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All Starfield Skills, and the best Skills to upgrade

What are the best skills to get first in Starfield?

The interior of the Lodge, headquarters of Constellation in Starfield, with the incomplete set of artifacts floating around the central podium.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

How does Starfield's skill system work, and what are the best skills to get early on? It's well-known that Bethesda RPGs tend to have massive and versatile skill trees that allow you to build your character however you like. But Starfield takes this to a whole new level. Not only are there 82 skills in total broken into 5 skill trees, but there are also 4 ranks per skill, giving you a huge amount of scope for customising your character's abilities and playstyle.

Starfield has only just released in early access, and players around the world are pouring over the game's 5 skill trees and figuring out which skills they should unlock first. To help you navigate the skills on offer, we've put together this comprehensive guide covering all 82 Starfield skills, along with explanations on how skill ranks work, how to unlock new skills and ranks, the very best skills to get first in your Starfield playthrough, and every single skill challenge you need to complete to get there.


In this guide:

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Best Starfield skills to get first

With so many skills to choose between in Starfield, it's hard to know where to start as a new player. So here are the skills we think you should get first, even if it means just unlocking one rank for now and leaving the other ranks until later on in the game.

The best Starfield skills to get first are:

Best Skills Skill Tree Tier
Boost Pack Training Tech 1
Persuasion Social 1
Security Tech 1
Stealth Physical 1
Theft Social 1
Targeting Control Systems Tech 1
Gymnastics Physical 2
Spacesuit Design Science 2

Rank 1 of the Boost Pack Training skill unlocks a jetpack for your character, which is not only incredibly fun to use for traversal and combat, but exceptionally useful throughout your playthrough.

Speech challenges in Starfield are very important, and can shape your whole run. An early point in Persuasion helps you to succeed in convincing NPC characters to do what you like.

Put a point into Security and you'll be able to hack Advanced locks on doors and containers from day one, which can lead to some very lucrative moments early on in Starfield.

While not necessary for sneaking, Rank 1 of the Stealth skill gives you a handy Stealth Meter so you can better understand the stealth system, and makes you harder to detect while sneaking.

Rank 1 of Theft allows you to pickpocket any NPC you like. It's risky, obviously, but it's a great way to get surprisingly good items and gear early on in Starfield.

Once you get your first ship, put one point into the Targeting Control Systems skill to unlock the ability to target individual systems on enemy ships so you can deal with them more strategically.

You'll need 4 points in the Physical tree first, but Gymnastics unlocks the ability to combat slide, which, like the Boost Pack, is fun and useful in equal measure.

You'll need 4 points in the Science tree, but after that, a point in Spacesuit Design allows you to research and craft much better spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.


Best Starfield skills to get later on

As time goes on and you increase your player level, you'll gain the chance to start unlocking the higher tiers and higher ranks of Starfield's skills. The best skills in Starfield depend largely on your playstyle: do you want to be a stealthy player, or a close quarters specialist? Do you prefer ship-to-ship combat, or exploring, or convincing others to do what you want?

Here are some of the best Starfield skills to get later on:

Best Skills Skill Tree Tier
Concealment Physical 4
Diplomacy Social 2
Isolation Social 2
Xenosociology Social 4
Armor Penetration Combat 4
Starship Design Tech 3
Boost Assault Training Tech 4

Concealment is a fantastic skill from the start, giving you a huge boost to sneak attack damage that wildly increases with higher ranks, alongside a host of other sneaky benefits.

The Diplomacy skill gives you the ability to force a target NPC to stop fighting. At higher levels, you can permanently stop an NPC up to 20 levels higher than you from fighting. That's huge.

For lone wolf style play, there's no skill better than Isolation, which can give you up to 80% increased weapon damage across the board. If that doesn't fulfil your power fantasy, nothing will.

Xenosociology allows you to command target alien creatures to do various things, such as stopping, fleeing, or attacking their allies. It's an extremely useful skill for any player to have.

