Spoiler Alert! Warning, this list contains major spoilers for a key mechanic tied to Starfield's main story.
When players first enter the world of Starfield, they will not be surprised to find a world of futuristic space exploration, filled with the kinds of stories big and small that Bethesda is famous for. What they are most likely not expecting, is the ability to gain superhuman, ultra-advanced, space-tech powers. Yet, fairly early into Starfield's main story, this is exactly what players begin to acquire.
'Powers' in Starfield are a special group of abilities that players gain through the Artifacts at the heart of the story. Each Artifact will lead players to a temple, and completing a very simple task at each temple will award the player with a single 'Power.' With 24 powers in all, this mechanic is clearly not an afterthought. This guide will explain which powers are the most useful, and how to get them.
While Powers are associated with a single temple, the location of every temple is random for each playthrough. This means that players will have to use the 'Power From Beyond' quest to locate each temple in their respective game.
6 Eternal Harvest
Remember, in each New Game Plus cycle, each Power can be upgraded once. After the 5th upgrade, the cost of use for each Power will begin to decrease.
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
25 | What has blossomed will bloom once more, ripe for the picking. |
There may be those that think a power based around gathering crafting materials will never equal one that is good in combat. Obviously, this logic does not hold up in a Bethesda game, where gathering materials is a core gameplay mechanic.
Eternal Harvest allows players to respawn a plant-based material instantaneously, with no upper limit on its use. This makes gathering any plant-based crafting material - or any material that has a plant-based version, like Adhesive - an absolute snap. Running around a planet looking for multiple locations for a single item-type will become a thing of the past with this power.
5 Precognition
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
35 | Bend time and glimpse the future, seeing the path someone will walk, and the words they will say. |
This ability, though limited in its use, can be incredibly helpful for any mission that involves sneaking. Precognition will highlight an enemy's path, allowing players to stay one step ahead at all time.
It will also allow players to see how NPC's will react to a proposed dialogue option, which can be especially useful when trying to avoid any kind of dislike or anger from a friendly companion. And while there are some who claim this ability does help with Starfield's Persuasion checks, it is important to note there is no on-screen help given with Precognition. Still, those wishing to play in the shadows, this Power has no peer.
4 Reactive Shield
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
35 | Form a shield of pure cosmic light that can weaken and even reflect enemy projectiles. |
Reactive Shield is an extremely useful defensive Power, that can also have offensive benefits. Its first use is as a shield that can protect the player from a considerable amount of damage. This makes it good for taking on both large groups of enemies, and high-level enemies, whose attacks could otherwise prove fatal.
Along with its defensive capabilities, what makes Reactive Shield special is found in its ability to deflect projectiles back at the enemy. With low-level enemies, the damage can be enough to kill, and with high-level enemies, it can help keep them at bay while healing. This Power is a good choice for any dangerous combat missions.
3 Elemental Pull
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
25 | Elements, the true treasure of planet and moon, are drawn to your being. |
Like Eternal Harvest, there may be players who question Elemental Pull's posltion on this list. However, any Starfield player who has spent considerable time mining for resources will see its value immediately.
Elemental Pull allows the player to pull in any geologic resources (metals, ore, minerals) from a small area around them. When used strategically, players will be able to pull in several times more in the time that it takes the cutter to get through a single deposit. While players who do very little crafting may find this Power unnecessary, those who are constantly altering, upgrading, and building, will never use the cutter again.
2 Supernova
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
45 | Cosmic energy explodes around you, with the terrible force of a dying star. |
Many of thew powers in Starfield that were meant for offensive use in combat can feel underwhelming. Solar Flare feels more like a whimper, especially against high-level, heavily armored enemies. However, once players obtain Supernova, they likely will no longer care.
Supernova, even with its high cost of use, is one of the best weapons in the game. In a single blast, it can decimate even mid-level enemies. It can cut through the armor of special enemies, reducing a fight to mere seconds. Players will recognize the dome of destruction Supernova releases from the fights with extremely powerful Starborn. Because of all these factors, it is one of the best Powers in the game.
1 Phased Time
Base Power Cost | Description |
|---|---|
35 | Time itself is yours to manipulate, as you slow the world...and those in it. |
Phased Time is exactly as cool as it sounds. Floating around at close to full speed while enemies are nearly frozen in place makes for incredibly pleasing combat. With this Power, there is both the overwhelmingly amazing visual experience, tied in with the awesome amount of destruction the player can cause while using it. Together, it becomes not only the best Power in the game, but also one of the best mechanics in all of Starfield.
Luckily, Phased Time is one Power that is always awarded at the same place and time. Every player will always receive it following the final fight in Starfield's penultimate mission, 'Revelation,' which begins and ends in the game's final temple.
If players find that their power gauge is not refilling fast enough, try using Quantum Essence, which speeds up power regeneration for 60 seconds. To activate, press X from the Powers menu.
Starfield is available now for Xbox Series X/S and PC.