Starfield Build Guide - Stealth Sniper (The MOST OP Build in Starfield)

[@Fextralife]

Written guide: fextralife.com/starfield-build-guide-stealth-sniper/ Builds: starfield.wiki.fextralife.com/Builds Wiki: starfield.wiki.fextralife.com/Starfield+Wiki Catch next stream: twitch.tv/fextralife 💖 Fextra VIP: fextralife.com/be-a-vip/

[@jackd6148]

They're called magazines, not clips

[@silverjohn6037]

Non quest related spoiler of a weapon location and game mechanic below. For an absolute beginner sniper rifle UC Surplus, The Well in New Atlantis, has an Old Earth Hunting Rifle laying on a table to your right along the wall as you enter. I tested this with several characters so I don't think it's random. It can't be bought, unfortunately, but, if you crouch behind the large weapon case, you can steal it if you so desire. It is tagged as stolen but you can take it to the Trade Authority, sell it and immediately use the Buyback feature and it will no longer be tagged. The main downside is there doesn't seem to be any low level npcs that drop the ammo and it can be random whether Centauri Arms in the residential district in New Atlantis will have any in stock (wait/sleep 24 hours and check back and you can stock up). Upside is it comes standard with a large magazine, suppressor, scope, does around 38 a shot and has a range of 100.

[@TheRagnus]

Even in space, we can't avoid the stealth archer playstyle

[@LoudokaBJJ]

Lol, it's true!!

[@RedSunUnderParadise]

Ikr. Especially true in FNV.

[@sp1ashy345]

dont do it unless you want constant stuttering after ads zooming in

[@N4MELEZ]

I will name my character Lydia Archer

[@hilburnlayton]

@@sp1ashy345bad computer I guess

[@redhotchikapepr8978]

Stealth “Archers” are back boys!!

[@eru_barth]

My first build on the 3 fallout and 2 elder scrolls games I've played, you have to actively gimp yourself to avoid it 😒

[@LemsTV_]

I used to be an adventurer like you. Then I took an arrow in the knee 🤣

[@dandavis5533]

I told myself I was gonna do something different with this game and stay away from the stealth/assassin character. Then on like the 3rd mission I got a pack with the Chameleon effect and a suppressed rifle and instincts kicked in. It does take longer to complete missions since you are moving more slowly and deliberately, but dang, it is just so powerful and fun to play.

[@kc-me6wl]

Lol loved this! Yeh man am a sucker for stealth play! Don't know what it is but sniper rifles are always so damned satisfying!

[@talorw8930]

Hail N7

[@CRlMZlN]

*literally same*

[@ardentdfender4116]

As long as your having fun playing the way you want and enjoy, then it don't matter if the missions take longer to complete. You had fun playing your way. I enjoy Stealth as well. But with one shot one kill, you surely do save a lot of ammo on kills vs trying to rain ammo on targets.

[@14_IM]

How did you get suppressor after a third mission? It requires 4 points in "Research Methods" and 2 points in "Weapon Engineering". Assuming that, you were level 7 at least and done some serious exploring before the 3rd mission and you used no other talent points, only on those 6 "Science" tree talents. Or how did you accomplish suppressor that early on?

[@ivanupton6586]

At the Weapon shop in the Residential district of New Atlantis there is a Marksman's AA-99 sniper rifle, uses a slightly rarer 11mm ammo but is every thing this build needs early on.

[@eddyrocksteady1157]

Thank you!!

[@Jociaoftrades]

This has been my favorite rifle to use. And it has been hard finding one to replace it.

[@chrisdcrus5404]

I brought this rifle and it’s amazing but since it’s got a higher rate of fire the damage for me is only about 30. I was using its for only a few hours then I looted a great rifle with just a suppressor and a recon scope!! It’s much better for a sniper build because it’s rate of fire is low but damage is for 250. I also looted a legendary Beowulf rifle which is suppressed but no scope , it’s deadly but only has a 30 bullet magazine and dam it’s takes like 4/5 secs to reload and every time you get melee hit your reload gets interrupted!! I was constantly getting swarmed by aliens last night a burned through med packs trying to use the Beowulf 😢sad times!!

[@Jociaoftrades]

@@chrisdcrus5404 I currently have a Professional’s Advanced Beowulf. It has short barrel, short scope, suppressor, ergo grip, fore grip with recon laser, and AP rounds. It does 144 damage and I think is a suitable upgrade to the AA. It also does have 30 rounds in a mag, but honestly I don’t need that many bullets in a mag.

