I’ll be honest with you. The first 30 hours of my Starfield playthrough, I was using whatever weapons the game threw at me. A basic Equinox here, a Lawgiver there. Nothing special. Then I stumbled into an abandoned research facility on a random moon, and everything changed. Hidden in a locked room behind a Master-level security system was a weapon that absolutely melted enemies. That moment taught me something crucial: the best gear in Starfield isn’t handed to you through main quests.
If you’re hunting for secret weapons in Starfield and want to know exactly how to find them, you’ve landed in the right place. Bethesda packed this galaxy with incredible firepower that most players cruise right past. These aren’t your standard merchant weapons or quest rewards. We’re talking about unique, powerful armaments with special modifications you can’t get anywhere else.
Whether you’re a completionist who needs every unique item or someone tired of feeling underpowered during tough encounters, this guide will transform your arsenal. Let’s dive into the Settled Systems’ best-kept secrets.
Understanding Secret Weapons in Starfield
Before we start our treasure hunt, let’s clarify what makes a weapon “secret” in Starfield’s massive universe. These aren’t just rare drops or expensive purchases. Secret weapons are unique items with special names, distinctive appearances, and often legendary effects you won’t find on standard weapons.
Some secret weapons come with backstories woven into Starfield’s lore. Others are Easter eggs referencing Bethesda’s previous games or sci-fi culture. The Experiment A-7 energy weapon, for example, tells a story about corporate experimentation gone wrong just through its location and description.
The key difference between secret weapons and regular legendary drops? Secret weapons have fixed locations and properties. A legendary Grendel might spawn with random effects, but the secret weapons we’re covering have consistent stats and spawn points. You can plan routes specifically to collect them, which beats hoping for random RNG drops.
Top Secret Weapons Worth Finding
The Eternity’s Gate Particle Beam Rifle
This beast of a weapon sits in one of the most visually stunning locations in Starfield. The Eternity’s Gate particle beam rifle dishes out incredible energy damage with a unique visual effect that makes enemies disintegrate in style.
To find it, you need to reach the Pilgrim’s Rest location on Indum II in the Indum system. The facility appears as a point of interest marked as an abandoned mining operation. Navigate through the multi-level structure until you reach the lower research labs. The weapon rests in a weapon case behind a Master-level lock in the central laboratory.
Here’s the trick most guides miss: bring Digipicks because you’ll need them. The security system protecting this weapon isn’t playing around. If your lockpicking skill isn’t maxed, consider bringing a companion with high security skills or invest those skill points before making the trip.
The Eternity’s Gate comes with the Exterminator effect, dealing additional damage to aliens. Combined with its already impressive base damage, this makes it perfect for exploring dangerous planets teeming with hostile fauna.
The Revenant Legendary Rifle
Every Starfield player needs a solid ballistic weapon in their collection, and the Revenant delivers exactly that. This automatic rifle combines exceptional accuracy with a legendary effect that makes it shine during extended firefights.
The Revenant is tucked away in the Deserted Sentry Post on Sumati in the Narion system. Unlike some secret weapons that require elaborate quest chains, this one rewards simple exploration. The outpost appears as a small cluster of buildings on your scanner when approaching from orbit.
Once you land, head to the main barracks structure. The Revenant sits in a footlocker at the far end of the sleeping quarters. No Master locks here, just a simple Advanced-level container. What makes this weapon special is its Furious legendary effect, increasing damage with each consecutive hit on the same target.
I’ve used the Revenant for probably 40 hours of gameplay, and it never disappoints. The damage ramp-up effect shreds through enemies with large health pools like Terrormorphs and hostile robots. Pair it with perks that boost automatic weapon damage, and you’ve got yourself a legitimate endgame weapon.
The Experiment A-7 Energy Weapon
This weapon perfectly embodies what makes hunting secret weapons in Starfield so rewarding. The Experiment A-7 isn’t just powerful; it comes with environmental storytelling that makes discovery feel earned.
Located in the Crucible research station orbiting Niira in the Narion system, this energy weapon requires some detective work. The station is marked as a derelict facility, and you’ll need to dock your ship to access it. Once aboard, navigate through the zero-gravity sections (bring Boost Packs for easier movement) until you reach Lab Section C.
The weapon sits on a research table surrounded by terminal logs that explain what happened here. Scientists were experimenting with alien energy signatures, and things went sideways. Reading these logs adds context that makes finding the weapon feel like uncovering genuine secrets rather than just looting containers.
