Starfield Terran Armada DLC and NG+ Update: Everything New in 2026

Bethesda has been on a roll in 2026, and Starfield fans have plenty to be excited about. From the newly announced Terran Armada story DLC to a major rework of the NG+ system, the game is receiving some of its most significant updates since launch. Here is everything you need to know about what is new in Starfield right now.

Starfield Terran Armada DLC: What We Know So Far

Bethesda’s next major story DLC for Starfield is called Terran Armada, and it is already generating serious buzz in the community. Announced in March 2026, this new content expansion takes players on a faction-driven adventure where the line between good and evil is deliberately blurred.

One of the most talked-about features of the Terran Armada DLC is the ability to recruit a unique robot companion. Bethesda describes this companion as someone who is not evil, but also definitely not good, making them one of the most morally complex companions in any Bethesda RPG to date. This gray-area storytelling is a direct response to player feedback asking for more nuanced characters in the Settled Systems.

NG+ Rework: Todd Howard Addresses the Controversy

Starfield’s New Game Plus mode has been one of the most discussed and debated features since the game launched. In April 2026, Todd Howard stepped up to defend Bethesda’s recent changes to how NG+ works, calling the previous implementation a misunderstood system and acknowledging that the studio has course-corrected based on player response.

Howard explained that the updated NG+ system is designed to meaningfully change what players experience across multiple playthroughs, saying the goal is for Starfield to change the next 100 hours each time. He acknowledged that getting this balance right is a challenge, and even invited fans to weigh in: you can tell us if we have done our job right. This transparency from Bethesda signals a more community-driven development approach going forward.

Free Lanes Update: Faster Travel Across the Settled Systems

One of the biggest quality of life complaints since Starfield launched has been the abundance of loading screens during intrasystem space travel. Bethesda’s Free Lanes update, also announced in March 2026, directly addresses this issue by introducing seamless intrasystem space exploration that dramatically cuts down on immersion-breaking load times.

While not a fully open-space experience, the Free Lanes system is a meaningful improvement that makes exploring star systems feel far more fluid and rewarding. Combined with the ongoing DLC rollout and NG+ improvements, this update is part of a larger effort to evolve Starfield into the game that fans always wanted it to be.

What to Expect Next from Starfield in 2026

Bethesda has made it clear that Starfield is a long-term live project. Todd Howard has confirmed there is no Starfield 2.0 in development, but that upcoming updates will significantly expand what is already in the game. The studio plans to reveal more about the future of Starfield very soon, with a focus on players who already love the game.

Whether you are a returning veteran or a new explorer just stepping into the Settled Systems for the first time in 2026, now is an excellent time to be playing Starfield. Stay tuned to Starfield.gg for all the latest Starfield news, guides, and updates as they drop.

Terran Armada DLC: Full Breakdown

The Terran Armada story DLC is Starfield’s second major expansion, arriving in early 2026 after the well-received Shattered Space. Here’s everything we know about what it contains:

The New Companion: ARIES-7

The headline addition is ARIES-7, a robotic companion that Bethesda describes as “not evil, but definitely not good.” ARIES-7 is a decommissioned military unit that you encounter early in the DLC questline, and unlike Starfield’s other companions — who are reliably heroic — ARIES-7 has its own agenda. Its companion questline explores questions about AI consciousness, autonomy, and what it means to serve versus to choose. Players who loved the moral complexity of Fallout: New Vegas companions will find ARIES-7 compelling.

New Ship Configurations

Terran Armada introduces a new ship manufacturer — Armada Industries — with a military aesthetic distinct from existing manufacturers. New components include the Armada Siege Cannon (high single-shot damage, slow reload), the Armada Bulkhead Shield (massive HP, slow regen), and the Armada Command Bridge (provides a passive crew skill bonus to all crew members). These components are balanced for endgame use and provide meaningful alternatives to the existing best-in-slot options.

New Questline and Setting

The DLC’s main questline spans approximately 6–8 hours and takes place across a new star system not accessible in the base game. The story involves uncovering the history of an early Settled Systems military organization — the Terran Armada — that predates the United Colonies and Freestar Collective. The questline has three possible endings depending on choices made throughout, with consequences that affect the epilogue and post-DLC world state.

The NG+ Rework: What Changed

Alongside the Terran Armada DLC, Bethesda released a significant rework of the New Game Plus system. Here’s what changed:

Persistent Inventory Option: Players can now choose to carry over key items (not all items) between NG+ runs rather than starting completely fresh. This is optional and designed for players who find the full reset too punishing.
Expanded NG+ Abilities: Each NG+ run now grants a different special ability, up to NG+10. Previously only 3 ability types existed; the rework expands to 10 unique abilities, each affecting a different aspect of gameplay.
Starborn Dialogue Memory: The Emissary and Hunter now remember your conversation history across NG+ runs, with unique dialogue acknowledging the number of times you’ve been through Unity. High NG+ run counts unlock exclusive dialogue that reveals additional lore.
Faction State Variance: Factions now have more varied starting states in NG+ runs, making the same questlines feel different depending on which run you’re on. The Crimson Fleet, in particular, has dramatically different starting conditions in some NG+ universes.

For the complete picture of how Terran Armada’s new ship components fit into your build, see our Ship Builds Guide. For the best character skills to pair with ARIES-7’s companion bonuses, check the Skills Guide.