As a Starfield explorer eagerly awaiting this game‘s launch for years, I know all too well the temptation to take "shortcuts" – whether that‘s sprinting past enemies with arms flailing or making liberal use of console commands. And one of the most common applications of opening that developer console is to rapidly strengthen your character by boosting XP.
In this expanded guide, I‘ll cover how to easily use console commands to increase your XP in Starfield – as well as various implications of this decision.
What Are Console Commands?
For those less familiar with Bethesda‘s DNA, console commands are text-based cheat codes built into their RPGs that allow altering the game state in ways not normally possible. Entered through the tilde (~) key, these have been a staple since their Gamebryo engines starting with Morrowind in 2002.
Bringing up the console and typing in codes like "tgm" for god mode or "player.additem f 1000000" to get rich quick has been a rite-of-passage for Elder Scrolls fans. And this continues in Starfield on the Creation Engine 2. By toggling on Developer Mode, you open up possibilities like insta-killing enemies, teleporting across the Settled Systems, and indeed, boosting that sweet, sweet XP.
So in summary:
- Accessible only on PC by default
- Triggered by tilde ~ key with console enabled
- Used for cheating/skipping/breaking the game
- Whole bethesda_console commands wiki
Now this access isn‘t without drawbacks – Achievements get disabled, multiplayer implications, potential save file issues if you go overboard – but with some discretion, it unlocks opportunities otherwise not possible!
Starfield XP System Fundamentals
To understand how best to exploit console commands for easy XP gains, let’s first understand some background on how progression works in Starfield:
- You earn XP through actions like completing quests, harvesting resources, and defeating enemies
- Each time you fill the XP bar, your Character Level raises by 1
- Higher levels grant skill points to unlock perks and improve abilities
- Enemies also scale dynamically based on your power level
Character Level Cap
- Soft cap is Level 100
- Using commands you can go up to ~998 (beyond causes overflow bugs)
XP Formula
XP earned is calculated based on:
XP = EnemyLevel * EnemyHealth * EnemyDamage Modifiers adjust the raw XP for boosted amounts from things like:
- Stealth kills = 3x XP
- Headshots = 1.5x XP
- Critical Hits = 2x XP
This allows tailoring farming enemies or playstyles to maximize legitimate XP gains alongside any command boosts.
Level Progression Statistics
| Level | XP to Level Up | Total XP | Skill Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 300 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | 1,000 | 7,150 | 12 |
| 25 | 2,400 | 35,800 | 27 |
| 50 | 4,950 | 140,300 | 52 |
| 75 | 9,300 | 387,550 | 78 |
| 100 | 15,000 | 791,550 | 104 |
Data sourced from Starfield Guidebook
As you can see, the XP requirements quickly scale up. So while early command boosts seem insignificant, they compound savings through the whole grind to Level 100!
Step-by-Step Guide to Add XP with Console Commands
Now that we’ve set the stage properly, let‘s get right into the details of using console commands to give your character big XP bonuses in Starfield:
Activating the Console
The first step is enabling access to input commands:
1. Press Esc > Settings > Gameplay
2. Toggle BOTH:
- Developer Mode
- Developer Console
3. In-game, hit the ~ tilde key to bring up the console prompt
Note: Make sure Num Lock is off or this can cause issues!
Quick XP Command Syntax
Here is the basic command structure:
Modav XP #### - Modav – Modifies the specified stat
- XP – The stat to modify
- #### – Amount of XP points to add
For example, adding 10,000 XP instantly:
Modav XP 10000You can keep reusing this command repeatedly to continually boost XP.
Protip: Up arrow cycles through previous entries so you can just keep tapping Enter!
Some key notes on usage:
- Mind the spacing! Codes are precise
- Add XP in increments rather than all at once
- Save game after using! Builds up over time otherwise
Additional Useful Commands
Here are some other command combinations I frequently use for quick leveling:
// Advance Skill Level By 1
AdvSkill [skillname]
// Max out current Skill
Player.AdvSkill [skillnumber]
// Teleport to high level location
Coc [Cell ID]
// Toggle God Mode
tgm
// Walk through walls
tcl
// Respec character
RespecMenuThis allows you buff up abilities, reposition to farming spots, and stay alive alongside raw XP gains!
I also recommend grabbing community mods that reveal full maps and identify cell IDs for teleporting precisely.
Recovering Lost XP
Dying can set you back 5+ levels from dropping tons of hard-earned XP…or simply falling through the geometry and having your save file revert back 30mins.
For seamlessly getting back lost progress rather than re-grinding, use:
Setav XP ####This sets your current XP balance directly rather than adding to it. Extremely useful!
Level Up on Command
If manually calculating gaps seems like a headache, instead use:
AdvLevelNo number needed – this will instantly jump your XP to whatever is required for the next Character Level. Less precision but incredible convenience!