The Experiment A-7 features the Incendiary effect, causing enemies to burn and panic. In enclosed spaces like ship interiors or underground facilities, watching enemies scatter while taking damage over time gives you tactical advantages beyond raw DPS numbers.
The Lawless Pistol Collection
Here’s something different. Rather than one weapon, there’s an entire collection of unique pistols scattered across Starfield that most players never complete. Each pistol belongs to a legendary outlaw from pre-Settled Systems history.
The first pistol, Blackbeard’s Cutlass (yes, it’s a pistol despite the name), hides in the Deserted Hideout on Procyon III. This location doesn’t appear until you’re at least level 15, so newer players should bookmark this for later.
The second pistol, known as The Snake’s Fang, requires completing a specific activity. Visit the Akila City Freestar Collective headquarters and check the bounty board. Accept the “Trackers Alliance: Investigate Ghost Ship” bounty. Complete the investigation, and you’ll find The Snake’s Fang in the captain’s quarters of the ghost ship.
The final pistol in this collection, called The Peacekeeper, sits in the Deserted UC Listening Post on Jemison. The catch? The listening post only spawns after you’ve completed the UC Vanguard questline’s first three missions. Patient players get rewarded here.
Collecting all three pistols doesn’t unlock special achievements or quests, but it’s the kind of completionist activity that Bethesda fans love. Plus, each pistol has distinct legendary effects making them viable for different playstyles.
Secret Melee Weapons You Can’t Miss
The Tanto of the Empyrean
Most players focus exclusively on guns, but Starfield’s secret melee weapons deserve attention too. The Tanto of the Empyrean stands out as probably the best melee weapon in the game, secret or otherwise.
This blade hides in the Sanctum Universum temple ship orbiting Volii Alpha. You need to join the Sanctum Universum faction first (easy, just talk to their representative in New Atlantis). Once you have access, the temple ship becomes available for docking.
Navigate to the meditation chamber in the ship’s center. Behind the altar, there’s a hidden compartment that opens when you interact with the religious texts on display. Inside, you’ll find the Tanto wrapped in ceremonial cloth.
The weapon carries the Instigating legendary effect, dealing double damage if the target is at full health. This makes it perfect for stealth builds. Sneak up on enemies, land that first devastating hit, then clean up with follow-up strikes or switch to ranged weapons.
The Settler’s Pride Combat Knife
Sometimes the best weapons come from the most mundane locations. The Settler’s Pride combat knife proves that point perfectly. You’ll find it in a random homestead on Gagarin in the Alpha Centauri system, but here’s the thing: not every homestead contains it.
Look for the homestead marked as “Morrison Family Farm” on your scanner. Land nearby and approach the main housing structure. Inside, check the kitchen area for a locked safe (Novice difficulty, thankfully). The knife sits inside alongside some credits and miscellaneous items.
What makes this knife special isn’t raw damage but its lightweight design and the Furious effect. It weighs almost nothing, swings incredibly fast, and ramps up damage quickly. For players who like having a reliable melee backup without dedicating their build to close combat, this knife performs beautifully.
How to Efficiently Hunt for Secret Weapons in Starfield
Planning Your Route
Here’s what I learned after collecting dozens of secret weapons: efficiency matters. Starfield’s universe is massive, and jumping randomly between systems wastes time and resources. Plan your weapon hunting expeditions around system proximity.
Group weapons by system location. If you’re heading to Narion for the Revenant, also grab the Experiment A-7 since both items exist in that same system. This approach saves fuel and lets you explore each system thoroughly before moving on.
Use your scanner constantly. Many secret weapon locations appear as random points of interest that won’t show up until you’re in orbit around specific planets. Take a few minutes in each system to scan all celestial bodies before moving to the next destination.
Keep a physical or digital checklist. I use a simple spreadsheet tracking weapon name, location, required level, and whether I’ve collected it. This prevents the frustrating experience of revisiting locations you’ve already cleared.
Skills That Make Weapon Hunting Easier
Certain skills dramatically improve your secret weapon hunting efficiency. Security should be your first priority. Many weapons hide behind Master-level locks, and failing lockpicks wastes resources. Max out Security early if you’re serious about collection.
