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The versatility of how you use your class points, weapons, and companions is one of the best parts of The Outer Worlds. Although there are no outright classes, focusing on certain RPG elements will allow you to have an entirely unique playthrough each go around.
Getting started can be intimidating because some choices, information, and context early on can have big effects later. So here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the early experience.
10 Character Creation
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When starting a new game, it’s very important to lean into a play style, class, or focused area of character creation. Your initial points should be spent wisely because they have some big effects on the later stages of the game.
The best way to play The Outer Worlds is to craft your character’s class around your play style. From a silent sniper marksman to a tanky melee machine, you can steer all your Attributes, Skills, and companions toward how you play that individual character.
9 Weapons
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Weapons have the biggest fun factor in The Outer Worlds and is where the game is at its best. The main goal is to get a load-out that matches your general play style and class. Early on, any weapon will do but as the game progresses, you’ll want to hone a specific setup of guns, companions, and weapon effects to complement your class.
Ammo is fairly scarce so having multiple types of weapons is also key. Durability is a thing here too and your weapons will gradually degrade in stats from wear and tear. They won’t break though, you’ll just need to repair them once in a while.
8 Armor
The armor consists of two parts: the head and the body. Be aware though, as armor gives bonuses in return for a reduction in other stats. For example, some armor might have an increased defensive boost but end up reducing your Hacking as a result. The armor that you seek should give a boost to stats that improve your current build.
In that regard, by the late game, you’ll want different sets of armor for different situations. You might end up with a combat set for your class and a lock-picking set. Otherwise, you should scrap all of your looted armor that you don't intend to use.
7 Skills & Attributes
Skills are the points you get each time your character levels up. Attributes is another skill tree where you get a single point every other time you level up. These points should continually be spent in the areas that serve how you play the game. A melee-focused playthrough should be maxing out Strength. A social playthrough should be maxing out Charm.
There is some flexibility, however, as some traits, like Lockpick, should always have some base points in them. This is because you’ll want to be able to pick locks whether you’re a silent assassin or not. Also, if you find yourself playing in a way that doesn’t utilize your Attributes, Skills, and weapons well, you should probably start a new game with a new build that does.
6 Companion Strategy
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Companions can make or break a battle and there will be many times when the right companion choice will be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. They also give the player bonuses to certain abilities and skills. Once you have all 6 companions, you should choose the 2 based on your class and play style.
Also, you’ll want to spend your companions’ Attributes points to round out your own build. For example, a sneakier, sniper class would benefit from Nyoka’s reduction of 20% to the sound of footsteps. Another thing to remember is that your companions have their own weapons. So you can upgrade their damage, weapon effects, and impact on the battlefield along with your own.
5 Steal Everything
Loot everything you see. You'll find some of the best items but also get stuff to sell to vendors. Stealing is no different. The only victim here is you if you don’t steal everything that’s not bolted down. Just don't let an NPC catch you. They will run up and accuse you.
Unless you have high enough Perception or Intimidation, getting caught will have everyone and their friends attack you. You can also lose faction standing. Stealing becomes its own skill in The Outer Worlds and even the most heroic playthrough should get Grinch-like whenever the opportunity.
4 Vending Machines & Workbenches
Vending machines are scattered everywhere in The Outer Worlds. These mobile vendors provide help with resources, ammo, and upgrades. Finding vending machines out in the wild can be a precious thing because sometimes a vending machine will provide just enough healing, ammo, or a key weapon upgrade that will get you through a tough spot.
Found mostly in towns and settlements, workbenches are where you’ll scrap your weapons and armor, mod your favorite weapons, and manage the effects in your load-out. Swap out and try different effects on weapons to get the most efficient load-out for your play style. Overall, you should scrap most of your weapons and armor in order to repair your gear as it loses durability. Mods are plentiful and can be used at your discretion and Tinkering is where weapon effects can be applied.
3 Food & Stuff
Various items, food, and combat boosters can be found in every corner of The Outer Worlds. Overall, these have some of the least impacts of any loot in the game and most of this stuff should be sold for money. Some boost items and food can be used strategically. Most effects are meant to be used for a single fight, though, and only last for a few minutes.
Having a small effect when used doesn't mean you should ignore food and common junk loot either. Stocking up on random stuff and selling it between your adventures is the best way to make money, especially early on.
2 Read Everything
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Don’t worry. You don’t actually have to read everything, but you should click through every terminal you find. There are a lot of missions, easter eggs, and relevant info to be found on the computers scattered throughout The Outer Worlds. Most of the time, if you can’t figure out what to do next in a mission or instance, actually reading the terminal will give you the answer.
If you’re not an in-game reader, that’s ok, skimming will usually do. Just make sure you don’t ignore them. The computer terminals can be used to unlock key doors, affect environments, or subtly take out enemies. Reading the text can be great though, as the entries can be corporately cynical, plainly informative, or satirically hilarious.
1 Get Lost In Space
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The final piece of advice for beginners is to get out there and explore The Outer Worlds. It’s easy enough to focus on every mission and run straight to every objective, but each world has a substantial amount of space, secrets, and surprises tucked away on the edges.
Early in the game, your options for open-world adventure are pretty limited. Yet as the game opens up, the chance to explore and get lost in the beautiful environments of The Outer Worlds becomes harder to ignore. The game does well to reward players who venture off the main path too, as it’s rare not to find some juicy loot, a new pack of enemies, or a new weapon on the journey.