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How to Discover Planet Traits in Starfield

J.R. Waugh

Published: Sep 6, 2023 12:09 am

So you want to be a surveyor in Starfield? It’s not as intimidating as you may think, even if you’re essentially hopping onto a planet and hoping to identify its various flora and fauna. Some places can be dangerous, some more barren, but many bear secrets and wonderful features to themselves that can satisfy curious explorers looking for planets supporting life and resources. These secrets are Planet Traits in Starfield, and here’s how you can find them.

How to Discover Planet Traits While Surveying in Starfield

The most direct way to find Planet Traits in Starfield is by finding Unexplored Features, points of interest marked on your HUD. Take out your hand scanner) and go toward ones typically marked with a heart monitor icon or a map marker icon. Finally, you can add ranks to the Astrophysics skill, which adds a chance to discover traits while you’re doing your general scanning and surveying.

Image: Attack of the Fanboy
Image: Attack of the Fanboy
Image: Attack of the Fanboy

Related: Starfield Review

When you approach, the game will mark these Unexplored Features, and you can scan them as if they’re resources, flora, and fauna. You might even find some Gravitational Anomalies on some planets, so keep an eye out for floating rocks.

How to Find Planet Traits From Research Stations in Starfield

Image: Attack of the Fanboy
Image: Attack of the Fanboy
Image: Attack of the Fanboy

Another way to find Planet Traits is to go to the Sample Vault or a research installation on a planet, open their Planet Data Console, and select “Download Collected Planet Data” on the top-left. This can give you not only traits but also other survey data already gathered on a given planet. It’s not a guarantee you’ll find what you’re looking for, but it can speed things along, so never pass up one of these locations.

Why Survey Planets in Starfield?

Aside from a hefty EXP bursary upon completing a planetary survey, you can get money from this data too. Vladimir on The Eye will give you money for any survey data you gather. If you find certain anomalies, you might also be hot on the trail toward some very interesting, rewarding in-game locations, too. You’ll also be able to turn in quests for Constellation for specific traits with direct rewards, and it’s a soothing gameplay loop in itself to explore the many worlds of this game.

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Author

J.R. Waugh

J.R. is a Staff Writer with AOTF and has been covering gaming and entertainment in the industry since 2022. Along with a B.A. in History from the University of Cincinnati, he has studied at the University of Birmingham, UK, and part of his M.A. at the University of Waterloo. You'll find J.R. particularly at home writing about the hottest manga and anime. He is highly passionate about horror, strategy, and RPGs, and anything about Star Trek or LOTR. When not ranting about fan theories or writing guides, J.R. is streaming his favorite RPGs and other forgotten gems.