You don’t have to just go in guns blazing inStarfield, as Bethesda hasadded a bunch of Stealth mechanics to the game, just like their previous titles. Your character can choose to approach a ton of different situations without anyone else even noticing them,slipping in to get what they want, and slipping back out to continue on doing whatever it is they have to do next.
RELATED:Starfield: How To Get Credits Fast
Unfortunately, it isn’t exactly clear how Stealth works in the game; or if you may even do it at all. When the game starts, you will have to find a way totake advantage of this mechanic, and fortunately for you, it really just requires a little patience to get to a place where you can sneak to your heart’s content. Or rather your characters' heart’s content.
Updated by Shane Black on July 10, 2025:This guide was updated to provide more information about which weapon and armor mods are best used for stealth in the game, as well as powers, items, and more that will give stealth builds a leg up. Also added more links to relevant guides and articles to help players.
How To Use Stealth
For most characters in Starfield, the ability to use Stealth will not be available by default. The only way that you may start out with your character being able to use Stealth is by choosing two specific backgrounds during Character Creation:Cyber RunnerorRonin. These two Backgrounds will immediately come with the Stealth Skill Tree unlocked, meaning that you can engage in basic Stealth actions from the get-go.
However, if you are wanting to go a different routewith your Background,you will still be able to unlock Stealth eventually. When you gain your first Skill Point, you can invest it into Stealth to unlock it. Unlocking it will give you the Stealth Bar at the top of the screen that will appear when you crouch in the game. This meter operates in much the same fashion as it has in Bethesda’s previous games.
There aredifferent phases of Stealththat the game will notify you about as you use it.
As youput more Skill Pointsinto the Stealth tree, you willfind it easier to sneak through different situationsand make it harder for enemies to detect you. So, if your character is looking to be an expert in staying out of sight, then this Skill Tree will prove to be your best friend.
Stealth can be an incredibly useful tool in the game; if you are able to land a hit on an enemy while in Stealth, you canget a bonus amount of damageto start off the ensuing firefight with the advantage. Of course, if your character is strong enough, landing a Sneak Attack can end the conflict before it even start.
In terms of whichgear you should useto land those strikes, for the early game, look for theBarrow KnightandWakizashi katana. These melee weapons providesolid damage numbers, while also being much more silent than a gun, which lends itself to Stealth, naturally. Later on, look out for theOld Earth Hunting Rifle. Equip it with a silencer and scope, and you can pick enemies off from afar without anyone noticing.
Stealth Weapon Mods
you’re able to also craft someuseful weapon modsto help you with playing stealth, and they are as follows:
All of these will help you pull off some quick, easy kills without giving away your position to any other enemies around you and your target.
For armor, just look out forany armor that is light. You won’t really have to worry too much about the defensive stats, as the point of stealth is to not have anyone shoot at you.
However, if you are looking for a specific armor set to equip for stealth, then you can attempt to get the Deepseeker armor set. This armor set comes with some pretty decent resistances to keep yourself alive, and serves as a great set to go forearly on in the game. You can purchase it from just about any vendor whenever you want, so it’s a good set to pick up and use until you have found a better, higher quality set.
Stealth Armor Mods
And if you want to know which mods to use for your armor, look no further:
You also can’t forget about your Power that you’re able to use after unlocking them at their respective temples. For stealth, there is one specific Power that can best help you in your stealthy endeavors: Void Form. Just read the description of the Power to find out asit will make you nearly-invisiblewhen used. What other Power could benefit you in stealth as much as that?
you’re able to also find a variety of items out in the world that can give you a bonus for Stealth. This can come in a plethora of ways, such asReconstimto reduce the sounds of your movements. Beyond this, you can also use Heart+ and Amp. Heart+ will bump up your Health as well as some good resistance to Damage. Amp will increase your movement speed, as well as your jump height which can make your movement in stealth a lot easier.
