Starfieldis finally here, and there is so much to take in. As you make your way across the galaxy exploring the over 1000 planets acrosscountless systems, you are bound to run into a bit of trouble along the way.
Starfield: 15 Best Early Game Skills
Starfield gives players more skills and upgrades than they’ll know what to do with; here are the best skills to focus early on.
Like any great explorer, you’ll need a way to protect yourself, and thankfully, Starfield comes with a broad array of weaponry to choose from. Here are the very best weapons you can wield throughout your playthrough.

Updated by Peter Hunt Szpytek on June 26, 2025:This article has been updated with a video version (featured below.).
15Magshot (Pistol)
Best Early Game Pistol
There is no shortage of pistol variants you’ll discover as you explore the galaxy and take down the various gangs and hostile explorers you encounter. Like all weapons, each pistol will have many variations defined by the overall quality and the installed mods.
Regardless of which version you find, the Magshot is a great pistol to have in your arsenal. Equipped with a .43 MI ammo type and a moderately fast fire rate, this pistol is a great go-to for most occasions, allowing you to be the first, and the last, person to fire a shot.

14Tanto (Knife)
Best High Damage Stealth Knife
While maybe not the most commonly used weapon type in the game,melee weaponsdo come in handy, especially when you’re in a pinch. If you find yourself being rushed by another melee-focused enemy, you may not have enough time to reload or properly aim your gun.
Whipping out your handy Tanto can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Although there are several other weapon types in the game that are comparable to the Tanto, none are quite as elegant, making thisthe best dagger in the game.

13Novablast Disrupter (Electromagnetic Rifle)
Best Non-Lethal Stealth Weapon
Although the Novablast Disrupter is a non-lethal weapon, it firmly holds its place as one of the best in the game. When fired, it will cause an EM build-up on the enemy, and when that meter is full, they will be completely incapacitated.
Starfield: All Weapon Types And Effects
If you want to know more about the weapon types and their effects in Starfield, this guide has your answers.
This gun is incredibly useful in most stealth situations as you can imagine. Equipped with a charge shot functionality, you can often put down the unsuspecting target in front of you with one shot. It is also highly effective in taking down robotic enemies, making it a must-have for your arsenal, and undoubtedly thebest Electromagnetic weapon in the game.

12Va' Ruun Starshard (Particle Beam Pistol)
Best Physical/Energy Damage-Type Pistol
If you are in the market for a particle beam pistol, then look no further than the Va' Ruun Starshard. This particular pistol is incredibly hard to come by as it is only carried by the Va' Ruun, followers of the Great Serpent.
Although this pistol will require quite of bit of effort to get, it is well worth it as it is one of thebest energy-typepistols in the game. Not only does it deal both Physical and Energy damage simultaneously, but it looks cool doing so as well.

11Big Bang (Particle Beam Shotgun)
Best Physical/Energy Damage-Type Shotgun
In Starfield, shotguns tend to be one of the best choices to bring into any fight. Their stopping power is unrivaled, but the weapon type is evenly balanced due to its small mag size.
Starfield: How To Holster Weapon
In Starfield, remember to holster your weapon in settlements to avoid alarm and tension. It also boosts your movement speed. Learn how in this guide.
The Big Bang is a fairlyunique weapontype that does physical and energydamage. This can help drain enemy shields while whittling down their health, making it a versatile weapon suited for almost any enemy you’re able to encounter.
10Razorback (Pistol)
High Damage Small Mag 6-Shooter
If you have the itch to be a space cowboy, then do we have the perfect gun for you. The Razorback is an old western Colt-style pistol modernized for the year 2300. You’ll likely get your first one, and the most stylish variation, the Deadeye, by joining theFreestar Rangers.
While it has an expectedly small mag size of 6, it more than makes up for it with its sheer stopping power and accuracy. Whether you go toe to toe with a local bandit or get caught in a town shootout, this is always a great option to have ready on your hip.
9Shotty (Shotgun)
Best Quickfire Shotgun
While it certainly isn’t the most powerful shotgun available, it is the most well-rounded you’ll find. The Shotty is a masterpiece of a weapon, using a near-unstoppable Caseless Shell for ammo, allowing you to put down any troublemaker at the end of the barrel.
Starfield: 10 Best Early Game Weapons
If you’re trying to get tooled up early in Starfield, these are some great weapons.
It is also a lot lighter than most shotguns, has a larger magazine size, and comes with a high fire rate. If you are getting rushed, or are the one doing the rushing, no one will be able to stand in your way with your Shotty in hand.
8Equinox (Laser Rifle)
Best Moddable Fast Fire Energy Rifle
If you don’t want to worry about aiming right for the head but still want to be able to drop your opponent before your clip is empty, look no further than the Equinox. This energy weapon typically has a small base damage, but it more than makes up for it with its incredibly high fire rate.
The magazine on this laser rifle does tend to be fairly small, with the standard being 20. But the incredible range and accuracy compensate for it and make this weapon an amazing choice to take down a single target at any range.
7XM-2311 (Pistol)
Jack Of All Trades Pistol
This is by far one of the most enjoyable pistols to use in the game. It is modeled after the real-world 1911 pistol but equipped with a year-2300 functionality. The .45 caliber really packs a punch, making unloading a clip into the enemy in front of you a guaranteed death sentence.
Starfield: How To Hide Your Spacesuit & Helmet
Starfield gives players the ability to toggle their suit and helmet and wear normal clothes in major settlements and your ship; here’s how.
In addition, the XM-2311 is very lightweight, has a high fire rate, and incredible accuracy. While these are a bit rare to find, once you have one of your own, you won’t go anywhere without it.
6Pacifier (Shotgun)
Most Balanced Shotgun
For an all-around, well-balanced shotgun, you can’t go wrong with the Pacifier. Like most weapons in the game, you can find Pacifiers in a variety of rarity. But there is only one Legendary model made with Titanium.
The Titanium Modified Refined Pacifier is an absolute work of art. The titanium material makes this beast weigh less than a kilogram, which is a significant perk considering shotguns are typically one of the heavier guns you can carry. On top of that, it comes equipped with slug shots which means you can do an insane amount of damage from a distance.