What are the best Starfield outpost locations and planets? With over 1,000 planets, it’s safe to say you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the best Starfield outpost locations – each one you visit has a unique environment and set of resources. Nevertheless, some planets are certainly better than others, so we’ve flown around the universe to narrow it down for you. That way, you’ll know where to begin your settlement and base building enterprise.
The Starfield outposts system is one of the most fun mechanics in the game, giving you the opportunity to let loose and flex your creative muscle with some base building. We’ve done plenty of this during our Starfield review process, though we’ve learned that not all planets are equal when it comes to establishing an outpost. So, hop into the best Starfield ships because it’s time to travel to the best outpost locations in Starfield.
Best Starfield outpost locations
The best Starfield outpost locations are:
These are the best outpost locations in Starfield as they have lots of valuable resources to harvest, can generally be found early on in the game, and are nearby other important locations for convenience.
When it comes to establishing an outpost, it is important to look at a planet with the resources view toggled on, highlighting the distribution of resources. This is ideal because it will give you an idea of where biomes and minerals overlap, giving you the opportunity to harvest several different resources with a single outpost. In the long run, this will save you significant time and investment as you won’t need an army of bases just to extract the resources you need.
Once you’ve landed on your desired planet, begin by placing an outpost beacon. Then, open your scanner to view the resources around you. From here, enter the top-down building screen to see the resources before placing extractors in locations that can reach multiple resources. Just keep in mind that there are different types of extractors for different types of materials, such as gas extractors and liquid extractors.
Zamka
Zamka is the best outpost location due to the abundance of rare resources and how frequently these resources overlap, making for a very efficient and lucrative starting base.
Zamka is a moon of Olivas, found in the Alpha Centauri system. As such, you’ll be able to head here and set up in one of the best outpost locations nearly straight away.
The Zamka resources are:
- Water
- Helium-3
- Copper
- Nickel
- Iron
- Uranium
- Cobalt
- Vanadium
With such a long list of valuable resources use to craft bigger and better outposts, as well as gear upgrades, it’s no surprise why Zamka is such a great location for a base. However, it’s not the most scenic location. If you’re looking for a more hospitable and scenic environment, you’re better off looking farther afield.
Maheo II
Maheo II is one of the best outpost locations for early players as it’s in the same node as the Cheyenne system and overall a low-level system. Despite that, there’s lots of valuable resources to be found here, even if it is a little chilly – frozen, more accurately.
Maheo II is located in the Maheo system, in the same location as Cheyenne in the Starmap. This puts it next to Narion and Kryx, within jump distance of Sol and Alpha Centauri early on.
The Maheo II resources are:
- Water
- Iron
- Helium-3
- Copper
- Lead
- Alkanes
- Tetrafluoride
- Ytterbium
With a thin atmosphere and zero life to speak of, Maheo II isn’t exactly the most inviting destination for a holiday home or outpost, but that’s not the value of the planet. No, if you’ve got an eye for materials, then Maheo II is a great starting place, providing much-needed Iron, Copper, and Lead early on, as well as a few other resources like Ytterbium.
Just make sure you pack an extra thick coat and space suit if you’re thinking of setting off for Maheo II, as this rock planet is frozen, so you’ll need to prepare with some environmental resistances.
Nesoi
Nesoi is another great outpost location with lots of rare resources, while also being a relatively safe planet, thanks to its standard atmosphere and temperate climate.
Nesoi can be found in the Olympus system, so it can be visited relatively early on in your journey. Establishing your outpost here early will set you up well in the long-run.
The Nesoi resources are:
- Water
- Iron
- Uranium
- Argon
- Benzene
- Iridium
- Carboxylic Acids
- Tantalum
This is a strong list of potential resources ripe for harvesting should you touch down on Nesoi. Even more so if you set up shop here and place down extractors. For example, Carboxylic Acids can be used to craft weapon mods, Iridium is used for research projects and weapon mods, and Iron is used in nearly everything.