[@DamonTorro]

​@@Jociaoftrades pay special attention to weapons with "Advanced" because they are always way WAY better than even the "Calibrated" ones. For example if you got Advanced Orion, you will notice that on top of about 120 base damage (compared to 30 from common Orion), it shoots TWO lasers (one from each of its 2 barrels), technically dealing 240 damage (and 480 if you do headshots). And that is before sneak damage multipliers. EDIT: oops my bad, Orion is already inherently shoot 2 lasers, but still, the advanced version damage is far superior!

[@vike50brian]

Pro-tip - As soon as you are able, keep jumping as far to the right of the star map until you find a level 60+ star system. Then, start looking on the moons and planets for abandon structures (outpost, labs, mines). Any place with human NPCs, so you can farm the loot drops. The weapons and armor drops you'll find here after only an hour or two of farming has the potential to carry you almost to end game. Keep your Grav-drive and shields powered high because you will run into enemy ships on your way there. Ignore them and quickly jump to the next star system. This is worth the time and effort. You will not be disappointed.

[@gabrielgalhano5019]

I watched every elden ring build video and some other games and never came across the words "most op" on this channel so this might truly be the most op build possible for this game lol

[@Fextralife]

It really is I was one shotting enemies 20 levels above me in very hard

[@dusk1947]

I love this kind of video and was hoping player build video's would start popping up. And I greatly appreciate that you chose this one as an early guide. As it's the one I'm aiming for. Thank you for the tips.

[@rodneyhorsley8601]

A GOOD early sniper rifle is the surplus store in The Well, just steal it off the shelf since the vendor doesn't sell it.

[@Rakven]

Stealth has been powerful in every Bethesda game and a ton of fun too! I can´t wait for tomorrow...

[@Yakob374]

There is a unique rifle sold at the gun shop in new atlantis that comes with hitman probably the best early game option for this.

[@skyro0412]

So it's basically the space version of the stealth archer

[@chicken4090]

Its been said 17 times in the video.....yeah

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

Yes, fantastic insight. It's mentioned multiple times in the video, it's even referred to (albeit tangentially) in the title of the video, as well as dozens of other comments. Thanks for making it clear!

[@reeven1721]

I love to bits that this is the FIRST build you are presenting XD

[@marioh5172]

legendary video again.

[@gibster9624]

Big fan of the old Earth Hunting Rifle. For early game it'll be your main sniper and into mid to late game it becomes more of a long-ranged AR. I used to use the A-99 for mid range stuff but the old Earth hunting rifle is just crazy versatile. Plenty of good hand guns too. Just to add to the overall style of play, it is quiet handy in case you really want to avoid any reload speed perks. Just swap to the pistol for clean up and close quarters work.

[@namelesuser]

Me too but the ammo is so rare :(

[@haydenw7981]

You can steal an advanced old earth hunting rifle from Skippy fuckface or whatever his name is down in the UC surplus in the well

[@SeeYouRyu2032]

Tip for leveling up Concealment. Go to a low level planet were there is alien life, preferably ones that travel in groups no bigger than 2. Put a point into Xenosociology when you can, you don't have to put more than one point if you don't want to. But when you do, if you manage to pacify a creature, it will completely ignore you for 30 seconds and let you get behind it for an easy stealth melee attack. It'll still take a bit to level but it's probably the safest way to do it. It also let's you keep a companion with you too since they won't attack until it's unpacified when you hit it which helps with survivability.

[@da7k51d31983]

go to the doc in jemmerson...he is in a room on his own...just keep hitting him in the back of the head each time he gets up and it counts as a melee sneak attack...just quick save often

[@zartius]

@@da7k51d31983 Any tips for the crits , because marksmanship and sharpshooter looks impossible :/

[@malepagamer7281]

One of the best video i have seen seen ,,, you got to make more ... thank you ...

[@saadahsaadah4142]

Amazing video guide as always fextralife

[@RedSunUnderParadise]

All roads lead to stealth Archer. Every cobble stone of that road is the Crtl key.

[@nawawii3750]

The first thing that comes in mind in such a game is stealth Archer, it's natural fit

[@Uberzit]

This is how I play EVERY SINGLE Fallout game, and how I planned to do this one too

[@benxmoken]

after watching this vid, i started a new game. thanks

[@xXCursedWorgenXx]

you know, if you're a stealth sniper... Instigator instead of Anti-personel can be a good thing too. Double the damage on full health enemies, so, the first shot, probably adds to the stealth damage bonus

[@xR1no]

4:14!!? 🤨

[@TheOnlyRaviol]

Stealth Sniper (The MOST OP Build in Starfield) -> the same since fallout 3 .... nicely done, we see the upgrade through the years ...

