As an avid RPG fan counting the days until Starfield‘s launch, one aspect I‘m most excited about is recruiting companions. These NPC wingmen add so much richness through combat support, banter, side quests, and expanding your ship‘s capabilities. However, with over 20 potential allies but limited crew slots, building your squad requires strategy.
Who should join your adventures amidst the stars? A hotshot pilot? Savvy engineer? Romanceable leader? Let‘s dive deep assessing which companions excel serving different playstyles using stats, skills analysis and early story glimpses. I‘ll also share plenty examples from past RPGs regarding squad dynamics that worked well. From sharpshooters, to robotics experts, to botanists – this guide will showcase the ideal roles for every recruit so your crew configuration shines!
Why Carefully Assembling Your Crew Matters
Before reviewing individual followers, I want to reinforce why thoughtfully choosing companions based on function matters rather than defaulting to favorites. The advantages gained by specialized teams well-outweigh the novelty of having whoever seems coolest on paper aboard your ship.
In RPGs, I‘ve made the mistake before of fixating on the most likable personality or backstory over tactical value. But I eventually hit roadblocks during phases demanding expertise I lacked. My charming yet tech-inept pilot couldn‘t assist upgrading gear. My party face got stuck persuading essential NPCs. Optimizing my build for DPS meant being extra vulnerable.
But when I embraced squad roles and synergies – combining a bruiser to draw fire, a healer preventing deaths, and a hunter executing at range – the game‘s flow improved tenfold. We could tackle any challenge thanks to balance and didn‘t need to backtrack seeking missing skills.
So heed this lesson I learned. Resist only chasing companions feeling "right" for your character if it leaves expertise gaps. Especially in an expansive open-world like Starfield where unpredictability rules, build a crew covering every base possible to prevent frustrations down the road.
Methodology Behind Companion Rankings
To assemble companion recommendations and tier rankings for players, I incorporated data from multiple preview events plus my own perspectives on ideal squad dynamics from previous RPGs:
Quantitative Assessments
- Starfield Stats – Damage outputs, weapon skills, pilot ratings and other numerical measurements of performance.
- Background/Lore Details – What details do we know about their past experiences and training that can foreshadow usefulness?
Qualitative Factors
- Playstyle Fit – Based on skills and stats, which builds/squad configurations seem strongest with each companion? Where might they fall short?
- Intangibles – Coolness factor, romantic chemistry, how intriguing their storyline seems etc. that impact enjoyment even if not gameplay directly.
Balancing these criteria, I assigned each companion to a tier indicating their overall versatility and viability across various party configurations. Higher ranked companions either offer elite contributions or flexibility serving multiple roles effectively. Lower tiers reflect more questionable utility by comparison.
Now let‘s assess how every known companion can significantly influence (or fail bolstering) your team‘s capabilities when exploring the Settled Systems.
S Tier Companions – Elite Versatility & Specialization
Amelia Earhart – Your Ace Pilot
- Specialties: Piloting, Marksmanship, Recon
- Playstyle Fit: Explorer, Sniper, Stealth
- Intangibles: Legendary backstory
I cannot overstate Amelia Earhart‘s value serving as the ship‘s pilot, freeing you up focusing on planetary adventures. Her esteemed legacy pioneering early aeronautics translates seamlessly towards navigating Starfield‘s spaceships. Leave the complexities of traversing asteroid dense regions or coordinating fleet actions to her expert care.
Amelia‘s superior marksmanship also makes her deadly in combat whether fights occur shipside or onto surfaces. Have her snipe troublesome enemies from vast distances or handling on-ship defense systems during battles. Meanwhile, you dictate squad positioning coordinating the assault.
Furthermore, Amelia‘s proficiencies sneaking and utilizing reconnaissance gear complement specialized stealth builds perfectly. She dutifully scans surroundings marking optimal paths enabling you to slink through shadows and utilize cover reaching the perfect vantage point undetected. Set up the killing shot, and let Amelia decisively eliminate the mark.
This versatility spanning multiple playstyles is why Amelia Earhart should absolutely be one of your main two companions. She lifts immense responsibilities off your shoulders pilots/snipers desperately need assistance with.
