There are various games that have implemented the bounty mechanic, and it definitely adds realism; it makes it clear that all actions have consequences, and inStarfield, it’s no different. Players that are caught doing bad deeds inStarfieldwill have to deal with having a bounty on their heads.
RELATED:Starfield: How to Increase Carrying Capacity
This guide will tell players everything they need to know about bounties. It’ll show gamers which crimes they will be punished for and how they can safely clear theirStarfieldbounty without running into too much trouble.
Update on June 03, 2025, by Ashely Claudino:In Starfield, players can choose whichever route they would like for their characters. However, even if the player hasn’t decided to be a criminal mastermind, they might end up with a bounty on their heads from time to time. This can be quite bothersome, as they will always have to keep an eye open near faction security since they might hunt them down at any minute after realizing they’re a wanted criminal. This guide contains useful information on how to get rid of a bounty in Starfield and it’ll help players navigate through each faction’s designated airspace.
How to Check Bounty
There are various crimes in the Settled Systems that will result in the player’s character being wanted by security if they’re caught. These are the main crimes that can land players in jail or increase the bounty on their heads:
For example, if any of these crimes were committed while in United Colonies territory, the faction will put a bounty on the player, and UC Security will hunt them down and bring them to justice.
Gamers can check the bounty a faction has on them by opening their Starmap and selecting a certain Solar System. In the top right corner of the screen, they will be able to see the main faction in the System and thenumber of credits on their bounty right below. If there is nothing there, then the player is not wanted by the authorities. Alternatively, they can also access a Self-Service Bounty Clearance Kiosk to check their bounty.
How to Clear Bounty
There are three ways to clear a bounty inStarfield. Gamers should learn how they work, as all of these methods might come in handy during their playthrough.
Faction Security
If the player is caught doing a crime or if a faction already has a bounty on them, security will be hostile and approach them as soon as they realize who they are. The player has three options here: pay up, go to jail, or attack.
Gamers can pay their bounty directly to a security personand continue on with their day. However, if they choose this option, any stolen goods on them will have to be handed over along with the credits.
In space, players can hail faction security while on their ship to directly pay their bounty as well. However, if they change their mind, they aren’t forced to go to jail and can simply approach them later on.
Jail
Players who don’t want to pay can go to jail for a few days.This will clear their bounty, but they will lose aconsiderable amount of XP, and their stolen goods will be confiscated.
Gamers can take back the stolen property by accessing the storage box in jail. However, it is an expert lock, so it can be quite difficult to break into in the early game.
Allowing themselves to go to jail can be the best bounty clearance option for players who have a bounty worth thousands of credits.
Self-Service Bounty Clearance Kiosk
If players manage to get access to a Self-Service Bounty Clearance Kiosk, they will be able to pay their bounty without having to face any serious consequences.Although they will lose credits, they will be able to keep any stolen items on them and won’t lose any XP.
The only downside of using the Self-Service Bounty Clearance Kiosk is the fact that there is asmall usage fee, andgamers can’t use it to pay their bounty if they’re in the same airspace as the faction that’s hunting them down.
Self-Service Bounty Clearance Kiosks can be found around the galaxy. Gamers will most likely come across one of these machines for the first time while visiting New Atlantis.
It might be difficult to approach these boards without being spotted by faction security, but thankfully,players can build a Self-Service Bounty Clearance machine at their own outpostsin order to make their lives easier. Gamers can find the Self-Service Bounty Clearance item in the Miscellaneous tab in Build Mode at their outpost.
Starfieldis now available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
