Best Weapon Types for Every Build in Starfield

The role-playing elements in Starfield prove extensive enough that, no matter your playstyle, there are build possibilities available. For instance, let’s say you want to deal heavy damage as a walking tank; then you’d likely opt to bring the Microgun. It’s Starfield‘s answer to the minigun—a portable multi-barreled cannon capable of raining down hellfire with zero concerns regarding the cost of ammunition or accuracy. Or, better yet, why not invest in a build like the iconic stealth archer from Skyrim? In Starfield, it’s a stealth sniper with a suppressed rifle capable of zeroing in on any target and landing shots from great distances. These are the best weapon types for every build in Starfield!

Thief Build in Starfield – Handguns and SMGs

Typically speaking, a thief build in Starfield will do everything in their power not to get caught up in combat. Most often, these builds sacrifice health and armor for speed and stealth, which makes them a glass cannon. If you can sneak up on a single opponent with a suppressed weapon in hand and land a critical shot, it’s usually enough to take down any enemy with a single headshot.

Regarding the best weapons for a thief build, it’s typically best to consider the close-quarters nature of the class. As such, a thief will want to choose pistols and submachine guns. A few notable recommendations include:

• Kraken
• Old Earth Pistol
• Sidestar
• Grendel

Whenever possible, attach a suppressor to remain as quiet and stealthy as possible. Remember: the goal of a thief is not to kill every enemy in sight but to sneak in and steal everything of value before quietly disappearing.

Tank Build in Starfield – Heavy Weapons and Shotguns

Unlike a stealth build, the tank build in Starfield enjoys a bit more freedom and versatility when it comes to combat. More often than not, a tank or heavy will opt for heavy weapons, like the Microgun, but may occasionally use shotguns and laser weaponry. Honestly, whatever deals the most damage and ends a fight the quickest, is the weapon a tank will typically select before each encounter.

A few recommendations include:

• Microgun
• Experiment A-7
• Big Bang

You’ll note that each one of these weapons is loud and dangerous. The Microgun, especially, a high-powered minigun firing 7.77mm rounds, can run through an entire belt of ammunition relatively fast in large encounters. The weapon is expensive to fire but so very powerful. But if you want to dive headfirst into the science-fiction nature of Starfield, then weapons like the Experiment A-7 or Big Bang, both powerful experimental weapon platforms, prove most fun to use in confined quarters. Both are devastating shotguns.

Pirate Build in Starfield – Revolvers and Shotguns

Like the thief build, a pirate build is typically more concerned with hit-and-run tactics to ensure the most bounty per hit possible. They’re often sitting behind the console of a spaceship, using their fast fighter craft to deal damage before boarding unsuspecting victims to steal their loot. But when boarding, a pirate will want a devastating weapon to deal damage in close quarters.

When it comes to running a pirate, a few recommended weapon types in Starfield include shotguns and revolvers. Both deal high amounts of damage up close, capable of taking down enemies in a single well-placed shot. We recommend taking:

• Razorback
• Deadeye
• Breach

This selection of revolvers and shotguns will benefit a pirate build as they board ships and clear the confines of habs and cockpits.

Stealth Sniper Build in Starfield – Sniper Rifles and Revolvers

The stealth sniper build in Starfield is quickly on its way to becoming the go-to build for every player. At least for one playthrough. Like the stealth archer in Skyrim, it’s an extremely powerful build that pairs stealth and sneaking with a high-powered rifle to deal critical damage with a single well-placed shot. Unlike in Skyrim, the stealth sniper in Starfield excels at even greater distances, so take some time to position yourself carefully before each encounter.

We recommend taking the following sniper rifles for the ultimate in long-range damage-dealing capabilities:

• Hard Target
• Magsniper Rifle

And a single revolver for close-quarters encounters:

• Deadeye

With this loadout, you should be capable of taking down any bounty. The only downside, unfortunately, is keeping well-stocked with ammunition for such rifles, as each round is quite costly and often rare, especially at low levels.

Melee Build in Starfield – Melee Weapons

Lastly, we have the melee build in Starfield. It’s one of the more niche build types in the game, as most players will wind up scooping up the various sci-fi weaponry to try out. But if you want a more hardcore playstyle that it’s full-on violent and in-your-face, then nothing beats the visceral nature of a melee fighter dealing with Crimson Fleet.

To excel as a melee build, you need the right skills and the right weapons, and we recommend the following:

• Wakizashi
• The Last Priest
• Osmium Dagger

With these weapon types in Starfield and a few points put into dueling, martial arts, and crippling, you can wipe the floor with most enemies in the game, so long as you close the distance fast enough.

Related:

How to Level Up the Piloting Skill Fast in Starfield

Starfield is available now on PC and Xbox!