[@johnkeyes9482]

I LOVE STEALTH BUILD

[@Shiftry87]

5:44 Thats not entierly true but for a Sniper build i would say i tend to agree. The weight of the gear u have equipped affects your stealth detection when moving around. In open spaces yeah not big of a deal, but inside it can reveal u when moving around if u get to close. I saw this demonstrated while walking behind a shopkeeper and less equipped armor (not hidden) definatly effected the detection bar alot.

[@mitmon_8538]

I made a stealth sniper out of the big magnum pistol. Since you can invest in pistols in the first level of the tree, it's easy to hit the higher levels quicker than waiting for the tier 2 rifle unlock. I think I'm level 3 in both ballistics and pistols and my magnum's base damage is 140s now. I need to put time into those other perks mentioned for the latter tiers - the Sniper Certification and Sharpshooting. Still trying to figure out which pistol to use when I need to do a ton of damage to a lot of enemies when things go loud. The Mag pistol is as close to a shotgun pistol as I've found so far.

[@perceptivecrow4408]

Excellent video. At Level 7 right now and I didn’t even notice the “concealment” skill tier. THANK YOU!

[@crmccauley1]

Concealment living up to its name

[@beady123]

​@@crmccauley1😂😂😂

[@riakin1984]

There's an apparel item you get from one of the factions that's really good for this. Trying not to spoil.

[@Vernon013]

In the far future, the stealth archer continues to reign supreme.

[@ericcarlton87]

“Haven’t invested in combat skills on higher difficulties” ✋🏼👨🏼‍🚀 this hits so hard.

[@fiasco_games4131]

Looks like Stealth Archers are BACK ON THE MENU boys! Me: anytime I start a new Skyrim playthrough: I"m not gonna be a Stealth Archer...I'm not gonna be a Stealth Archer. Five minutes later: Stealth Archer (but with several points in Conjuration or some crap).

[@Badchocobo]

I was just theory crafting a Stealth sniper on paper. Thanks. Interested in seeing a Stealth pistol or Stealth blade build.

[@Gaming-Mad]

Thankyou for this Guide 😀

[@Misoandricegamer]

Thank you for the build! Can’t wait to try it!

[@CaptainCrunch99]

Excellent guide

[@Zayphar]

Stealth Archer FTW!

[@FinalSalute]

This is gonna be my build love a stealth sniper build ooof

[@Stalker-Kropson]

Nice :)

[@MIMCKMedia]

Hello Skyrim Stealth Archer Player of the Future :D

[@SaviorInTheSun]

Looks like a fun build! Gonna have to try this out.

[@kj01a]

Never big the biggest Bethesda fan. I had heard the games were formulaic, but dang!

[@privateh2306]

Good start, At least 1 point in Sneak. In the Well go to the weapon shop and walk to the weapons table on the right. QuickSave the game and then steal the Old Earth Hunting Rifle (34 damage) does not matter about being caught. QuickReload the game and immediately sneak and whilst hidden steal again and it it an advanced weapon with 96 damage. Balistics make this 106dmg. 9x39 available all the time from the residential district. Level 2/3. Can do the same with other open weapons in shops. Must start with Sneak skill or level it before flying to Jemisson.

[@Warmaker01]

Stealth Sniper is also super efficient and good for your money making because you maximize your damage with every shot. 1-shotting enemies often is a godsend because the NPCs start becoming bigger HP sponges as they get levels. If you're playing loud & proud, it's going to cost a lot of ammo. More ammo = More credits spent in replenishing your stocks. You don't get the damage bonus from attacking from concealment because the NPCs are on to you. Ammunition is expensive. Ballistic weapon skill is also fantastic to supplement Rifle skill because all the best sniper type weapons are physical damage. The peak sniper rifles are physical and my personal favorite, Hard Target, is of this type. Initially I put points into Laser because I envisioned a later game where I was using some fancy energy based sniper rifles. The simple fact is that Ballistic weapons dominate the type, so my points into Lasers was wasted. Ballistic weapons + Rifle skill are the way to go with your stealth. Also remember some weapons that can be modded with firing modes like semi-automatic or full auto, the damage increases on semi. I also have only 1 power, some gravity based thing of no use to Stealth Sniper. So your tip for Sense Star Stuff looks real useful to supplement the playstyle.

[@prodbyjohno]

Make a bounty hunter build!! Sniper/ pistol + jetpack combo

[@docgurney266]

That subtle stealth archer equipment list.

[@Gamerwithtaste]

I thoroughly enjoy anything that can breeze through difficult content, but my favorite type of build, when it's powerful enough to be fun, is a melee build 👀 My first character will probably be a melee character, but I'm afraid melee in Starfield just won't be all that great.