When you come against enemies with high armour, it can be pretty tough going. Armor Penetration lets you tear through enemy armor with ease, making it an essential late-game skill.

The Starship Design skill gives you a much wider variety of ship modules to attach to your ship. Designing ships is a late-game activity so don't bother with this early on, but later it's fantastic.

If you really want to lean into jetpack combat tactics, Boost Assault Training is there for you. From incinerating enemies to slowing down time, this skill is a dream for jetpack lovers.

The skills screen in Starfield, showing the Pistol Certification skill at the top of the Combat skill tree.
An expanded view of the Pistol Certification skill in the Starfield skills screen, showing the different skill's ranks and effects.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield skill trees and skill ranks explained

Starfield's 82 skills are split across 5 skill trees, each with a different focus. These skill trees are: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Each time you level up in Starfield, you gain a skill point which you can assign to a particular skill.

Each tree is divided into 4 tiers, or rows, and you need to invest a certain number of points in the previous tiers before you can start unlocking skills in the later tiers. Here's how many points you need to invest in a skill tree to unlock each tier:

  • Tier 1: Free
  • Tier 2: 4 skill points to unlock
  • Tier 3: 8 skill points to unlock
  • Tier 4: 12 skill points to unlock

Each skill in Starfield also has 4 ranks, each of which has a different effect. Sometimes it's an upgrade to an existing effect: for example, Rank 1 of Fitness gives you 10% more Oxygen, while Rank 2 gives you 20%. But other times, unlocking a new rank in a skill will give you a completely new benefit which the previous ranks don't provide. The first rank of a skill is always freely available for you to spend a skill point on it, but in order to unlock the later ranks in that skill, you need to complete a certain skill challenge for each one. Unless you've completed the specific challenge for a skill rank, you can't unlock it even if you have a free skill point to spend.


The player in Starfield has a fist fight with an enemy NPC on top of an outdoor platform.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield Physical skills list

Here is the full list of all 16 Starfield skills in the Physical skill tree:

Skill Name Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4
Boxing Unarmed attacks do 25% more damage. 25% less O2 used when using a power attack Unarmed attacks do 50% more damage. 50% less O2 used when using a power attack Unarmed attacks do 75% more damage. While in a fight and unarmed, running consumes 30% less O2 Unarmed attacks do 100% more damage and have a chance to knock down opponents
Fitness You have 10% more oxygen available You have 20% more oxygen available You have 30% more oxygen available Sprinting and power attacks now use significantly less oxygen
Stealth Adds a Stealth Meter. You are 25% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 5% sneak attack damage Upgrades the Stealth Meter. You are 50% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 10% sneak attack damage Upgrades the Stealth Meter. You are 75% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 15% sneak attack damage You are 100% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 20% sneak attack damage. Doors you interact with while in stealth no longer alert enemies
Weight Lifting Increase total carrying capacity by 10 kilograms Increase total carrying capacity by 25 kilograms Increase total carrying capacity by 50 kilograms Increase total carrying capacity by 100 kilograms. Gain 50% resistance to stagger
Wellness Increase your maximum health by 10% Increase your maximum health by 20% Increase your maximum health by 30% Increase your maximum health by 40%
Energy Weapon Dissipation Energy damage is reduced by 5% Energy damage is reduced by 10% Energy damage is reduced by 15% 25% chance to reflect energy damage back to an attacker when your health is below 50%
Environmental Conditioning Gain 10 resistance to Airborne environmental damage Gain 10 resistance to Thermal environmental damage Gain 10 resistance to Corrosive and Radiation environmental damage Reduced chance to gain afflictions from environmental damage sources
Gymnastics Unlock the ability to combat slide. Take 15% less fall damage Move faster in Zero-G. Take 20% less fall damage Become more stable when firing in Zero-G. Take 30% less fall damage. Replenish some O2 after mantling Increased jump height. Run faster after combat sliding or mantling
Nutrition Food and drink are 10% more effective Food and drink are 20% more effective Food and drink are 30% more effective Food and drink are 50% more effective
Pain Tolerance Physical damage is reduced by 5% Physical damage is reduced by 10% Physical damage is reduced by 15% 5% to ignore physical damage when your health is low
Cellular Regeneration Slightly increased chance to recover from injuries naturally Moderately increased chance to recover from injuries naturally Noticeably increased chance to recover from injuries naturally 20% chance of not gaining an injury when you otherwise would
Decontamination Slightly increased chance to recover from infections naturally Moderately increased chance to recover from infections naturally Noticeably increased chance to recover from infections naturally 20% chance of not gaining an infection when you otherwise would
Martial Arts 15% increased chance to crit with a melee or unarmed attack 15% increased chance to disarm an opponent with a melee or unarmed power attack While unarmed or wielding a melee weapon, take 10% less damage Reflect 50% damage back when blocking a melee or unarmed attack
Concealment You no longer set off enemy mines. Ranged sneak attacks do 2.5x normal damage and your melee sneak attacks do 4x normal damage Running while sneaking doesn't affect stealth. Ranged sneak attacks do 3x normal damage and your melee sneak attacks do 5x normal damage You gain a Chameleon-like ability when completely still and sneaking. Ranged sneak attacks do 3.5x normal damage and your melee sneak attacks do 8x normal damage Engaging stealth causes distant enemies to lose you. Ranged sneak attacks do 4x normal damage and your melee sneak attacks do 10x normal damage
Neurostrikes 10% chance to stun an NPC with an unarmed attack Unarmed attacks now do additional EM damage 20% chance to stun an NPC with an unarmed attack After stunning an enemy, you also knock down any enemies within close range
Rejuvenation Slowly regenerate health outside of combat Regenerate health more quickly outside of combat Regenerate health much faster outside of combat. You can now slowly regenerate health while in combat Regenerate health even faster outside of combat. You can now regenerate health quickly while in combat

