Starfield: how to identify Planet Traits

How to scan and identify Starfield Planet Traits for easy XP
Starfield: how to identify Planet Traits
Starfield: how to identify Planet Traits /

If you pick up some tasks from the Constellation mission board early on in the main Starfield quest line, you’ll likely have to seek out specific Planet Traits, and it may not be obvious what these are at first. They’re pretty easy to find though, and uncovering all of them on a planet can earn you a decent amount of XP, so it’s worth doing.

We’ll explain how to find Planet Traits on any system so you can pick up some easy XP and quick cash from Constellation.

How to find a Starfield Planet Trait

Starfield scanning venus from obit
Bethesda

First, you need to scan the planet from orbit to find out if it even has traits, as not all of them do. The scan will show you how many traits it has at the bottom of the information bar, represented by circles containing question marks.

Starfield Unknown scanner icon
Bethesda

Assuming you’ve found a planet with traits, pick anywhere on the planet to land and look around with your scanner. You need to search for unknown or strange reading icons on your scanner – the icons shaped like a circle – as these are the ones that will lead you to traits.

Starfield scanning feature
Bethesda

Once you’ve reached one, you need to search the area for something scannable – there may be multiple features around the place to find.

Starfield discovered planet trait
Bethesda

When you find it, scan it and it will become a discovered trait for that planet, increasing your survey progress and earning you a bit of XP.

We also have a full Starfield walkthrough to turn your holiday in the Milky Way into a silky stay. 


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Ryan Woodrow
RYAN WOODROW

Ryan Woodrow is Guides Editor for GLHF based in London, England. He has a particular love for JRPGs and the stories they tell. His all-time favorite JRPGs are the Xenoblade Chronicles games because of the highly emotive and philosophy-driven stories that hold great meaning. Other JRPGs he loves in the genre are Persona 5 Royal, Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Nier Automata, and Pokémon. He also regularly dives deep into the indie scene trying to find hidden gems and innovative ideas. Some of his favorite indie games include FTL: Faster Than Light, Thomas Was Alone, Moonlighter, Phantom Abyss, and Towerfall Ascension. More of his favorite games are Minecraft, Super Mario Odyssey, Stardew Valley, Skyrim, and XCOM 2. He has a first-class degree in Games Studies from Staffordshire University and has written for several sites such as USA Today's ForTheWin, Game Rant, The Sun, and KeenGamer. Email: ryan.woodrow@glhf.gg