Starfield: how to identify Planet Traits

How to scan and identify Starfield Planet Traits for easy XP

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

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.

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.

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.

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.