To research in Starfield, follow these key steps:
1. Find a Research Lab
Research labs are special terminals where you conduct research projects. You can find these labs in several places:
- On your starting spaceship (there is a research terminal)
- The Lodge in New Atlantis (a convenient and well-equipped location)
- Your own outposts if you build and upgrade them with research facilities
2. Select a Research Project
At the research lab terminal, you will see a list of research categories and projects within them. The main categories are:
- Pharmacology (chems, healing items)
- Food and Drink (edible aid items)
- Outpost Development (base components)
- Equipment (helmet, spacesuit, pack mods)
- Weaponry (weapon mods)
Choose a project you want to research. Some projects require you to have certain skill levels in relevant categories such as Chemistry, Gastronomy, Outpost Engineering, Spacesuit Design, or Weapon Engineering to unlock higher- level projects
3. Provide Required Materials
Each research project requires specific materials to be deposited into the research lab from your inventory. You can add materials gradually over time; you don’t need to have all at once. Some projects complete instantly once all materials are submitted, while others may take some time
. There is also a chance of "overflow" bonuses, where providing some materials may automatically fulfill part of other requirements for free, so it can be worthwhile to contribute even partial resources
4. Complete the Research
Once all required materials are submitted, the research project is completed. This unlocks new crafting recipes or item mods in that category, which you can then craft at the relevant workbench or fabricator (e.g., pharmaceutical lab for Pharmacology)
5. Upgrade Skills to Access More Research
To unlock and complete more advanced research projects, invest skill points in the relevant skill trees:
- Chemistry for Pharmacology
- Gastronomy for Food and Drink
- Outpost Engineering for Outpost Development
- Spacesuit Design for Equipment
- Weapon Engineering for Weaponry
Additionally, the Research Methods skill reduces material costs and can trigger sudden developments that grant extra materials for free
Summary
- Use a Research Lab terminal to access projects.
- Select a project and provide required materials from your inventory.
- Complete the project to unlock crafting recipes.
- Invest in relevant skills to unlock higher-level research.
- Research labs are found on your ship, in the Lodge (New Atlantis), and in outposts.
This system allows you to progressively unlock better gear, mods, and base components by gathering materials and investing in skills