Evaluating Console Command Boosts vs Farming
Alright, with the ability to tap a few console keys and rapidly strengthen your character, why even bother with the intended progression system? Let‘s compare the pros and cons:
Benefits of Console Command XP
➡️ Nearly instant leveling up
➡️ Bypass tedious early game grinding
➡️ Precisely control rate of progression
➡️ Recover from major lost XP setbacks
➡️ Access high-level gear for builds earlier
Downsides of Too Many Commands
➡️ Disable Xbox achievements
➡️ Can feel unsatisfying/hollow
➡️ Break in-game difficulty balance
➡️ Trivialize combat, progression
➡️ Reduce sense of achievement
Meanwhile, legitimate farming offers rewards like:
✅ Sense of progression and accomplishment
✅ Natural pacing lets skills develop
✅ Rewarding feeling when monsters you once feared become easy
✅ Finding optimal XP farming routes
✅ Retain Xbox achievements!
My Verdict? Use commands judiciously to supplement normal gameplay and skip inconveniences rather than replacing the core gameplay loop entirely. This maintains engagements while accelerating the less exciting parts.
The key is restraint and balance. I only use boosts when:
- Recovering from unfair lost progress
- Shortcutting particularly painful grinds
- Boosting up enough to use new gear, then playing properly
- Popping to useful locations and turning off tcl clipping
This maintains a steady sense of progression and avoids trivializing everything. My rule of thumb is “Don’t boost more than 5 levels at once" – staying grounded enough to appreciate accomplishments.
Ultimately no universally right way to enjoy singleplayer games! Play how it feels best for you.
Additional Console Command Usage Tips
Through hundreds of hours augmenting Bethesda RPGs with liberal console tweakings, I‘ve gathered some wisdom on optimizing the experience:
Use Sparingly
It can be tempting to jump up dozens of levels at once right away – but this reduces long-term engagement. Consider incrementally adding just enough XP to open new possibilities.
Toggle God Mode
By turning on god mode alongside XP gains, you almost eliminate risk while powering up. Just be sure to turn it off after!
Mind the Level Cap
Hitting the ~1,000 ceiling can cause instability. I try to stay under 950 to be safe. Plenty powerful by that point anyway!
Save Regularly
Unlike cash/items which build up cumulatively, XP boosts reset on reload. So save frequently to “lock in” gains.
It‘s Reversible
Went overboard and now you one-shot everything? Use setav commands to lower stats or type “respecmenu” to reset completely!
And if things go completely sideways, you can always reload a prior save from before too much meddling. So enjoy it!
Recommended Companion Mods
While built-in console commands offer plenty, combining their effects with mods unlocks even more possibilities:
Cheat Terminal
Gives holotape with options for instant building materials, free workshops, armour/weapon spawns
BonusXP
Apply global + percentage XP gain multipliers from all sources
Wasteland Imports
Spawns high-level loot from Fallout 4 to buff your builds
Browse NexusMods for categories like cheat, utility, etc for more great mods to complement command usage!
Achievement Enabling
A common misconception is console command usage disables all Xbox achievements – while Dire means like “coc qasmoke” do, there ARE workarounds for specific stat-boosting commands:
1. Load game with achievements enabled as usual
2. Use advlevel/modav commands as desired
3. SAVE game afterwards
4. Exit completely and re-launch
5. Achievements re-enabled!
Through this method you can still unlock Xbox achievements alongside heavy console assistance. This was a game changer for me being able to boost my builds while retaining that completionist satisfaction.
But take care when spawning items, teleporting, or toggling god modes – these will likely block achievements after the fact. So utilize quick level bumps combined with clean gameplay for the ideal experience.
Troubleshooting Console Command Issues
While an incredible tool, console commands can sometimes be finicky:
Commands Not Working?
- Check Developer Mode & Console are enabled
- Numlock is OFF
- Reload game if changes don‘t save
Game Crashing Frequently?
- Avoid going over the level cap
- Start a new save if overloaded
- Disable problematic combo mods
Enemies Not Getting Stronger?
- The level scaling system can glitch if powering up tooquickly
- Try resetting the cell or moving to a new system
Progression Feels Meaningless?
- Restrict boost magnitude and frequency
- Impose personal rules like "no god mode"
- Roleplay reasons for your rapid advancement!
As always with Bethesda jankiness, save frequently and don‘t be afraid to roll back changes or start fresh saves when things get too unwieldy.
Mastering Starfield Through Console Commands
While controversial to some, I stand by the fact that judiciously utilizing console commands takes nothing away from enjoying these amazing singleplayer experiences – only enhances and accelerates it!
These debug tools offered by Bethesda grant us unprecedented control to tailor the experience to our personal preferences rather than adhering to prescribed difficulty curves. Freedom to play how you want is the greatest strength of games like Starfield and Elder Scrolls.
Will I refrain entirely from engaging the intended gameplay loops? Of course not – the core minute-to-minute exploration and discovery remains highly compelling even 1,000 hours in. But bypassing pain points enables better maintaining that sense of wonder and excitement.
So don‘t hesitate to open the console, boost up 20 levels to try a flashy new science weapon, laugh maniacally as you obliterate enemies in a nova of particle effects! This is the chaotic sandbox these games are meant to be.
Now get out there, you glorious cheater you, and enjoy the wonders of Starfield modified to your wildest ambitions! The Settled Systems await…
What are YOUR favorite console commands in Bethesda games? Let me know in the comments!