Nesoi is also a relatively lush planet, depending on where you land. Sure, it can be a little barren, but there’s dense grass and lush forests to be found if you’re looking for a more atmospheric home.
Andraphon
Andraphon is among the best outpost locations in Starfield simply due to the overlapping of several valuable resources, making it easy to harvest minerals.
Andraphon is a moon of Sumati, found in the Narion system, so you will be able to head to the planet early on and establish your outpost.
The Andraphon resources are:
- Helium-3
- Aluminum
- Iron
- Beryllium
- Europium
These are great resources to start harvesting early on and in large quantities, and Andraphon will offer just that. With overlapping biomes, you can harvest these with a single outpost. This is an optimal and efficient use of resources as building big outposts can be costly, while also giving you the most in return. Having vast quantities of resources will come in handy when you want to upgrade the best Starfield weapons even further, with more expensive modifications.
Tau Ceti VIII-b
Tau Ceti VIII-b is another of the best outpost locations in Starfield, once again due to the stellar collection of resources available.
Starfield Tau Ceti VIII-b is a moon of Tau Ceti VIII found in the Tau Ceti system which you will come across very early on in your journey, especially if you’re a member of the Starfield UC Vanguard.
The Tau Ceti VIII-b resources are:
- Water
- Aluminium
- Chlorine
- Iron
- Argon
- Chlorosilane
- Tantalum
Using the scanner, once again highlight the distribution of resources to find a location that features two or three of the above resources in close proximity. Then, begin building your new outposts, complete with extractors to harvest the resources of one of the best outpost locations.
Magnar
Magnar might not be the prettiest planet, and it’s certainly not has homely as somewhere like Nesoi, but it’s teeming with valuable resources that can help you craft gear upgrades and expand your outposts.
Magnar is located in the Delta Pavonis system, near Alpha Centauri. Given the level of the system, this is a strong mid-game outpost, unless you’re willing to brave some high level enemies right out of the gate.
The Magar resources are:
- Water
- Aluminium
- Argon
- Beryllium
- Cobalt
- Lead
- Nickel
- Silver
If you’ve tried to get invested into the weapon and armor upgrade system, then you’ve no doubt realized how handy these resources can be. Lead and Nickel especially are used in lots of gear mods, so it’s a great idea to set up extractors and mine resources using your laser if you get the time. Likewise, resources like Beryllium are vital to expanding your outpost with new structures, like labs, turrets, cargo links, and more.
Alpha Marae III-d
Alpha Marae III-d is a rather inhospitable planet, but he’s home to some very handy resources early on in your adventure that you’ll always be in need of.
Alpha Marae III-d is located in the Alpha Marae system, next to the Kryx node. As a moon of Alpha Marae III, you will have to dig into the many layers of the menu to find it.
The Magar resources are:
- Water
- Iron
- Argon
- Uranium
- Chlorine
- Iridium
- Benzene
- Lithium
Like many of the best Starfield outpost locations, it’s a shame that Alpha Marae III-d is a lifeless rock. That’s right, there’s no flora or fauna here whatsoever, which isn’t the most appealing location for a home, especially since it’s a cold moon with a very thin atmosphere.
What makes it so great? Well it’s the resources, of course! While we don’t recommend it for sight seekers, Alpha Marae III-d is a great location to setup an outpost to harvest the natural resources, including ever-useful Iron, as well as Argon, Uranium, and more. We advise simply setting up shop with a horde of extractors before moving on to more aesthetically pleasing and hospitable locations.
Kreet
Kreet is among the best Starfield outpost locations as you will visit the location at the start of the story, meaning it is easily accessible right away. It also has lots of valuable resources you can harvest to get you started on the right foot.
Starfield Kreet is a moon of Anselon in the Narion system that you will visit at the start of the main Starfield missions, so you won’t have to go out of your way to setup shop here.
