In Starfield the art of social interaction is as crucial as navigating the stars. The game’s Social Skill tree offers players a plethora of options to enhance their character’s ability to interact, persuade, and influence NPCs. Whether you’re bartering in the bustling markets of a spaceport, using persuasion to avoid a potentially hostile confrontation, or leading a team on a perilous mission, the right social skills can make all the difference. So in this guide, let’s go through 10 best social skills in Starfield to get insights into their mechanics, benefits, and strategic applications.
10 Best Social Skills In Starfield
1. Persuasion
In Starfield’s dialogues and interactions, the art of persuasion stands out as a cornerstone. This skill isn’t just about convincing someone to see things your way; it’s about understanding their perspective, finding common ground, and guiding the conversation towards a mutually beneficial outcome. With the Persuasion skill, players can navigate complex dialogues, avoid potential conflicts, and unlock alternative quest solutions. Investing in this skill early on can open doors that remain closed to others, making it an essential pick for those who value diplomacy and tact over brute force.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rank 1: +10% chance of a successful Persuasion. Rank 2: +20% chance of a successful Persuasion. Rank 3: +30% chance of a successful Persuasion. Rank 4: +50% chance of a successful Persuasion. |
2. Leadership
The vastness of space can be a lonely place, but with the right companions, every challenge becomes surmountable. The Leadership skill is all about harnessing the potential of your team. A good leader doesn’t just issue commands; they inspire, motivate, and elevate their team to greater heights. With this skill, your companions will perform better in combat, are able to carry more items, and even offer insights that can change the course of your journey.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 3 | Rank 1: +25% affinity for companions. Rank 2: 50 more health and 50KG carrying capacity for companions. Rank 3: Companions can sometimes heal you. Rank 4: Chance of companions self reviving. 2x bonus of Combat and Physical Crew Skills. |
3. Negotiation
Money talks in the Settled Systems, and the Negotiation Social skill in Starfield ensures you always have the upper hand in financial dealings. Whether you’re haggling over the price of a rare artifact or trying to secure a better deal for a cargo shipment, the art of negotiation is invaluable. But it’s not just about credits. You can bribe your way out of tough situations or get access to restricted areas by offering a bribe.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rank 1: Unlock bribery speech challenges. Rank 2: 25% less bribery cost. Rank 3: 50% less bribery cost. Rank 4: Chance of 0 bribery cost. |
4. Manipulation
While it might tread on the darker side of interpersonal skills, Manipulation is undeniably powerful. It’s not about brute force or overt threats; it’s about subtlety, suggestion, and psychological warfare. With the Manipulation skill, players can exert control over NPCs, making them more susceptible to your will. This can lead to unique gameplay opportunities, from extracting information without resorting to violence to turning enemies into unwitting allies. For those who enjoy playing the puppet master and pulling the strings from the shadows, Manipulation offers a tantalizing taste of power.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 4 | Rank 1: Force NPCs below or at your level to obey commands. Rank 2: Force NPCs up to 10 levels above you to obey commands. Rank 3: Force NPCs up to 20 levels above you to obey commands for a short time. Rank 4: Force NPCs to obey commands for a longer period of time. |
5. Xenosociology
Xenosociology allows you to have more control over the alien species you encounter during your journey in Starfield. It is one of the best social skills to have in your arsenal as it can force aliens to do things they might not want to otherwise. You can have them obey commands, create distractions, make them stop fighting, and more.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 4 | Rank 1: Force aliens of up to level 10 or higher to stop fighting for a short time. Rank 2: Force aliens of up to level 10 or higher to run away for a short time. Rank 3: Force aliens of up to level 10 or higher to attack allies for a short time. Rank 4: Force aliens of up to level 10 or higher to obey commands. |
6. Commerce
