Starfield Skills list and Skill Trees explained

Starfield lets you unlock Skills from its Skill Trees to help build characters in a large variety of ways.

Whether you want to be a smooth talker, tech wizard, or connoisseur of killing, you can focus on specific Skill Trees in Starfield to specialise in a particular playstyle, or you can mix it up by picking your favourites from each Skill Tree to assist in your unique journey across the stars.

To help you plan your character build, we've got a list of Skills in Starfield below, along with a Skills and Skill Trees explainer, and details on how to unlock and level up a Skill.

On this page:

• Skills and Skill Trees explained
• Skill Ranks: How to unlock and level up a Skill
• Physical Skills list
• Social Skills list
• Combat Skills list
• Science Skills list
• Tech Skills list

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If you’d like more help in your galactic adventures, visit our Starfield guides, tips and tricks page.

Starfield Skills and Skill Trees explained

Starfield has 82 Skills in total spread across five different Skill Trees - Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech.

Each Skill Tree is focused around a specific type of Skill. The Social Skill Tree, for example, allows you to unlock Skills like Persuasions and Intimidation which grant you more options when interacting with NPCs. Meanwhile, investing in the Combat Skill Tree can improve your capabilities with the various weapon types, such as Rifles, you can use in Starfield.

Each Skill Tree is also divided into four tiers, such as Advanced (second tier) and Expert (third tier). To access these tiers and their associated skills, you need to invest a certain number of Skill Points into a Skill Tree. This means that if you fancy being able to mind control creatures, for example, you need to invest enough Skill Points into the Social Skill Tree so you can access the Xenosociology skill on the highest tier.

Each Background for your character also comes with three Skills automatically unlocked, with said Skills being themed around the Background itself. The Diplomat Background, for example, begins with the Persuasion, Commerce and Wellness Skills since it's a role initially focused around communication. As you progress through Starfield, you'll be able to customise these Backgrounds by unlocking new skills.

Starfield Skill Ranks: How to unlock and level up a Skill in Starfield

You receive one Skill Point every time you level up in Starfield. This Skill Point can then either be used to unlock a new Skill or invested into one you already have, so you can level up that Skill.

To properly level up a Skill, and in doing so increase its ranking, you must spend one Skill Point and complete a Rank Challenge.There are four Ranks in total for every Skill and increasing a Skill's Rank will unlock more bonuses for said Skill.

The Rank Challenges are themed around the Skill itself, you can naturally complete them as you play Starfield, and become increasingly difficult as you progress to higher Ranks. The Rank 1 challenge for the Security Skill, for example, is 'Pick 5 locks' and then, for Rank 2, it becomes 'Pick 15 locks.'

Starfield Physical Skills list

Divided into the Physical Skill Tree's four tiers, below you'll find a list of all 16 Physical Skills in Starfield:

Starfield Physical Skills - Tier 1

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Boxing	Once considered a "sport of kings," boxing is still practiced as a recreational competitive activity, but its combat applications can't be denied	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	In space, the greatest commodity is oxygen, and the increased lung capacity gained by a regular physical fitness regimen is essential to survival	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	For a combatant who values discretion above all else, the ability to approach a target while undetected and kill with a silenced weapon is as terrifying as it is effective	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	Weight training can significantly increase one's ability to carry weapons and equipment, both in space and on the ground	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	By embracing an active lifestyle and good nutrition habits, one may improve their overall sense of health, and even gain prolonged life expectancy	Increase your maximum health by 10%	Increase your maximum health by 20%	Increase your maximum health by 30%	Increase your maximum health by 40%

Starfield Physical Skills - Tier 2

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Energy Weapon Dissipation	Considering the widespread use of energy weapons in the Settled Systems, specialized training to minimize damage is considered invaluable	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	In the Settled Systems, even oxygen-rich planets and moons may have an atmosphere that is hazardous to human beings	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	From navigating the elevations of alien landscapes to exploring derelict ships in Zero-G, gymnastic training is invaluable for improving both safety and maneuverability	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	Advanced nutritional science is no substitute for good life choices, and knowing how much and when to eat can be just as important as the food itself	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	Pain hurts - but only if you're not strong enough to take it	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

Starfield Physical Skills - Tier 3

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Cellular Regeneration	Whether through secret experimentation or just plain healthy living, boosting the body's ability to naturally recover from injuries can mean the difference between life and death	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	Through a deliberate regiment of conditioning and antibody therapy, one may effectively combat even the Settled Systems' unseen threats	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	There are currently hundreds of martial arts practiced in the Settled Systems, some originating on ancient Earth, some newly created, almost all effective in combat	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

