The best Starfield PC mods so far: Graphics, gameplay, DLSS, and more

Use these Starfield mods to improve visuals, tweak gameplay, and add DLSS.

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Starfield has been available for quite a while now and Bethesda’s talented community has been hard at work pumping out plenty of awesome mods for the PC version of the title. Everything from improvements to the game’s graphics and user interface to sizable gameplay tweaks and balance changes are available, and there are even a few mods that bring an unofficial implementation of NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling technology to the expansive sci-fi RPG.

We’ve been keeping a close eye on all the latest and greatest mod releases over on theStarfieldNexus Mods archive, and to help you find the best of what the community’s cooked up so far, we’ve compiled a list of all the top mods in this article. Below, you’ll find sections for utility mods that some other mods depend on, graphics and UI mods, mods that adjust and rebalance gameplay, and DLSS-related mods. We’ve also included a quick guide on how to install Starfield mods as well.

How to install Starfield mods

Vortex: Easiest method to install

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Nexus Mods' in-houseVortex mod manager softwarecan also be used to install many, but not all, mods (again, read mod descriptions). With it, you can drag and drop compressed mod downloads into the software, and once you select “Install,” Vortex will take care of the rest.

1. Download and install theVortex Mod Manager.

2. Once installed, navigate to thegamessection and search forStarfield.

3. ClickManage, then restartVortexfor it to take affect.

4. From here, you can navigate theNexus Modpage forStarfield, and use the"Download with Vortex"links to haveVortexhandle the mods.

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It’s important to note, Vortex is built with using Steam in mind, not the Xbox PC app. Using the Xbox app means installing mods manually, or using this workaround as detailed by/u/RubyStarFallon Reddit.

Installing mods manually

To install Starfield mods, you’ll first need to create an .ini file with specific code in it that allows the game to read and load mod files. Thankfully, this process is both easy and quick, and once you’ve done it, you’ll never need to do it again (as long as you keep Starfield installed, anyway). Here’s what to do:

1.Open theFile Explorer.

2.Go toDocuments\My Games\Starfield

3.In this folder,create a new Text Document and open it.

4.Next,add the following lines of code:

[Archive]bInvalidateOlderFiles=1sResourceDataDirsFinal=

5.Afterwards,save and close the document.

6.Finally,rename the file"StarfieldCustom.ini" (no quotes).Don’t worry about the warning Windows gives you about changing the file extension, and make sure you toggle the ability to see and change extensions by going to View > Show in File Explorer if necessary.

With this done, your Starfield installation is ready for mods!In most cases, installing mods is as simple as using7-Zipto unpack their compressed files, then dragging those files into the Documents\My Games\Starfield\Data folderorthe SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Starfield game directory. You should always read each mod’s description to see which of these two locations is correct, or if the author has written different instructions.

Best Starfield utility mods

These mods don’t affect how Starfield looks, sounds, or feels to play — at least not directly. Instead, they add extra functionalities to the game that other mods depend on, or that players may want to have. They might also make it easier to make changes to the game that are required for other mods.BethINI PIE (Performance INI Editor)If any mods require you to make some tweaks to Starfield’s .ini configuration files, this tool allows you to do so very easily with a simple GUI. It’s one of the best tools to use to customize your graphical experience, it’s truly an incredible creation.

Starfield Script Extender (SFSE)Script extenders have served as critical dependencies for thebest Skyrim modsand thebest Fallout 4 modsfor years now, and there’s already one for Starfield, too. This is a must-have, especially since many mods won’t work without it.Baka Achievement EnablerWhile using them is an absolute blast, punching inStarfield cheats and console commandsdoesdisable achievements. By installing this mod, however, you’ll stop this from happening. Useful for dishonest achievement hunters (don’t worry, we won’t tell).Photo Mode TweaksStarfield’s Photo Mode is fantastic, but this nifty mod makes it even better by significantly extending the range of the camera and how far you can zoom in or out. It also allows you to raise the camera higher, increases the max strength of the Vignette effect, and prevents characters (including yours) from popping out of view when you zoom out extremely far.

