Unraveling Starfield: Master the First Contact Quest with These Game-Changing Tips and Uncover All Possible Outcomes

Upon reaching the Porrima solar system in Starfield, players will come across a foreboding and inactive spacecraft orbiting the planet Porrima 2. Dubbed the 'First Contact' mission, with an apprehensive settlement below, could this indicate the presence of extraterrestrial life in Starfield? The answer remains uncertain as players delve deeper into this quest.

True to Bethesda's RPG tradition, choices hold significance, with dialogue and actions taking center stage. In the Starfield First Contact mission, players will face a pivotal decision that could either result in casualty or ensure the safety of lives, depending on their chosen course of action.

Head To The Porrima System

A few solar systems to the right of Alpha Centauri lies the Porrima system. Within this system, players can discover Porrima 2, a planet renowned for its magnificent vacation retreat, Paradiso. It is here that a distress call from Jiro Sugiyama, the chief of security, beckons players to descend to the planet's surface and assist with a secretive and concerning issue that is plaguing the residents.

Alternatively, players have the option to establish communication with the enigmatic unidentified ship from their position in orbit. However, their attempts to reach the ship via comms yield no response. Nevertheless, they possess the ability to approach the ship closely, dock it, and conduct an investigation before engaging with Security Chief Sugiyama.

Investigate The Ship

Onboard the enigmatic spacecraft, players will be disappointed to discover that instead of encountering extraterrestrial beings, they will come face to face with humans who have been exploring outer space for the past two centuries. This interstellar vessel, known as the ECS Constant, has served as a final resting place for generations of individuals who have lived and perished during their arduous journey towards a new habitable planet. Unfortunately, upon arrival, they find that their intended colony has already been populated.

In order to secure the planet as a new home for her people, Captain Brackenridge tasks the player with venturing down to the settlement and engaging in negotiations with Oliver Campbell, the CEO of Paradiso. However, as a diplomat, the player must be prepared for the possibility of not being able to satisfy everyone's desires in this matter. Therefore, it is crucial for them to return to their ship and journey back to Porrima 2 to discuss the fate of the ECS Constant with Oliver Campbell.

Negotiate With Oliver Campbell

Once the players return to the planet, they must make their way to the Paradiso Hotel, located just ahead and to the right of the landing bay. Inside the expansive hotel is an elevator that will transport them to the Executive Floor, where they will meet Mister Campbell. It is important to obtain clearance from Keavy Andreas before proceeding.

During the meeting, board members Balam and Salim propose resettling the colony currently in orbit to Paradiso. However, this arrangement would require the colonists to assume the role of servants in order to repay their debts and reside on the planet with other humans. While this may seem like a practical option to provide employment and share resources, not everyone desires to be a corporate servant.

Additionally, the board members suggest equipping their outdated ship with a cutting-edge Grav Drive, enabling them to explore the boundless galaxy and find a new home. However, this upgrade comes at a considerable cost.

Lastly, the CEO proposes a rather drastic solution to the problem by suggesting that the colonists should simply "cease to exist." This ominous remark implies the worst possible outcome and plants the idea in the player's mind that they could resolve the issue by destroying the ship, even though this option may be considered the most malevolent of all. With these three alternatives presented, players are now faced with the crucial decision of how to proceed with the First Contact quest in Starfield.

Option 1: Buy A Grav Drive (Best Option)

Opting for Option 1, purchasing a Grav Drive for the ESG Constant, is not only the morally correct choice but also the most just decision to make. While the price may be high, those who aspire to be the heroes of their own story should consider this option. Unlike the alternatives, it avoids the risks of blowing up their ship or being subjected to a lifetime of servitude under a corporate giant. To pursue this path, players can exit the hotel and engage in a conversation with Bennu St. James at HopeTech. Located in the Valo system on planet Polvo in Hopetown, HopeTech welcomes those seeking a different course.

Considering that the ESG Constant embarked on its cosmic voyage before the advent of Grav Drives, retrofitting this modern technology into an ancient vessel comes at a considerable cost. Players must be prepared to spend a substantial amount of 40,000 Credits in order to equip the ESG Constant with a Grav Drive. However, those who possess a Persuade skill have the opportunity to negotiate and lower this cost to 25,000 Credits. It is certainly a substantial investment, but true heroes are willing to take on such challenges.

