Discover the best Demolition Expert Build in Starfield and how to create a powerful character with recommended skills, background, traits, weapons, and armor.
This build was updated for game version Starfield Update 1.11.33 – May 2024.
Demolition Expert Build Introduction in Starfield
The demolition expert build is powerful and versatile, using explosives to destroy enemies and obstacles. This build is perfect for players who want to blow things up and cause maximum damage. With this build, you will be using heavy weapons, explosives, and throwables like grenades for huge area damage. The build skill setup is simple and focuses on the Combat and Science skill trees. This will allow you to split into two trees and unlock powerful crafting later in Starfield.
| Demolition Expert Build Pros | Demolition Expert Build Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple Skill Setup | Weapon Dependent |
| Massive Area Damage | Skill Point Heavy |
| Great Survivability | Combat Focused |
Features and Mechanics for Best Demolition Expert Build in Starfield
The following list presents all the essential Demolition Expert Build Mechanics and Features in Starfield:
- Damage: Explosive
- Range: 20 meters
- Weapon: Heavy
- Best Skills: Demolitions, Heavy Weapon Certification, Weapon Engineering
- Starborn Power: Parallel Self
- Background: Solider
- Traits: Wanted
- Companion: Vasco
Related:
Background
The best background for a Demolish Expert in Starfield is Solider because you get three critical skills relevant for combat-related build: Fitness, Ballistics, and Boost Pack Training. Here are the three skills the Soldier Background unlocks in Starfield:
- Ballistics: Ballistic weapons do 10% more damage.
- Boost Pack Training: You can now utilize boost packs.
- Fitness: You have 10% more oxygen available.
These skills are given to you at level 1, and you progress using the skill or some other function. Fitness levels up by using up all of your Oxygen 20 times. Ballistics levels by killing enemies with Ballistic Weapons. Boost Pack levels by using the boost pack in combat.
Traits
The best trait for a Demolition Expert build in Starfield is Wanted. When your health is low, this trait gives you a damage buff, but mercenaries will randomly show up and try to kill you. This trait has big pros and cons. You may get a random group of mercenaries when you least want it, but it will also give you a massive damage buff when needed. There’s a risk-reward; you can easily not take a trait if you don’t want the hassle. Terra Firma and Taskmaster are also good for this build.
Traits are optional customization options in Character Creation. Players can select up to three attributes from a comprehensive list of traits to further shape their protagonists. The May 2024 update allows players to change their traits on a New Game + (Unity). Thus, you can change them both in the game and in a new game, which keeps your progress but starts the universe over.
Skills
Demolitions, Heavy Weapon Certification, and Weapon Engineering are the best skills for a Demolition Expert in Starfield. Demolition increases the damage from explosives, including grenades and weapons. Heavy Weapon certification increases damage from heavy weapons, which include explosive types like the Negotiator, thus getting two bonuses. Lastly, Weapon Engineering is critical for optimizing your guns and weapons.
You should try to rank up skills by completing their requirements. For example, Boost Pack Training hits Boost Pack constantly in combat to level it up very quickly. Leave one enemy alive, continually boost the pack as you have fuel, and you can complete the progression in one encounter.
Level Progression
At level one, you receive three free skills from your background selection. For this build, we recommend Soldier, which unlocks Boost Pack Training, Fitness, and Ballistic Weapons. Use the character creator and select any optional traits. Remember that this is a template; depending on your playstyle, you may not unlock additional ranks at the same level.
Starfield leveling progression system gives you three skills at level one via your background, then one skill per level without a level cap. You will need several skill points in each tree to move to the next level and pick higher-tier skills. Unlike other Bethesda games, Starfield requires you to use or complete specific objectives with your skills to take a higher rank. For instance, in Boost Pack Training, hit Boost Pack constantly in combat to level it up very quickly. Leave one enemy alive, continually boost the pack as you have fuel, and you can complete the progression in one encounter. This is why we jump from tree to tree, giving you time to level up your skill ranks. Come back or take another skill in the progression if you haven’t reached the level.