Best Starfield graphics and UI mods

Want to make Starfield look better or different? Want to tweak the style of the game’s user interface or elevate its functionality? These mods will be right up your alley.Weapon Skin Expansion Project (WSEP) - RyujinAdds Ryujin Skins for the Eon, Grendel, Beowulf, Hard Target, Drumbeat, Shotty, Pacifier, Kodama, Razorback, Wakizashi, Equinox, and BigBang. They look sweet!Neutral LUTs - No Color FiltersWhile Starfield’s vanilla color grading is gorgeous, it’s not exactly natural. This mod removes the game’s color filters, resulting in neutral, more realistic visuals that some may prefer. The author has also included instructions on how to tweak the mod so that space appears significantly darker.Show Location NamesI love this mod. It makes life far easier to just see the name of all the locations on the planet without having to scroll over them.EXE - Effect Textures EnhancedThe EVE Team behind the Effect Visuals Enhanced/Effect Textures Enhanced mods for the Fallout games are back at it again with an overhaul to all of Starfield’s special effects. This includes brand new visuals for muzzle flashes, explosions, sparks, flames, bullet wounds, blood spatters, and more.The Eyes of BeautyThe famous Skyrim and Fallout 4 mod has come to Starfield, and it’s as fantastic as ever. It adds several gorgeous hand-drawn eye textures to the game that you can pick from when making your character. Rather than simply porting over the versions of the mod that were made for other Bethesda games, the author has created an entirely new variant for Starfield.Stellar WaterStarfield’s water looks pretty great already, but why not make it even better? Developed by the creators of the fan-favorite Realistic Water Two mod for Skyrim, this overhaul adds new water foam and wave textures and upscales what wasn’t replaced from vanilla.Real FlashlightThe vanilla flashlight in Starfield is rather weak and has some unappealing visual artifacts, so we recommend getting this mod to brighten it up and make its appearance cleaner.Dark Mode for TerminalsNot a fan of how bright Starfield’s computer terminals are? Use this to turn on dark mode and spare your eyes the discomfort.StarUI InventoryStarfield’s inventory interface is rather simplistic and has a lot of large elements in it. This mod aims to make it more informative by adding sortable columns and item icons, while also making the UI more compact overall.Compact Mission UISimple but elegant, this mod reduces the size of quest steps in the missions menu so that you can see more of them at once. On the whole, you’ll be able to see about 50% more with it installed.Enhanced Dialogue InterfaceTweak Starfield’s dialogue interface with different text alignments, placements, font types, colors, sizes, and more. Text shadows and backgrounds are customizable for better readability, too!Enhanced SubtitlesThis is essentially the same as Enhanced Dialogue Interface, but for subtitles. We highly recommend using them together.Scanner Encumbrance Display With TimeCurrently does not work with the Jun 9 update , will update if the mod author gets to it!Move or Disable XP BarIn vanilla, the XP bar that appears whenever you gain experience is center-aligned and appears right over your crosshair. This is pretty annoying when it happens in combat, but you can use this mod to either move it to the left or right or simply remove it entirely.DualSense - PS5 IconsPlaying Starfield with a DualSense controller? Use this mod to replace Xbox buttons on the UI with PlayStation ones. This mod is currently messed up with the Creations menu. Names will not show properly, but everything else works correctly.CleanfieldRemoves the various intro videos that play when you launch Starfield. There’s an option to get rid of the Message of the Day on the main menu, as well.120FPS Smooth UI (Smooth Ship Reticle)Originally a simple mod that only changed Starfield’s ship reticle, it’s been turned into a full overhaul that brings every UI element in the game up to 120 FPS (the vanilla ones only display at 30 FPS). Keep in mind that currently, when used alongside the undelayed mod menus

Constellation ReshadeThis Reshade mod sharpens the image enhance reflections, makes dark areas darker, and enhances the overall color scheme to give the game a more realistic presentation.

Remove Vignette From ScannerThis is a simple mod that removes the Vignette filter from your scanners so you can see more clearly while scanning.

Ammo HUD at Starfield NexusThis mod adds icons and labels for the current weapons ammo type to the HUD and Favorites menu to make them easier to spot in the menu. This mod also includes new Trackers Alliance and Shattered Space weapons.

Spicy Clean Ship HUDThis mod removes parts or all the circles that appear on the HUD reticle while flying your ship so you can see out into space more clearly while exploring or fighting space pirates.

Visible Companion AffinityThis mod adds a tracker that monitors how close you are to your companions and how they view you. With this mod, you will have an easier time tracking where you stand in your relationship with them, whether it’s friendly, professional, or romantic.

Skurkbro’s Retexture ProjectThis is a massive graphics mod that replaces all the vanilla textures with original Photoscanned textures in higher resolution that will make the game’s graphics more detailed and crisp while staying faithful to the game’s grounded art direction.

Best Starfield gameplay mods

With these mods, you can make Stafield’s gameplay much easier or harder, and can also add new or expand upon existing mechanics. You can also balance out some wonky vanilla systems or fix certain things that many players find frustrating.Outpost Construction ExpandedSimple mod that adds over 600 objects to the build menus. Many of those items are sectional or modular pieces. There are two forks of this mod, a standard one and one optional experimental.Starborn Companions 2.8Ever wanted your companions to have powers of a starborn? Hell yeah! This mod grants unlimited power to your companions.TN’s Outpost Storage (storage multiplier)This mod increases the limit of individual storage containers which leads to less containers overall, and in turn, better framerate.Texas No Limit Ship BuildingI made up the name, but this is the mod page for Synthlight’s collection of limit-removal mods for ship building. All of them are terrific and recently updated! Build more docking ports, weapon, power limits, whatever you want removed.No Unattached Module ErrorThis one is definitely an immersion breaker, but allows players to make almost space station-like ships.

Fuel Consumption UnlockedThis mod unlocks fuel consumption in the game, including refueling by the ship services technicians in the settled systems and refueling when flying to or traveling over outposts. All relevant information is calculated and displayed in the star map interface. Fuel Consumption Unlocked caters to a more hardcore experience and gives the original vision that Todd Howard later scrapped.

Improved Combat AIIf Starfield’s enemies aren’t offering you much of a challenge, you can install this to make them more active, aggressive, and intelligent in combat.