Two characters look out over a serene setting in Starfield.
Image credit: Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield Social skills list

Here is the full list of all 16 Starfield skills in the Social skill tree:

Skill Name Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4
Commerce Buy for 5% less and sell for 10% Buy for 10% less and sell for 15% Buy for 15% less and sell for 20% Buy for 20% less and sell for 25%
Gastronomy You can craft speciality food and drinks, and research additional recipes at a Research Lab You can research and craft gourmet food and drinks You can research and craft food and drink delicacies Crafting food and drinks occasionally doesn't use up resources. You can research and craft exotic recipes
Persuasion 10% increased chance of success when persuading someone 20% increased chance of success when persuading someone 30% increased chance of success when persuading someone 50% increased chance of success when persuading someone
Scavenging There's a chance you'll find extra credits when searching containers There's a chance you'll find extra ammo when searching containers There's a chance you'll find extra aid items, like Med Packs or chems, when searching containers Tracked resources will get highlighted when using the hand scanner
Theft Unlock the ability to pickpocket targets 10% greater chance to successfully pickpocket 30% greater chance to successfully pickpocket 50% greater chance to successfully pickpocket. Can now pickpocket holstered weapons
Deception Ships 10% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 10% less effective Ships 20% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 20% less effective Ships 30% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 30% less effective Ships 50% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 50% less effective
Diplomacy You can force a target NPC at or below your level to stop fighting for a while You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to stop fighting for a while You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to stop fighting for a while You can force target NPCs to permanently stop fighting (unless they're attacked again)
Intimidation You can force a target NPC at or below your level to flee for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time Intimidated targets now flee for substantial amount of time
Isolation Do +10% weapon damage and gain 15 Damage Resistance for each Spacesuit and Helmet equipped when you don't have a companion or any crew Do +20% weapon damage and gain 30 Damage Resistance for each Spacesuit and Helmet equipped when you don't have a companion or any crew Do +30% weapon damage and gain 45 Damage Resistance for each Spacesuit and Helmet equipped when you don't have a companion or any crew Do +40% weapon damage and gain 60 Damage Resistance for each Spacesuit and Helmet equipped when you don't have a companion or any crew
Negotiation You now have access to Bribery in speech challenges Reduces bribery cost by 25% Reduces bribery cost by 50% Occasionally, bribery won't cost any money
Instigation You can force a target NPC at or below your level to attack their allies for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time Enemies affected by Instigation will attack their allies until they are dead
Leadership Companions gain affinity 25% faster Companions have 50 more health and 50kg more carrying capacity Companions will occasionally heal you when you get low health Doubles the bonuses of Combat and Physical Crew Skills on Companions. Companions have a chance to pick themselves up from a downed state
Outpost Management Additional cargo links can be placed at outposts Additional robots can be constructed at outposts Additional crew can be assigned at outposts Outpost extractors produce twice as fast
Manipulation You can force a target NPC at or below your level to obey commands for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time Manipulated targets now obey commands for a substantial amount of time
Ship Command You can have up to four active crew members You can have up to five active crew members You can have up to six active crew members You can have up to eight active crew members
Xenosociology You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to stop fighting for a limited time You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time You can force a target creature up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time