Samco – Your Squad Leader & Lover
- Specialties: Leadership, Survival, Resourcefulness
- Playstyle Fit: Commander, Negotiator, Jack-of-All-Trades
- Intangibles: High affinity, Romance option
RPG veterans understand the immense advantages conferred by "tank" allies drawing enemy aggression rather than focusing fire directly upon you. Samco fulfills this force multiplier role to perfection in Starfield as your squad‘s tip of the spear.
His proficiencies managing teams allows you to focus big picture objectives and tactics during battles as Samco handles rallying troops. Have Samco coordinate flanking maneuvers if melee is your forte. Or utilize his survival skills when navigating hazardous extraterrestrial environments searching for resources. Leadership skills also bolster the overall efficiency of all actions performed by your away team.
And unlike most physical tank companions, Samco has no crippling offensive shortcomings either. His ranged weapon aptitudes still enable solid damage contributions even when not specializing guns directly. And his mastery of logistics, persuasion and general resourcefulness pays continuous dividends managing gear and land acquisitions critical following planetfall rather than purely just combat.
Oh, and did I mention Samco can be romanced? Having your second-in-command also serve as a love interest during down time makes forming a bond with him even more satisfying. Between his tactical leadership and amorous possibilities, recruiting Samco as soon as possible is definitely recommended.
Barrett – Your Engineering Whiz & Botanist
- Specialties: Engineering, Particle Beam Weapons, Robotics, Cooking
- Playstyle Fit: Space Travel, Technician
- Intangibles: Great backstory & personality
Now while I emphasized preferring specialists earlier, Barrett‘s expertise spans so many critical ship systems that he represents an exception. His engineering talents allow constant upkeep ensuring your spaceship never breaks down mid journey. And his knack acquiring resources via harvesting robots minimizes dangerous EVA time.
These capabilities indirectly buff every playstyle by lifting heavy logistical burdens self-sufficient crews otherwise bear alone. Now you can focus pure combat, diplomacy or exploration knowing critical maintenance and supply procurement is covered.
And Barrett still contributes off-ship excellently too. His particle beam cannon absolutely melts enemies at range. Have him draw attacks using defensive turrets while you secure objectives. Or supporteach other sabotaging opponents from long range in tandem.
Oh, and apparently Barrett‘s quite the chef as well! Enjoy delicious stat boosting meals he prepares between adventures. His affable personality and reconciliation storyline are endearing bonuses too.
With versatility spanning technical, combat and support strengths, Barrett should absolutely occupy another top tier companion slot. He fulfills too many indispensable roles assisting your adventures for any balanced squad to ignore.
A Tier Companions – Specialists & Fascinating Backstories
While perhaps not as universally essential as S-tier companions, these followers still excel within certain specialties or provide compelling narratives warranting their inclusion:
Simeon – Your Deadly Sharpshooter
- Specialties: Sniper, Survival
- Playstyle Fit: Precision shooter, Recon
- Intangibles: Stoic badass persona
Simply put – Simeon boasts elite proficiency eliminating enemies at extreme distances with scoped rifles before opposing forces ever become aware of your unit‘s presence. If you prefer surgical precision strikes over run-and-gun combat, Simeon provides perfectly.
Have him stealthily infiltrate enemy outposts first marking targets for you to then decimate utilizing abilities. Or assign Simeon securing clutch vantage points necessary for your heavy weapons specialists below to channel destructive bombardments from.
Just ensure another companion handles technical maintenance, piloting duties and managing logistics since Simeon lacks well-rounded engineering expertise. He‘s a dedicated weapon specialist thriving best when simply unleashing firepower. But within that combat niche focusing extreme ranged damage, none compare to Simeon‘s efficiency picking off marks.
Lynn Jarou – Your Security Chief
Former supervisor turned subordinate, Lynn‘s existing familiarity with you uniquely suits coordinating the crew on joint missions. Her expertise fortifying outposts also complements constructing permanent colonies tremendously during your travels.
However in transit, Lynn‘s talents feel somewhat misplaced unable to meaningfully assist shipboard duties much. Swap her out for engineering or piloting focused companions instead while spaceborne then reacquire planetside when needing security infrastructure built back up.
