To use a power in Starfield, select it in the Power menu, then activate it with Z on keyboard, LB + RB on Xbox, or L1 + R1 on PlayStation. Powers draw from the blue Starborn meter beneath your health bar, so you cannot activate one when that meter is empty.
How to select and activate a power
- Open the menu: Press Tab on keyboard, Start on Xbox, or Options on PlayStation.
- Choose a power: Select the Power area at the top of the menu, then choose the ability you want to use.
- Activate it: Press Z on keyboard, LB + RB on Xbox, or L1 + R1 on PlayStation. On PlayStation, a left swipe on the touchpad is also listed as Quick-Powers.
These are the default controls in Bethesda’s Starfield guide and PlayStation controls reference. If you have changed your bindings, use the controls currently shown in your in-game settings.
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What to check if a power will not activate
Look at the blue Starborn power bar beneath your health bar. Each power has its own energy cost; if the meter does not have enough energy, the power will not activate. It gradually refills over time.
To speed up regeneration temporarily, use Quantum Essence. Open the Powers menu and activate its displayed Quantum Essence control: R on keyboard, X on Xbox, or Square on PlayStation. Bethesda says the regeneration boost lasts 60 seconds.
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- Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits
- Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets
- Pilot and command the ship of your dreams.
How to unlock more powers
You unlock your first powers during the main mission Into the Unknown. Further powers come from temples found through Power from Beyond missions. Vladimir may provide those missions after you have progressed far enough in the main story; detecting an anomaly while exploring can also update the quest with a location to investigate.
- On the planet, enter Survey mode and turn slowly until your scanner circle distorts.
- Follow the direction of the distortion. When you are close enough, a marker will point to the temple.
- Inside, move through the floating lights in low gravity before they disappear and reappear elsewhere.
- When enough lights have been collected or dispersed and the armillary sphere forms a ring, enter the ring to receive the power.
After the main mission Starborn concludes, temple guardians may attack after you obtain a power. Killing a guardian grants Quantum Essence.
Rank #2
- Includes: Starfield Standard Edition (Disc)
- Travel to the stars in this next-gen RPG from the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4
- Create a character according to your imagination and explore the endless expanses in unparalleled freedom
- The goal of this epic journey? The answer to humanity's greatest question
When you can upgrade powers
Power upgrades are unavailable on a first playthrough of a save. You must have entered the Unity at least once. Each upgrade rank costs two Quantum Essence, and a power at its maximum rank cannot be upgraded further.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which power should you use?
Choose for the task at hand rather than looking for a single universally best power. Bethesda’s examples include Personal Atmosphere for filtering harmful carbon dioxide around you, Sense Star Stuff for revealing nearby life forms, and Gravity Wave for pushing objects or enemies. Consider the effect you need and the power’s energy cost; the available guidance does not rank powers by comparative performance.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- TELL YOUR STORY - In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become.
- EXPLORE OUTER SPACE - Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered.
- CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS - Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection.
- DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD - Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes.
- LOCK AND LOAD - Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.
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