In the bustling markets and trade hubs of Starfield, the Commerce skill shines as a beacon for traders and entrepreneurs. It’s not just about buying low and selling high; it’s about understanding market trends, leveraging supply and demand, and maximizing profit margins. With the Commerce skill, players can get better deals on goods, sell items at higher prices, and even identify lucrative trading routes. For those looking to amass wealth through trade, or simply ensure they’re never short-changed, Commerce is an invaluable asset in the economic dance of the Settled Systems.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rank 1: Purchase items at a 5% discount and sell them with a 10% markup. Rank 2: Purchase items at a 10% discount and sell them with a 15% markup. Rank 3: Purchase items at a 15% discount and sell them with a 20% markup. Rank 4: Purchase items at a 20% discount and sell them with a 25% markup. |
7. Deception
In the shadows of Starfield’s sprawling cities and spaceports, the Deception skill thrives. It’s the art of the con, the power of space piracy, and the talent to operate under the radar. Whether you’re smuggling contraband past security checkpoints, impersonating an official, or simply trying to lie your way out of a tight spot, Deception is your go-to skill. It opens up alternative paths in quests, allows for creative problem-solving, and can even turn the tide in tricky negotiations. For players who prefer cunning over confrontation, Deception offers a world of possibilities.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rank 1: 10% stronger ships will automatically surrender to piracy demand. Enemy ship’s contraband scans are 10% less effective. Rank 2: 20% stronger ships will automatically surrender to piracy demand. Enemy ship’s contraband scans are 20% less effective. Rank 3: 30% stronger ships will automatically surrender to piracy demand. Enemy ship’s contraband scans are 30% less effective. Rank 4: 40% stronger ships will automatically surrender to piracy demand. Enemy ship’s contraband scans are 40% less effective. |
8. Diplomacy
In a galaxy filled with diverse factions, cultures, and species, the Diplomacy skill is a bridge that connects them all. It’s more than just making peace; it’s about forging alliances, understanding cultural nuances, and preventing conflicts before they arise. With Diplomacy, players can navigate tense political situations, broker deals between warring factions, and even influence the broader geopolitical landscape of Starfield. For those who dream of leaving their mark on the galaxy not through warfare, but through words, Diplomacy is the key.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rank 1: Convince an NPC of your level or lower to cease combat temporarily. Rank 2: Convince an NPC up to 10 levels above you to cease combat for a short duration. Rank 3: Convince an NPC as much as 20 levels above you to cease combat for a short duration. Rank 4: Force NPCs to indefinitely stop combat until attacked again. |
9. Intimidation
Sometimes, words can be mightier than the sword, especially when delivered with the force of the Intimidation skill. It’s about exerting dominance, making others second-guess challenging you, and ensuring that your reputation precedes you. With Intimidation, players can coerce NPCs into revealing information, deter potential threats, and even command respect in hostile territories. While it might not win you many friends, it’s an invaluable tool for those who want to carve out their own path in Starfield, no matter the opposition.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rank 1: Force an NPC on or below your level to run away for a short time. Rank 2: Force an NPC on or 10 levels above you to run away for a short time. Rank 3: Force an NPC on or 20 levels above you to run away for a short time. Rank 4: Force enemies to flee for a longer period of time. |
10. Instigation
The Instigation Social skill is a powerful tool for those who prefer to stir the pot. This skill allows players to incite reactions, provoke confrontations, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. Whether you’re looking to create a diversion, escalate a tense standoff, or simply enjoy the chaos, mastering instigation can be both a strategic move and a source of entertainment. As players delve deeper into this skill, they’ll find themselves with the unique ability to shape events, influence outcomes, and sometimes, just watch the world burn. For those who enjoy a more hands-on approach to their adventures and aren’t afraid to push a few buttons, “Instigation” is an essential skill to hone.
| Tier | Rank |
|---|---|
| 3 | Rank 1: Convince an NPC at or below your level to attack allies for a short time. Rank 2: Convince an NPC at or up to 10 levels above to attack allies for a short time. Rank 3: Convince an NPC at or up to 20 levels above to attack allies for a short time. Rank 4: Convince NPCs to attack enemies until they are dead. |