Embark on your cosmic journey in Starfield with a crew as diverse as the galaxy itself. From the core Constellation companions like Sarah Morgan and Barrett, who come with rich backstories and romance options, to a vast array of skilled crew members waiting to be recruited in spaceports and taverns, your team will shape every mission and decision. Whether assigning them to starships or outposts, mastering their unique skills is key to thriving in the vast expanse of space. Discover where to find them, how to recruit them, and the roles they play in your epic adventure across the stars.
The breadth of companions and crew members is one of the true delights of Starfield, and means that everyone’s playthrough will be a little bit different, depending on who’s rolling with whom.
In this Starfield guide, we’ll walk you through how the game’s companions work, how to recruit companions, the difference between crew members and companions, and how to recruit crew members.
How companions work in Starfield, and how many companions are there?
Companions in Starfield play a multifaceted role beyond just being travel partners. Each companion has unique skills ranging from combat abilities to ship management and outpost operations, which can be strategically assigned to stations where their talents are most effective. For example, a skilled pilot companion can enhance your starship’s piloting capabilities, while others may improve weapon systems or resource gathering. Players can have one companion follow them during exploration, benefiting from their combat support and carrying capacity, while others can be assigned to crew roles on ships or outposts to maximize their skills. There are around 28 companions in total, including the four main Constellation members-Sarah Morgan, Barrett, Sam Coe, and Andreja-who are central to the story and romance options. Additionally, there are various other unique and generic companions that can be recruited or hired throughout the galaxy to join your crew.
Companions in Starfield are characters who follow you around. They’ll automatically help you out in combat if you get into a scrape, and most companions will even hold onto some of your stuff if you need extra room in your inventory.
Different kinds of companions
Not all companions function the same way, so we’ve broken them up into four broad categories:
- Constellation companions
- Optional companions
- Hireable companions
- Crew members
We’ll break down how these companion types differ from each other below, and give you a few character examples.
How many companions are there in Starfield?
While we know there are more than 20 unique companions to pick from in Starfield, it’s not entirely clear what the exact number is. It seems likely that Starfield has upward of 25 different voiced companions, although, given the branching paths you can get in the narrative, it’s likely impossible to recruit every one of them.
Who are the best companions in Starfield?
Each companion comes with predetermined skills, and some come with more than others. The Constellation companions are going to be the best companions in most playthroughs, as they both tie into the narrative more, have more voiced dialogue (which can help you in certain Persuasion conversations), and come with three skills (rather than the two you get with most hired companions). Of the five, Sam Coe, Andreja, and Vasco are the three best to bring into combat scenarios.
If you want to roll with someone who isn’t in Constellation, you’re best off picking someone with three skills instead of two – more bang for your buck. Optional companions like Ezekiel, Marika Boros, and the Adoring Fan are great to explore with thanks to their wide array of skills.
Can your companions permanently die?
Outside of one narrative exception, we have not seen a companion die permanently, however we have seen them go down in combat.
The deal here seems to be that companions can fall onto the ground semi-unconscious (they crawl around in a “down-but-not-out” state), and you can revive them. If combat ends, or enough time has lapsed, they can pick themselves back up.
But even if you shoot your own companion over and over (on accident or, uh, for science) you can’t permanently remove them from your game. The only way a companion can die is for that aforementioned narrative reason, which we’ll let you look up at your own risk.
Constellation companions
Constellation companions in Starfield are the core group of allies closely tied to the main storyline and the Constellation organization, dedicated to space exploration. The four primary Constellation members-Sarah Morgan, Barrett, Sam Coe, and Andreja-each bring unique skills that enhance your ship’s capabilities and combat effectiveness. They can be recruited early through main missions and offer opportunities for deeper relationships, including romance. These companions not only support you in combat and exploration but also contribute valuable expertise in areas like starship engineering, piloting, and stealth, making them indispensable for your journey across the Settled Systems.