The Kreet resources are:
- Iron
- Water
- Helium-3
- Lead
- Argon
- Hydromelonic acid
- Silver
- Neon
With these rare and valuable resources at the fingertips right out of the gate, it’s too good to pass up. So, venture back to this location and begin setting up your outpost where several resource deposits overlap. Sure, it might not be the most stunning location, but it’s hard to turn down the excellent rewards for building a base in such a resource rich location.
Schrodinger II
Schrodinger II is one of the best endgame outpost locations since its packed with resources, though the system boasts a level 65 recommendation. With a name honoring renowned physicist Erwin Schrödinger, it’s also got some extra meaning behind it if you’re a fan of space and our understanding of it.
Schrodinger II can be found in the Schrodinger system, east of Cheyenne, near Kryx. Schrodinger is a distant system to reach, so you might find yourself needing to dive into Starfield ship building to upgrade your grav drive and fuel tanks.
The Schrodinger II resources are:
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Uranium
- Aldumite
- Chlorosilanes
- Plutonium
- Titanium
- Tungsten
These are vital resources when it comes to completing endgame Starfield research projects, getting the best weapon and armor mods, and building the best outpost modules. Tungsten and Titanium, for example, are used in lots of Outpost Development, Weaponry, and Equipment research projects. Lead is used in nearly everything, so you can’t ever have too much. All in all, Schrodinger II is a stellar place to call home, even if it looks rather uninviting.
While you’re here, we’d also recommend checking out Schrodinger VI-c, the moon of Schrodinger VI. It’s similarly uninviting and just as resource rich, so you could also establish an outpost here. Clearly, the Schrodinger system is one of the best places to build outposts.
Freya III
With a temperate climate and even moderate flora and fauna in the face of its weak magnetosphere, Freya III is one of the welcoming planets. It’s good then that it’s also one of the best Starfield outpost locations to call home.
Freya III is located in the Freya system, to the north east of the Cheyenne system on the Starmap. Unfortunately, Freya is quite far out, so it’s recommended that you come to Freya III later in your journey.
The Freya III resources are:
- Water
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Silver
- Argon
- Benzene
- Copper
- Mercury
While Freya III has a variety of valuable minerals, including Benzene, Lead, and Argon, it also features Mercury. The other resources are readily available on many of the other planets featured here, though Mercury is slightly harder to come by. In fact, it’s the only planet in our list of the Starfield best outpost locations that offers Mercury, so it’s certainly a planet to build an outpost on. Mercury is a crafting component that’s particularly useful in crafting Aid items like Dwarf Star Heart and RedAMP, as well as being required for Research Projects.
Linnaeus IV-b
Linnaeus IV-b may be a rocky moon with a thin atmosphere, but you’d be surprised by how stunning this locale can look. It’s also nice that it contains lots of great resources, making it one of the best outpost locations in Starfield as you head into the endgame.
Linnaeus IV-b can be found in the Linnaeus system, a level 45 region just east of Alpha Centauri in the Starmap, near Olympus. You will be up against some tough enemies if you head here too soon, but nothing’s stopping you from quickly traveling and setting up shop if you’re lower than the recommended level.
The Linnaeus IV-b resources are:
- Water
- Helium-3
- Aluminium
- Beryllium
- Iron
- Lead
- Ytterbium
- Hyrdomelonic Acid
With Beryllium, Lead, Iron, and more, Linnaeus IV-b is perfect for extracting the resources needed to build a florishing outpost among the stars, as these are used in lots of different recipes. You will also have plenty of resources for gear mods and research projects, thanks to the presence of Ytterbium and Aluminium.
Similar to the Schrodinger system, the Linnaeus system is home to not one, but two of the best outpost locations. While it’s not quite as great as Linnaeus IV-b, it’s also worthwhile heading to Linnaeus III. This planet is just as hard, with a frozen temperature and extreme atmosphere, but there are plenty of resources up for grabs.
Ursa Major II
Ursa Major II is one of the best outpost locations for mid-level players due to it’s level 30 recommendation and several great resource deposits that overlap.