Levels 1 – 10
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 1 – 10 with the Demolition Expert Build Guide in Starfield:
- Level 1: Ballistics, Boost Pack Training, and Fitness
- Level 2: Shotgun Certification
- Level 3: Medicine
- Level 4: Persuasion
- Level 5: Astrodynamics
- Level 6: Security
- Level 7: Ballistics Rank 2
- Level 8: Shotgun Certification Rank 2
- Level 9: Demolitions
- Level 10: Heavy Weapon Certification
Levels 11 – 20
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 11 – 20 with the Demolition Expert Build Guide in Starfield:
- Level 11: Medicine Rank 2
- Level 12: Astrodynamics Rank 2
- Level 13: Weapon Engineering
- Level 14: Spacesuit Design
- Level 15: Demolitions Rank 2
- Level 16: Heavy Weapon Certification Rank 2
- Level 17: Marksmanship
- Level 18: Shotgun Certification Rank 3
- Level 19: Armor Penetration
- Level 20: Weapon Engineering Rank 2
Levels 21 – 30
Here’s a list of the best skills to select from levels 21 – 30 with the Demolition Expert Build Guide in Starfield:
- Level 21: Spacesuit Design Rank 2
- Level 22: Demolitions Rank 3
- Level 23: Heavy Weapon Certification Rank 3
- Level 24: Boost Pack Training Rank 2
- Level 25: Weapon Engineering Rank 3
- Level 26: Spacesuit Design Rank 3
- Level 27: Boost Pack Training Rank 3
- Level 28: Shield Systems
- Level 29: Demolitions Rank 4
- Level 30: Heavy Weapon Certification Rank 4
Weapons
The best weapon for Demolition Expert Build is a Negotiator Heavy weapon with 40mm grenades that combines the best explosive damage and skill-based perks to boost demolition damage. This weapon’s strength is it does both great single-target and area damage, has decent range, and is extremely fun to use. Expect this weapon to come later in the game with an earlier option, Bridger, which also has 40mm grenade ammunition.
The secondary weapon option is the AA-99 Rifle because you can change the magazine and battery to explosive rounds. This weapon can be used at range and modified for easier-to-obtain animation and it’s easier to obtain this weapon earlier in the game. Your priority is to find or modify the weapon magazine and battery to Hornet Nest or Explosive Round ammunition. This will give you a massive damage boost with huge explosions.
Weapons can have up to 8 modifications depending on the type. Each mod requires materials or resources and the Weapon Engineering skill from the Science skill tree. You will also have to research mod upgrades via a research station, and it can take some time to unlock the full potential of the gun and weapons. Weapons have four qualities: white, blue, purple, and legendary yellow. If a weapon is blue or greater in rarity, it comes with a perk or a trait. These add additional effects in addition to modifications.
Armor
The best armor for Demolition Expert Build is the Shocktroop spacesuit, power pack, and helmet. The Shocktroop offers the best all-around stat distribution, making it great for combat and exploration against various damage types and environments. It also has a high energy resistance, essential for protecting yourself from energy weapons.
The best armor for Demolition Expert Build is the Shocktroop spacesuit, power pack, and helmet. The Shocktroop offers the best all-around stat distribution, making it great for combat and exploration against various damage types and environments. It also has a high energy resistance, which is vital for protecting yourself from energy weapons. Here are the recommended armor perks and treats for a Demolition Expert build in Starfield:
- Bolstering: Grants up to +100 Energy resistance and Physical resistance, the lower your health.
- Combat Veteran: -15% damage from Human enemies
- Liquid Cooled: +25 Thermal Resistance
Armors are available in four distinct qualities: white, blue, purple, and the legendary yellow. If an armor piece holds the rarity of blue or higher, it boasts an accompanying perk or trait. These augmentations introduce supplementary effects alongside any modifications. For instance, the “Beast Hunter” perk reduces damage from Alien enemies by 15%. Inspect each blue or greater armor mod and see if the trait and perk align with your build.
Starborn Power
The best Starborn power for Demolition Expert Build is Parallel Self because it creates an identical copy of you, including all of your weapons, firepower, and throwable grenades. You can expect insane damage and a decoy or distraction with another you are running around firing off a grenade launcher. The Reactive Shield and Anti-Gravity Starborn powers are also great selections.
Starborn Powers are earned through the main story campaign. You will encounter artifacts early on and acquire more of them as you progress. Using Vlad, located in the eye, and the Constellation group, located at the Lodge, to find more. Spend time discovering and exploring Temples to progress this power.
Companions
The best companion for the Demolition Expert Build is Vasco because the robot can access three high-powered Starship skills that the Soldier background lacks. Here’s a list of Vasco skills:
- EM Weapon Systems: EM ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 15% less to use in Targeting Mode.
- Shield Systems: Your ship has 40% increased shield capacity.
- Aneutronic Fusion: Ship reactors produce 1 extra unit of power.
You can also play solo, but it requires a heavy investment in your social skill tree. In the second skill level, you find isolation, which increases your damage and reduces damage when playing solo. This would be the ultimate goal later in the game, post-level 50, with abundant skill points.
Build Summary – Demolition Expert Best Build for Starfield
Background – Soldier
Traits – Wanted
Primary Weapon – Negotiator
Secondary Weapon – AA-99
Armor – Shocktroop
Companion – Vasco
- Demolitions
- Heavy Weapon Certification
- Spacesuit Design
- Weapon Engineering
- Shotgun Certification
- Medicine
- Astrodynamics
- Persuasion
- Shield Systems
- Boost Pack Training
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