Starfield Physical Skills - Tier 4

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Concealment	Few skills capture the imagination like the ability to remain undetected, used by assassins, special forces operatives, and simple thieves alike for centuries	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	Once considered the realm of fiction, the ability to disable an opponent without using a weapon is terrifyingly effective when performed by a skilled practitioner	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	Utilizing both ancient meditation techniques and newly developed breathing exercises, it's possible fore one to actually trigger their body's natural healing ability	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

Starfield Social Skills list

Divided into the Social Skill Tree's four tiers, below you'll find a list of all 16 Social Skills in Starfield:

Starfield Social Skills - Tier 1

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Commerce	In the Settled Systems' free market economy, almost anyone with the right skillset can open and run a successful business	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	Access to brand new worlds means access to brand new ingredients, and there is almost no limit to the delicious foods and drinks a talented chef can prepare	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	In the Settled Systems, the nuanced ability to listen and discuss can often accomplish far more than simply shooting first and asking questions later	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 are those who can find just about anything, and their success is usually dependent on incoming how, and where, to look	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	While not entirely honorable, and certainly not legal, it is nonetheless occasionally necessary to discreetly remove property from someone's person	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

Starfield Social Skills - Tier 2

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Deception	Smuggling and piracy are both immoral and highly illegal, and considered plagues upon the Settled Systems. But certain undercover work may require a certain criminal skillset	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	When a situation calls for words and not weapons, it's best to rely on those trained in statecraft and de-escalation	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	The ability to strike fear into an opponent, causing them to flee so that you can escape or attack first, can prove critical in a battle	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	By eschewing team tactics and embracing the advantages of "lone wolf" operations, one can vastly improve their combat effectiveness	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	In certain, more challenging communication, skillfully supplementing words with credits may help achieve the desired results	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

Starfield Social Skills - Tier 3

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Instigation	When combat is required, it can be advantageous to convince others to do the fighting for you	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	Teamwork is the cornerstone of galactic survival, and nothing motivates a team more than a trained, decisive leader	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	While constructing an outpost offers its own challenges, properly managing that outpost takes a special personality type, and specialized training	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

Starfield Social Skills - Tier 4

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Manipulation	Recent studies have shown that suggestion is not an art, but a science, and as such can be weaponized to exert control over the susceptible	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	They say a ship is only as good as its crew, but that is contingent upon that crew having the right captain to lead them	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	While sentient life has yet to be discovered, the galaxy's alien species are generally intelligent enough to be susceptible to the power of suggestion	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

Starfield Combat Skills list

Divided into the Combat Skill Tree's four tiers, below you'll find a list of all 17 Combat Skills in Starfield:

Starfield Combat Skills - Tier 1

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Ballistics	Centuries of conflict have proven that when it comes to threat elimination, few things stack up to the reliable power of high-speed projectiles	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	Considered by many to be a lost art, close attacks with a melee weapon can often be deadlier than ranged combat when carried out by a skilled practitioner	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	Personal laser weapons are in widespread use across the Settled Systems, and specialized training can greatly increase their effectiveness	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	Considering the popularity of the personal sidearm in the Settled Systems, familiarity with such weapons is often considered essential	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	The cornerstone of close quarters combat, or CQC, the shotgun has proven a simple, deadly weapon for hundreds of years	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

Starfield Combat Skills - Tier 2

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Demolitions	With the proper adjustment of chemical mixtures, coupled with modifications to the detonation mechanism, explosives can produce an even greater destructive yield	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	Oversized weapons may prove cumbersome to wield, but their excessive damage output can't be ignored, especially in the hands of a trained combatant	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 are generally employed to damage robots, but can also be used to render human beings unconscious	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	While considered by some to be exotic, particle weapons can be a devastating combat option, subjecting a target to multiple forms of damage	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	Whether used for combat, hunting, or some other deadly purpose, the rifle has become a mainstay of Settled Systems weaponry	Rifles do 10% more damage	Rifles do 20% more damage	Rifles do 30% more damage	Reload rifles 30% faster while you're standing still

Starfield Combat Skills - Tier 3

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Marksmanship	Perhaps no combat scenario is more frightening, or lethal, as a single-shot weapon wielded by someone skilled in critical shot placement	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	In the chaos of combat, the seconds needed to reload your weapon could be the difference between life and death	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	Only a trained sniper truly understands all the elements necessary to patiently and effectively neutralize a target at excessive range	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	While careful aiming is generally preferred in combat, "shooting from the hip" can prove a fast and deadly alternative with sufficient training	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

Starfield Combat Skills - Tier 4

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Armor Penetration	By identifying gaps or weak points in body armor, an attacker can often gain a tactical advantage in combat	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	Specifically targeting the pressure points and nerves of various limbs can disable an opponent, limiting their combat effectiveness	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	For those who specialize in precise targeting that maximizes damage, combat is often a quickly efficient affair	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

