Research projects in Starfield are organized into five broad categories: Pharmacology, Food and Drink, Outpost Development, Equipment, and Weaponry. Each research project requires a set of input materials, and many require specific skill training.
The material amounts listed on these pages represent the full amount, without any training in the Research Methods skill, and without using a Synapse Alpha or Neurajack item.
Jump to each section below:
There are two general-purpose skills related to performing research: Research Methods and Special Projects.
While the Research Methods skill does reduce input materials for crafting individual items, the input materials for research projects tend to be much higher. If you plan on maxing out research, and want the convenience of having to gather significantly less resources to do so, this skill should be fully trained before performing any research projects. The benefits of this skill do stack with the Aid items called Synapse Alpha and Neurajack.
I have not yet investigated whether any hired crew members have Research Methods as a skill. If there are, I suspect you could assign them to an Outpost where you plan to perform all your research.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Research Methods | 1 | Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 10%. |
| 2 | Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 20%. | ||
| 3 | Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 40%. | ||
| 4 | Sudden developments during research are twice as common. Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 60%. | ||
 |
Special Projects | 1 |
You can research experimental projects at a Research Lab.
Unlocks Innovative Synthesis 1, Pack Mods 3, Magazine and Battery Mods 3, and Muzzle Mods 3.
|
| 2 | You can craft rare manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. | ||
| 3 | You can craft exotic manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. | ||
| 4 | You can craft unique manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. Outpost extractors have a chance to produce additional resources. |
Trade Authority stores are a good source for rare items, found in all major cities. General goods stores carry bundles of common items, but can also sometimes sell rare items. Items sold at stores and vendors are somewhat randomized. You may have to wait 24 hours for a store to resupply.
Note that some items will not start to appear in the game until you reach a certain level. Level 20 seems to be when unique items, such as the Infantry Alpha or Indicite Wafer, show up at Trade Authority stores.
Trade Authority and general goods stores can be found in the following places:
| Store Name | Solar System | Planet | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Authority | Alpha Centauri | Jemison | The Well (elevator near NAT under MAST building) |
| Jemison Mercantile | Alpha Centauri | Jemison | Starport (next to The Viewport) |
| UC Distribution | Alpha Centauri | Jemison | Commercial District |
| Outland | Alpha Centauri | Jemison | Commercial District (across from UC Distribution) |
| Clint's Collectibles | Alpha Centauri | Gagarin | Ahead and right of landing |
| Trade Authority | Sol | Mars | Cydonia, ahead and on right |
| UC Exchange | Sol | Mars | Cydonia, ahead and on left |
| Jane's Goods | Sol | Mars | Cydonia (Residential level, behind community centre area) |
| Trade Authority | Wolf | Chthonia | The Den (star station in orbit, no contraband detection) |
| Trade Authority | Cheyenne | Akila | Akila City, behind The Hitching Post and GalBank |
| Shepherd's General Store | Cheyenne | Akila | Akila City, on left after entry |
| Trade Authority | Volii | Volii Alpha | Neon, near Spaceport elevator |
| Newill's Goods | Volii | Volii Alpha | Neon, next to Freestar Rangers Outpost |
| Seighart's Outfitters | Volii | Volii Alpha | Neon, across from Reliant Medical |
Some input materials for research projects or crafting are rare or extremely hard-to-find. This table lists all such input materials, and suggestions on where you might find them.
Vending machines will drop one random food or drink item from a particular brand at a time, and typically only hold a handful in total. They can be found in major cities (especially Neon), Civilian Outposts, and even procedurally placed structures. You can wait 24 hours for a vending machine to resupply.
| Item | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Alien Genetic Material |
Rare drop from certain animals
|
| Caelumite |
Mineral found near special landmarks on specific planets and moons -- typically those with lots of Traits
|
| Can-uck! Poutine |
CJ's in New Atlantis (SE of Lodge), or other general Food and Drink shops
Any Can-Uck! vending machine (3 in Neon Core)
|
| Quark-Degenerate Tissues |
Rare drop from certain animals
|
| Tranquilitea Sunray |
Tranquilitea vendor inside the Ryujin headquarters lobby on Neon
Tranquilitea vendor in Paradiso (Porrima)
Food and drink vendors (e.g. CJ's in New Atlantis)
|
Some input materials, particularly in the Food and Drink category, are given general names and can be fulfilled by many different items in the game. This table lists all such input materials, and the items that can be used to fulfill them for research or crafting.
