Starfield How to Scan Flora and Fauna: A Complete Guide

Learn how to scan flora and fauna effectively in Starfield for planet surveys and exploration. Master the art of documenting native species in this space exploration game.  

by Naveenkumar | Updated Sep 01, 2023

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Starfield How to Scan Flora and Fauna?

In Starfield, exploring planets and documenting native species is a vital aspect of gameplay. To effectively complete planet surveys and earn survey slates, you must learn how to scan the diverse range of plants and animals you encounter. Although it may seem straightforward, the process is more intricate than it appears.

How to Scan Flora and Fauna in Starfield

Unlike some other space exploration games like No Man’s Sky, Starfield requires multiple scans of a single plant or animal before it can be officially recognized as discovered. Here's how you do it:

  • Activate Your Scanner: To initiate the scanning process, bring up your scanner by pressing LB on a controller or “F” on a keyboard.
  • Select the Target: Highlight the specific flora or fauna you want to collect by moving your cursor over it.
  • Initiate Scan: Press “A” on a controller or “E” on a keyboard to commence the scan.

Obtaining the Surveying Skill

Initially, your scanning distance is limited to 10 meters. However, as you level up and gain skill points, you can unlock the Surveying skill. This skill allows you to:

  • Increase Scanning Distance: With higher skill levels, you can scan samples from greater distances.
  • Gather More Information: Higher skill levels provide more comprehensive data per scan, reducing the number of plants and animals you need to scan for complete discovery.

Finding Flora and Fauna to Scan

When using the scanner, keep an eye out for flora and fauna that are highlighted in blue. This blue indication signifies that the target has not been registered yet. As you hover over a plant or animal, the scanner will display how much of its data has already been obtained. This includes information about available resources, suitability for outpost cultivation, habitat biomes, and more.

Scanning creatures, especially hostile ones, can be a bit challenging due to their aggressive nature. Hostile creatures are denoted by a red symbol next to their species name, while more docile ones are marked in green. However, if you find yourself under attack and need to defend yourself, you can scan dead creatures, and they will register just as effectively. Additionally, you can harvest items from deceased creatures.

Tallying and Adding Flora and Fauna to a Planet Survey

Once you've successfully scanned a target to 100%, all members of that species will appear green when viewed in the scanner. The tracker on the left side of the scanner will also increase by one, indicating that you've successfully registered that flora or fauna species for the planet survey. Data related to the species will be displayed with a green banner.

If you've discovered all the flora and fauna within a specific biome, a green notification will appear, stating "Biome Complete." This signifies that you need to return to space and explore a different area to discover new biomes. You can check your current biome by examining your selected landing zone information on the right side of the screen. By clicking on different areas of the planet, you can identify new biomes and track your progress. Completing a planet survey rewards you with a survey slate that can be sold for various purposes.

That's the process for scanning flora and fauna in Starfield. For additional guidance on completing planetary surveys, acquiring different skills, or fulfilling quests, be sure to explore our Starfield guides archives.

Starfield

Anticipation is mounting for "Starfield," an exciting action role-playing game crafted by Bethesda Game Studios and brought to life through the publishing efforts of Bethesda Softworks. The world caught its first glimpse of this remarkable title back in 2018 when it was unveiled during Bethesda's E3 presentation. A unique feature of this game lies in its space-themed environment, offering players an unparalleled galactic experience. Notably, "Starfield" marks a groundbreaking moment as Bethesda's first entirely new intellectual property in nearly three decades, showcasing the studio's commitment to innovation and evolution within the gaming landscape.

The release of "Starfield" is poised to make waves, with the launch date set for September 6, 2023, eagerly awaited by fans and gaming enthusiasts alike. This intriguing title will make its debut on Windows and the Xbox Series X/S platform, promising an immersive journey into uncharted territory. The early access release of the game has already garnered significant acclaim from critics, underscoring the anticipation and excitement surrounding this upcoming release. As the countdown to exploration draws near, the gaming community is poised for a celestial adventure like no other.

Starfield Gameplay

"Starfield" offers an immersive action role-playing experience with the unique ability for players to seamlessly switch between first-person and third-person perspectives throughout their journey. Within the vast expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, an open-world environment awaits exploration, featuring a diverse range of fictional and non-fictional planetary systems. This cosmos hosts over 1,000 planets, as well as numerous moons and space stations that players can land on and explore. The game's landscapes are a combination of procedurally generated elements and carefully handcrafted content, resulting in captivating environments.

The game's realism shines as it generates terrain, alien flora, and fauna according to a planet's star, atmosphere, and proximity to points of interest. Among the many locations, the awe-inspiring New Atlantis stands as the largest fictional city ever created by Bethesda. As players venture forth, they'll encounter various non-playable characters (NPCs), some of whom may join their crew. These companions contribute unique skills, aid in combat, carry items, and even engage in conversations with other NPCs, reflecting the choices players make.

At the outset, players personalize their silent protagonist, shaping aspects like appearance, background, and traits. Traits play a pivotal role, affecting endurance and interactions, while an array of skills awaits advancement in categories like Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Combat comes alive with customizable weapons, including firearms, explosives, and melee options, while jetpacks enhance both combat and traversal. Crafting and outpost building introduce resource management and base customization, fostering a sense of ownership and progression.

Ships take center stage, with a modular customization system allowing players to modify components, facilities, paint colors, decorations, and weapons. Spaceports offer trading and repair options, while ship combat demands strategic power allocation. Boarding and interacting with NPC-piloted spaceships present various choices, from plundering to diplomacy. "Starfield" invites players to embark on an enthralling journey through the stars, where exploration, customization, and captivating gameplay await.

Starfield Overview

Game

Starfield

Developer(s)

Bethesda Game Studios, id Software

Publisher(s)

Bethesda Softworks

Director(s)

Todd Howard

Designer(s)

Emil Pagliarulo

Artist(s)

Istvan Pely, Matt Carofano

Composer(s)

Inon Zur

Engine

Creation Engine 2

Platform(s)

Windows, Xbox Series X/S

Release

September 6, 2023

Genre(s)

Action role-playing

Mode(s)

Single-player

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Starfield How to Scan Flora and Fauna-FAQs

1. Why is scanning flora and fauna important in Starfield?  

Scanning native species is crucial for completing planet surveys, which, in turn, helps you earn survey slates, gather resources, and learn about the planetary ecosystem.

2. How do I initiate the scanning process in Starfield?  

To start scanning, press "LB" on your controller or "F" on your keyboard to bring up your scanner. Highlight the plant or animal you want to scan and press "A" on your controller or "E" on your keyboard.

3. What's the significance of the Surveying skill in scanning?  

The Surveying skill is vital as it increases your scanning distance and the amount of information you gather per scan. This skill allows you to discover species more efficiently as you level it up.

4. How can I identify which flora and fauna to scan in Starfield?  

Look for plants and animals highlighted in blue when using the scanner; blue indicates that the species hasn't been registered yet. Hover over them to see how much data you've collected and learn valuable information.

5. What happens when I've scanned all the flora and fauna in a biome?  

If you've scanned all species in a biome, you'll receive a notification stating "Biome Complete." To continue your survey, move to a different area on the planet to explore new biomes and potentially discover more species.