Starfield Science Skills list

Divided into the Science Skill Tree's four tiers, below you'll find a list of all 16 Science Skills in Starfield:

Starfield Science Skills - Tier 1

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Astrodynamics	Advanced technology is one thing, but it takes skill, patience, and a little bit of love to coax even more capability out of a ship's grav drive	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	Newly discovered minerals mined from alien planets and moons have directly led to some incredible technological advancements	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	Only through advancements in medical training and technology has humanity been able to withstand the galaxy's many dangers	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	By skillfully employing both new and time tested methods, a researcher may complete projects faster, and even gain unexpected insights	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	Humanity now has access to untold alien worlds, and the ability to decipher all that data while on the ground has become an essential skillset	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

Starfield Science Skills - Tier 2

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Botany	The scientific study of flora, while important on Earth, became even more essential as humanity began exploring alien worlds	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	While anyone can use a ship's scanner, it takes a specially trained operator to detect hard-to-find planetary resources, or uncover the details of nearby ships	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	While a basic spacesuit can protect one from the vacuum of space, it takes a specialized design to withstand the rigors of many alien worlds	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	Life in the 24th century can be exceedingly dangerous, and the ability to maintain and modify personal weapons can be essential to one's survival	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	No one could have expected the number of new species encountered on alien worlds, or the importance of those skilled in their behavior and domestication	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

Starfield Science Skills - Tier 3

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Astrophysics	A ship's scanner receives vast amounts of data, but it takes a trained mind to efficiently analyze it all	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	When crafted by the skilled and safety conscious, chems can be used to enhance health and performance across the Settled Systems	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	Proper construction of habitation modules is essential to one's survival on any alien world	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

Starfield Science Skills - Tier 4

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Aneutronic Fusion	It is possible to maximize a ship's energy output by specifically directing the unique nuclear processes that occur within its reactor	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	While outpost building is always challenging, doing so on a world with a dangerous environment requires specialized training	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	Big guns are great, but in the Settled Systems, sometimes the best weapon is simply an old adage: "Knowledge is Power"	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

Starfield Tech Skills list

Divided into the Tech Skill Tree's four tiers, below you'll find a list of all 17 Tech Skills in Starfield:

Starfield Tech Skills - Tier 1

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Ballistic Weapon Systems	While there have been significant advancements in ship-borne weaponry, sometimes the simplest tool is the most effective	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	Specialized training and innovations in personal mobility systems have allowed for unfettered exploration on alien worlds	You can now utilize boost packs	Using a boost packs expends less fuel	Boost pack fuel regenerates more quickly	Doubles previous bonuses
Piloting	As more people journey into space, the number of those certified to effectively pilot various types of spacecraft has increased dramatically	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	While the standardized digital locking mechanism is renowned for its security, any code can be broken with the proper training	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	Missile weapons are favoured because they can lock onto an enemy ship, but an intimate knowledge of tracking systems can make then even more effective	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

Starfield Tech Skills - Tier 2

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Energy Weapon Systems	In the 24th Century, advancements in energy weapons technology have revolutionized combat, as much in space as on the ground	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	Space is both vast and dangerous, and the ability to push a ship's engine to increase speed can be done safely and effectively, with the right training	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	Any pilot can haul cargo, but it takes special determination and training to maximize cargo space	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	Regardless of the power allocated by the reactor, a ship's shields can be further bolstered by direct manipulation of the system's harmonics	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

Starfield Tech Skills - Tier 3

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Missile Weapon Systems	In space, few weapons can match the range and destructive power of missiles, especially in the hands of a skilled tactician	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 weapons utilizing particle beam technology are the preferred choice for captains who prefer to damage multiple ship systems at once	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	In an age where robots and autonomous turrets are employed in a combat capacity, the study of robotics can be instrumental in gaining a tactical edge	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	As with "car culture" on Earth centuries ago, there are those who pride themselves on the ability to modify their own spaceships	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	It takes skilled hands to not only make a ship's systems more resistant to damage, but to repair those systems efficiently when damage does occur	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

Starfield Tech Skills - Tier 4

Skill Name	Description	Rank 1	Rank 2	Rank 3	Rank 4
Automated Weapon Systems	Turret weapons are known for their easy-to-use, autonomous nature, but they can be made even deadlier with some specific technical adjustments	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	Combat training with boost packs allows for more shock and awe tactics	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	In the hands of a capable pilot, no weapons can disable an enemy ship faster than those that deliver electromagnetic damage	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

All the best building your skills in Starfield!