Starfield Terran Armada DLC and NG+ Update: Everything New in 2026
Bethesda is keeping Starfield alive in 2026 with the Terran Armada story DLC, a reworked NG+ system, and the Free Lanes update that eliminates loading screens. Here is everything you need to know.
The Terran Armada DLC launched in April 2026 as Starfield’s second major story expansion, following Shattered Space. It adds a new faction questline centred on a militarised Earth-heritage organisation called the Terran Armada, new ship modules, new enemy types, a new location in the Olympus system, and a meaningful update to the New Game Plus loop. This guide covers everything in the DLC and the accompanying NG+ changes — including how to access it, what the questline involves, and what rewards are worth your time.
Terran Armada DLC — At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release Date | April 2026 |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5 |
| Included In | Starfield Premium Edition, Constellation Edition; sold separately |
| New Quests | 8 main quests, 6 side quests |
| New Location | Olympus Station, Olympus System |
| New Ships/Modules | Armada-series hull parts, 3 new weapons, Admiral-class reactor |
| Recommended Level | Level 30+ for smooth progression |
How to Start the Terran Armada DLC
After installing the DLC, a new miscellaneous quest called “Signal Intercepted” appears in your log the next time you dock at any major city — New Atlantis, Neon, or Akila City. Following the quest marker takes you to a comm relay beacon near the Olympus system jump point, where Admiral Vasquez makes first contact and invites you to Olympus Station. You do not need to complete the main quest or Shattered Space to access the DLC, but the game recommends Level 30 as a baseline — the DLC enemies and fleet encounters are tuned for mid-to-late game builds.
The Questline
The Terran Armada questline spans 8 main missions and 6 side quests, with a total playtime of roughly 12–15 hours depending on how thoroughly you explore Olympus Station and the surrounding system. The story centres on a moral choice: the Armada has located what they believe is a pre-war Earth archive buried in the Olympus asteroid field, and different factions within the organisation disagree violently about what to do with it. Your choices in the branching main quest determine the DLC ending and affect a small number of outcomes in the base game’s faction relationships.
Key named quests include Signal Intercepted (the intro), Fleet Assembly (which introduces the Armada’s ship combat mechanics), The Buried City (a large explorable dungeon location), and Signal Lost (the mid-quest pivotal mission that determines which of the two endings you progress toward). Admiral Vasquez is the main companion figure throughout and is fully voiced with companion-style reactivity, though she cannot be permanently recruited to your crew.
New Ships and Modules
The DLC adds Armada-series ship components purchasable from Admiral Vasquez’s requisition vendor at Olympus Station after completing the first two main quests. Highlights include:
- Armada Prow Hull: Class B hull section with higher base integrity than any equivalent vanilla part. Excellent for combat-focused builds.
- Vanguard EM Pulse Cannon: A new energy weapon that deals bonus damage to shields and temporarily disables enemy engines on critical hits.
- Admiral-Class Reactor: A class C reactor with the highest power output in its class. Expensive but enables weapon loadouts that were previously power-limited.
- Armada Striker Frame: A pre-built DLC ship available for purchase that uses the new components — a strong mid-game option after the 1.16.242 Dreadnought difficulty adjustment.
See our ship builds tier list for how these new parts fit into the best configurations.
NG+ Changes in the 2026 Update
Alongside the DLC, Bethesda shipped a significant update to the New Game Plus system. The most notable changes:
- Starborn Tier Carry-Over: Starborn powers above Rank 2 now display their rank visually in the power selection wheel, making it easier to track your stacking progression across loops.
- NG+ Difficulty Scaling: Later NG+ loops (NG+5 and beyond) now have an optional “Starborn Challenge” difficulty modifier that increases enemy health and damage scaling specifically for Starborn-power-focused builds, giving high-loop players a reason to stay engaged.
- New Starborn Dialogue: NPCs in several key locations now have unique dialogue variants that acknowledge your Starborn status from NG+2 onward, adding more texture to repeated playthroughs.
For a full breakdown of how to optimise your NG+ runs around these changes, see our updated NG+ guide and the Starborn powers guide.
Is the Terran Armada DLC Worth It?
For active Starfield players, yes — the DLC delivers a well-structured 12-15 hour questline with a genuine moral choice, the best new ship parts since launch, and the NG+ improvements are a net positive for everyone regardless of whether you own the DLC. The Buried City location is the DLC’s standout setpiece, and the fleet combat encounters (especially post-1.16.242 tuning) are the most demanding ship combat the game has offered. Casual players who have not reached Level 30 may find the entry barrier a little steep, but there is no time pressure — the DLC remains fully accessible whenever you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to finish the main quest to start Terran Armada?
No. The DLC is accessible from any save file at Level 30 or above, regardless of main quest progress. You will receive the “Signal Intercepted” prompt the next time you dock at a major city after installing the DLC.
Does Terran Armada affect NG+ carries?
Yes. Completing the DLC questline unlocks a unique Starborn dialogue variant and a new cosmetic Starborn suit that carries into subsequent NG+ loops. The Armada ship modules you acquire also persist into NG+ if you own them at the point of transition.