[@AnglerKev]

That was my build. And honestly dont do it. Its very lack luster and you only swing back and forth. No cool animations or anything just swinging

[@theengine]

​@@AnglerKevYou get the tanto or katana?

[@slavabtomat]

@@AnglerKevMy first build was stealth melee, but so many enemies use ranged weapons that I found myself constantly taking a lot of damage before I got in range to land my first hit. Melee in Starfield (currently) should be looked at as a secondary elemental play style but not primary.

[@Rachniax]

Great build thanks! I've followed a few of your guides for a handful of other games.

[@willia451]

I take Andreja with me even when I do stealth ops. She has level 4 stealth herself. So as long as you don't get too close it's fine. If you get too close though get ready to hear "Ahhhhhh, I cannot wait to kill you." as she sprints forward gun blazing. Then the jig is up.

[@tjbarke6086]

Long range stealth, works the best, because it is the best.

[@mattjohnston9131]

Skyfield is amazing!

[@NeonXXP]

Exactly my intention, Skyrim sneak archery translated to Starfield! Thanks.

[@jamesbowden8917]

Shotgun Maniac Build for sure

[@jalarcon13ja]

there's a mission in akila city where you fight some aliens, and at the end you get a lego sniper..

[@qthequick]

Close quarters stealth build w/o range weapons would be interesting and provide more of a challenge

[@raymondrowbottom413]

Would love to see some coverage of Hammerwatch 2

[@harryyeung4014]

It would be nice if we have a stealth mission in space. It would be fun to jump on a big ship or space station with jump packs. kill the mark then escape without anyone knowing.

[@kbhalacy]

I miss the overseer's guardian from fo4 A good stealth rifle can be bought in the new atlantis residential area arsenal store. Buy it ASAP

[@GenericName007]

I still haven’t found what I would consider to be a sniper rifle in this game. I’ve been using that blue AA-99 sold on New Atlantis to snipe. While it does it decently it’s not really a sniper. I got excited when I came across the lawgiver as that looked like a sniper rifle but nope, actually a terrible gun in general.

[@kentcori7620]

I'm using the AA-99 too at Level 10. My Mantis suit components rolled with Chameleon. I'm trying to develop both rifles and pistols with my stealth skills. For me, Weightlifting is a QOL skill and can take a back seat to the other required skills. This will allow me to ramp up the pistol as well as the rifle.

[@slaterbater1988]

Yeah I'm still running that rifle as well. The big ol battery l Barrett looking gun (don't remember the name) doesn't drop till 30+ apparently. I just broke 30. Wish I could find one specced out the way I want... But I don't think I will. So I'll probably end up dumping points into researching my own attachments🙄

[@Kaynos]

I grew tired of watching streamers still using their mining lasers at level 15 playing this game. This build looks fun.

[@kaparkin]

One of the first bounty contracts on mars gave me a modded Beowulf rifle with scope and high damage. I’ve been using it the whole game

[@Cyriacus58]

Which?

[@mrthaimaster]

Yepp beowulf and grendel rifles are god tier with semi and armor rounds

[@XxxTheCoolKidxxX]

My go-to Bethesda build 😅. Planetary combat is easy on very hard in this game, but dogfighting is a challenge for me right now. I'm currently using the mantis, and I am having a hard time with ship combat quests.

[@adrid.senpai7587]

Awesome build. I'll save this for maybe a NG+.

[@dylanbertsch66]

Definitely curious how a melee build plays in this game!

[@beezusHrist]

Like ass because stealth doesn't work,

[@lorddagoth1691]

Same

[@BLeePrit]

I feel like melee might be a step down from Fallout 4. The variety of weapons is pretty small with pretty much all of them being one handed blade weapons. Also no takedown animations

[@Jas0n2571]

I wanna combine a melee weapon with this build. Just a sniper might get a bit too monotonous for my liking

[@MrHadane]

It's trash. Your movement speed in stealth is too slow and enemy detection rate is way too high. Combine these two and you can't even approach enemies for stealth melee.

[@jw5280]

Keep up the build videos

[@jasonaustermann2990]

We need a space commander build. Star Trek style focused on exploration, large crews, space battle and such.

[@SoulHorizon1313]

Laser guns for sure fellow Treky :)

[@EmptyBrewsky]

Wouldn't be a Bethesda game if stealth archer/sniper wasn't incredibly overpowered lol.

[@Rathammergames]

Yeah!!🎉 we also need this build for Baldur’s Gate 😅

[@Fishster]

So when does stealth get viable? Only got a couple of points in (with camo) and the whole base sees/hears me after a couple of steps.