Piloting and Boost Pack Training help navigate difficult terrain and zero-gravity environments where several weapons are located. The Crucible research station with Experiment A-7 becomes much easier with strong boost pack skills.
Scanning skills from the Science tree reveal points of interest from greater distances, reducing time spent orbiting planets looking for the right location. This might seem minor, but over dozens of weapon hunts, it adds up significantly.
Persuasion occasionally helps too. Some secret weapons are technically owned by NPCs, and stealing them creates bounties. If you can persuade the owner that you need the weapon for legitimate reasons (not always possible, but worth trying), you avoid legal complications.
Dealing with Level Requirements
Several secret weapons won’t spawn until you reach specific levels. This frustrates players who rush to locations early only to find empty weapon cases or locked areas that shouldn’t exist yet.
The game generally scales secret weapons between level 10 and level 30. If you’re hunting weapons below level 10, you’ll miss probably half the items on most lists. My recommendation? Focus on main and faction quests until level 15, then start dedicated weapon hunting. This ensures maximum spawn availability.
Some locations like the UC Listening Post with The Peacekeeper won’t appear at all until quest prerequisites are met. Don’t waste time searching if you haven’t progressed far enough in relevant questlines. Check prerequisites before making long trips across the Settled Systems.
Comparison of Top Secret Weapons
| Weapon Name | Type | Damage Type | Legendary Effect | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eternity’s Gate | Particle Rifle | Energy | Exterminator | Alien encounters |
| The Revenant | Automatic Rifle | Ballistic | Furious | Boss fights |
| Experiment A-7 | Energy Weapon | Energy | Incendiary | Crowd control |
| Tanto of the Empyrean | Melee | Physical | Instigating | Stealth builds |
| Lawless Pistol Set | Pistols | Ballistic | Varies | Collection/variety |
Lesser-Known Secret Weapon Locations
The Augmented Reality Lab Cache
Most guides focus on the obvious secret weapons, but there’s an entire weapons cache in the Augmented Reality Testing Facility on Tau Ceti II that barely gets mentioned. This location contains three unique weapons with experimental modifications.
The facility only appears as a random point of interest during specific conditions. You need to be exploring Tau Ceti II during in-game nighttime hours for the facility to spawn on your scanner. Yes, seriously. Time of day affects certain location spawns in Starfield.
Once you find it, navigate to the testing chamber in the facility’s eastern wing. Three weapon cases sit behind glass partitions. The twist? You need to solve an environmental puzzle involving power routing to open the partitions. Check nearby terminals for hints about proper power distribution.
The weapons inside include a modified Maelstrom shotgun, an experimental laser rifle with extended range, and a unique grenade launcher with smart targeting. None of these are legendary in rarity, but their modifications make them worthy additions to any arsenal.
The Crimson Fleet Secret Stash
Joining the Crimson Fleet opens access to several secret weapon locations that law-abiding players never see. One particular stash on The Key (Crimson Fleet’s station) contains weapons most pirates don’t even know about.
Progress through the Crimson Fleet questline until you gain access to restricted areas of The Key. In the lower maintenance tunnels, find the section marked “Environmental Controls.” Behind a false panel (interact with the suspicious wall section), you’ll discover a weapons locker containing three unique energy weapons.
These weapons carry the Anti-Personnel legendary effect, dealing bonus damage to human enemies. Given how many hostile spacers and pirates populate Starfield, this effect has practical value beyond novelty. The weapons aren’t game-breaking, but they fill specific niches effectively.
The Constellation Hidden Arsenal
Here’s something wild: Constellation’s headquarters in New Atlantis contains secret weapons most members never find. In the Archives section, there’s a hidden vault behind the historical artifacts display.
You need to complete the “Into the Unknown” main quest to access this area. Once you have clearance, examine the display cases for a prompt to “Examine more closely.” This triggers a short puzzle involving arranging artifacts chronologically.
Solve the puzzle, and a panel slides open revealing a small vault. Inside, you’ll find prototype weapons from Constellation’s early exploration days. The standout piece is a unique electromagnetic rifle that temporarily disables enemy weapons and tech. Perfect for fighting Ecliptic mercenaries and other high-tech opponents.
Modifying and Upgrading Secret Weapons
Finding secret weapons is only step one. Maximizing their potential requires understanding Starfield’s weapon modification system. Most secret weapons come with open mod slots, letting you customize them to your playstyle.
