Article Key Points
Starfield players have expressed frustration with the perk system, specifically the Ship Command perk, which limits their ability to customize their ships and crew.
The primary game mechanics in Starfield are locked behind skill points in the perk system, which compels players to invest in non-combat perks and leads to a squandering of skill points that could be utilized for enhancing their builds. Suggestions from the community propose the division of skill points into distinct tabs for combat and non-combat perks, thereby granting players greater flexibility in shaping their playstyle and advancing in the game.
The perk system in Starfield, specifically Ship Command, has been a source of frustration for many players. While the gunplay is considered an improvement from Fallout 4, the reception to the perk system has been more mixed. The issue with perks in Starfield is that they restrict primary game mechanics more than in previous Bethesda titles. Instead of becoming more efficient, players must spend points on non-combat skills, which takes away from refining their build.
The ship builder in Starfield receives praise for its numerous options, but it is also hindered by the perk system. Regardless of character level or manufacturer visited, players must invest in Ship Design and Piloting to access the best ships in the game. While it makes sense to have a progression system for unlocking ships, the fact that Piloting and Ship Design are seen as mandatory perks has frustrated players more than giving them a sense of growth.
Ship Command is a prime example of this issue, sparking a discussion on the Starfield subreddit by a player named Sear0n. Currently, players can have up to eight crew members on their vessel by maximizing the perk. However, considering the ambitious ship designs in Starfield, this number feels insufficient. Additionally, placing Ship Command at the bottom of the Social tree means that players are limited to only four crew members for a significant period of time.
As the Starfield community eagerly awaits the release of the official modding tools, it is highly likely that one of the first changes will involve the perk system. A suggestion that frequently circulates within the community is to create a separate tab for non-combat perks and combat perks, allowing players to tailor their build based on their preferred playstyle while still enjoying the freedom to choose which feature to unlock next.
While console commands can help players bypass these limitations in Starfield, it somewhat undermines the intended goal of a satisfying and immersive progression system. It is hoped that Bethesda will reevaluate certain perks as they continue to provide post-launch support for the game.
Starfield
Platform(s) PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased September 6, 2023Developer(s) BethesdaPublisher(s) BethesdaGenre(s) Action, RPG
Editor's P/S
As a Starfield fan, I am concerned about the Ship Command perk. It limits the number of crew members I can have on my ship, which is frustrating considering the ambitious ship designs in the game. I would like to see Bethesda reevaluate this perk in future updates.
I also think the perk system in general could be improved. It would be nice to have a separate tab for non-combat perks and combat perks, so I can tailor my build based on my preferred playstyle. This would give me more freedom to choose which features to unlock next.
Overall, I am enjoying Starfield, but I think the perk system could be improved. I hope Bethesda will make some changes in future updates.