In general, Chunks brand items never count as an input material for crafting.
| Input Material | Items that Count | Items that DON'T Count |
|---|---|---|
| Beans |
Red Harvest Lentils
|
|
| Bread |
Baguette
Red Harvest Naan
Red Harvest Rye
Red Harvest Wheat
Red Harvest White
|
Sandwich
Toast
|
| Coffee |
Any Terrabrew
Coffee Bag (Resource)
|
Can-Uck! Double Double
|
| Dairy |
Drink Pack: Milk
Milk
Kefir
|
Red Harvest Milk Stout
|
| Egg |
Meal Pack - Eggs
|
Chunks Egg
Chunks Egg - Packaged
|
| Liquor |
Alien Liquor
Bourbon
Drink Pack: Vodka
Drink Pack: Whiskey
|
Any Beer
Any Wine
Red Harvest Double Malt Whiskey
Red Harvest Single Malt Whiskey
|
| Noodles |
Meal Pack - Ramen
Ramen Minibite
Ramen Multipack
Red Harvest Spaghetti
Soba
Soba Minibite
Udon Multipack
|
|
| Poultry |
Meal Pack - Chicken
Synthameat Chicken
Synthameat Turkey
|
Chunks Chicken
Chunks Chick - Packaged
|
| Red Meat |
Synthameat Hamburger
Synthameat Multi
Synthameat Steak
Synthameat Veal
|
Chunks Beef
Chunks Beef - Packaged
|
| Tea |
Any Tranquilitea (Aid)
Any Tranquilitea Pack (Resource)
Alien Tea
Boba Alien Tea
|
|
| Water |
Water (Resource)
|
Distilled Water
Drink Pack: Water
Sparkling Water
|
| Wine |
Any Chandra Wine
Drink Pack: Red Wine
Drink Pack: White Wine
Sparkling Wine
|
Chunks Wine
Chunks Wine - Packaged
|
The Chemistry skill allows players to craft new types of pharmaceutical items at a Pharmaceutical Lab. Training rank 4 also has a random chance that triple the number of items will be created.
Visit the Pharmacology page for details on the related research projects, and items that can be crafted.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chemistry | 1 | You can create improved chems, and research additional chems at a Research Lab. |
| 2 | You can research and create superior chems. | ||
| 3 | You can research and create cutting-edge chems. | ||
| 4 | Crafting chems occasionally triples the amount created. |
The Gastronomy skill (found under Social) allows players to craft new types of food and drink items at a Cooking Station. Training rank 4 also has a random chance that crafting doesn't use up any resources.
Visit the Food and Drink page for details on the related research projects, and items that can be crafted.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Gastronomy | 1 | You can craft specialty food and drinks, and research additional recipes at a Research Lab. |
| 2 | You can research and craft gourmet food and drinks. | ||
| 3 | You can research and craft food and drink delicacies. | ||
| 4 | Crafting food and drinks occasionally doesn't use up resources. You can research and craft exotic recipes. |
The Outpost Engineering skill allows players to construct additional outpost modules, and craft manufactured items at an Industrial Workbench. Training rank 4 reduces the amount of resources required by half.
Visit the Outpost Development page for details on the related research projects, and outpost modules that can be crafted.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Outpost Engineering | 1 | You can construct improved outpost modules, and research additional modules at a Research Lab. |
| 2 | You can research and construct superior outpost modules. | ||
| 3 | You can research and construct cutting-edge outpost modules. | ||
| 4 | Outpost modules now cost 50% fewer resources to build. |
The Spacesuit Design skill allows players to craft mods for packs, helmets, and spacesuits at a Spacesuit Workbench. Training rank 4 has a random chance that crafting doesn't use up any resources.
Visit the Equipment page for details on the related research projects, and mods that can be crafted.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Spacesuit Design | 1 | You can craft improved spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods, and research additional mods at a Research Lab. |
| 2 | You can research and craft superior spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods. | ||
| 3 | You can research and craft cutting-edge spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods. | ||
| 4 | Construction of spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods occasionally doesn't cost resources. |
The Weapon Engineering skill allows players to craft mods for both ranged and melee weapons at a Weapon Workbench. You can also produce ammunition for ranged weapons at an Industrial Workbench.
Visit the Weaponry page for details on the related research projects, and mods that can be crafted.
| Skill Name | Rank | Rank Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Weapon Engineering | 1 | You can craft improved weapon mods at a Weapon Workbench, and research additional weapon mods at a Research Lab. |
| 2 | You can research and craft superior weapon mods. | ||
| 3 | You can research and craft cutting-edge weapon mods. | ||
| 4 | You can research and craft master-level weapon mods. |