The player in Starfield shoots an automatic rifle at a robot enemy in a hallway.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield Combat skills list

Here is the full list of all 17 Starfield skills in the Combat skill tree:

Skill Name Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4
Ballistics Ballistic weapons do 10% more damage Ballistic weapons do 20% more damage Ballistic weapons do 30% more damage Ballistic weapons range is increased by 30%
Dueling Melee weapons do 25% more damage. Take 10% less damage while wielding a melee weapon Melee kills make you run 20% faster for 10 seconds Melee weapons do 50% more damage. Take 15% less damage while wielding a melee weapon Melee kills heal you for 10% of your health
Lasers Laser weapons do 10% more damage Laser weapons do 20% more damage Laser weapons do 30% more damage Laser weapons have a 5% chance to set a target on fire
Pistol Certification Pistols do 10% more damage Pistols do 25% more damage Pistols do 50% more damage Pistol kills grant +25% critical hit chance for 5 seconds
Shotgun Certification Shotguns do 10% more damage Shotguns do 20% more damage Shotguns do 30% more damage Shotgun kills grant a small chance to stun additional targets with shotguns for a limited time
Demolitions Throwing grenades now shows a trajectory arc. Explosions have a 25% larger radius Explosives do 25% more damage Reduce damage taken from explosives by 25% All previous bonuses are doubled
Heavy Weapons Certification Heavy weapons do 10% more damage Heavy weapons do 20% more damage Heavy weapons do 30% more damage Gain 25% Physical resistance while aiming down sights with a heavy weapon
Incapacitation EM weapons do 5% more damage EM weapons do 10% more damage EM weapons do 15% more damage EM weapons have a 15% chance to do 300% EM damage
Particle Beams Particle beam weapons do 10% more damage Particle beam weapons do 20% more damage Particle beam weapons do 30% more damage Particle beam weapons have +5% crit chance
Rifle Certification Rifles do 10% more damage Rifles do 20% more damage Rifles do 30% more damage Reload rifles 30% faster while you're standing still
Marksmanship Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 3% Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 8% Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 15% Critical hits using a non-automatic ranged weapon without a scope do double damage and those with scopes knock down enemies on the next shot
Rapid Reloading Reload Ballistic weapons 30% faster Reload Energy and EM weapons 30% faster Reload Particle Beam weapons 30% faster. 50% chance to avoid getting interrupted while reloading Chance on hitting enemies to increase reload speed for all weapons by 50% for 15 seconds
Sniper Certification Scoped weapons are steadier and have less sway You can hold your breath longer with scoped weapons Headshots while aiming with a scoped weapon have a +25% critical hit chance Scoped weapons do 50% more damage while using the scope
Targeting Increased accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to one enemy within 25m that damages you Notably increased accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to two enemies within 50m that damage you Greatly increased accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to three enemies within 75m that damage you 10% chance to disarm targets hit when shooting without aiming. Marks up to four enemies within 100m that damage you
Armor Penetration Attacks ignore 15% of a target's armor Attacks ignore 30% of a target's armor Attacks ignore 50% of a target's armor Enemy armor is decreased by 25% for 6 seconds
Crippling Human enemies have 30% increased chance to enter a downed state after taking enough damage Humanoid enemies have a 50% increased chance to not naturally recover from a downed state Human enemies now can enter a downed state earlier Previous ranks now apply to all enemy types. You now do 100% more damage to downed enemies
Sharpshooting Increase headshot critical damage by 50% with ranged weapons Increase critical damage to enemy legs by 50% with ranged weapons Increase all critical damage to enemies by 50% with ranged weapons Ranged critical hit kills increase your critical hit chance with all ranged weapons by 25% for 20 seconds

