Best things to research first in Starfield

As soon as you get your hands on the multiple workbenches in Starfield, you’ll probably feel a headache coming on. Learning new things in video games can either be incredibly easy, or surprisingly difficult. I was stuck somewhere in the middle when trying to learn how and what to research. To make things easier for you in your first playthrough, here are the best things to research first in Starfield.

Note: Struggling to find the Research Laboratories? Check out our guide on all workbench and research lab locations in Starfield.

Starfield: What to research first

There are five main categories of research at the Research Laboratory: Pharmacology, Food and Drink, Outpost Development, Equipment, and Weaponry. In each category, there are research topics available from the get-go, and some locked behind skills in the skill tree. Are you not sure what’s best to invest research in at the start of your game? Let’s dive into the best things you should research first in Starfield.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Medical Treatment 1

In the Pharmacology category, you should first invest resources into the Medical Treatment 1 topic. This will teach you how to craft Antibiotic Paste and Infused Bandages. Through a Pharmaceutical Lab, creating these two items will definitely come in handy both at the beginning and throughout your game.

Antibiotic Paste can treat Burns, Frostbite, and Infections. I would commonly get Frostbite exploring freezing planets at the start of my journey because I didn’t have the right apparel yet to protect me. Also, Infused Bandages can help with the same afflictions, but also Lacerations, Contusions, and Puncture Wounds. 

Old Earth Cuisine 1

Although researching Old Earth Cuisine 1 only teaches you two food recipes, it’s a good start. I found myself reliant on Med Packs throughout most of my game, and I didn’t know what to do with the food I had laying around. Instead of collecting ingredients that’ll only heal you a few HP, I recommend you start researching Old Earth Cuisine 1 in the Food and Drink category.

This teaches you to prepare Reuben and Meatloaf through a Cooking Station. These recipes may not come in handy right away, but it’s good to start learning the simple recipes to get to the better ones. Cooking meals will earn you better health items that heal you more than normal food will.

Manufacturing 1

Some of the most useful items for your Outposts come from the Manufacturing 1 research topic. Under Outpost Development, this topic teaches you how to construct Simple Fabricators, Small Warehouse modules, and Inner-System Cargo Links.

These are all things that go in your outposts. You need the Warehouse modules to even create rooms in your outposts, which crew can manage. The Cargo Links allow you to transfer resources across systems, and Fabricators can craft useful items, similar to how you use an Industrial Workbench. Don’t ignore this research!

Helmet Mods 1

There are a few options for mods when it comes to Equipment research, so start with Helmet Mods 1. Once you learn how to add mods to your helmet, you have a few slots available to add all the mods you need. At your Spacesuit Workbench, you’ll notice that there are many useful mods. Some protect you from damage, while others increase your stealth. I think Helmet Mods 1 is a good start, just because of the amount of slots you can have for helmet mods. Once you learn this, try out the other Equipment research topics.

I’m leaving out Weaponry research, simply because any of the level one topics are good to try out. Whether you want Barrel, Grip and Stock, or Optic and Laser mods first, it’s your choice. It really depends on the weapons you already have, and what you think needs improvement. Most mods have both buffs and debuffs, so it’s hard to say what’s best for you. Check out the mod options in the Weapon Workbench to see what you’d like.

Starfield is available on Steam.