Stealth OverhaulStarfield’s stealth mechanics can be pretty weird, as enemies are often somehow able to detect you even through walls or when you’re being completely silent and are out of their field of view. Using this mod rebalances stealth so that it’s still difficult, but feels more consistent and viable.TN’s Aid and Ammo CraftingUpdated with Bethesda’s new ammo crafting to be better, more immersive, and more rewarding! This mod has existed since long before Bethesda’s ammo crafting, and now with the update, it will override their crafting, integrate their research tasks, and allow you to craft those pesky primers!

Ship Builder Tolerance TweaksThis simple mod gives you more leeway with module overlapping in the ship builder, allowing you to create tighter, more compact vessels.

New Atlantis - Billboard MapThe lack of city maps has been solved with the later updates, but this is still a cool mod for immersion. I love it

Ship Skip - Instant Station Docking and MoreStarfield’s docking, takeoff, and landing cutscenes are cool, but you might get sick of them after seeing them for the umpteenth time. This mod gives them the boot.

Responsive GrabbingStarfield imposes a one-second long delay whenever you try to pick something up and move it around, which this mod cuts down to 300 milliseconds.

Undelayed MenusStarfield’s menu transitions look nice, but some players feel that they make the UI feel sluggish. This allows you to get rid of them.

Simply Faster LaddersBethesda has finally put ladders in one of its games, but going up and down them takesforever. Not anymore, though!

Richer MerchantsWhile this mod has become somewhat unnecessary, I’m keeping it here for players that may want to use it without enabling the feature ingame that lowers experience. I think we all agree that’s just silly!

Easy Digipick (Lockpick)Starfield’s lockpicking digipick puzzlescan be tricky, but with this mod they become extremely simple. Useful for players that just can’t be bothered.

Easy PickpocketingUse this to significantly improve the chances of (or guarantee) a successfulpickpocketingattempt. Reading through the comments, it seems like a tough one to install. However, as of now, it’s the only pickpocketing mod available. Use at your own risk!

Easy SpeechInstantly become the most charismatic smooth-talker in the Settled Systems with this mod that allows you to always passPersuasion speech checks.

Faster Scanning and SurveyingUse this to make it possible to complete a planet’s flora and fauna surveys with just one scan. There’s also an option to do it in three instead if you want to pretend like you’re not cheating.

Increased Scan DistanceYour scanner’s effective range is pretty short in vanilla, but with this, you can raise it anywhere between 5x and 50x.

Improved Follower BehaviorIf you’re like me, you enjoy bringing followers along in your adventures. Unfortunately, their actual “following” behavior leaves something to be desired.This mod adds better behavior for range of following, stealth, walking speed, and more.

Improved Enemy Ship AIMake space battles more challenging with the Improved Enemy Ship AI mod which makes enemy ship pilots smarter in combat and gives them unique behaviors and tactics depending on their level and faction.

Star Wars GenesisThis is a massive compilation of gameplay, graphics, and cosmetic mods that will transform Starfield into Star Wars. Everything from weapons to NPCs has been replaced with iconic characters and items from the Star Wars universe and even new questlines inspired by the franchise.

The MandalorianThis mod contains fully functional space suits with jet packs inspired by armor sets worn by Din Djarin the Mandalorian. Use this mod as a companion piece to the Star Wars Genesis mod so you can relieve the greatest moments from The Mandalorian TV show in Starfield as you blaze a trail across the galaxy as Din Djarin.

The Book of Boba Fett ArmorThis mod is similar to the Mandalorian mod except it gives the players access to the iconic armor set worn by Star Wars' infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett as in The Book of Boba Fett TV show.

Starborn’s BountyFancy having an extra incentive to hunt the Starborn? Then install the Starborn’s Bounty mod which provides extra rewards for players upon defeating Starborn enemies such as more Starborn power, more loot, and more Quantum Essence.

N7 ArmorFancy turning Starfield intoMass Effect? Then look no further than the N7 Armor mod which textures the Starborn Armor and replaces the Mantis Armor with the classic N7 Armor set worn by Commander Shepherd, the main protagonist of Mass Effect 1 to 3.

Where will Starfield modding go from here?

The modding scene has blowing up with the latest addition of theCreation Kit by Bethesda. It’s sure to get all the better as time goes on. The community has only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible, and we cannot wait to see what they create next!

As more and more mods continue to hit the Nexus, we’ll keep this article refreshed with all the best ones we come across. Check back regularly for updates, and have fun exploring the stars in your modded playthroughs. Be sure to check our list for the best Starfield Xbox modsif you’re playing the Xbox version as many listed here are also available there too.

Starfield is finally here, and it’s undoubtedly one of thebest Xbox gamesandbest PC gamesfor lovers of space exploration, deep RPG gameplay, and the sci-fi genre as a whole.

Starfield Premium Edition

Get your hands on the Starfield Premium Edition to enjoy several exclusive cosmetic items and instant access to the game’s first DLC expansion when it comes out.

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Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you’ll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he’s not writing or gaming, there’s a good chance he’s either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once.Follow him on X(Twitter).