Exploring the cosmos in Starfield offers not just a vast galactic journey but also the chance to dive into numerous side quests, each with its unique story and rewards. Here are ten side quests that are absolutely worth your time due to their exceptional payouts.

1. The Forgotten Ruins 

   Reward: Ancient Astral Armor Set 

Delve deep into the ruins on Moridia IV, deciphering clues from an old alien civilization. The quest is a challenging puzzle that ends with you obtaining a full set of high-tech Ancient Astral Armor, providing superior protection against energy-based attacks.

2. Smuggler’s Fortune 

   Reward: The Blackstar Ship 

Work with a notorious smuggler to intercept a valuable shipment. Successful completion not only pardons your criminal activities but also gifts you The Blackstar, an exclusive ship with advanced stealth capabilities that’s perfect for clandestine missions.

3. Harvest of Knowledge 

   Reward: XP Booster Implant 

Assist a group of scientists in gathering rare flora and fauna samples from uncharted planets. For your efforts, you receive an experiential enhancement implant that significantly increases your XP gain for a limited period.

4. Lost Symphony 

   Reward: Siren Song Sonic Rifle 

A quest to recover ancient musical manuscripts turns into a fight against pirates. Upon winning, you obtain the Siren Song Sonic Rifle, a unique weapon that uses sound waves to incapacitate enemies non-lethally.

5. Heist of the Millennia 

   Reward: Nova-class Personal Armor 

Infiltrate the most secure vault in the Colonies and emerge with Nova-class Personal Armor, offering exceptionally balanced defense and agility boosters that aid in quick escapes.

6. Ghosts of the Precursors 

   Reward: Precursor’s Relic (Enhancement Artifact) 

Investigate sightings of spectral entities on an abandoned research station. Uncover the truth and procure a Precursor’s Relic—an artifact that enhances specific aspects of your ship’s systems.

7. Echoes of Stars 

   Reward: Celestial Cartography Mapper 

Record ancient star patterns and constellations for an obsessed astronomer. Completion rewards you with an advanced Celestial Cartography Mapper which allows for faster navigation and pinpointing resource-rich systems.

8. Rogue A.I. 

   Reward: AI Co-pilot “Atlas” 

Shut down a rampant AI terrorizing space lanes and, as gratitude from impacted merchants, you’re given “Atlas,” an AI co-pilot that improves reaction times and provides strategic combat advice during dogfights.

9. Gauntlet of Fire 

   Reward: Flame-Walker Exosuit 

Test your survival skills through intense environments dominated by fire and lava on planet Infernus Prime to earn an exosuit resistant to extreme temperatures and designed for volcanic exploration.

10. The Great Galactic Hunt 

    Reward: Multi-planetary Hunting License & Trophy Room 

This elaborate hunting expedition tasks you with tracking down rare creatures across multiple star systems. Besides bragging rights, successful hunters receive a multi-planetary hunting license granting access to restricted worlds and a personal trophy room aboard their ship to display their conquests.

Each side quest in Starfield not only enriches your experience but also rewards players handsomely, making the detours from the main storyline as rewarding as they are thrilling!