Attacking NPCs in Starfield: What You Need to Know
In the vast world of Starfield, you’ll come across numerous NPCs that breathe life into the game. Some are ordinary individuals, while others hold significant roles as quest givers, item vendors, or story characters. But what if you’re not particularly fond of a certain NPC or your character’s roleplay demands attacking them? Can you take the plunge and attack any NPCs in Starfield? Let’s dive into the details.
Image: PC Invasion
Yes, you do have the freedom to attack any NPCs in Starfield, whether they are quest givers, shop vendors, or ordinary passersby. However, it’s essential to note that you can’t eliminate all NPCs in the game. Certain NPCs are designated as “essential,” meaning they are crucial for your gaming experience, such as quest givers and companions.
When you attack an essential NPC and reduce their hit points to zero, they will temporarily fall to one knee as their health regenerates. Once restored, they will either flee or retaliate against you. To avoid any unfavorable consequences, it’s advisable to use the Quicksave feature before attempting an attack on an NPC. If you discover that the NPC is essential, you can reload your saved game to undo any repercussions caused by your failed assassination attempt.
Image: PC Invasion
Take Amoli Bava, for example, the shop vendor at Jemison Mercantile. In the image above, I attacked Amoli, causing her to drop to one knee once her health reached zero. However, after her health regenerated, she stood up and swiftly fled from my presence. Regardless of your attempts to eliminate her, she will always rise again.
If by any chance, you wish to dispose of an essential NPC, you can utilize a MOD called Killable Essential NPCs – No Essential NPCs from Nexus Mods. It’s crucial to exercise caution with this MOD as it may result in the demise of essential companions like Sarah. Additionally, make sure you’re clear about your intentions because if you kill an essential NPC offering important quests, you won’t be able to retrieve them unless you reload your saved game.
Furthermore, eliminating a civilian will attract the attention of armed civilians and security officers who will retaliate against you. Your relationship status with non-evil companions, like Sarah, will also be negatively affected. On the other hand, killing a faction member will result in reputation loss with the faction they belong to. Either way, be prepared to face the consequences of your actions, such as attracting bounty hunters and faction members who will be determined to hunt you down. Proceed with caution as you attack NPCs in Starfield!
Author’s Note: I wrote this guide while playing Starfield on Xbox Series S.