Welcome to the Starfield Background Guide where we’ll explain everything we know about available character Backgrounds in the new upcoming Bethesda game Starfield.
One of the biggest Bethesda strengths is storytelling. You can choose your character’s origin story from 20 available in total. In an interview with IGN, Todd Haward explained the background is the “starting class” This setting will determine your three starting skills and how the game environment and NPC characters will react and interact with your character. As we know from previous Bethesda titles, what skills and which path you decide next is completely up to you and with no limitations.
During the gameplay reveal we could see a protagonist with a Diplomat background talking with an NPC character, who comments:
“…says here you spend some time as a diplomat. …having a way with words might prove useful.“
Not every NPC’s reaction to your character’s origin can be positive. Some may accuse you of murder because they learn you are a Gangster or they simply don’t like your chef’s cuisine.
Characters Backgrounds
Backgrounds act as starting classes and provides your character with 3 starting Skills. So far we have seen sixteen possible character backgrounds, but we have details about only a couple of them (we’ll update this website regularly when more about Starfield is revealed).
Beast Hunter
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Bouncer
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Bounty Hunter
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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 – You can craft speciality food and drinks, and research additional recipes at a Research Lab
- Duelling – Melee weapons do 10% more damage
- Wellness – Gain 30 points in maximum health
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 – Med Packs heal 10% more
- Robotics – You deal 105 more damage to Robots and Turrets
- Lasers – Laser weapons do 10% more damage
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:
- Pistol Certification – Pistols do 10% more damage
- Security – You can attempt to hack Advanced locks and bank two auto attempts
- Persuasion – Gain an increased chance of success in speech challenges
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 – Pistols do 10% more damage
- Medicine – Med Packs heal 10% more
- Weight Lifting – Increase total carrying capacity by 10 kilograms
Diplomat
“The wars are over. Peace no 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.”
Starting Skills:
- Persuasion – Gain an increased chance of success on speech challenges
- Diplomacy – You can force a target NPC at or below your level to stop fighting for a while
- Bargaining – Buy items for 5% less and sell them for 10% more
Explorer
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Gangster
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Homesteader
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Industrialist
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Long Hauler
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Pilgrim
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Professor
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Ronin
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Looking for more about Starfield?
Starfield Character Creation Explained
Starfield Exploration
Starfield – How Long is the Game?
Starfield Gameplay Breakdown I’ll be doing more deep dives into Starfield and covering the game on starfieldguides.com. I’d encourage you to hit the subscribe for the newsletter if you want the latest posts and guides when the game launches. I’ll also be streaming the game on twitch.tv/deltiasgaming.
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