All Starfield backgrounds & traits: Character creation explained
It's worth checking out all Starfield backgrounds and traits so that you are ready for the game's launch, where you'll need to dive into character creation and make decisions that will affect the rest of the experience - so here's a rundown of what we know.
Starfield is the next big Bethesda RPG, and the studio has drawn experience from its earlier works when it comes to role-playing mechanics and character creation. In addition to the choices you have for joining factions, completing quests, and exploring the massive galaxy available in the game, it allows players to choose traits and backgrounds that will define their protagonist throughout.
So, if you want to learn more about character creation and put some thought into the backgrounds and traits in Starfield before playing, check them all out below.
- We've also covered all Starfield companions & crew we know so far
All Starfield backgrounds
Click to enlargeThere are a total of 21 Starfield backgrounds to choose from during character creation. You can only select one of these, and it's a mandatory part of customising your protagonist.
Backgrounds help to determine your three main starting skills and will give you additional options in the game, such as special dialogue or quests.
Here are all the backgrounds in Starfield:
| Background | Starting Skills |
| Beast Hunter | Fitness, Ballistics, Gastronomy |
| Bouncer | Boxing, Security, & Fitness |
| Bounty Hunter | Politing, Targeting Control Systems, Boost Pack Training |
| Chef | Gastronomy, Dueling, Scavenging |
| Combat Medic | Pistol Certification, Medicine, Wellness |
| Cyber Runner | Stealth, Security, Theft |
| Cyberneticist | Medicine, Security, Lasers |
| Diplomat | Persuasion, Commerce, Wellness |
| Explorer | Lasers, Astrodynamics, Surveying |
| Background | Starting Skills |
| Gangster | Shotgun Certification, Boxing, Theft |
| Homesteader | Geology, Surveying, Weightlifting |
| Industrialist | Persuasion, Security, Research Methods |
| Longhauler | Weightlifting, Piloting, Ballistic Weapon Systems |
| Pilgrim | Scavenging, Surveying, Gastronomy |
| Professor | Astrodynamics, Geology, Research Methods |
| Ronin | Dueling, Stealth, Scavenging |
| Sculptor | Medicine, Geology, Persuasion |
| Soldier | Fitness, Ballistics, Boost Pack Training |
| Background | Starting Skills |
| Space Scoundrel | Pistol Certification, Piloting, Persuasion |
| Xenobiologist | Lasers, Surveying, Fitness |
| [FILE NOT FOUND] | Tag your own |
- Make sure you are ready for Starfield early access, so you can play the game five days earlier
All Starfield traits
Click to enlargeThere are a total of 17 Starfield traits to choose from during character creation.
You can select up to three traits, but these are completely optional and serve to add a bit more role-play flavour by giving you a combined package of positive and negative characteristics.
Here are all the traits in Starfield:
| Trait | Description |
| Alien DNA | You volunteered for a controversial experiment that combines alien and human DNA. As a result, you start with increased health and oxygen, but healing and food items aren't as effective. |
| Dream Home | You own a luxurious, customisable house on a peaceful planet! Unfortunately, it comes with a 125,000 credit mortgage with GalBank that has to be paid weekly. |
| Empath | You are deeply connected to the feelings of others. Performing actions your companion likes will result in a temporary increase in combat effectiveness. But, performing actions they don't like will have the precise opposite effect. |
| Extrovert | You're a people person. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring with human companions, but more when adventuring alone. (Incompatible with Introvert) |
| Freestar Collective Settler | You gain access to special Freestar Collective dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. But, crime bounty towards other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Neon Street Rat and United Colonies Native) |
| Hero Worshipped | You've earned the attention of an annoying 'Adoring Fan' who will show up randomly and jabber at you incessantly. On the plus side, he'll join your ship's crew and give you gifts... |
| Introvert | You really need your alone time. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when adventuring with other human companions. (Incompatible with Extrovert) |
| Kid Stuff | Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. But you will automatically send 2% of your credits home to them every week. |
| Neon Street Rat | You grew up on the mean streets of Neon. You gain access to special dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions on Neon. Crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Freestar Collective Settler and United Colonies Native) |
| Trait | Description |
| Raised Enlightened | You grew up as a member of the Enlightened. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis, but lose access to the Sanctum Universum chest. (Incompatible with Raised Universal and Serpent's Embrace) |
| Raised Universal | You grew up as a member of the Sanctum Universum. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the Sanctum Universum in New Atlantis, but lose access to the House of the Enlightened chest. (Incompatible with Raised Enlightened and Raised Universal) |
| Serpent's Embrace | You grew up worshipping the Great Serpent. Grav jumping provides a temporary boost to health and oxygen, but health and oxygen are lowered if you don't continue jumping regularly - like an addiction. (Incompatible with Raised Enlightened and Raised Universal) |
| Spaced | Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when in space but decreased when on the surface. (Incompatible with Terra Firma) |
| Taskmaster | Occasionally, if you have crew trained in a certain ship system, that system will automatically repair itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50%. However, all crew cost twice as much to hire. |
| Terra Firma | You've never acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when on the surface but decreased when you're in space. (Incompatible with Spaced) |
| United Colonies Native | You gain access to special United Colonies dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. However, crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. (Incompatible with Freestar Collective Settler and Neon Street Rat) |
| Wanted | Someone put a price on your head, and word has spread. Occasionally, armed mercenaries will show up and try to kill you, but being cornered gives you an edge - when your health is low, you do extra damage. |
That's all for our breakdown of all Starfield backgrounds and traits, and now you should understand each one more, along with how they affect character creation.
For more Starfield guides, stick with GGRecon. Alternatively, learn about Starfield mod support and if the game will be as moddable as past Bethesda titles.
