How to build outposts in Starfield

In Starfield, you’ll come across a number of outposts. They are spread around various planets. Some of them are inhabited. Some of them have largely been abandoned, and you can find all sorts of cool loot. What you might not realize early on is that you can also build outposts of your own, once you have the resources and desire. Here is our guide explaining how to build outposts in Starfield.

Starfield – how to build outposts

Outposts consist of a central beacon, as well as various outbuildings. These may include mining equipment, containers, power sources, and even residential units. You can also add plenty of modifications large and small, until you have established a thriving settlement. To build an outpost, start by placing a beacon, and from there add new buildings to suit the purposes you have in mind.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Placing your new outpost

Before you place a beacon, consider the surrounding area. Ideally, you’ll want lots of space. You should also check the map with your scanner. A key purpose of an outpost is to harvest resources, such as precious minerals, gases, or liquids. Your scanner will show colored patches of ground, some of them quite large, and indicate the type of resource hiding beneath the surface.

With your scanner active, find a likely spot and then press the button or key indicated on-screen to establish your outpost. I play on an Xbox controller. The process requires me to press the X button. Then I move it to the exact location desired and press A to confirm (see the above screenshot).

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Expanding your outpost

After you place your outpost beacon, add to your outpost. You can cycle through numerous building categories: Extractors, Power, Storage, Builders, Structures, Crafting, Defenses, Furniture, Decorations, Displays, and Miscellaneous.

Enter Build Mode to place structures of the various types. I like to toggle my view so I can see the layout from a distance. Up close, it’s difficult to know where you are placing one thing in relation to another. For the most part, the first few categories and the Miscellaneous options are most important. You can build a lot of functionality into your outpost if you have the materials required. You can even share resources between them, using Cargo Link options (see above screenshot).

For some options, you’ll need to spend skill points to access and level up the appropriate skill. Skills affect how many crew you can assign to your outposts, what sort of buildings you can produce, and the resources you can create. Make sure to quickly produce a power source and connect it appropriately, and put an Extractor over any resource veins. Build a Container of the appropriate sort to mine resources mined. That’s the minimum. After that, build whatever else your muse and needs dictate. You can easily devote hours to making the perfect outpost.

Note: If you need to delete an outpost, investigate your beacon and confirm your desire. A deleted outpost cannot be restored. You can also use this interface to rename your outpost so it is easier to find when you scan the planet or moon where it rests. Check our guide explaining how to delete an outpost if you would like more detailed assistance.

Starfield is available to purchase on Steam and the Microsoft Store.