Starfield Steam Deck Performance: Eclipse Mod + Best Settings

Want to play Starfield on Steam Deck without suffering from 20 FPS? Discover how the “Eclipse Mod” and “Lossless Scaling” technology can transform your portable experience, delivering visual fluidity and stability.

Launching Starfield on Steam Deck is a challenge. Bethesda’s ambitious Creation Engine 2 demands a lot from the CPU, creating bottlenecks that result in stuttering and frame drops, especially in dense areas like New Atlantis. The standard “Low” setting doesn’t always solve the problem, and the “Modo Batata” (Potato Mode) destroys the game’s beauty.

Fortunately, the community has found the perfect balance. In this guide, we will explore the definitive optimization for Starfield Steam Deck Performance: the union of the Eclipse Mod with frame generation via Lossless Scaling.

The Problem: Why does Starfield stutter on the Deck?

Before applying the fixes, it’s important to understand the bottleneck. The Steam Deck uses a competent “Van Gogh” APU, but Starfield is CPU-intensive for calculating physics, NPC AI, and dynamic shadows.

In native settings, the processor cannot deliver frames to the GPU fast enough, resulting in unstable 20-25 FPS in cities. This is where the Eclipse Mod comes in: it doesn’t just “worsen” the graphics; it rebalances the rendering budget, reducing the complexity of distant shadows and volumetric lighting that you don’t even notice on the small screen, freeing up the processor.

Step 1: Installing the Eclipse Mod

The Eclipse Mod is the foundation for stabilizing the game. It modifies hidden .ini files to surgically optimize the game.

How to Install:

1. Download the Mod: Look for the “Eclipse Mod” on Nexus Mods or reliable channels.
2. Access Desktop Mode: On your Steam Deck, go to the desktop.
3. Locate the Correct Folder: This is the most critical step. On Linux/SteamOS, you must navigate to the following path (copy and paste if necessary):/home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1716740/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Starfield/
4. Install the File: Place the file StarfieldCustom.ini in this folder.
5. Verify: Open the file and ensure that the line bInvalidateOlderFiles=1 is present under the tag [Archive]. This ensures the game reads the optimizations.

Pro Tip: Combine this with optimized textures (1K or 512p) to save the Deck’s shared VRAM and prevent crashes.

Step 2: The Magic of Lossless Scaling (LSFG)

Now that the Eclipse Mod has stabilized your base close to 30 FPS, let’s use the Lossless Scaling to visually double that to 60 FPS through frame generation.

On the Steam Deck, the best way to use this is through the Decky Loader plugin called decky-lsfg-vk.

1. Install Decky Loader (if you don’t have it yet).
2. Purchase Lossless Scaling on Steam (needed for the base files).
3. Install the plugin decky-lsfg-vk via the Decky store (power plug icon in the quick menu).
4. Launch Options: In Starfield’s properties on Steam, add the following command in the General tab:~/lsfg %command%

Step 3: Best Settings

For the magic to work, you need the exact settings. The goal is to maintain a stable 30 FPS so that LSFG can create intermediate frames without serious flaws.

SteamOS Settings (Overlay)

• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (Mandatory for LSFG output).
• Frame Limit (OS): Off (Let LSFG control the pace).
• Allow Tearing: On (Reduces input latency).
• TDP: 12W to 15W (Do not limit power, the game needs everything).

In-Game Settings (Graphics)

• Dynamic Resolution: On.
• Render Scale: 50% to 65% (Renders internally lower and performs upscaling).
• Shadow Quality: Medium (The Eclipse already optimizes the internal resolution).
• Motion Blur: OFF (Crucial! Motion Blur confuses the frame generator and creates visual artifacts).
• Upscaling: FSR 2 or 3.
• VSync: Off.
• Crowd: Low (Helps a lot in cities).

LSFG Plugin Settings (In the Decky Menu)

• Mode: X2 (Transforms 30 into 60 FPS).
• Performance Mode: On (Saves GPU).
• FPS Cap: 30 (Capping the base at 30 helps with consistency).

The Verdict: Performance and Expectations

With this combination of Starfield Steam Deck Performance, what can you expect?

• Interiors and Space: Locked 60 FPS and very fluid.
• Planetary Exploration: Smooth camera movement, ideal for exploration.
• Cities (New Atlantis): The fire test. The game will look much more visually fluid than the native version.

Attention to detail: Frame Generation adds a bit of latency (input lag) and you might notice some “ghosting” in the user interface (HUD) when rotating the camera quickly. For an exploration-focused RPG like Starfield, the trade-off is worth it: moving from a stuttering game to a visually smooth experience.

Apply these fixes today and rediscover the galaxy on your portable device!

---

Did you like this optimization guide? Follow our blog for more extreme performance tips on the Steam Deck.