For energy weapons like the Eternity’s Gate, focus on mods that improve fire rate and reduce heat buildup. Energy weapons overheat quickly during extended firefights. Adding thermal sinks and improved cooling systems lets you maintain fire longer before needing cooldown breaks.
Ballistic weapons benefit from accuracy and recoil mods. The Revenant already has good base accuracy, but adding a compensator and tactical stock makes it laser-accurate even during full-auto fire. This matters more than you’d think when fighting enemies at medium range.
Don’t sleep on optics. Many secret weapons come with basic iron sights. Upgrading to proper scopes, particularly ones with target highlighting or night vision, transforms weapon effectiveness. I resisted scope upgrades for ages thinking they were superficial. Big mistake.
Ammunition modifications matter too. Certain workbenches let you craft specialized ammunition types that complement legendary effects. Armor-piercing rounds pair beautifully with Furious weapons, letting damage ramp-up penetrate heavy armor. Incendiary ammunition stacks with Incendiary legendary effects for absurd burning damage.
Common Mistakes When Hunting Secret Weapons
Through my own frustrations and helping friends, I’ve noticed patterns in mistakes people make when hunting secret weapons in Starfield. Let’s save you some headaches.
Rushing to locations without proper preparation tops the list. Showing up at a Master-level locked container without Digipicks or security skills means you can’t access the weapon. Always check requirements before making long journeys. Bring extra Digipicks, healing items, and appropriate ammunition.
Ignoring quest prerequisites wastes enormous amounts of time. Some locations literally don’t spawn until you’ve completed certain quests or reached specific story points. If you’re following a guide and the location doesn’t appear, you probably haven’t met prerequisites yet. Research first, travel second.
Selling or scrapping secret weapons accidentally happens more than you’d think. The game doesn’t flag unique weapons differently in your inventory. I almost scrapped the Tanto of the Empyrean thinking it was regular loot. Create a dedicated storage container on your ship for unique weapons to prevent accidents.
Focusing exclusively on legendary rarity causes players to overlook genuinely useful weapons. Several secret weapons have rare or epic rarity but feature modifications unavailable through normal crafting. The Augmented Reality Lab weapons fall into this category. Judge weapons by functionality, not just rarity color.
Not saving before attempting difficult locks is pure pain. Fail a Master-level lock and run out of Digipicks? You’re stuck unless you have more picks or can return with companions who can help. Save before every lockpicking attempt. This single habit prevents countless frustrations.
Using Secret Weapons Effectively in Combat
Owning secret weapons means nothing if you don’t use them properly. Each weapon type demands different tactical approaches to maximize effectiveness.
Energy weapons excel at sustained damage against unarmored or lightly armored enemies. The Eternity’s Gate, for example, absolutely demolishes alien creatures but struggles against heavily armored spacers. Switch to ballistic weapons when facing armored opponents, or invest heavily in energy weapon penetration mods.
The Revenant’s Furious effect requires commitment. Don’t switch targets constantly or you’ll waste the damage ramp-up. Pick high-value targets like enemy leaders or heavy units and mag-dump into them. Watch their health bar evaporate as damage stacks.
Incendiary weapons like Experiment A-7 work best in tight spaces where enemies can’t easily retreat. The burning effect causes panic, and panicked enemies make mistakes. Use this tactically by triggering the effect as enemies funnel through doorways or navigate enclosed areas.
Melee secret weapons demand stealth or tankiness. The Tanto’s double damage on full-health enemies makes it a stealth weapon primarily. If you’re running a tankier build, close distance with boost packs and unleash hell. The Settler’s Pride knife works better for sustained melee combat thanks to its attack speed.
Don’t forget about weapon swapping. Carry complementary secret weapons that cover each other’s weaknesses. I typically run with the Revenant for general combat, Eternity’s Gate for alien encounters, and Experiment A-7 for crowd control situations. Adapting weapon choice to circumstances dramatically improves combat effectiveness.
The Secret Weapon Community and Trading
Starfield has an active community dedicated to finding and cataloging secret weapons. Reddit communities, Discord servers, and dedicated wikis contain mountains of information beyond what any single guide covers.
Join these communities if you’re serious about collection. Players constantly discover new weapons and share precise coordinates for spawning locations. The Starfield subreddit’s weekly loot thread often features screenshots of weapons people found in unexpected places.
