Starfield: How the Pharmaceutical Lab Works

As players make their way through Starfield's vast collection of star systems, they will be confronted by a seemingly universal truth: it is possible to get through the game without health items and chems, but having them available makes things a lot easier. Whether it's during combat, or on a casual stroll across a barren planet, using some kind of pharmaceutical enhancement can often mean the difference between success or failure. And while it is possible to build up a considerable collection through looting, Starfield offers players the chance to craft their own medicinal supplies through a dedicated system called the Pharmacuetical Lab.

The Pharmaceutical Lab, like many of the other crafting stations in Starfield, is both extremely helpful, but technically unnecessary for completion. If they so choose, players can make their way through the game without ever interacting with the lab. However, players that take the time to learn the system, and unlock all available crafting recipes, will find themselves spending much less time looking for the medications they need. This guide will lead players through the basic steps required to use the Pharmaceutical Lab, allowing players to get started as early as possible.

Related: Starfield: Which Skills Should You Unlock First?

Where to Use the Pharmaceutical Lab in Starfield

While there are labs all around the settled systems, the first Pharmaceutical Lab players are likely to have access to will be in the basement of the Lodge, Constellation's home base. This area features one of each available crafting station, with the Pharmaceutical Lab found just to the right of the stairs (looking up from the basement). Look for the green first aid kit mounted on the wall, which sits just above the lab.

Players are likely to run into Pharmaceutical Labs in a variety of locations as they travel through the settled systems. Scientific or Research-based outposts are very likely to contain them. Even some ships will contain a Pharmaceutical Lab, though they are less common in ships than other crafting stations. Remember, it is incredibly easy to fast-travel in Starfield, so for much of the game, the Lodge is never far away.

How to Use the Pharmaceutical Lab in Starfield

The Pharmaceutical Lab, like all the crafting systems, are inherently tied to Starfield's Research Lab and skill tree. When players first open the lab menu, they will see that they only have access to a relatively small range of items to craft. This is due to the aforementioned systems.

To expand the range of options, players will first need to research all available options in the Pharmacology section of the Research Lab. At first, this will include only Performance Enhancement 1 and Medical Treatment 1.

Each item group will have several tiers, and unlocking those tiers will require the player to invest skill points into Chemistry, which is found in Starfield's Science skill branch. Unlocking this skill will unlock new research tiers, which in turn will unlock more items to craft at the Pharmaceutical Lab.

With every new tier of research completed, players will find new and better items to be crafted. It is important to remember as well that what is available in the research menus is not all that is available. Once players complete the third tier of each category, a fourth tier will become available to research. Make sure to check the details in the Research Lab to know the next available tiers.

Using the lab to craft is a very user-friendly process. Approach it and press A (Or PC equivalent) to engage, opening up the main menu. The list of available items will be in the lower half of center screen, with the required materials in the upper right-hand corner, and the item description in the upper left. If the player has met the requirements to craft an item, it will be highlighted with white text. If an item is not available to craft, it will have a dull, gray text.

With this, the player should have all the knowledge they need to never be without the right chem at the right time.

Related: Starfield: How to Cook

Basic Items Available in Pharmaceutical Lab

Starfield is available now on Xbox Series X/S and PC.