If you’re gearing up for a space-faring adventure in Starfield, you’re going to need some serious firepower. Fortunately, the game offers a robust weapon crafting system that allows you to customize your guns to suit your playstyle. However, crafting the perfect weapon can take time, resources, and some trial and error. This guide will help you navigate the complexities of Starfield’s weapon crafting so you can make the most of your time and resources.

Understanding Weapon Modding in Starfield

Weapon modding in Starfield is a bit different from other games. Mods aren’t separate items in your inventory. Instead, they are integrated directly into your weapon’s body. You’ll start with a base weapon, like the Rattler or Grendel, and then modify individual parts, such as the muzzle, laser, sights, and internals. The available mods are listed when you select the weapon at a workbench.

How Weapon Modding Works

To mod a weapon, there are two main requirements:

1. Research Projects – These need to be completed at terminals, either on your ship or in places like the underground area of Constellation’s Lodge. Some mods are locked behind specific research projects that require you to unlock skills for your character.
2. Resources – You need physical materials to craft mods. These materials can be harvested from the environment, bought from vendors, or found during exploration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Weapons

1. Unlocking Research Projects The first step in weapon crafting is unlocking research projects. Research is crucial for unlocking new categories of mods. You can do this by accessing terminals in various locations across the universe. However, research projects aren’t available right away, so you’ll need to unlock the necessary skills.
2. Leveling Your Skills A key skill for modding weapons is Weapons Engineering. This skill allows you to mod guns and improve their performance. You’ll need to invest several points in this skill tree before you can start making mods. To speed up your research, invest in the Research Methods skill. It will allow you to complete research projects faster.
3. Focus on Crafting Other Items First While it’s tempting to jump straight into weapon crafting, it’s best to hold off on making a ton of mods early on. Instead, focus on crafting items like food, drinks, or drugs to level up your Research Methods skill. This way, you won’t waste valuable resources on weapon mods before you unlock the right skills.
4. Create Mods Once You Unlock Weapons Engineering After you’ve unlocked Weapons Engineering, you can start crafting mods for your weapons. Not only will the mods improve your guns, but they’ll also help you level up the Weapons Engineering skill.

Gathering Resources for Weapon Mods

Crafting mods requires a variety of resources, both organic and inorganic. These resources include materials like polymer, adhesive, solvent, and lubricant, which can be mined or harvested from the environment. The easiest way to get these materials is by purchasing them from vendors like Jameson Mercantile in New Atlantis or Midtown Minerals in Aquila.

However, buying resources can get expensive, and carrying large quantities of materials will weigh you down, making it difficult to fast travel. A good strategy is to store all your resources in the chest located in the underground area of Constellation’s Lodge. This chest has infinite space and is conveniently located near the workbenches you’ll use for modding.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Weapon Crafting

• Crafting Mods to Level Weapons Engineering: Every time you craft a mod (even if you remove it later), it counts toward leveling up your Weapons Engineering skill. If you have an abundance of a particular resource, craft that mod repeatedly, or use common resources like iron and nickel to remove mods from weapons you pick up from enemies.
• Look for Prefixes on Guns: Some guns come with prefixes like “calibrated” or “modified.” These can indicate that the weapon has been modded or has better base damage. Always check the weapon’s panel for additional details to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
• Scan Planets for Resources: If you’re looking for specific resources, use the star map to scan planets. The resources available on each planet are listed on the left side of the screen. You can also use your scanner to determine what can be extracted by building an outpost. This is a great way to find the materials you need without spending too much time on a fruitless search.

Final Thoughts

Weapon crafting in Starfield is a rewarding process that requires patience and resource management. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to unlock powerful mods and craft the best weapons for your space adventures. Remember to focus on unlocking skills, gathering resources, and leveling up your crafting abilities to get the most out of your time spent tinkering with your guns.

Now, go ahead and craft those awesome space guns – the universe is waiting for you!