Starfield Skill Book locations for bonuses

Skill Books in Starfield are the named magazines you find throughout your interstellar travels, with each giving you a different Skill Bonus.

It's a good idea to pick up Skill Books when you see them in Starfield, as they have a wide range of benefits, from increasing carry capacity, to reducing fall damage, to improving weapons - and that's just naming a few perks!

To help give you an edge while exploring the Settled Systems and beyond, we've got Skill Book locations in Starfield detailed below, including Mining Monthly, Peak Performance, and Constellation Guide locations.

Please note that this is an in-progress guide, so we'll update this page when we find more Skill Books.

Update: We added 15 more Skill Book locations on 14th September.

On this page:

Explainer:

• How to use Skill Books in Starfield

Locations:

• Combatech Catalog locations
• Constellation Guide locations
• Cyber Runner's Cipher locations
• Freestar Captain's Log locations
• Gunslinger's Guide locations
• Mining Monthly locations
• Neon Nights locations
• Nova Galactic Manual locations
• Peak Performance locations
• Solomon's Adventures locations
• The New Atlantian locations
• Trackers Primer Manual locations
• UC Defense Manual locations
• Va'Ruun Scripture locations
• Vanguard Space Tactics locations

Starfield Gameplay Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2023

If you’d like more help in your galactic adventures, visit our Starfield guides, tips and tricks page.

How to use Skill Books in Starfield

The great thing about them is that you only need to pick up Skill Books to use them in Starfield. The bonus you get is a permanent buff to your current character, so you don't even need to keep them in your inventory to take advantage of Skill Books.

You can even sell Skill Books for some quick Credits without losing their bonuses if you want - but they only go for 100 Credits each - but every little helps if you picked the Dream Home trait!

We tested this out by dropping our increased carry weight Skill Books, and then checking to make sure the number didn't change.

Starfield Combatech Catalog locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Combatech Catalog Skill Book.

Here's all of the Combatech Catalog locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Combatech Catalog 02	Phobos (orbiting) - Sol star system	UC Vigilance ship	On a table under a monitor in a side room of the Operations Center. You need to take an elevator up to this room (the UC Vigilance might only be dockable after it you're caught with Contraband for the first time)	Slightly increases the range and accuracy of CombaTech weapons
Combatech Catalog 03	Polvo - Valo star system	Hopetown - Best Defense	Take a right at the spaceport to find the Best Defense building. The Book is on a shelf near ammo containers inside the store	Slightly increases the range and accuracy of CombaTech weapons

Starfield Constellation Guide locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Constellation Guide Skill Book.

Here's all of the Constellation Guide locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Constellation Guide 01	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - The Lodge	On a standing desk by the floating Artifacts in The Lodge's main room	Permanently reduces fall damage by 5%
Constellation Guide 03	Cassiopeia I - ETA Cassiopeia system	Dauntless Crew's Crash Site (companion story)	You need to continue with Sarah's companion mission to unlock the 'Dauntless Crew's Crash Site'. When you get here, the Skill Book is on the dining table in the middle of building up the ramps (you will come here as part of Sarah's mission)	Permanently use 15% less O2 while moving when overencumbered
Constellation Guide 04	Deepala (orbiting) - Narion system	The Clinic	Easily obtainable as part of the Surgical Strike mission. The Skill Book is on the table between the seats on the left side of reception	Permanently use 15% less O2 while moving when overencumbered

Starfield Cyber Runner's Cipher locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Cyber Runner's Cipher Skill Book.

Here's all of the Cyber Runner's Cipher locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Cyber Runner's Cipher 01	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - Slayton Aerospace	Go to the Trade Tower at the end of Neon's Core hub area (in the direction of GalBank and Terrabrew) and take the elevator on the ground floor of the tower to Slayton Aerospace. The Skill Book is on a coffee table on the left-hand side of the main lobby.	Adds a bankable auto-attempt for hacking
Cyber Runner's Cipher 02	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - The Well (via Spaceport elevator)	On a desk in Apex Electronics store	Laser weapons permanently do 5% more critical damage
Cyber Runner's Cipher 04	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - Volii Hotel	You need to rent a room for 300 Credits to get the key to enter the room on the second floor of the Volii Hotel. The Skill Book is on a table in front of you as you enter the room.	Adds a bankable auto-attempt for hacking

Starfield Freestar Captain's Log locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Freestar Captain's Log Skill Book.

Here's all of the Freestar Captain's Log locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Freestar Captain's Log 03	Akila - Cheyenne star system	Akila City - Consulate	On a round glass table in the room behind Aaron	Permanently increases carry capacity by 5kg

Starfield Gunslinger's Guide locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Gunslinger's Guide Skill Book.

