Starfield is Bethesda's space RPG with over 1,000 explorable planets across 100+ star systems. The game's strongest elements are its ship-building system (where you can design custom vessels from modular parts), its faction questlines (Crimson Fleet pirates, UC Vanguard military, Freestar Rangers), and the New Game Plus system that's actually story-relevant rather than just a difficulty reset. Ground combat is competent with satisfying gunplay and a robust skill system. The Shattered Space expansion adds a handcrafted open world that addresses the procedural content concerns from launch.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
New Atlantis
Key resources: Constellation main quest, UC Vanguard questline, vendors, ship services Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Hard Target upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Akila City
Key resources: Freestar Rangers questline, Sam Coe companion quest, frontier vendors Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Hard Target upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Neon
Key resources: Ryujin Industries questline, Aurora drug, unique vendors, neon nightlife atmosphere Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Hard Target upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Lodge
Key resources: Main quest progression, artifact display, companion conversations, storage Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Magshear max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Eye
Key resources: Artifact location leads, Vladimir dialogue, orbital observation Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Magshear max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (New Atlantis — Akila City)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials — you'll need them later
- Focus on Hard Target once accessible
Mid Game (Neon)
- Push Hard Target to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Magshear
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (The Lodge — The Eye)
- Max out Magshear — this is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment — Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials — Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear — Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Neon farming — This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early — Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- The Mantis questline (triggered by finding the 'Secret Outpost!' note on a Spacer body) gives you the Razorleaf ship and Mantis spacesuit FOR FREE early in the game. It's the best early-game quest to complete.
- Farm Neon during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build — some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Starfield Guides
- Starfield Starfield Overview
- Starfield Best Builds
- Starfield Tier List
- Starfield Walkthrough
- Starfield Beginner's Guide
- Starfield Tips & Tricks
- Starfield Weapons Guide
- Starfield Combat Guide
- Starfield Boss Guide
- Starfield Maps & Locations
- Starfield Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Starfield, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Crafting Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
