Starfield has an intricate planet typology that influences the presence of flora, fauna, and resources on each planet. This typology plays a crucial role in maintaining a cohesive universe within the game, considering the procedural generation used to create worlds.
However, many Starfield players are curious to know how many variants there are and how they differ from one another. To clarify these questions, this guide presents a comprehensive list of all known planet types and explains what they entail in terms of exploration and mining.
List of All Planet Types
In Starfield, planets are classified into five types based on their composition: Rock, Ice, Barren, Gas/Ice Giants, and Asteroids. However, out of these categories, only the first three (Rock, Ice, and Barren) are accessible for landing, while players do not have access to the other two (Gas/Ice Giants and Asteroids).
Rock
Rock planets, also called terrestrial bodies, are the most prevalent type in the universe. They are characterized by their solid and rocky compositions, making them prime candidates for hosting life forms or civilizations due to their abundance of minerals.
Barren
As the title suggests, Barren planets are inhospitable environments unsuitable for supporting life. This category primarily includes moons and dwarf planets like Jemison’s Kurtz, but explorers are likelier to encounter them in the isolated parts of the galaxy.
Ice
Ice planets are frigid environments located at considerable distances from their host stars. One prominent example of an ice planet in the Starfield universe is Uranus, found in the Sol system. (Uranus is so cold that players are unable to land on its surface.)
It is worth noting that while ice planets have treacherous atmospheres, many of them are still habitable, allowing players to construct outposts upon them.
Giant
In Starfield, there are two kinds of colossal planets: Gas Giants and Ice Giants. These planets have extreme conditions that make them impossible to live on or land on, no matter how advanced the player is.
Visit Giant planets early in the game to complete their surveys quickly with one scan and earn extra XP .
Asteroid
Although technically not a planet, Asteroids are pseudoplanets often found near moons. While players are unable to land on asteroids, they can survey them to earn experience points or explore the structures adjacent to them. One notable asteroid in the game is Deimos, which is recognized as one of Mars's moons.
Best Planet Type to Build an Outpost on
Rock planets are the ideal choice for building outposts due to their stable conditions and rich resources. However, selecting the location for a settlement depends on the required materials and specific goals. While Rock planets offer a convenient atmosphere, they may not provide all the necessary minerals that players need to progress in the game.
Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.