Starfield offers a vast universe filled with recruitable allies who can join your ship, manage outposts, or accompany you on missions. These companions bring specialized skills that boost combat effectiveness, piloting, resource gathering, and more. With around 28 named companions, choosing the right ones depends on your playstyle—whether you prioritize romance, story depth, or practical bonuses.
Understanding Companion Types in Starfield
Companions fall into distinct categories, each with varying levels of interaction, skills, and recruitment requirements. Constellation members provide deep narratives and free recruitment, while hireable crew demand credits but offer flexibility.
- Constellation Companions: Core story allies with high skill ranks, personal quests, and romance potential.
- Faction and Story Companions: Unlocked via questlines, often free, with ties to groups like Freestar Collective or Crimson Fleet.
- Hireable Companions: Found in bars across settlements; cost 7,500–30,000 credits based on your traits.
- Trait Companions: Exclusive to specific background choices, like the Adoring Fan.
Only one companion can actively follow you at a time, but others can crew your ship or outposts for passive skill bonuses.
Core Constellation Companions
These five are central to the main storyline, recruited early without cost. They excel in multiple roles and develop affinity through conversations and missions.
| Companion | Recruitment | Key Skills | Romance? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Morgan | One Small Step / The Lodge, New Atlantis | Astrodynamics 4, Lasers 3, Leadership 2, Botany 1 | Yes |
| Barrett | Back to Vectera | Starship Engineering 4, Particle Beams 3, Robotics 2, Gastronomy 1 | Yes |
| Andreja | Into the Unknown | Stealth 2, Particle Beams 2, Theft 1 | Yes |
| Sam Coe | Deep Cover | Pilot 3, Rifle Certification 2, Stealth 1 | Yes |
| Vasco | One Small Step (robot) | Aneutronic Fusion 1, Shield Systems 2, EM Weapons 1 | No |
Sarah Morgan leads Constellation and shines in ship handling and laser combat. Recruit her after your first mission by visiting The Lodge. Barrett boosts engineering for durable ships; save him during Vectera’s crisis. Andreja’s stealth makes her ideal for infiltration. Sam Coe handles rifles and flying, unlocked via his family storyline. Vasco, the loyal robot, joins automatically and excels in fusion power management.
Faction-Aligned Companions
These allies tie into side stories and factions, often requiring quest completion. They add narrative flavor and specialized perks like resource gifts.
United Colonies and SysDef Recruits
- Supervisor Lin: Akila City post-story fix; outpost specialist, no romance. Talk twice after signaling coordinates.
- Heller: New Atlantis Viewpoint after Entangled; scavenging for ammo gifts.
Freestar Collective Allies
- Moara Otero: Cydonia after The Old Neighborhood; EM Weapons 2, Marksmanship 1.
Crimson Fleet Members
Access via their questline, but siding against them locks out recruits like Jasmine (Theft 1, Concealment 1, Ballistics 2) or The Last Nova (post-Echoes of the Past).
Red Mile Runner
Autumn: Akila’s Red Mile bar post-Freestar quests; Pistols 2, Botany 1, Sharpshooting 1. Free after her race.
Hireable Companions from Bars
Scattered across hubs like New Atlantis, Akila City, and Cydonia, these cost credits but can follow, crew ships, or run outposts. They gift items matching skills (e.g., ammo, credits).
Examples include Mickey Caviar (combat focus) and others with ranks in piloting, shielding, or scavenging. Prices fluctuate with your Negotiator trait—lower for better hagglers.
Special and Trait Companions
- Adoring Fan: Exclusive to Kid Stuff trait; enthusiastic but fragile, with random skills.
- Constellation Omit: Rare unlocks via specific paths.
These add unique personality without standard recruitment.
Maximizing Companion Skills
Assign companions strategically: pilots (Astrodynamics/Piloting) for travel, gunners (Lasers/EM/Particle Beams) for combat, engineers (Starship Engineering/Shields) for durability. Outpost workers handle surveying, building, or mining.
Affinity builds via aligned actions—combat for fighters, exploration for leaders. This unlocks perks, quests, and romance.
Romance Options and Relationships
Only Constellation humans (Sarah, Barrett, Andreja, Sam) are romanceable. Progress affinity, then select flirty dialogue. No polyamory; choices affect story.
- Sarah: Botany gifts, leadership vibe.
- Barrett: Engineering whiz, family man.
- Andreja: Mysterious, stealthy.
- Sam: Charismatic pilot, dad duties.
Common Recruitment Pitfalls
Quest order matters—delay faction choices to avoid hostiles. Save before Legacy’s End for Crimson Fleet. Robots like Vasco have no romance but unlimited loyalty. Dismiss followers properly to swap without issues.
Building the Perfect Crew
Stack skills: one pilot, two gunners, engineers for ships; scavengers for outposts. Test in combat—EM for shields, lasers for hulls. Rotate for affinity without dismissing permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many companions can I have on my ship?
Capacity depends on ship size; assign via crew menu. Active follower limit: one.
Can companions die?
No, they can’t be killed permanently but can be downed in combat.
Do companions level up?
Skills are fixed; your actions boost affinity for perks.
Best companion for outposts?
Supervisor Lin or high Industrial/Scavenging hires.
How to romance multiple companions?
Not possible; committing to one ends others.
References
- How to Recruit All Story Companions – Starfield — YouTube. 2023-09-15.
- All companions and where to find them in Starfield — The Duchess Flame. 2023-09-20. https://www.theduchessflame.com/post/all-companions-and-where-to-find-them-in-starfield
- A guide to all the companions in Starfield — YouTube. 2023-09-10.
- Ultimate Companions Guide for Starfield — ArzyeLBuilds. 2023-09-18. https://arzyelbuilds.com/starfield-companions/
- Starfield – All Romance Options And Companions — GameSpot. 2023-09-22. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/starfield-companions-romance-guide/1100-6517305/