A doctor in his laboratory in Starfield looks at the camera.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield Science skills list

Here is the full list of all 16 Starfield skills in the Science skill tree:

Skill Name Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4
Astrodynamics Increase grav jump range of jump drives by 15% Reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 15% Increased grav jump range and reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 30% Reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 50%
Geology Get more common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects Get more rare inorganic resources from surface objects Get more exotic inorganic resources from surface objects Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from surface objects
Medicine Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 10% additional Health 10% faster Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 20% additional Health 20% faster Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 30% additional Health 30% faster Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 50% additional Health 50% faster, and have a chance to cure an affliction
Research Methods Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 10% Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 20% Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 40% Sudden developments during research are twice as common. Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 60%
Surveying Adds an optional zoom to the hand scanner, and scan distance is increased by 20 meters Adds another level of zoom to the hand scanner, and scan distance is increased by 30 meters Adds another level of zoom to the hand scanner, and scan distance is increased by 40 meters Adds another level of zoom to the hand scanner, and scan distance is increased by 50 meters
Botany Get more common and uncommon organic resources from plants, learn additional info about them from the scanner, and allows some plants to be cultivated at your outposts Get more rare organic resources from plants, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner Get more exotic organic resources from plants, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from plants, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner
Scanning You can detect uncommon inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and more information about ships in space You can detect rare inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and more specific information about ships in space You can detect exotic inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and gain better combat information about ships in space You can detect unique inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces, and gain a complete list of cargo on ships in space
Spacesuit Design You can craft improved spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods, and research additional mods at a Research Lab You can research and craft superior spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods You can research and craft cutting-edge spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods Construction of spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods occasionally doesn't cost resources
Weapon Engineering You can craft improved weapon mods at a Weapon Workbench, and research additional weapon mods at a Research Lab You can research and craft superior weapon mods You can research and craft cutting-edge weapon mods You can research and craft master-level weapon mods
Zoology Get more common organic resources from creatures and harvest from them without harming them, learn additional info about them from the scanner, and allows you to produce animal resources at your outposts Get more uncommon organic resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner Get more rare organic resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner Occasionally harvest additional rarer resources from creatures, and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner
Astrophysics You can scan the moons of your current planet. You have a 10% chance to discover a trait when scanning You can scan any planet or moon in this system. You have a 20% chance to discover a trait when scanning You can scan any planet or moon within 16 Light Years. You have a 30% chance to discover a trait when scanning You can scan any planet or moon within 30 Light Years. You have a 50% chance to discover a trait when scanning
Chemistry You can create improved chems, and research additional chems at a Research Lab You can research and create superior chems You can research and create cutting-edge chems Crafting chems occasionally triples the amount created
Outpost Engineering You can construct improved outpost modules, and research additional modules at a Research Lab You can research and construct superior outpost modules You can research and construct cutting-edge outpost modules Outpost modules now cost 50% fewer resources to build
Aneutronic Fusion Ship reactors produce 1 extra unit of power Ship reactors produce 2 extra units of power Ship reactors produce 3 extra units of power Ship reactors produce 5 extra units of power
Planetary Habitation You can build outposts on planets with extreme temperatures (Deep Freeze and Inferno). Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 4 You can build outposts on planets with extreme pressure. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 8 You can build outposts on planets with toxic or corrosive atmospheres. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 12 You can build outposts on planets with extreme gravity. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 16
Special Projects You can research experimental projects at a Research Lab You can craft rare manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench You can craft exotic manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench You can craft unique manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. Outpost extractors have a chance to produce additional resources