Starfield’s Constellation companions are the big five. These are fully fleshed out companions and, more than likely, are the ones you’re going to roll with for most of the game. These characters are also where Starfield’s romance options are – with everyone bar Vasco available for relationships.
You’ll gather all five Constellation team members over the course of the main story and they’ll have a lot to say about events in Starfield’s world if you decide to talk to them. (And you want to talk to them, otherwise they’ll constantly badger you to talk to them.)
Vasco
Vasco is your extremely cool robot companion, and is the first character you’ll go adventuring with during the “One Small Step” mission. He specializes in helping out on your ship.
Barrett
Barrett is the first member of Constellation you’ll meet, but you won’t be able to officially recruit him until the “Back to Vectera” mission, which is early on in the campaign. He specializes in helping out on your ship.
Sarah Morgan
Sarah is the leader of Constellation, and she’ll be your first human companion when you meet her at the end of the “One Small Step” mission. She specializes in using laser weapons.
Andreja
Andreja is a Constellation member that you’ll meet during the “Into the Unknown” quest, when Vladimir sends you to look for her. She specializes in stealth.
Sam Coe
You’ll meet Sam Coe and his delightful daughter Cora during “The Empty Nest,” early on in Starfield’s main campaign. He specializes in rifles and having the same voice as Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s Adam Jensen. (That last one isn’t on his character sheet, but it should be.)
Optional companions
In Starfield, optional companions are NPCs that you can recruit to your crew, though it is up to you whether or not you want them around. They do not cost any credits to recruit and don’t have the same impact on the story as the Constellation companions. However, they can be useful for managing outposts and ships. You can recruit some optional companions, such as Supervisor Lin and Heller, during the “Back to Vectera” mission before rescuing Barrett.
Optional companions are fleshed-out characters who you can recruit as part of missions. You don’t need these characters to come with you, and they won’t factor into your story. But if you’re building up a network of outposts, you’ll want to staff it with these helpful folks.
It’s worth mentioning that these characters can also come with you as you adventure around space. They can even assist in combat. Just don’t expect them to respond to things happening in your quests the way the Constellation members do.
Here are just a few examples of optional companions, all of whom you can encounter on the main quest:
Moara Otero
Moara is a character you’ll rescue during “The Old Neighborhood,” Starfield’s second mission. You can find him in the Broken Spear bar in Cydonia. He’ll join your crew if you ask him. He specializes in marksmanship and some ship weapon systems.
Lin
You can return to Supervisor Lin – your boss when you first start the game – during the “Back to Vectera” mission. She specializes in outpost management.
Heller
Heller is your absolute dumbass of a co-worker on Vectera, and Lin’s loyal sidekick. You can also recruit him during “Back to Vectera.” He specializes in being an outpost engineer.
Rafael
Rafael is a character you won’t meet until the “Entangled” mission, many hours into the main quest. If you choose to side with him (a decision that will make sense when you get there), he’ll say he needs a break but will eventually join you as an engineer if you ask.
Adoring Fan
The Adoring Fan is an optional “companion” you can only get if you take the Hero Worshippedtrait when making your character. If you do, this absolute weirdo will follow you around and help you out – whether you want it or not. He specializes in stealth, scavenging, and carrying your stuff for you.
Ezekiel
Ezekiel is a bit of an odd one on this list – and not just because of his less-than-charming personality. No, Ezekiel acts like a hireable companion (you find him in a bar) but he’ll join your crew for free if you just strike up a conversation with him. You can find him in Akila City on Akila, on the left side of town (if you’re looking from the entrance) in a seedy bar called Aggie’s. He’s an expert in scavenging, energy weapon dissipation, and ship shields.
Ezekiel is also voiced by legendary voice actor Matt Mercer. If you’re a fan of Critical Role, maybe make a pitstop in Aggie’s during “The Empty Nest.”
