Discover the best Soldier Build in Starfield and how to create a powerful character with a recommended guide on skills, background, traits, weapons, and armor.
This build was updated for game version Starfield Update 1.11.33 –May 2024.
Soldier Build Introduction in Starfield
In 2330, humanity has spread to the stars, colonizing hundreds of planets. But with this expansion, there has been conflict, and those willing to fight for their home are in high demand. You are one such soldier, trained to battle in any environment and against any foe. You are the last line of defense between peace and chaos, and your skills will be tested on the harshest worlds in the galaxy.
The Soldier is your generic weapon-focused build designed with combat in mind. You will have a variety of weapon choices and excel in combat. However, Starfield requires many skill points and levels to gain proficiency in starship build, outpost engineering, and other aspects of the game. Therefore, we recommend this build as a starting template for someone who enjoys weapons, weapon crafting, and armor.
Features and Mechanics for Best Soldier Build in Starfield
The following list presents all the essential Soldier Build Mechanics and Features in Starfield:
Background
The Soldierbackgroundin Starfield gives you Fitness, Ballistics, and Boost Pack Trainingskillsat level 1. Here’s of the Soldier’s Backgroundskillsin Starfield:
These skills are given to you at level 1, and you progress using theskillor some other function. Fitness levels up by using up all of your Oxygen 20 times. Ballistics levels by killing enemies with Ballistic Weapons. Boost Pack levels by using the boost pack in combat. You should be using Ballistic Weapons and Boost Packing while in combat. You can tell if aweaponis Ballistic by the icon on the top right corner. Look for a grenade explosion and not an energy symbol.
The besttraitfor a Soldierbuildin Starfield is Terra Firma. Health and oxygen increase when on the surface but decrease when you’re in space. As a traditional foot Soldier, this can help you out while exploring planets, which will be most of your gameplay.
Traits are optional customization options inCharacter Creation. Players can select up to three attributes from a comprehensive list oftraitsto further shape their protagonists. The May 2024 update allows players to change their traits on a New Game + (Unity). Thus, you may change them both in the game and in a new game, which keeps your progress but starts the universe over.
Armor Penetrator, Marksmanship, and Rifle Certification are the best skills for a Soldier. Armor Penetrator ignores armor and benefits from critical hits. Marksmanship can knock down enemies after a critical hit and synergies well together. Rifle and Sniper Certification damage scoped rifles, allowing for massive bursts in combat. Lastly, unlock weapon engineering to scope risks and gain the benefits of Marksmanship and Sniper certification.
You should try to rank upskillsby completing their requirements. For example, Boost Pack Training hits Boost Pack constantly in combat to level it up very quickly. Leave one enemy alive, continually boost the pack as you have fuel, and you can complete the progression in one encounter.
Level Progression
we recommend Soldier, which unlocks Boost Pack Training, Fitness, and Ballistic Weapons. Early on, you want to level weapon certification and boost pack. Moreover, it takes two skills in science to quickly access weapon engineering for even more damage added to weapons.
Starfield leveling progression system gives you three skills at level one via your background, then one skill per level without a level cap. You will need several skill points in each tree to move to the next level and pick higher-tier skills. Unlike other Bethesda games, Starfield requires you to use or complete specific objectives with your skills to take a higher rank. For instance, in Boost Pack Training, hit Boost Pack constantly in combat to level it up very quickly. Leave one enemy alive, continually boost the pack as you have fuel, and you can complete the progression in one encounter. This is why we jump from tree to tree, giving you time to level up your skill ranks. Come back or take another skill in the progression if you haven’t reached the level.
Levels 1 – 10
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 1 – 10 with the Soldier Build Guide in Starfield:
Levels 11 – 20
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 11 – 20 with the Soldier Build Guide in Starfield:
Levels 21 – 30
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 21 – 30 with the Soldier Build Guide in Starfield:
The best weapons for Soldier Build are the AA-99 Ballistic Rifle and Magsniper Rifle because they have excellent range and a high rate of fire, and they can be modified to fit both close and medium range. Thisweapon’sammunition is easy to find and does excellent damage regardless of the situation.
The rangedweaponoption for sniping is the Old Earth Hunting Rifle. Progress throughout the levels to Hard Target, then Magsniper for the most damage possible. The Va’ruun Inflictor weapon is the best overall and appears later in the game. Here are the bestweapontraits and perks for a Sniper Rifle weapon in Starfield:
Weaponscan have up to 8modificationsdepending on the type. Eachmodrequires materials or resources and the Weapon Engineeringskillfrom theScienceskill tree. You will also have toresearchmod upgrades via aresearchstation, and it can take some time to unlock the full potential of the gun and weapons.Weaponshave four qualities: white, blue, purple, and legendary yellow. If a weapon is blue or greater in rarity, it comes with a perk or a trait. These add additional effects in addition to modifications.
The bestarmorfor Soldier Build is the UC Marine spacesuit, power pack, and helmet. UC Marine armor offers excellent resistance, is readily available, and is highly customizable. Here are the recommended armor perks and traits for a Soldier build in Starfield:
Armorsare available in four distinct qualities: white, blue, purple, and the legendary yellow. If anarmorpiece holds the rarity of blue or higher, it boasts an accompanying perk or trait. These augmentations introduce supplementary effects alongside any modifications. For instance, the “Beast Hunter” perk reduces damage from Alien enemies by 15%. Inspect each blue or greater armor mod and see if the trait and perk align with your build.
Starborn Power
The bestStarborn powerfor Soldier Build is Reactive Shield because it provides superior protection at range or up close. This power also reflects damage, and with a 35 power cost, you’re able to cast it frequently based on its duration. Sense Star Stuff is another greatStarborn powerbecause it helps detect enemies and friendlies.
Starborn Powersare earned through themain storycampaign. You will encounter artifacts early on and acquire more of them as you progress. Using Vlad, located in the eye, and theConstellationgroup, located at the Lodge, to find more. Spend time discovering and exploring Temples to progress this power.
Companions
Vasco is the best companion for the Soldier Build because the robot can access three high-poweredStarshipskills that the Soldier lacks. Here’s a list ofVasco’sskills:
You can also play solo but require heavy skill investment into the Social skill tree. In the second skill level, you find isolation, which increases your damage and reduces damage when playing solo. This would be the ultimate goal later in the game, post-level 50, with abundant skill points.
Build Summary – Soldier Best Build for Starfield
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