Here's all of the Gunslinger's Guide locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Gunslinger's Guide 01	Akila - Cheyenne star system	Akila City - The Rock	On a table between two red chairs, outside of Marshall Daniel Blake's office, same floor as the Ranger's sleeping quarters and meeting room. The Rock is the large building in front of the main square	Permanently reload and draw Laredo weapons 5% faster
Gunslinger's Guide 02	Akila - Cheyenne star system	Akila City - Sinclair's Books	On a tall wooden table to the right of the store's entrance. Take the path left of the statue in Akila's main square then go has the church to find Sinclair's Book.	Permanently reload and draw Laredo weapons an additional 5% faster
Gunslinger's Guide 03	Polvo - Valo star system	Hopetown - Freestar Rangers building	Take a right at the spaceport to find and enter the Freestar Rangers building. The Skill Book is on the set of chairs to the right as you enter.	Permanently reload and draw Laredo weapons an additional 5% faster
Gunslinger's Guide 04	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - Freestar Rangers building	Enter the bulding and go up the stairs to find this Skill Book on the table beside the bed.	Permanently reload and draw Laredo weapons an additional 5% faster
Gunslinger's Guide 05	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis (MAST area) - Freestar Rangers Embassy	Take the elevator to the main part of the building to find this Skill Book on a round glass table in the small room at the top of the stairs (you will be tresspassing on Freestar Territory by entering this room unless you're affiliated with the Rangers)	Permanently reload and draw Laredo weapons an additional 5% faster

Starfield Mining Monthly locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Mining Monthly Skill Book.

Here's all of the Mining Monthly locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Mining Monthly Issue 01	Piazzi IV-C - Piazzi star system	Abandoned Mine	On a desk in a small building with an airlock entrance, to the left of Deep Cave building entrance (not the airlock up the tall tower)	Permanently increases tool-grip weapon damage by 2%
Mining Monthly Issue 07	Mars - Sol star system	Cydonia - Residential	On a dining table in the Miner's Quarters	Permanently increases tool-grip weapon damage by 2%
Mining Monthly Issue 10	Tau Ceti VIII-b (moon of Tau Ceti VIII) - Tau Ceti star system	Deserted Robotics Lab	Easily accessible during 'Into the Unknown' main mission. In the lab, head into the break room and then the room on the right. The Book is on the table between the white and orange chairs	Permanently increases tool-grip weapon damage by 2%

Starfield Neon Nights locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Neon Nights Skill Book.

Here's all of the Neon Nights locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Neon Nights 02	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - Astral Lounge	Go to the Trade Tower at the end of Neon's Core hub area (in the direction of GalBank and Terrabrew) and go up the stairs to enter the Astral Lounge. In the lounge, take the elevator up to the VIP section and check Booth 1 to find the Book on a round glass table.	Permanently grants the recipe for the chem S.T.E.V.E, which slows down time and increases ranged damage for a limited time
Neon Nights 03	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - CeltCorp	Go to the Trade Tower at the end of Neon's Core hub area (in the direction of GalBank and Terrabrew) and take the elevator on the ground floor of the tower to CeltCorp. The Book is on the arm of a sofa in the back, near the cubicles.	Permanently grants the recipe for the chem 02 Shot, which increases oxygen regeneration for a limited time
Neon Nights 05	Volii Alpha - Volii star system	Neon (Core main hub area) - Xenofresh Corporate HQ	Go to the Trade Tower at the end of Neon's Core hub area (in the direction of GalBank and Terrabrew) and take the elevator on the ground floor of the tower to Xenofresh Corporate HQ. The Book is in the lobby on table to the right of Amanda Oxendine	Permanently grants the recipe for AddiJack, which removes addiction penalties and grants a bonus to researching

Starfield Nova Galactic Manual locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Nova Galactic Manual Skill Book.

Here's all of the Nova Galactic Manual locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Nova Galactic Manual 01	Cassiopeia I - ETA Cassiopeia system	Sarah's Crash Site - Escape Shuttle 03 Cabin (companion story)	You might have to reach a high enough affinity with Sarah Morgan and start her personal quest to get the 'Sarah's Crash Site' landmark. When you do have it, go into the small escape shuttle and look down to find this Skill Book on top of a small white object	Permanently reduces fuel needed for a grav jump by 1%
Nova Galactic Manual 02	Luna (orbiting) - Sol star system	Nova Galactic Staryard	On a computer table on the top floor, up the stairs where a white spaceship is being built	Permanently reduces fuel needed for a grav jump by 1%
Nova Galactic Manual 03	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - MAST (Cabinet Chambers / Interstellar Affairs)	Use the MAST building's elevator to go to the 'Cabinet Chambers / Interstellar Affairs' floor where you'll find this Skill Book an the coffee table of Deputy Elisabeth MacIntyre's office	Permanently reduces fuel needed for a grav jump by 1%

Starfield Peak Performance locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Peak Performance Skill Book.

Here's all of the Peak Performance locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Peak Performance 01	Jemison (orbiting) - Alpha Centauri star system	The Eye	Beside a water cooler in the small weightlifting room at Facilities F01 entrance.	Permanently increases carrying capacity by 5kg

Starfield Solomon's Adventures locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Solomon's Adventures Skill Book.