[@Wavy_Gravy]

From MGS to Starfield: a stealth range story.

[@crash5904]

Hey Fextralife, I was wondering if you would be interested in making an Engineer Build?

[@PatrickWDunne]

So it really is Skyrim in space when stealth archers are the most OP class

[@zebfischer6088]

Wow, who could have seen this coming? Shocking.

[@chaleowin7732]

I most always play the stealth sniper, this time I went shotguns. They hit stupid hard once you get some skill into it and have a 300 damage shotgun.

[@Emanemoston]

It works.

[@buttkissery2k]

I got an old earth sniper rifle (with silencer) at the nasa tower on earth during the main quest, my level was 30, or around 30. Sooooo OP ❤

[@buttkissery2k]

I just looted the entire tower, climbed it and found another old earth weapon, the shotgun

[@Ace-5866]

Hey I have been asking this question to almost every I meet and the question is what you said at 3:40. How can I level up the base power level of a weapon?

[@electrospud9230]

THIS build is awesome! but I have 2 current equipment and I'm still early game, found a legendary sniper with suppressor and then a relatively low epic space trucker suit that had the chameleon trait, I kill everything with one shot multiple levels higher than me, I so effin love this game! 😋

[@danparsons1423]

YES

[@Striderspawn]

You missed stealth composites on suit gear. which helps signicantly with stealth in motion. Requires Special Projects.

[@Striderspawn]

Additionally, Special Projects unlocks some nice weapon ammo options, I believe.

[@orbitaldropshocktroopers8174]

This game is magnificent.. The flaws ? Yes, all games have flaws.. After 30 hours I love it, wonderful quests.. Absurd soundtrack... Huge potential, can't wait for the dlc !!!

[@boyblunder8889]

The last Breath is the best long range sniper weapon , it’s got the longest range

[@Party_Doll]

Since I always play at max difficulty I dont feel bad being able to deliver instakills since theres only one of me against 50 of them...( also since this is how I have done it in every Beth game since Morrowind " it just works " )

[@Khaosownz-u3d]

Could add max rank Isolation for 80% damge buff when you don't have a companion/crew

[@exiaxzero]

Admit it, you want to start a new game to try other builds, only to always go back to the stealth archer. 😂

[@DamonTorro]

I wish there are other builds other than machine gun, shotgun, and stealth sniper... I was thinking drones (minion/summon) build but there isn't one sadly.

[@jamesgotts8479]

is there a way to upgrade a weapon in the game to the next tier up? For example, Calibrated to Refined, Refined to Advanced, Advanced to Superior?

[@darkmxhishot7475]

Are you aware of a way to re-spec skill points?

[@spyderlc]

start a new character. otherwise, there isn't any way to respec

[@nenasiek]

Think thats ng+ only

[@ItsMikeRothe]

Not sure if it is just a typo on the written guide for this, but for Cyber Runner background you have starting skills of Persuasion, Research Methods and Security. However it looks like you get Theft instead of Research Methods. Love the build/guide though. Appreciate all that you do. 💜

[@rycarr]

I've been looking for an "early" sniper rifle. I believe the Beowulf is level gated. Old Earth Hunting Rifle in Akila City has a suppressor and as far as I can tell can be picked up right away. But it uses rare 9x39mm ammo.

[@rycarr]

After further testing the Beowulf didn’t start dropping until around level 15 or 16. And that’s base model without mods.

[@priestx2737]

Thanks ! but i don't understand how to have all these perks in the sniper rifle ?

[@kraftysandwich]

Thanks for this awesome build. I'm not far into the game and have been wanting to start over with a planned build. Got a new sub from me!

[@LaffyWaffy89]

Any chance for most op bounty hunter build and a stealth melee ronin build?

[@Dillan552]

Do a video on the magsniper

[@Dillan552]

Mines 541 damage

[@FreakazoidRobots]

I want the best build to be a space pirate, since that's my main interest in the game.

[@Jeremy-v9n]

Gonna need a space cowboy/ big iron build

[@TheShooteR28]

Is this style only good for snipers? What about a med range gun or pistol?

[@Bosskee01]

Sense Star Stuff power, did you remember what location you found Temple of Chi. I know is randomized but I have found a lot of the temples in locations I seen on KZbin videos.

[@Fextralife]

I found it on Piazzi C or something like that

[@jacobnovik7861]

A boba fett build would be pretty cool

[@ApolloVR6]

Im on my second playthrough and have never come across a hard target. Maybe because i havent leveled up high enough?

[@davidstewart4418]

Could you do a Bounty Hunter Build?