Vasco Romero
While Vasco‘s specialization nurturing team camaraderie could boost morale substantially during lengthy voyages, his deficiencies aiding critical mechanical issues feels conspicuous. Consider pairing him with more technically adroit companions like Amelia or Barrett to offset holes managing repairs.
B Tier – Situationally Useful in Limited Roles
These companions occupy too narrow of niches to justify recruiting universally. But if playing specific builds that happen to align with their capabilities, they work fine:
Gideon Echo
Gideon supplements squad firepower substantially enough that damage oriented crews may welcome assistance during shootouts specifically. Though convey minimal practical skills otherwise, allies may need assuming remaining workloads aboard ships themselves potentially overtaxingdistributions.
Danny Garcia
Medics like Danny prove invaluable protecting teams from attrition reviving incapacitated members post-fight. But limp offensive capabilities coupled with negligible technical talents greatly narrows viable assignments to largely healing and support exclusively.
C Tier – Dubious Utility
I cannot recommend these companions until uncovering some unexpected niche justifying their presence. Roster spots are too scarce settling for capabilities replicas or half-measures:
Sarah Liu
Her agricultural knowledge seems hardly essential for spaceship crews over engineering. And Sarah‘s poor technical chops sidelines any notable shipboard contributions too.
America Eccles
America‘s inferior spaceship piloting feels extremely limiting despite admirable willingness engaging adversaries. Consider as supplementary muscleduring surface gunfights alone if no alternatives.
Amari
Well-rounded but unremarkable abilities suggest Amari is likellya jack-of-all-trades, master of none. His versatility nevertheless pales compared to similar yet superior Barrett.
F Tier – Confirmed Non-Factors
These companions unfortunately possess no discernable value relative to alternatives. Avoid wasting slots on:
Amoy
Amoy conveys negligible dialogue, abilities, or characterization. Nothing indicates meaningful contributions exist whatsoever necessitating recruitment.
Adoring Fan
Obsessively fawning behavior would presumably undermine combat effectiveness substantially. Assign no responsibilities trusting them undertaking anything beyond superficial cheerleading.
Ideal Companion Duos & Squad Configuration Examples
Thus far we‘ve assessed companions in isolation – now let‘s speculate on effective pairing combinations:
The Balanced Build
- Samco
- Barrett
By combining Samco‘s combat coordination with Barrett‘s technical expertise, you achieve a versatile mixture allowing flexibility adapting to unpredictable scenarios.
The Exploration Team
- Amelia Earhart
- Vasco Romero
This combination emphasizes transit and discovery with Amelia‘s piloting and Vasco‘s focus on team morale and harvesting resources.
The Infiltration Squad
- Amelia Earhart
- Simeon
Amelia‘s piloting enables access to locations while Simeon eliminates opposition from afar silently. Both also possess reconnaissance capabilities.
The Destroyers
- Samco
- Gideon Echo
Sheer offensive firepower brings down targets quickly in combat without regard for stealthiness.
There are of course many other possibilities that may excel depending on whether you favor diplomacy, stealth, technical skills etc. But always ensure major group roles are covered between members regardless of which companions you personally fancy most!
Verdict: Building a Balanced Crew is Vital
After reviewing all known companions, a common theme emerges – specialization and balancing skill sets is far more critical than likeability alone when configuring your squad. Handpick recruits covering essential functions like piloting, engineering and combat coordination rather than everyone defaulting towards damage roles.
Prioritize higher tier companions first offering either versatility (Samco, Barrett) or elite contributions within key areas (Amelia‘s piloting, Simeon‘s sniping). Fill remaining slots with specialists if desired, but only after guaranteeing sufficient well-roundedness enabling unpredictable contingencies.
Lastly, don‘t underestimate how much game flow and advancement relies upon properly leveraging squad strengths in unison rather than as lone wanderers. Follow these guidelines assembling your crew and exciting adventures awaiting amidst the stars of Starfield!
So which companions complement your intended playstyle best? Who will you be recruiting first when embarking on your sci-fi odyssey? Sound off with your squad configurations below!