The Empty Nest Walkthrough - Starfield Guide - IGN (2024)

In this section of theStarfield Walkthrough, you'll find a complete guide to The Empty Nest, which is the fourth mission we recommend completing as part of the main story. It becomes available after completing The Old Neighbourhood alongside Back to Vectera and Into the Unknown. Along the way, we'll show you where you can pick up key items, find collectibles, and any opportunities for loot while you help Sam Coe recover important maps.

The Empty Nest Walkthrough

Talk to Sam Coe

You can find Sam Coe in the outdoor part of The Lodge. If you're facing the center of the room as if you're entering The Lodge, the door is just to the left. You'll find Sam there talking to his daughter, Cora. Speak to him and he'll tell you about an expedition he needs help with.

Travel to Akila City

To get to Akila City, you'll need to go to the Cheyenne System.

Talk to Sam

When you speak to Sam in Akila, he’ll be locked in as your companion until the end of The Empty Nest. When you’re ready to proceed, tell him and you’ll enter Akila City. The maps that Sam is looking for are located in the GalBank Vault, so follow Sam into Akila City.

Go to the GalBank Vault

As you try to enter, you’ll be stopped by an Akila City Security Guard. There’s trouble up ahead at the GalBank Vault, and it’s recommended by the security to avoid it unless you can offer a helping hand.

Complete “Job Gone Wrong” Side Mission

Search for the Maps

Once you’re inside the GalBank Vault, go downstairs and search with Sam to find the maps. Sam will give you the Coe GalBank Key, and you can begin to check the safety deposit boxes for the maps. In one of the safety deposit boxes, you’ll find a Note For Sam.

Note for Sam

Talk to Sam

Once you’ve got the note talk to Sam, and you can find out who Jacob is. You’ll need then to make your way over to the Coe Estate, which is in the eastern part of the city.

Talk to Jacob

When you’re in the Coe Estate, let Sam and Jacob talk. You can then talk to Jacob and try to convince him to hand over the maps.

When Jacob moves to stand and guard the door, you can look around the Coe estate. Just behind where Sam and Jacob were standing, in the southern part of the room, you can find a Text Log on the table against the wall.

Jacob Coe: Out of Retirement

Go over to where Jacob is standing, and take the door to the left instead of speaking to him. You'll be inside Jacob's bedroom. Go over to the bedside table on the left side of Jacob's bed, to find a magazine collectible.

Solomon's Adventures 01

Talk to Sam

Unfortunately, this doesn't work, and Jacob goes to guard the maps. While this happens, Sam and you can talk in private and come up with a way to get hold of them. There are three options for tackling the scenario:

• Try to speak to Jacob and persuade him
• Have Sam distract Jacob and steal the maps
• Use Cora to help

Sam won’t like you using Cora to try and help, so if you want to stay on his good side, your best bet is to attempt to persuade Jacob. If that fails, get Sam to distract him and then pick the lock to the room that he’s guarding. If you focus on talking about Solmon’s legacy to Jacob, and convincing him that Sam is following in Solomon’s footsteps in his own way, you might be able to persuade Jacob to give you his office key.

Get the Maps

Once you’ve picked the lock or managed to obtain the office key, go inside Jacob’s Office. The maps can be found just to the right of Jacob’s desk.

Solomon's Maps

Talk to Sam

Let Sam know when you have the maps, and he’ll read over them to work out exactly where the Empty Nest is.

Travel to the Empty Nest

You can either travel to the Empty Nest using your ship, or you can walk to it from Akila City, but it is quite far. If you’re planning to walk, then once you leave the Coe Estate, go northwest and find the steps leading down to the bottom level. You can then take a door to exit the city in the eastern part of the wall. Once you’re out of the gates, you’ll want to head southeast to reach the Empty Nest.

The Empty Nest is protected by members of the Shaw Gang, as well as turrets and robots. If you’re approaching it from the southwest, which is likely if you go to it via your ship, you’ll also be faced with mines.

If you’re entering it without approaching it stealthily, focus on taking down the turrets and robots first as these will do the most damage.

Searching the Shaw Gang Outpost

When you’re scouting the area, check the yellow cabin and go to the fridges in the northwest corner. Open the top left fridge to find a note.

Tag You Are It

Exit this one and head for the cabins in the northwest. Go inside the one closest to the stairs that lead you down to the Empty Nest and your objective.

Go left as you walk inside, and over to the the lockers. The last locker on the right has a Text Log to collect. You can also find some Ammo Cases here to loot.

Shaw Gang Welcome

Once you’re done looting, go northeast to the objective marker to go inside the Empty Nest. When you’re inside, be aware of more Shaw Gang members that will be waiting for you. There are plenty of flammable containers you can shoot in here, however, to quickly dispatch them.

Go east and follow the path until you come to a small camp, where you can find a Contraband Cache (Expert Level), as well as a Weapons Case (where you can collect the Ashta Tamer) and Ammo Cases. Just behind the Contraband Cache, on the table, you’ll find the Shaw Gang Cave Key.

Shaw Gang Cave Key

Note: this can also be looted from one of the Shaw Gang members in the cave.

Now continue to the locked metal gate that can be opened with the Shaw Gang Cave Key. Follow the cave all the way down to the objective marker, until you reach the Artifact.

Get the Artifact

Cut the Artifact out from the rock, then pick up Artifact Chi.

Artifact Chi

Leave the Hideout

With the Artifact acquired, make your way out of the Empty Nest. When you step outside, you’ll see members of the Shaw Gang, including Shaw waiting for you.

Deal with Shaw

You’ll have three options when it comes to dealing with Shaw:

• Persuade
• Pay 4000 Credits
• Attack

Whether you attack, pay, or persuade Shaw, the Ashta will turn up. If you’ve persuaded Shaw or paid her off, you can help kill the Ashta with the Shaw Gang.

If you do decide to help Shaw and stay and fight the Ashta, then you'll have an additional optional objective appear.

She'll reward you for helping by giving you a Boosted Refined Razorback and some ammo.

Return to the Lodge

Go back to The Lodge with Sam and enter the Library.

Add the Artifact

Add the Artifact to the rest of the collection, then wait for Sam to join and talk to him.

Rewards for Completing The Empty Nest