What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
There is no verified, apples-to-apples reward list here that can establish the ten objectively best-paying Starfield side quests. These ten are worthwhile candidates for different kinds of payoff: distinctive gear or a ship, combat and exploration, or consequential story choices. Exact item names, credit amounts and choice-specific payouts are not stated where they have not been verified, so treat this as a practical shortlist—not a guaranteed loot table.
The picks favor distinctive or lasting value, a useful way to find the quest, and story or choice value. Do the Mantis early if its premise appeals; the Free Lanes missions are newer options with availability conditions. The official Bethesda guide covers both base-game quests and Free Lanes content, but its descriptions do not itemize rewards.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Starfield: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Starfield (Standard Edition) [Xbox Series X]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51H0Hjwc50L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Starfield (Standard Edition) [Xbox Series X] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Starfield | Premium Upgrade | Xbox Series X|S & Windows Digital | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
How to use this shortlist
“Best” depends on what you want from a quest. A ship-focused mission may matter more to a player who enjoys shipbuilding, while a consequential decision may be the real payoff for someone seeking story. The quest details below establish where to look and why each is a candidate; they do not verify exact payouts. Check the in-game objective and reward screen before committing if a particular item or amount is the deciding factor.
Ten side quests to consider
1. The Mantis — a distinctive early-game premise
This is a strong early candidate if you want a quest built around a vigilante identity and a distinctive reward premise. Bethesda says it starts when you loot the “Secret Outpost!” datapad from a random Spacer encounter; the datapad is available from Spacers above level 5. The exact armor and ship rewards, and any conditions on them, are not established here, so do not treat a specific item or outcome as guaranteed.
#1 Best Overall
- Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits
- Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets
- Pilot and command the ship of your dreams.
2. Operation Starseed — story and faction choice
Choose this for a story-heavy detour rather than a confirmed equipment payout. A distress call leads you to Charybdis III, where you decide which faction, if any, should prevail. The faction decision makes the quest a notable candidate for choice value; the exact reward and how it varies by outcome are not established here.
3. Groundpounder — a combat-oriented candidate
Consider this if you want combat and the possibility of adding weapons to your haul. A recommendation excerpt identifies it as a quest that can provide additional weapons, but its trigger and exact weapon rewards are not verified here. Do not start it expecting a particular named gun or payout.
4. First Contact — a consequential choice
Enter orbit around Porrima II to encounter this choice-driven situation: a strange ship, business interests and safety concerns collide near Paradiso. Its appeal is the decision and its consequences, not a reward that can be promised from the available details. The tangible payoff depends on the outcome, and the recommended outcome and exact reward are not established here.
Rank #2
- Includes: Starfield Standard Edition (Disc)
- Travel to the stars in this next-gen RPG from the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4
- Create a character according to your imagination and explore the endless expanses in unparalleled freedom
- The goal of this epic journey? The answer to humanity's greatest question
5. Juno’s Gambit — an unusual AI encounter
This compact encounter centers on a rogue AI. Bethesda describes a choice between allowing Ryujin to take control and siding with Juno’s free will; the event commonly occurs near Tau Ceti III. That distinctive dilemma is the known draw. Exact rewards and any questline prerequisites are not established here.
6. Failure to Communicate — exploration, combat and rescue
Alban Lopez’s distress call can lead to this mission involving L.I.S.T. families, disabled satellites and Spacer threats. Bethesda says it can begin as a random quest after you jump into an uninhabited system and receive the call. The combination of exploration and combat makes it a candidate for players who want more than a brief conversation; a specific reward is not established here.
7. Overdesigned — a ship-focused project
If shipbuilding is a priority, this is a natural candidate: you help Stroud-Eklund engineers with a ship project. Bethesda says you can start by visiting the company’s R&D department at Deepala. The ship outcome and its value have not been established here, so do not assume a particular build or ship is guaranteed.
Rank #3
- TELL YOUR STORY - In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become.
- EXPLORE OUTER SPACE - Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered.
- CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS - Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection.
- DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD - Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes.
- LOCK AND LOAD - Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.
8. No Idle Threat — a newer Free Lanes option
This side quest is part of the Free Lanes content and is found at Anchorpoint. It is worth considering if you want to explore the newer optional missions, but its reward is not stated in the available quest description.
9. House-Sitting — follow-up Free Lanes content
House-Sitting is another Anchorpoint quest in Free Lanes, but it requires No Idle Threat first. That prerequisite makes it a follow-up rather than a first stop. Its exact reward is not established here.
10. Party in the Stars — check availability before looking
This Free Lanes quest is also found at Anchorpoint. Bethesda notes a Terran Armada-related availability caveat, so whether it is available depends on that condition. Its reward is not stated in the available description.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you do first?
- For an early distinctive quest: look for the “Secret Outpost!” datapad during Spacer encounters and pursue The Mantis if the premise interests you.
- For a meaningful decision: prioritize Operation Starseed or First Contact; their documented appeal is the consequential choice, not a verified item payout.
- For combat and exploration: consider Groundpounder or Failure to Communicate, while keeping expectations about specific weapons or credits open.
- For shipbuilding: Overdesigned is the clearest fit, though its exact ship outcome is not established here.
- For Free Lanes content: start with No Idle Threat before House-Sitting, and check the Terran Armada caveat before seeking Party in the Stars.
What is—and is not—established about rewards
Bethesda’s quest guide is useful for premises, start points and availability, including the newer Free Lanes missions, but it does not provide a comparable itemized reward table for these candidates. Reward-list excerpts identify some quests as having rewards, including rare armor, weapons, XP or credits, but they do not support a verified ten-quest ranking with exact names, amounts and outcome conditions. No comparable statistic establishes which quest pays the most. This shortlist therefore ranks potential appeal and access, not measured loot value.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
