Starbound races mod dramatically expands the playable species in Starbound, giving players access to new body types, cultures, and gameplay traits. This community driven overhaul keeps the exploration focus of the base game while adding fresh identity and roleplay depth.
By reshaping character creation and world interaction, the mod appeals to veterans and newcomers who want more variety in appearance, dialogue, and progression. The following sections organize key details so you can quickly grasp how the mod works and how to use it effectively.
| Race | Base Physiology | Core Traits | Preferred Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glitch | Mechanical chassis with modular limbs | High tech resistance, built in tools, hacking bonuses | Engineer focused, gear oriented progression |
| Avian | Feathered biped with wing folds | Flight glide, sky themed skills, light armor preference | Ranged and mobility focused builds |
| Hylotl | Amphibious swimmer with fin and tail | Water breathing, herbalism boost, strong survival in biomes | Support and exploration oriented gameplay |
| Feran | Reptilian quadruped with varied plating | Armor scaling, heat tolerance, pack tactics bonus | Tank and frontline oriented progression |
| Human | Classic bipedal baseline | Universal skill balance, easy mod integration | Flexible hybrid builds for any environment |
Race Customization Options
Appearance Editing
Each added race includes detailed sprite work, color palettes, and body shape variations. You can tweak skins, markings, and accessories directly in the character menu to fit your personal vision.
Trait Selection
Passive traits like movement speed, resistances, and crafting bonuses are tied to race choice. Selecting a race early shapes how you approach combat, exploration, and long term progression in the sector.
Gameplay Balance Adjustments
Stat Distribution
Races shift default stat curves, so some excel at strength, others at tech or stealth. This encourages experimenting with multiple species to find a build that matches your intended role in your squad.
World Interaction
Certain races interact differently with NPC factions, ruins, and biomes. These interactions unlock unique quests, dialogue paths, and hidden areas that reward attentive players who explore beyond standard routes.
Installation and Configuration
Setup Process
Place the mod files in the mods folder, launch the character select screen, and pick your species before entering a sector. The mod manager handles dependencies, but verifying file integrity prevents unexpected errors.
Advanced Settings
Configuration files let you tweak difficulty scaling, enable experimental traits, or disable specific races. Backing up settings before major updates keeps your worlds stable across versions.
Getting the Most from Starbound races mod
- Review race trait descriptions before creating a character to match your preferred playstyle.
- Test new races in a creative server before committing to a long campaign world.
- Keep the mod folder organized and update in a backup copy to simplify rollbacks.
- Monitor patch notes for compatibility fixes after game updates.
- Engage with community guides to discover optimized builds for each species.
FAQ
Reader questions
Will installing this race mod break existing saves?
Compatibility depends on how your current save references character data; loading older saves with new races may require migration scripts or manual adjustments, so back up first.
Can I play multiplayer using this mod with friends?
Yes, but all players must install the same version of the race mod on both clients and the server to avoid sync errors and mismatched traits during sessions.
Do the new races affect trading prices with NPC vendors?
Some races receive unique pricing tables or discounts based on species traits, while others follow neutral rates, giving each playthrough distinct economic interactions.
Are there performance impacts on lower end systems?
Additional sprites and animations for extra races can increase memory and gpu load; adjusting graphics settings and disabling unused race assets helps maintain smooth performance.