Ursa Major II is located in the Ursae Majoris system, north of Cheyenne in the Starmap. You can certainly head here early given it’s proximity to Cheyenne and Narion, just be careful of any enemies.
The Ursa Major II resources are:
- Water
- Chlorine
- Iron
- Argon
- Carboxylic Acids
- Chlorosilanes
- Tantalum
As you might expect by now, this is a strong collection of resources that you can’t ever have too much of, even if you’ve got other outposts extracting the same minerals. Tantalum and Chlorosilanes, for example, are needed for weapon mods and research projects, while Argon is handy for outpost construction, weapon mods, and research projects. Thankfully, Ursa Major II also has a chance for these resources to overlap, letting you extract two or even three different ones with a single outpost.
Sure, you’ll have to watch your footing as you walk over the rocks and stones peppering the landscape, but there’s good rewards to be had in the end. Oh and stay away from the radioactive water!
Voss
Voss is a moon you can access early on and, while it’s not all that inviting with its rocky terrain and frozen climate, it does have some handy resources in abundance. This makes it a great for first stop alongside Zamka and Andraphon.
Voss can be found orbiting Olivas in the Alpha Centauri system, just like Zamka. This means it’s a strong starting outpost that won’t require you to journey into the far-reaches of the universe before you can setup shop.
The Voss resources are:
- Water
- Lead
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Dysprosium
- Uranium
- Vanadium
- Tungsten
Given how close Voss, Zamka, and Andraphon are, they are undoubtedly the three best Starfield outpost locations early on since each offers different resources. In fact, Cobalt is the only key resource that overlaps between the three planets. This means you’ll have 12 valuable resources and no waste, though there’s still plenty of resources you’ll still need from the remaining best outpost locations in Starfield.
Why do the best outpost locations in Starfield matter?
Knowing the best outpost locations in Starfield is important because it will provide you with all the resources you need to upgrade your weapons and Starfield armor, as more powerful modifications require more resources.
However, it’s not necessary to fully optimize your outposts. Creating outposts is inherently a creative endeavor, so don’t be afraid to build outposts on a one of the Starfield planets simply because you like the view. Given you can have a total of 24 outposts once you’ve fully leveled up Planetary Habitation, one of the Starfield skills, you could even have some outposts solely for the fun of building a settlement. After all, you need a place to kick back and relax from time to time; hunting down the Starfield unique weapons and completing the Starfield factions missions can be hard work.
How to find the best Starfield outpost locations
When it comes to choosing the best Starfield outpost locations, there’s a handful of factors you should keep in mind. While we’ve done the leg-work for you in the highlighted planets above, you’ll have to take a look for yourself if you’re wanting to settle on a planet not in our list. After all, with over 1,000 planets, there are still plenty more great outpost locations not on our list.
- Resources – the available resources are the single most important factor when picking the Starfield best outpost locations, as this is the main function of the system to begin with. Scan a planet to see what resources are available, then land where several different materials overlap.
- Flora and fauna – if you’re looking for an outpost location that’s particularly homely, scan a planet to check out how much flora and fauna resides there. Some may be terrifying aliens out for your blood, though others are peaceful and add a bit of life to your settlement.
- Position in the galaxy – sometimes you might want an outpost location in the same system as a major settlement to make trading and questing that much easier, though having an outpost far out in the system is equally valuable when exploring in the late-game.
That covers all the best Starfield outpost locations and planets in the game, particularly if you’re looking to get all the resources you need to build items, upgrades, and expand settlements. If you’re having trouble understanding the system, we’d recommend taking a look at our Starfield outpost building guide. While it’s a shame that your outposts will be removed if you enter the Starfield New Game Plus mode, having optimal outposts will ensure you’ve constantly got resources flowing. It’s also a great use of your extra Starfield companions and Starfield crew.
Still looking for more? While a good Starfield wiki can be a handy source of information, our new Starfield Database goes further, offering you daily news, searchable databanks, and even interactive tools.