Here's all of the Solomon's Adventures Manual locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Solomon's Adventures 01	Akila - Cheyenne star system	Akila City - Coe Estate	On a bedside table in the bedroom	Permanently increases weapon damage at night by 5%
Solomon's Adventures 02	Montara Luna (moon of Montana) - Cheyenne star system	Waggoner Farm - Farmhouse	Take a left from your ship and go through the farmhouse's door and head up the stairs. Go into the room to the left of the spacesuit workbench to find the Skill Book on cabinet near bunk beds	Permanently adds 5% to melee weapon critical damage

Starfield The New Atlantian locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a New Atlantian Skill Book.

Here's all of The New Atlantian locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
The New Atlantian 01	Tau Ceti II - Tau Ceti star system	Tau Gourmet Production Center - Building near landing spot	On a bench beside two ammo boxes, near a ground floor entrance	Permanently grants the recipe for the The Deep food item
The New Atlantian 02	Voss (moon of Olivas) - Alpha Centauri star system	Starstation RE-939 (orbiting Voss)	Once you dock, go up the stairs and through the door to the Comms Center. Walk to the other side of this floor and go through the door labeled 'Living'. Take the stairs up and go through the door opposite the stairs and turn right into a small security room. The book is on the table next to a computer and some credsticks	Permanently grants the recipe for the Panache food item
The New Atlantian 03	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - Residential	On a balcony table accessed through Pioneer Tower's restaurant/ Pioneer Tower is to the right of the NAT tram station.	Permanently grants the recipe for the the Astral Sliders food item
The New Atlantian 05	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - The Well (via Spaceport elevator)	On a wooden desk up the stairs in Kay's House restaurant	Permanently grants the recipe for the Shepherd's Pie food item

Starfield Trackers Primer Manual locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Trackers Primer Manual Skill Book.

Here's all of the Trackers Primer Manual locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Trackers Primer 02	Indum II - Indum star system	Pilgrim's Rest	Easily obtainable during 'Unity' main mission. The Book is behind the locked room you need to get into, on the table	Permanently increases ballistic weapon damage by 5%
Trackers Primer 03	Porrima III - Porrima star system	Red Mile	On a round glass table in a bedroom with blood on the bed, up the stairs of the Red Mile	Permanently increases EM weapon damage by 5%
Trackers Primer 05	Vectera - Narion star system	Argos Extractors Mining Outpost	Enter the building where the computer you need to fix as part of Back to Vectera main mission, then head through and keep looking left. You should find a room filled with several bunk bed compartments in it. The Skill Book is on the table in the middle of the center bunk bed unit	Permanently increases EM weapon damage by 5%

Starfield UC Defense Manual locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a UC Defense Manual Skill Book.

Here's all of the UC Defense Manual locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
UC Defense Manual 01	Niira - Narion star system	1-of-a-Kind Salvage	On top of the middle bench, above an ammo box, on the upper floor of the 1-of-a-Kind Salvage building	Slightly increases magazine size and weapon bash critical chance for all Allied Armaments guns
UC Defense Manual 02	Chphonia (orbiting) - Wolf star system	The Den	On a shelf in UC sleeping quarters. Take the right-hand corridor from the docking point to reach the room.	Slightly increases magazine size and weapon bash critical chance for all Allied Armaments guns
UC Defense Manual 03	Mars - Sol star system	Cydonia - Residential	On a big table in the UC Marine Barracks	Slightly increases magazine size and weapon bash critical chance for all Allied Armaments guns

Starfield Va'Ruun Scripture locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Va'Ruun Scripture Skill Book.

Here's all of the Va'Ruun Scripture locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Va'Ruun Scripture 01	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - Spaceport	UC Security Office jail cells. Unlocked cell in the back, on the floor by the bed	Permanently increases sneak bonus by 1% and melee sneak attack damage by 5%
Va'Ruun Scripture 06	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis (MAST area) - House Va’Runn Embassy	Accessible while following the voice on the intercom during the 'Friend’s Like These' UC Vanguard mission. The book is on a square table near the benchpress and red sofa	Permanently increases sneak bonus by 1% and melee sneak attack damage by 5%

Starfield Vanguard Space Tactics locations

If on a mobile device, scroll to the right of the table below to see a picture if you need more help finding a Vanguard Space Tactics Skill Book.

Here's all of the Vanguard Space Tactics locations in Starfield that we've found so far:

Skill Book	Planet/Moon	Landmark	Location	Bonus	Picture
Vanguard Space Tactics 01	Jemison - Alpha Centauri star system	New Atlantis - MAST	Take the elevator at MAST down to the Vanguard Orientation Hall and walk to the end and enter the Vanguard exam room. The Skill Book is on a bench in the locker room up the stairs, on the right-hand side (you might have to proceed with the 'Supra Et Ultra' UC Faction mission to unlock this area)	Ship missiles permanently deal 5% more damage
Vanguard Space Tactics 02	Mars - Sol star system	Cydonia - Red Devils HQ	On a lab table near the bottom of stairs by the server room at Red Devils HQ (you gain access to this building while on the 'Delivering Devils' UC Faction mission)	Ship energy weapons permanently deal 5% more damage

We'll add more Skill Books as we find them!