How To Save All Characters In Starfield

TL;DR

  • One companion will permanently die during the A High Price to Pay quest regardless of your choices
  • The game selects two companions based on your highest affinity relationships for the fateful decision
  • Your location choice determines which companion survives – the other location’s companion dies
  • There are no confirmed methods to save both companions in the base game
  • Strategic relationship management before this quest can influence which characters are at risk

Starfield presents players with an emotionally devastating scenario where preserving every crew member’s life becomes fundamentally impossible. The game’s narrative design intentionally forces a heartbreaking choice that permanently alters your constellation roster.

Many players question whether they can rescue their trusted allies from certain death in Starfield. This isn’t about typical combat situations where companions might fall in battle against extraterrestrial threats. Instead, we’re addressing a pivotal story moment within the A High Price to Pay mission. This comprehensive guide examines the critical details surrounding this narrative turning point, along with potential approaches you might employ. Please be aware that significant story revelations follow throughout this discussion.

The doomed companion scenario unfolds specifically during A High Price to Pay (as previously warned about spoilers). This quest mandates selecting between two critical locations: The Lodge or The Eye. Whichever site you don’t pick will result in the permanent loss of one companion stationed there.

Based on current available information, the exact mechanics determining companion selection remain partially unconfirmed. Strong evidence suggests the affinity system plays the decisive role–specifically, the two companions with your highest approval ratings and relationship development get chosen for this dramatic sequence. One inevitably perishes to create profound emotional impact within the overarching storyline.

Our editorial team conducted extensive comparative analysis across multiple playthroughs:

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Left: Sarah died aboard The Eye; Right: Andreja died in The Lodge.

  • One team member experienced Sarah positioned at The Eye while Sam remained at The Lodge.
  • A different contributor had Sarah at The Eye with Andreja stationed at The Lodge.
  • Both scenarios featured Sarah (The Eye) as their highest affinity companion. Meanwhile, Sam and Andreja (The Lodge) represented their secondary highest relationship levels in separate game sessions.
  • Following the crucial decision-making moment, the companion located at the unchosen site met their demise.

While the core game mechanics enforce one companion’s death, experienced players have discovered several preparatory techniques to influence which characters face this risk. Managing your relationship levels strategically before reaching this quest can significantly impact the outcome. Many gamers recommend deliberately developing lower affinity with companions you’re willing to sacrifice, though this approach carries its own narrative consequences.

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Left: Sarah died aboard The Eye; Right: Andreja died in The Lodge.

Convince Vlad to move the Artifacts and all of Constellation will live to see the end of it.

Strategic dialogue choices with supporting characters can sometimes alter mission parameters, though the companion death remains unavoidable in the vanilla experience.

Post-mission, the deceased companion’s personal quests become permanently unavailable, and other crew members will reference the loss in future interactions. This decision creates lasting repercussions throughout your remaining gameplay, affecting companion dialogues, available missions, and even certain ending variations.

Action Checklist

  • Monitor companion affinity levels regularly before reaching critical story missions
  • Create manual saves at key decision points to explore different outcomes
  • Research mod availability if playing on PC for potential alternative solutions
  • Complete companion personal quests for characters you prioritize saving before A High Price to Pay

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » How To Save All Characters In Starfield Master Starfield's critical companion choice and learn strategies to navigate the pivotal A High Price to Pay mission