# Starfield: Three Crucial Preparations Before Diving into the Shattered Space Expansion
With the highly awaited launch of *Shattered Space*, the inaugural major expansion for *Starfield*, imminent, numerous players are keen to plunge into the new content as soon as it becomes available. As someone who appreciates Bethesda’s vast open-world experiences, I’ve been gearing up for this DLC in advance to make the most of my experience from the start. If you’re as enthusiastic as I am to uncover the secrets of House Va’ruun on the planet Va’ruun’kai, here are some vital steps you should undertake before the expansion goes live to ensure you’re set for the journey.
## 1. **Recruit Andreja as Your Ally**
Even if you’re the kind of player who enjoys exploring the universe alone or alongside a reliable robotic companion, you should definitely think about inviting Andreja to join you in *Shattered Space*. Andreja, affiliated with the Constellation faction, possesses a profound relationship with House Va’ruun, the religious faction central to the expansion’s narrative.
### Why Andreja is Indispensable:
– **Insight into House Va’ruun**: Andreja was formerly part of this secluded religious society, granting her unique perspectives on their traditions, beliefs, and culture. This understanding could be crucial when navigating the intricate social structures of Va’ruun’kai.
– **Enhanced Dialogue and Story Engagement**: Bethesda excels at weaving rich, character-driven stories, and Andreja is likely to feature additional dialogue choices and plot moments in *Shattered Space*. Her connection to House Va’ruun might unveil new conversational avenues, enabling you to delve deeper into the faction’s mindset and goals.
– **Impact of Companion Quests**: If you’ve finished Andreja’s companion quest, the choices you’ve made could affect her interactions with the followers of Va’ruun in the expansion. Without revealing too much, your earlier decisions might yield different narrative consequences.
If you have not yet welcomed Andreja to your crew or completed her companion quest, now is an ideal time to do so. Her involvement will certainly enrich your adventure in *Shattered Space*.
## 2. **Familiarize Yourself with House Va’ruun**
Before stepping into the realm of House Va’ruun, it’s wise to get acquainted with this mysterious faction. There are two primary methods to gather intel about House Va’ruun within the base game:
### Option 1: Explore Va’ruun Lore
If you appreciate diving deep into the universe of *Starfield*, you can find a wealth of information concerning House Va’ruun throughout the game. You can also browse lore articles online (such as the one I wrote!) for a thorough overview of the faction’s history, beliefs, and significance in the galaxy.
### Option 2: Embark on the Vanguard Questline
For a more interactive approach, I suggest initiating the Vanguard questline. While the Vanguard might seem initially unrelated to House Va’ruun, this storyline provides valuable context regarding the colonized systems and their ties to the faction.
– **New Atlantis History Museum**: At the beginning of the Vanguard questline, you’ll visit the New Atlantis History Museum, where you can learn about the galaxy’s history and House Va’ruun’s role within it. This will equip you with essential knowledge before meeting the faction in *Shattered Space*.
– **Mission at the Va’ruun Embassy**: Further along in the Vanguard questline, you’ll have the chance to infiltrate the House Va’ruun embassy in New Atlantis. This mission is both exhilarating and enlightening, giving an in-depth look into the faction’s inner workings.
Even if you don’t plan to engage with the expansion immediately, the Vanguard questline stands out as one of the most thrilling narratives in *Starfield*, making it worthwhile to complete regardless.
## 3. **Gear Up with the Right Equipment**
Similar to the main game, *Shattered Space* is likely to present numerous high-level adversaries. To ensure you’re prepared for the upcoming challenges, it’s vital to have the appropriate gear. Here are two weapon recommendations that I strongly endorse:
### **Breach or Big Bang (Shotguns)**
A new feature introduced in *Shattered Space* involves portals appearing unexpectedly, potentially summoning enemies nearby. Therefore, having a dependable close-range weapon is essential.
– **Breach and Big Bang** are among the top shotguns available, capable of inflicting significant damage in close quarters. If you haven’t secured one of these weapons yet, visit your preferred arms dealer and search for a variant with the “Modern” tag, as these are the most damaging versions.
### **Magpulse (Versatile Weapon)**
For a more adaptable weapon choice,