness boost, which means more Oxygen to work with. But wait, there’s more to this bad boy than meets the eye.

Early in the game, the Beast Hunter is your go-to powerhouse when things get dicey in a brawl. You’ll be dealing extra damage with Ballistic weapons, making you a force to be reckoned with. Plus, you can cook up some fancy speciality chow and drinks to give yourself those sweet buffs right on the spot. Talk about being a beast in combat!

Combat Medic

• Pistol Certification – Pistols do 10% more damage.
• Medicine – Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore +10% Health 10% faster.
• Wellness – Increase your maximum health by 10%.

Looking for a no-frills, solid choice in Starfield backgrounds? Well, the Combat Medic is your go-to vanilla option. Here’s the deal: Healing stuff works like magic, and you’ve got some extra room in your backpack. Perfect for folks like me who snatch up anything that isn’t bolted down.

Now, you might be on the fence about Pistol Certification but don’t sweat it too much. You can always skip it and pour your points into different combat styles down the line. But hey, if you decide to go all-in on pistols, they can pack a punch that rivals any weapon class in the game. Boom!

Industrialist

• Persuasion – 10% increased chance of success when persuading someone.
• Security – You can attempt to hack Advanced locks. +2 auto attempts.
• Research Methods – 10% fewer resources required to craft items and complete research projects.

The Industrialist background is like a hidden gem, giving you a bunch of non-combat skills that are pure gold for any player. Let’s break it down:

First up, there’s that sweet increased persuasion success chance. Seriously, this can be a game-changer depending on the choices you make in conversations. Words have power! Then, we’ve got Security in the mix. It’s a fan favourite for a reason – keeping your stuff safe is kind of a big deal in space. And don’t sleep on Research Methods. It might not dazzle you with fireworks, but it quietly works its magic, saving you resources and letting you whip up cool stuff sooner. Efficiency at its finest!

Here’s the beauty of the Industrialist background: you can shape it however you want as you progress. These three skills will always have your back, no matter how you decide to play. So, go ahead and build your space legacy your way!

Ronin

• Dueling – +25% melee weapon damage. Take 10% less damage while wielding a melee weapon.
• Stealth – Adds a Stealth Meter. 25% harder to detect while sneaking. +5% sneak attack damage with suppressed weapons.
• Scavenging – Chance to find extra credits when searching containers.

If you’re just diving into Starfield, the Ronin background is gonna be the hot pick, and for good reason. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a space-faring Ronin, right? But it’s not just about the cool factor – the skills it hands you are the real deal.

You’ll be a stealthy ninja, raking in extra cash when you snag loot, and packing a serious punch with melee weapons. Sneak up on foes and unleash devastating backstabs – that’s the Ronin way. If you’re all about that sneaky-stabby life, there’s no better choice than going Ronin.

That’s it for our best backgrounds, pick wisely star-travellers. Be sure to check out the rest of our guides such as the most efficient way to earn credits, best traits, and our review!