Best Long Hauler Build in Starfield

One of Starfield's top choices for the space world is the long hauler.  With exemplary piloting skills, the character explores the vast ends of space, learning new worlds, making new bonds, and fighting enemies all over. The Long Hauler is best known for their prowess in packing and transporting cargo throughout the game as a means to get paid.

However, like other backgrounds in Starfield, creating the ideal Long Hauler build requires selecting the best build traits, skills, weapons, and armor. Here’s a laydown of what it takes to develop the perfect long hauler in Starfield.

Best Skills Build for Long Hauler

The Long Hauler’s transporter role gives the character a unique ship-related experience with the technical skills necessary. Piloting tops this skill list, allowing your Long Hauler to pack cargo and fly the different in-game spacecraft.

Alongside piloting, Starship Design and Starship Engineering are another pair of tech skills that come in handy. The Starship Design allows the Long Hauler to install advanced ship modules, while the Engineering skill gets you faster repair for the ship systems.

Since the ship is practically your home, you would want to build your skills in Ballistic Weapons and Targeting Control System. Both skills are ideal for defending your ship against enemies through tracking, targeting, and attacking during combat.

Additionally, you can avoid unnecessary combat by using deception skills. The skill helps cloak your ship or the cargo, ensuring enemies can't scan your contraband and attack. It is also best to consider adding the Engine and Shield systems that add an extra layer of speed and protection while transporting.

Other skills that you should consider for your character include Boost Pack Training and Weight Lifting skills. These skills will improve your character’s mobility and increase the amount of cargo you can carry.

Lastly, note that the Long Haulers' ventures also involve trading off the cargo aside from transporting. With that in mind, Commerce Skill is a must-have early skill since you get more profit for whatever cargo you are selling. More profit is also possible with the Payloads skill, which builds more space for extra cargo, meaning more sales and more profits.

Best Traits Build for Long Hauler

Traits, just like every other Starfield build, mainly depend on each player's choices. However, for this character, you should consider traits that best suit the space pilot's play style. Some of the traits that are a good option include the Spaced trait build. This trait benefits Long Haulers by making their bodies accustomed to space travel. Spaced increases health and oxygen in space, allowing normal body function. However, its downfall is that your health and endurance decrease while on the ground.

Another trait, the Serpent’s Embrace, boosts health and oxygen levels by having you go through grave jumping. The health and oxygen boost are temporary, meaning the jumping has to be regular.

Closing the list is the Freestar Collective Settler trait, which offers special access to the Collective's dialogue options. This trait unveils new game quests and missions with better rewards the faction gives. However, you would have to watch out for the crime bounty towards other factions, which increases with each mission against the foes.

Best Weapons Build for Long Hauler

The Long Hauler is a character built for spaceship exploration with less ground combat exposure. However, the Long Hauler is still a candidate for combat since their weapon builds ensure resistance and unleash damage on foes.

One of these weapons to have in your arsenal is the Magshear rifle, a long-range rifle available as loot from different enemies such as the Spacer Scum, the Ecliptic Specialist, and the Ecliptic Commandant.

Another option for getting the Magshear rifle is to purchase it from the in-game shops, including the Neon Tactical, the Centaurion Arsenal, or the Best Defense shop.

For stealth and short-range combat, Long Hauler can opt for the Prime, an efficient pistol available through purchase from the Laredo Firearms shop in Akila City within Starfield.

Best Armor Build for Long Hauler

Similar to its weapons, not much goes into building the best armor for Long Hauler. However, Long Haulers still need efficient armor against all damages, considering they tour all over the Starfield galaxy.

Among the best armor sets you can pick for your Long Hauler is the Mark I spacuite set. The early game suit option offers a high defensive rate and is obtained by lockpicking a basement door within The Lodge in New Atlantis.

Fast forward, and you can opt for the Constellation Spacesuit set, the first full set of armor offering decent damage protection from environmental resistance. It is also a great option since it's the first upgrade from the armor pieces available at the start of the game.

At the peak of the game, your Long Hauler’s best bet in defensive armor would be the Starborn Spacesuits. These spacesuits are at the top of the Starfield armor list, with the best defensive stats available to make a Long Hauler practically undefeatable. Luckily, there are ten Starborn Spacesuits, leaving you spoilt for choice when upgrading.

The Starborn Spacesuit Astra is the first available armor in your first trial after finishing the game. Upgrades grow continuously, with each stage offering a new armor suit until the 10th and final armor, the Spacesuit Venator, is achieved.

Best NPC Build For Long Hauler

Sam Coe is your best NPC pick to hire for your Long Hauler in Starfield. As a part of the Constellation and Freestar Rangers, Sam Coe offers his experience as a certified space ranger with skills in Piloting, Rifle Certification, Payloads, and Geology.

Recruiting him will have you start at the Lodge, where you will complete the “Old Neighborhood” quest. Once done, Sam Coe becomes available for recruiting after you complete the Empty Nest quest alongside him. One thing to keep in mind is that Sam Coe does not engage in unlawful activities since he dislikes extortion, criminality, and deception.

So, there you have it. Do you think these builds have what it takes to create the ultimate Long Hauler character? Let us know on our socials here.