Approaching a planet from space in Starfield.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Softworks

Starfield Tech skills list

Here is the full list of all 17 Starfield skills in the Tech skill tree:

Skill Name Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3 Rank 4
Ballistic Weapon Systems Ballistic ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 20% less to use in Targeting Mode Ballistic ship weapons have 20% increased damage and recharge 15% faster Ballistic ship weapons have 30% increased damage and recharge 30% faster Ballistic ship weapons do 50% more damage to individual systems
Boost Pack Training You can now utilize boost packs Using a boost packs expends less fuel Boost pack fuel regenerates more quickly Doubles previous bonuses
Piloting You can now utilize ship thrusters Increased ship turning rate and maneuverability Unlock the ability to pilot Class B ships Unlock the ability to pilot Class C ships
Security You can attempt to hack Advanced locks, and 2 auto attempts can be banked You can attempt to hack Expert locks, and 3 auto attempts can be banked. Rings now turn blue when the pick can be slotted You can attempt to hack Master-level locks, and 4 auto attempts can be banked Expend a digipick to eliminate keys that aren't required to solve the puzzle. 5 auto attempts can be banked
Targeting Control Systems Unlocks ship targeting functionally Time to lock onto enemy ships is reduced by 15%. Target-locked ships fire at you 25% slower Time to lock onto enemy ships is reduced by 30%. You have a 10% increased chance of critically hitting a target-locked ship Time to lock onto enemy ships is reduced by 60%. Deal 20% increased system damage in targeting mode
Energy Weapon Systems Energy ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 15% less to use in Targeting Mode Energy ship weapons have 20% increased damage and cost 30% less to use in Targeting Mode Energy ship weapons have 30% increased damage and cost 45% less to use in Targeting Mode Energy ship weapons recharge 30% faster
Engine Systems Your ship's top speed is increased by 10% Ship boosts last longer and the cooldown is shorter Your ship's top speed in increased by 20% While boosting, all enemies disengage the player and can only reacquire them as a target after the player stops boosting
Payloads Ship cargo holds have 10% more capacity Ship cargo holds have 20% more capacity Ship cargo holds have 30% more capacity Ship cargo holds have 50% more capacity
Shield Systems Your ship has 20% increased shield capacity Your ship has 40% increased shield capacity Your ship has 60% increased shield capacity Your shields will occasionally resist 100% of all damage received
Missile Weapon Systems Ship missile weapons do 10% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 20% Ship missile weapons do 20% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 40% Ship missile weapons do 30% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 60% Ship missiles have 20% increased Range, Travel Speed, and Reload Speed
Particle Beam Weapon Systems Ship particle beam weapons do 10% more damage, and Targeting mode cost is reduced by 10% Ship particle beam weapons do 20% more damage, and Targeting mode cost is reduced by 20% Ship particle beam weapons do 30% more damage, and Targeting mode cost is reduced by 30% Increased critical hit chance with ship particle beam weapons
Robotics You deal 10% more damage to Robots and Turrets. You can force a target robot up to 10 levels higher than you to stop fighting for a limited time You deal 20% more damage to Robots and Turrets. You can force a target robot up to 10 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time You deal 30% more damage to Robots and Turrets. You can force a target robot up to 10 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time You can force a target robot up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time
Starship Design Allows the installation of improved ship modules Allows the installation of superior ship modules Allows the installation of cutting-edge ship modules Allows the installation of experimental ship modules
Starship Engineering All ship systems repair 10% faster Ship systems have 25% increased damage mitigation All ship systems repair 25% faster Occasionally, repairing one block of a system will repair the entire system
Automated Weapon Systems Automated ship weapons do 10% more damage and reduce all targeting mode costs by 20% Automated ship weapons do 20% more damage and reduce all targeting mode costs by 30%. Your ship takes 20% less damage while in targeting mode Automated ship weapons do 30% more damage and reduce all targeting mode costs by 40%. Increases crit chance against targeted sub-systems by 20% Ship turret weapons recharge 40% faster and do 20% more damage to targeted sub-systems
Boost Assault Training Nearby enemies take damage when you boost and have a chance to catch on fire Chance to knockdown nearby enemies when you boost Aiming down sights while boosting will let you hover in place. Fuel is still expended until empty While hovering, time slows down and the world moves 70% slower around you
EM Weapon Systems EM ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 15% less to use in Targeting Mode EM ship weapons have 20% increased damage and cost 30% less to use in Targeting Mode EM ship weapons have 30% increased damage and cost 45% less to use in Targeting Mode EM ship weapons have a small chance of instantly disabling enemy engines

