Crafting and upgrading items and equipment have been a staple of Bethesda games for years, and Starfield does not stray from this long tradition. In fact, these mechanics are so heavily engrained into Starfield's gameplay loop, that a considerable amount of play time will likely be devoted to gathering the materials required to use them. Luckily for players, this is not a bad thing, as Starfield goes to great lengths to make the system incredibly enjoyable.
At the center of this system is the Research Lab, the first step on any path to crafting or upgrading in Starfield. Instead of simply having access to the many recipes available in the game, here the player must first research the specific area they are wanting to work in. Working in conjunction with the game's many skills, the Research Lab ensures that every project feels like it was earned.
Where to Find Research Labs in Starfield
Research Labs are very common in the world of Starfield, and finding them will never pose a significant challenge, especially once the player knows what they are looking for. The first lab that appears in the game will be found in the basement of the Lodge, which is Constellation's home base. The player's first ship, the Frontier, will also feature a Research Lab in the crew cabin.
When players head out into the Settled Systems, they are likely to find Research Stations at many of the areas built up in any way. Civilian Outposts, Abandoned Factories, even enemy-heavy areas, will usually feature a Research Lab. The only limit on their use is during combat or conversation.
How to Use Research Labs in Starfield
Research Labs are the backbone of the crafting and upgrade system in Starfield, and they will be the first stop when players are looking to craft new items or mods. The Research Station is made up of the following five categories:
- Pharmacology
- Chems and health items
- Food and Drink
- Edible items that provide health and specific boosts
- Outpost Development
- Research upgrades for personal outposts
- Equipment
- Spacesuit, Pack, and Helemt Mods
- Weaponry
- Weapon Mods
Each of the five categories will have a selection of projects that are available from the beginning of the game. For example, completing the Helmet Mods 1 project in the Equipment category will allow the player to craft all mods associated with that project at the Spacesuit Workbench.
Once a player has completed a Level 1 project, they will then start the process of accessing the next near, such as Helmet Mods 2. When players begin reaching the second tier and higher, Research Labs begin to work in conjunction with Starfield's skill trees.
How Research and Skills Work Together in Starfield:
When the player tries to begin the Helmet Mods 2 research project, they will notice that a key requirement is the Spacesuit Design skill, from Starfield's Science skill tree. This means that players will have to use a skill point, which are gained through experience points, to unlock that specific skill. Some higher tier projects will even require more than one skill.
This interaction between research and skill is found throughout the research project. Researching better food items will require the Gastronomy skill, and better health items will require the Chemistry skill. As a result, each new set of unlocks feels like it was truly earned, and forces the player to truly consider how each skill point should be spent.
Materials and Sudden Development:
Each research project requires a certain 'recipe,' made up of various materials that the player will find in the world. Each material requirement will be clearly stated to the right of the corresponding project. When players begin to fill in these materials, there is the possibility of a 'Sudden Development' occurring. This mechanic randomly adds 'overflow' materials to the project, filling in some or all of a required material.
There are two chem items that players can use to influence both of these mechanics. Synapse Alpha lowers the material requirements of all research projects for 10 minutes. Neurajack does the same, but adds a 50% boost to the chances of a Sudden Development occurring during that same ten minutes.
Remember to store heavy materials in the Ship's cargo hold, as the Research Lab and crafting stations all draw from both personal inventory, and the cargo hold.
Starfield is available now on Xbox Series X/S and PC.