Background in Starfield is the character's backstory, which you can choose during character customization at the beginning of the game. Background not only reveals the character's history but also grants a set of skills. Each background provides 3 abilities, depending on your choice. For example, a diplomat gains bonuses to persuasion and trading skills, while military backgrounds enhance specific combat skills. In this guide, we'll explore the different backgrounds available in Starfield, the skills they offer, and which ones are most useful.

All Backgrounds in Starfield

Chef

The character is a true chef, skilled at preparing exquisite dishes.

List of available skills and their effects:

• Gastronomy. The character can cook special dishes and beverages. Additionally, new recipes are available in the laboratory.
• Dueling. All melee weapons deal 10% more damage.
• Wellness. The protagonist's maximum health is increased by 30 points.

A good choice for characters who prefer close combat. The melee skill allows dealing more damage, and with increased health, the character can endure more damage, which is essential in close combat.

Combat Medic

The character is a combat medic, proficient in both martial arts and medicine. Combat medics often risk their lives to rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield, and they frequently need to use weapons to ensure their own and their comrades' safety.

This background provides the following skills:

• Pistol Certification. All pistols deal 10% more damage.
• Medicine. Medkits restore 10% more health.
• Weight Lifting. The character's carrying capacity is instantly increased by 10 units.

Thus, the medic can carry a large amount of cargo, heal effectively, and shoot any type of pistol, dealing additional damage.

Cyber Runner

A skillful cyber-criminal, adept at modern technologies.

List of available abilities:

• Pistol Certification. All pistols deal 10% more damage.
• Security. The hero can attempt to hack advanced locks. 2 automatic hacking attempts are granted.
• Persuasion. Significantly increases the chance of success in persuasion.

Overall, a versatile class suitable for playing in different styles.

Cyberneticist

The protagonist is well-versed in robotics and believes in a future where robots and humans will be one, and modern cybernetic implants will become a mandatory accessory in everyone's life.

List of skills and their effects:

• Medicine. Medkits heal 10% more effectively.
• Robotics. Robots and turrets deal 10% more damage.
• Lasers. All laser weapons deal 10% more damage.

Diplomat

The character lacks any combat skills, but compensates with exceptional persuasion skills. Diplomats have an easier time convincing people, get better prices when buying and selling items, and can make enemies surrender without unnecessary bloodshed.

List of skills:

• Persuasion. Increased chance of success in persuasion.
• Diplomacy. Can attempt to persuade an enemy to surrender and stop fighting (similar to a skill in Fallout 4).
• Bargaining. Prices are 5% cheaper when buying and 10% higher when selling.

A good option for players who prefer a pacifist approach, shedding as little blood as possible. Diplomats rely on eloquence instead of brute force.

Beast Hunter

Bouncer

Bounty Hunter

Gangster

Homesteader

Industrialist

Long Hauler

Pilgrim

Professor

Ronin

Which Background to Choose in Starfield

Now let's consider which backgrounds are suitable for different playstyles.