A close-up of a suppressed Urban Eagle pistol in Starfield.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Bethesda Game Studios

Starfield skill challenges

The first rank of each Starfield skill is free, but subsequent ranks will require you to have completed a specific challenge before you're allowed to invest another skill point into that skill. Here is the full list of all Starfield skill challenges for every rank of every single skill in the game:

Physical skill challenges

SkillChallenges
BoxingKill 20/50/100 enemies with an unarmed attack
FitnessUse up all available oxygen 20/50/100 times
StealthPerform 10/20/40 sneak attacks
Weight LiftingSprint for 1000/2500/5000 meters while at 75% or more of your maximum load capacity
WellnessHeal 200/500/1000 damage
Energy Weapon DissipationTake 150/350/750 points of energy damage
Environmental ConditioningTake 100/250/500 environmental damage
GymnasticsTake 100 fall damage
Kill 5 enemies in Zero G environments
Kill 20 enemies in Zero G environments
NutritionConsume 10/30/75 food or drink items
Pain ToleranceTake 250/500/1000 points of physical damage
Cellular RegenerationRecover from 5/10/30 injuries
DecontaminationRecover from 5/15/30 infections
Martial ArtsDeal 250 damage with unarmed attacks
Disarm 10 enemies using melee or unarmed attacks
Disarm 30 enemies using melee or unarmed attacks
ConcealmentPerform 10/30/75 melee/unarmed sneak attacks
NeurostrikesStun 10/30/75 enemies with an unarmed attack
RejuvenationFall below 25% health 3/8/15 times and fully heal

Social skill challenges

SkillChallenges
CommerceBuy or sell 25/75/150 unique items
GastronomyCreate 5/25/50 food or drink items
PersuasionSucceed in 3/5/10 speech challenges
ScavengingLoot 25/75/150 containers
TheftSuccessfully pickpocket 5/10/20 times
DeceptionConvince 5/10/20 ships to surrender
DiplomacySuccessfully use Diplomacy on 5/25/50 different people
IntimidationSuccessfully Intimidate 5/25/50 different people
IsolationKill 20/50/100 enemies while not in command of a follower
NegotiationBribe 3/5/10 times through persuasion
InstigationSuccessfully Instigate 5/25/50 different people
LeadershipSprint 1000/2500/5000 metres with an active follower
Outpost ManagementBuild cargo links on 6 different planets
Construct 8 robots at outposts
Construct 10 crew stations at outposts
ManipulationSuccessfully Manipulate 5/25/50 different people
Ship CommandDestroy or board 5/25/50 ships with a crew of 2/4/6 or more
XenosociologySuccessfully use Pacify/Flee/Frenzy on 15 different aliens