Trading secret weapons is complicated because most are quest rewards or found items rather than drops. However, some players run multiple save files and can help direct you to locations they’ve already cleared. The community is generally helpful rather than gatekeeping information.
YouTube channels dedicated to Starfield secrets regularly release videos showcasing new weapon finds. I’ve discovered probably a third of my collection through community content creators who go above and beyond testing and documenting everything.
Be cautious about outdated information though. Bethesda occasionally patches spawn locations or adjusts weapon stats through updates. Cross-reference multiple sources and check posting dates. A guide from Starfield’s launch week might not reflect current game state.
When Secret Weapons Aren’t Worth the Trip
Real talk: not every secret weapon justifies the effort required to obtain it. Some weapons feature mediocre stats or legendary effects that sound cooler than they perform. Learning to evaluate whether a weapon hunt is worthwhile saves time and frustration.
If a weapon requires completing a 10-hour faction questline and the reward is a pistol with slightly better damage than vendor options, maybe skip it unless you’re a completionist. Your time has value. Focus on weapons that fill gaps in your arsenal or significantly outperform alternatives.
Distance matters too. A weapon three systems away from your current location might not justify the fuel and travel time unless you’re already heading that direction for other reasons. Batch your weapon hunts geographically rather than ping-ponging across the galaxy.
Some secret weapons are intentionally joke items or Easter eggs rather than viable combat tools. These are fun to collect for lore reasons but won’t replace your main weapons. Enjoy them for what they are without expecting practical utility.
Conclusion
Hunting for secret weapons in Starfield transforms the game from a standard space RPG into a galaxy-spanning treasure hunt. These weapons aren’t just stat improvements; they’re rewards for curiosity, persistence, and thorough exploration. Every discovered cache, every solved puzzle, every dangerous location cleared adds personality to your playthrough that following the main quest alone can’t provide.
Start with the easier weapons like the Revenant to build confidence, then tackle more challenging locations as your skills and level improve. Don’t stress about finding everything immediately. Starfield is massive, and part of the fun is discovering new secrets dozens of hours into your playthrough.
The weapons covered here represent some of the best finds in Starfield, but they’re not exhaustive. Bethesda packed this universe with secrets that players are still discovering. Keep exploring, check unusual locations, and never assume you’ve seen everything a planet or station has to offer.
What’s your favorite secret weapon you’ve discovered? Drop a comment below with your finds, and if this guide helped expand your arsenal, share it with your crew. The Settled Systems are dangerous enough without going in under-armed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level should I be before hunting secret weapons in Starfield?
Most secret weapons become accessible between levels 10 and 30, with level 15 being the sweet spot for starting dedicated weapon hunts. Some locations require specific quest completion rather than level requirements. Lower-level players can find certain weapons like the Settler’s Pride knife earlier, but the best weapons typically require mid-game progression and developed skills, particularly Security for lockpicking.
Can secret weapons in Starfield be modded and upgraded?
Yes, all secret weapons support modifications through weapon workbenches just like standard weapons. They come with open mod slots for barrels, stocks, optics, and other attachments. Some secret weapons already have unique modifications installed that you cannot craft normally, making them particularly valuable. You can further enhance them with additional mods to suit your combat style and build focus.
Do secret weapons respawn if you miss them?
No, secret weapons in Starfield do not respawn once collected from their specific locations. If you accidentally sell, scrap, or lose a secret weapon, you cannot retrieve another copy from the original location. This makes it crucial to store unique weapons safely on your ship or in secure containers. However, creating manual saves before collecting important weapons gives you a backup option if accidents happen.
Are secret weapons better than legendary drops in Starfield?
Not always, but secret weapons offer consistency that random legendary drops lack. Secret weapons have guaranteed legendary effects and spawn locations, while random drops depend on RNG. However, a perfectly rolled legendary weapon with ideal effects for your build might outperform certain secret weapons. Secret weapons shine because you can plan specifically to obtain them and know exactly what effects you’re getting before making the trip.
Can you find secret weapons in New Game Plus?
Yes, secret weapons remain available in New Game Plus playthroughs. Their locations stay consistent across multiple playthroughs, allowing you to collect them again with your new character. This makes secret weapons reliable choices for players who want to quickly rebuild their arsenal in subsequent playthroughs. Some players use New Game Plus specifically to recollect favorite secret weapons while experiencing the story again with different choices.