Returning to the orbit of Porrima 2, players can board the ECS Constant and proceed to the Engineering bay to engage in a conversation with the chief engineer, Amin Kazemi. The purpose of this dialogue is to discuss the installation of a Grav Drive and players can assist in preparing the ship for this upgrade by:

Reroute power from the Port Turbopump to the Auxiliary Cryogenic Radiator

Turn the Plasma Run-Off Inhibitor to 5%

Detach the Magnetic Flange Pipe Enclosures from the Auxiliary Module Assembly. It is essential to focus on the Terminals located in the Engineering bay. It is crucial for players to complete this task correctly to avoid potential fire hazards or even worse consequences. Once finished, players can inform Captain Brackenridge about the successful completion of the Grav Drive. As a reward, players will receive a selection of valuable Antique Earth items that can fetch a substantial price when sold to the appropriate vendor.

Option 2: Settlement Deal – Indentured Servants

Before proceeding with welcoming new citizens to the resort city, players must venture out and locate the following resources.

Fiber – 40

Sealant – 20

Iron – 80

Lithium – 10

This solution does not bring happiness to the crew, and even the ESG Constant is not thrilled with the available prospects. However, players can find these resources, which may require a significant amount of time and effort to acquire, only to essentially force the lives of these space explorers into a lifetime of permanent servitude, or until the Paradiso Group no longer requires their services. The only way for the ESG Constant to settle on Porrima 2 in Starfield is by opting for this option, which is simply not satisfactory for the unfortunate travelers.

Option 3: Overload The Reactor And Blow Up The Ship

Oliver warns that overloading this ancient ship with excessive power could lead to its self-destruction, making it an ideal method to override the safety systems in the reactor computer and trigger a catastrophic explosion. This outcome would eliminate both the colonists and the financial troubles burdening the Paradiso board members. Although followers and companions will strongly protest this choice, malevolent players can return to their spaceship and initiate their sinister plan.

Players should dock and board the ECS Constant in order to reach the Engineering room of the ship. Inside, to the left, they will come across the Reactor Computer which is locked and requires a key. To acquire this key, players must possess the Pickpocket skill and attempt to steal it from the chief engineer, Amin Kazemi, who should be present in the same room as the terminal. Alternatively, players can choose to disregard stealth and eliminate Amin Kazemi, retrieving the key from his body. With the key in hand, players can then proceed to the Reactor Terminal and activate the Reactor Overdrive function.

In the next step, players should make their way to the captain's bridge and utilize their advanced Lockpicking skills to hack into the Captain's Terminal. Once accessed, players must confirm the request on the Urgent Actions screen, triggering the self-destruct sequence. It is crucial to note that there is no turning back from this point, unless players have a previous save file. At this stage, players have two options - either engage in combat to retrace their steps and return to their own ship, or swiftly bypass enemies and escape by undocking from the ship.

What happens if the players destroy the ship in First Contact? The crew aboard the ECS Constant perishes, and their vessel disintegrates, obliterating the valuable history and the innocent individuals - men, women, and children - who simply sought a new home. The crew members will not be pleased in the slightest.

Returning to Oliver, he will be utterly astonished by what he witnessed and will generously extend an offer of 6,500 Credits and unrestricted access to the resort. However, if the players attempt to demand double the reward, they will be ridiculed for their feeble attempt at intimidation and receive nothing in return.

Where To Find ECS Constant

After completing the First Contact mission, players who have chosen to purchase a Grav Drive can reunite with the ECS Constant in the galaxy. They can locate the ship by tracking its location in the Activity mission log, although they may need to skip several solar systems to reach it. It is advised that players obtain a high-quality Grav Drive capable of traveling at least 22 light years for effective navigation.

Players embarking on a journey through a vast expanse of stars will eventually encounter the ECS Constant, a ship perpetually searching for the perfect home. Similar to a Fallout Vault, the ship's occupants are confined within its walls, oblivious to what lies beyond. Upon rediscovering the ECS Constant in Starfield, players may discover one or two missions awaiting them.

Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.