Combat skill challenges

SkillChallenges
BallisticsKill 20/50/100 enemies with a ballistic weapon
DuelingKill 20/50/100 enemies with a melee weapon
LasersKill 20/50/100 enemies with a laser weapon
Pistol CertificationKill 20/50/100 enemies with a pistol
Shotgun CertificationKill 20/50/100 enemies with a shotgun
DemolitionsKill 20/50/100 enemies with explosives
Heavy Weapons CertificationKill 20/50/100 enemies with a heavy weapon
IncapacitationDeal 400/1000/2500 EM damage
Particle BeamsKill 20/50/100 enemies with a particle beam weapon
Rifle CertificationKill 20/50/100 enemies with a rifle
MarksmanshipDeal 10/30/75 ranged critical hits
Rapid ReloadingReload 30/75/150 empty magazines
Sniper CertificationKill 50/125/250 enemies using a scoped weapon
TargetingKill 50/125/250 enemies without aiming with a ranged weapon
Armor PenetrationKill 20/50/250 enemies with a non-automatic weapon
CripplingPut 20/50/100 enemies into the bleedout state
SharpshootingDeal 50/125/250 ranged critical hits

Science skill challenges

SkillChallenges
AstrodynamicsMake 5/15/30 grav jumps
GeologyHarvest inorganic resources from 20/50/100 sources
MedicineUse healing items 20/50/100 times while wounded
Research MethodsCraft 5/10/15 unique food, drinks, drugs, weapon mods, or equipment mods
SurveyingUse the hand scanner to scan 10/25/50 unique resources, flora, or fauna
BotanyHarvest 20/50/100 organic resources from plants
ScanningScan 5/15/30 planets or moons
Spacesuit DesignCraft 5/15/30 spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods
Weapon EngineeringCraft 5/15/30 weapon mods
ZoologyHarvest organic resources from 20/50/100 creatures
AstrophysicsScan 10/25/50 unique planets or moons
ChemistryCreate 10/25/50 chems
Outpost EngineeringBuild 5/25/50 different outpost modules
Aneutronic FusionDestroy 5/25/50 ships
Planetary HabitationBuild habitable outposts on 5/10/20 different planets
Special ProjectsCraft 10 common or uncommon manufactured components
Craft 10 rare manufactured components
Craft 10 exotic manufactured components

Tech skill challenges

SkillChallenges
Ballistic Weapon SystemsDeal 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ships with ballistic weapons
Boost Pack TrainingBoost jump 10/25/50 times while in combat
PilotingDestroy 5/15/30 ships
SecurityPick 5/15/30 locks
Targeting Control SystemsDestroy 5/15/30 enemy ships while in targeting mode
Energy Weapon SystemsDeal 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ships with Energy weapons
Engine SystemsBoost 5/25/50 times with your spaceship while in combat
PayloadsMake 10/25/50 grav jumps with 75% or more of maximum cargo capacity
Shield SystemsTake 150/350/750 shield damage
Missile Weapon SystemsDamage 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ships with missile weapons
Particle Beam Weapon SystemsDamage 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ship with particle beam weapons
RoboticsDestroy 5/25/50 robots
Starship DesignInstall 5/15/30 unique ship modules
Starship EngineeringUse 5/10/15 ship repair kits
Automated Weapon SystemsDeal 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ships with automated turret weapons
Boost Assault TrainingDeal 200 damage to enemies using the boost pack
Knockdown 20 enemies with a boost
Deal 500 damage to enemies using the boost pack
EM Weapon SystemsDeal 1000/4000/10000 damage to enemy ships with EM weapons

Looking for more Starfield tips, check-out our guides to the best Backgrounds and best Traits.

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Starfield

Xbox Series X/S, PC

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Ollie Toms avatar

Ollie Toms

Guides Editor

Ollie is sheriff of Guidestown at RPS, and since joining the team in 2018, he's written over 1,000 guides for the site. He loves playing dangerously competitive games and factory sims, injuring himself playing badminton, and burying his face in the warm fur of his two cats.

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