Starfield – Best Weapons And How To Get Them

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Mastering Starfield‘s diverse weaponry is crucial for surviving the challenges across 1,000+ explorable planets. These firearms range from campaign rewards to hidden discoveries during side missions, each offering distinct tactical advantages. Our comprehensive analysis examines the most effective armaments for various playstyles and combat scenarios.

Critical factors beyond raw weapon stats include modification capabilities and the Weapon Engineering skill tree, which allows crafting superior custom firearms. Important note: This guide contains significant story spoilers regarding mission locations and rewards.

Understanding weapon categories helps optimize your loadout for different encounters. Ballistic weapons provide reliable damage, while energy-based options offer specialized utility against specific enemy types.

The Cutter stands as Starfield’s most versatile tool-weapon hybrid, serving both combat and exploration purposes simultaneously. Unlike conventional firearms, it features unlimited ammunition with an automatic recharge mechanism, though sustained firing requires brief cooling periods.

Every player begins with a standard Cutter, while the enhanced Heller’s Cutter variant becomes available during the Back to Vectera mission. Located within the Vectera habitation module, this upgraded version includes the Disassembler perk, delivering +20% increased damage against robotic adversaries.

Strategic Cutter usage involves alternating between combat applications and resource extraction from mineral deposits. This dual functionality makes it indispensable for artifact collection missions and planetary resource farming operations.

Common mistake: Players often underestimate the Cutter’s combat potential against mechanical enemies. Proper utilization against robotic foes can significantly reduce ammunition consumption during extended exploration sequences.

The Deadeye represents a premium revolver variant featuring intricate decorative engravings and multiple pre-installed modifications. This distinctive sidearm becomes accessible after completing initiation requirements for the Freestar Collective Rangers faction.

Factory-installed enhancements include Laser Sight for improved accuracy, Compensator for recoil management, Penetrator Rounds for armor penetration, and Hair Trigger for faster firing sequences.

Arc Welders provide the logical progression from basic Cutters, delivering substantially increased damage output and extended effective range. The trade-off involves ammunition consumption, making resource management more critical during extended engagements.

These energy-based weapons frequently appear within concealed installations, particularly during the questline to acquire the legendary Mantis spacecraft.

Advanced tip: Combine Arc Welder usage with energy weapon specialization skills to maximize damage potential while minimizing ammunition consumption rates.

The Fiscal Quarter automatic rifle represents a distinctive rare weapon awarded upon completing the All That Money Can Buy primary mission. Its rapid fire capability combines with multiple integrated modifications for exceptional combat performance.

Pre-configured enhancements include Short Scope for mid-range targeting, Compensator for stability, Tactical Grip for handling, Armor-piercing Rounds for penetration, and Hair Trigger for responsiveness.

This weapon’s exclusive Shattering attribute enables projectiles to bypass defensive armor systems effectively.

Despite its rare classification, the Experiment A-7 shotgun demonstrates exceptional performance characteristics, particularly against extraterrestrial threats. It features an impressive eight modification slots including Long Barrel, Laser Sight, Reflex Sight, Choke, Tactical Stock, Flechette Rounds, Hair Trigger, and Fully Automatic conversion.

The integrated Exterminator perk provides +30% damage amplification against alien lifeforms, making it ideal for the Entangled storyline mission featuring extensive insectoid encounters.

Optimization strategy: The Experiment A-7’s fully automatic capability transforms it into a close-quarters clearing tool, though this significantly increases ammunition consumption rates.

Effective firearm selection requires understanding modification synergies and skill tree integration. The Weapon Engineering skill enables crafting superior custom weapons that may outperform discovered alternatives.

Strategic loadout planning should account for mission parameters, including anticipated enemy types and environmental conditions. Energy weapons excel in vacuum environments where ballistic projectile behavior may be compromised.

Advanced players should prioritize weapons with multiple modification slots, allowing customization for specific combat roles. Consider pairing specialized weapons like the Experiment A-7 for alien encounters with versatile options like the Fiscal Quarter for general combat situations.

Time investment for weapon mastery varies significantly based on playstyle. Casual players may require 10-15 hours to acquire these weapons, while completionists might invest 25+ hours for optimal configurations.

For broader tactical guidance, consult our Complete Guide to understand overarching combat principles. Additionally, our Weapons Unlock guide provides additional firearm acquisition strategies, while the Class Guide helps align weapon choices with character specialization.

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