Hireable companions
In Starfield, hireable companions play a crucial role in enhancing your spacefaring adventure by providing unique skills and support. These companions, numbering over 20, can be found across various locations such as bars, inns, and spaceports in key settlements like New Atlantis and Cydonia. Hiring them typically involves paying a fee ranging from about 6,000 to 18,000 credits, though some join for free after completing specific quests. Unlike generic crew members who specialize in a single skill and serve primarily on your ship or outposts, hireable companions are named characters with distinct backgrounds and abilities, capable of following you on missions and carrying your gear. This diversity allows you to tailor your crew to best suit your gameplay style and needs as you explore the vast universe of Starfield.
Hireable companions are a little different than the story-based companions, and split the difference between an optional companion and a crew member (we’ll get to them in a bit).
You’ll need to recruit these companions from the local watering hole and pay them a heap of Credits via a one-time transaction (you can also talk most of them down from their asking price with Persuade). But once you’ve bought their loyalty, they’ll join your crew or outpost, and can even adventure alongside you and chat. Each of them has their own name and personality – some of which are easier to stomach than others.
We’ve found hireable companions at seven local bars:
- Astral Lounge, Neon
- Euphorika, Neon
- Madame Sauvage’s Place, Neon
- The Viewport, New Atlantis
- The Hitching Post, Akila
- Aggie’s Bar, Akila
- Broken Spear, Cydonia
Mickey Caviar
Mickey Caviar is a chef and quite a character (with quite the haircut). You can find him in the Astral Lounge on Neon. He specializes in food and health skills. You can hire him for 9,000 Credits.
Dani Garcia is all about robots. You can find her in Euphorika, a bar in the Ebbside neighborhood of Neon. She specializes in chemistry, robotics, and energy weapon systems for your ship, and will cost you 16,500 Credits to recruit.
Sophie Grace
You can find Sophie Grace in a bar called Madame Sauvage’s Place in Neon, which is just past the Ebbside door directly behind you when you load into the city. She specializes in stealth and laser skills. You can recruit her for 13,500 Credits.
Rosie Tannehill
Rosie Tannehill is a doctor. You can find her in The Hitching Post in Akila. She specializes in healing and health skills. You can recruit her for 12,000 Credits.
Omari Hassan
Omari Hassan is a spaceship engineer. You can find him in The Hitching Post in Akila City. He specializes in your ship’s shield system and ship engineering. You can hire him for 16,500 Credits.
Lyle Brewer
Lyle Brewer is talented with a shotgun. You can find him in Aggie’s Bar in Akila City. He specializes in shotgun combat, particle beams, and xenosociology. You can add him to your crew for 15,000 Credits.
Gideon Aker
Gideon Aker is a missile guy. You can recruit him in The Viewport in New Atlantis. He specializes in running your ship’s weapon systems. You can hire him for 12,000 Credits.
Simeon Bankowski
Simeon Bankowski is a sniper. You can recruit him in The Viewport in New Atlantis. He specializes in dealing damage from afar with sharpshooting skills. You can hire him for 15,000 Credits.
Marika Boros
Marika Boros is a close-quarters combat specialist. You can recruit her in The Viewport in New Atlantis. She specializes in all things bullets, including shotguns. You can hire her for 16,500 Credits.
Andromeda Kepler
Andromeda Kepler is an engineer. You can recruit her in the Broken Spear bar in Cydonia. She specializes in outpost engineering and piloting. You can hire her for 15,000 Credits.
Crew members
Crew members in Starfield are essential NPCs who can be recruited to support your missions, manage your ships, and run your outposts. Unlike named companions, crew members typically specialize in one skill and do not have unique names. They can be found seeking work in bars and establishments across major locations such as New Atlantis, Cydonia, and Neon, and their availability changes regularly, encouraging players to revisit these spots. Hiring crew members requires credits, and once recruited, they must be assigned to specific roles on your ships or outposts to apply their skills effectively. Assignments are flexible, allowing you to optimize your crew’s impact on exploration, combat, and resource management. While companions can follow you on adventures, crew members mainly contribute through their designated posts, enhancing your overall spacefaring efficiency.
