Romance in the Stars: A Comprehensive Guide to Starfield’s Companions
So, you’re charting a course through the vast expanse of Starfield and your heart yearns for more than just cosmic dust and alien encounters? You’re wondering if you can romance every companion that crosses your path? The answer is a nuanced one: No, you cannot romance every companion in Starfield, but you can explore multiple relationships before settling down. Starfield offers a compelling romance system, but it’s not a free-for-all. Let’s dive deep into the romantic possibilities this universe offers.
Who Can You Woo? The Romanceable Companions
Starfield, like other Bethesda RPGs, offers a limited pool of characters who are open to the possibility of a deeper connection. These aren’t just crew members; they’re individuals with backstories, motivations, and, yes, the potential for romance.
The four core romanceable companions in Starfield are:
- Sarah Morgan: A dedicated and principled leader of Constellation.
- Andreja: A mysterious and independent explorer with a hidden past.
- Barrett: A jovial and adventurous Constellation member, always ready with a joke.
- Sam Coe: A loyal space cowboy with a strong sense of family.
These characters are the only ones you can develop a full romantic relationship with, culminating in a commitment ceremony (marriage). Keep in mind that you can only have one committed relationship at a time.
The Affinity System: Building Bonds
The foundation of any successful romance in Starfield lies in the affinity system. This invisible mechanic tracks how your actions and dialogue choices affect each companion’s opinion of you.
Each character has preferences. Sarah, for instance, appreciates ethical behavior and dedication to Constellation. Andreja values independence and a willingness to bend the rules when necessary. Barrett enjoys humor and a positive attitude, while Sam respects honesty and loyalty.
By consistently making choices that align with a companion’s values, you’ll gradually increase their affinity towards you. This will unlock new dialogue options and opportunities to delve deeper into their personal stories.
How to Increase Affinity
- Choose dialogue options they “like” or “love.” Pay attention to their reactions to your words.
- Complete quests and activities that align with their values. Take Sarah on exploration missions, assist Sam with family matters, and so on.
- Keep them as your active companion. This ensures they witness your actions and offer their opinions.
- Listen to their conversations and respond thoughtfully. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings.
The Path to Romance: Quests and Commitment
As you build affinity with a romanceable companion, they will eventually confide in you and share personal quests. Completing these quests is crucial for progressing the relationship.
These quests often involve helping them resolve personal conflicts, exploring their pasts, or supporting their goals. Successfully completing these quests will unlock the “Romance” option in dialogue, paving the way for a deeper connection.
After choosing the romance option and continuing to nurture the relationship, you will eventually unlock the “Commitment” dialogue option. Choosing this option triggers a special questline culminating in a marriage ceremony.
Commitment Quests
Each companion has a unique commitment quest that reflects their personality and backstory. These quests often involve meeting their families, resolving past issues, or solidifying your commitment to each other.
Completing the commitment quest results in a memorable wedding ceremony where you and your chosen companion exchange vows and officially become partners.
Beyond the Core Four: Flirting and Friendship
While only four companions can be fully romanced, you can still interact with other crew members and develop friendships. It’s even possible to flirt with some of them, although these interactions won’t lead to a full-fledged romance.
These interactions can add depth to your crew dynamics and provide opportunities to learn more about the world of Starfield.
Commitment and Consequences
Remember, you can only have one romantic commitment at a time. If you choose to pursue a relationship with another companion, you will need to end your current relationship, which can have emotional consequences.
Breaking up with a companion can negatively impact their affinity towards you and potentially affect their willingness to assist you in the future.
You can remarry in New Game Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you romance all companions at once in Starfield?
No, you cannot maintain multiple committed relationships simultaneously. You can, however, build affinity with multiple companions and explore romantic possibilities with them before making a final choice.
2. Who are the romanceable NPCs in Starfield?
The four romanceable companions are Sarah Morgan, Andreja, Barrett, and Sam Coe.
3. Can you marry Sarah in Starfield?
Yes, you can marry Sarah Morgan by completing her personal quests and choosing the commitment option.
4. Can you romance Sam Coe?
Yes, you can romance Sam Coe and even become stepfather to Cora Coe, his daughter.
5. Can you romance Heller in Starfield?
No, Heller is not a romanceable character. Only Sarah, Andreja, Barrett, and Sam are options.
6. Can you marry Sam Coe?
Yes, you can marry Sam Coe. The commitment quest for Sam involves visiting his family and securing their blessing.
7. Can you remarry in Starfield?
Yes, you can remarry in Starfield but you have to break up with your spouse first. You can also get married again in New Game Plus.
8. Who is the best person to romance in Starfield?
This is subjective and depends on your preferences. Andreja is a popular choice due to her laid-back attitude. But Sarah Morgan, Barrett, and Sam Coe also have strong personalities and compelling stories.
9. Can you flirt with everyone in Starfield?
While married, you can flirt with other companions, but you can’t initiate another full romance until you end your current one.
10. Can you sleep with companions in Starfield?
Yes, once married, you’ll automatically share a bed with your spouse when you sleep in the same location.
11. Can you marry more than one companion in Starfield?
No, Starfield only allows you to be in one committed relationship at a time. You can only marry one of the four core companions.
12. Can you marry Andreja?
Yes, you can marry Andreja. The commitment quest for Andreja requires her high affinity.
13. How old is Sarah Morgan in Starfield?
Sarah Morgan’s age is somewhat ambiguous, but she is estimated to be in her late forties to mid-fifties.
14. What happens to Cora if Sam dies?
If Sam dies during the “High Price To Pay” mission, a future Starborn Cora may appear, seeking revenge on the player she believes is responsible for her father’s death.
15. Should I allow Sona to stay in Starfield?
This is a moral choice. Allowing Sona to stay might displease Sarah, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide based on your character’s values.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Cosmic Companion
Starfield offers a rich and engaging romance system, allowing players to forge meaningful connections with a select group of companions. While you can’t romance everyone you meet in the Settled Systems, the depth and complexity of the relationships you can build make the experience rewarding. So, explore, build affinity, and choose the companion who best fits your vision of a life among the stars. And while you’re at it, remember the importance of understanding the social and emotional dynamics within games. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for learning more about how games influence and are influenced by our social world. Choose wisely, traveler, and may your love be as boundless as the cosmos!