Crew members function a bit differently than companions, as they are more of a set of skills than a personality – they don’t even have names. Crew members, like hireable companions, cost credits to recruit, and they can be very expensive depending on how many skills they have.
Like hireable companions, hiring crew is a one-time fee.
Where and how to hire crew
You can find crew members to hire in some of the game’s major hub cities – the same places you can find the named hireable companions. Neon, for example, has a host of goobers you can find in the Astral Lounge, over in the corner by the bar – each more expensive than the last. We’ve also found one or two at The Viewport in the New Atlantis Spaceport and Broken Spear in Cydonia.
Because these crew members are randomized, we can’t tell you where to find someone with a specific set of skills. Just keep your eyes peeled and your pocket flush with Credits for when you find that perfect employee.
Random crew member examples
You can tell someone is a potential crew member because they have a title that’s different from “citizen,” and because when you talk to them you can see their skills in the top right of your screen.
Here are some examples of crew members you can recruit in Starfield.
- Defense System Specialist – Specializes in Ship Systems; 7,000 credits
- Propulsion Specialist – Specializes in Piloting; 7,500 credits.
- Missile Weapons Specialist – Specializes in Missile Weapon Systems; 6,000 Credits
- Payload Specialist – Specializes in Payloads, 6,500
Which secret locations hide the rarest Starfield companions and crew members
The rarest Starfield companions and crew members are hidden in secret and often remote locations that require completing specific faction questlines or unique side missions. Notable secret spots include:
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TMD Headquarters on Mars: After finishing the United Colonies faction questline, you can recruit Hadrian Sanon here by talking to Dr. Percival.
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Red Mile Bar: Completing the Free Star Rangers faction questline unlocks Autumn MacMillan as a recruit in this bar area.
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The Key Space Station (Orbiting Suvorov – Kyx system): Jessamine Griffin can be hired here after joining the Crimson Fleet and completing related missions, though it requires a significant credit cost or persuasion.
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Crucible, Charybdis III: Amelia Earhart becomes available for recruitment after completing the “Operation Starseed” side quest.
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Lucky Lu Ship (Heinlein I orbit – Heinlein system): Betty Howser, a bounty hunter, can be recruited here by bringing a Ship Part as payment.
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Aggie’s Bar in Akila City (Cheyenne system): Both Ezekiel and Lyle Brewer can be found here, with Ezekiel recruitable for free and Lyle requiring payment.
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Kazow Sulfur Mine (Nearer system, Kazal planet): A unique, heavily guarded enemy outpost hidden deep in space, linked to rare lore and possibly unique crew interactions, though not directly a recruitment spot, it is a rare secret location worth exploring.
These locations often require faction allegiance, quest completion, or specific dialogue choices, making these companions some of the rarest and most rewarding to find in Starfield.
Which hidden space stations or planets are the best for finding rare companions in Starfield
The best hidden space stations and planets for finding rare companions in Starfield include:
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The Key Space Station (Kryx system, orbiting Suvorov): This Crimson Fleet stronghold is accessible only if you join the faction and is home to unique crew members and vendors. It offers rare recruitment opportunities tied to the Crimson Fleet questline.
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New Homestead on Titan (Soul system): A large station filled with Crimson Fleet presence, offering a chance to recruit unique companions and gain valuable loot. Its zero-g maneuvering and hidden vaults make it a prime spot for rare encounters.
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Lucky Lu Ship (Heinlein system): A hidden location where you can recruit the rare bounty hunter Betty Howser by paying with a ship part, making it a unique find off the beaten path.
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Gagarin Landing (Alpha Centauri system): A mining colony with rich side content and unique NPCs, providing opportunities for rare crew recruitment and interesting quests not directly tied to main factions.
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Safe House Gamma (Andromos system): A smaller, horror-themed location that can yield rare companions through side quests, ideal for players seeking unique crew members in atmospheric settings.
These locations often require faction alignment, quest progression, or specific conditions to access, making them some of the best spots to discover rare companions and crew members beyond the main storyline.
