Skills are the measurement of what any particular crew member (including Captain and Officers) is capable of doing. Skills are increased through training in various Jobs. Characters may also have natural skill bonuses or gain them based on the Traits that they have. Bonus skill points are only used by officers and by regular crew in crew combat. The Ship Ops Skills of all crew members contribute to fulfilling the skill pools necessary to successfully fly and land the ship. Nearly all Ship Ops and Personal Skills are also collectively tested in various Skill Tests, such as in deep space events, which are listed in the scrolling log on the right side when flying through deep space. Skills are also tested collectively in different operations such as Patrolling, Blockading, Spying, Exploring and accessing the Black Market. Combat skills apply uniquely to crew combat situations though some are tested in deep space travel.
Talents utilize a crewmember's individual Skill modifier.
The only character who can be assigned specific skill bonuses is the Captain. This is done using the Character Template Creator. The player will be given a number of bonus skill points to assign based on the priority level they have given to Skills. The Captain's skills can be very important because certain parts of the game have unique tests which are difficult to build large pools in, such as Exploring. Bonus skills in explore will help an explorer captain get going much more quickly. Bonus skills can also be very important for captain who will be joining in Crew Combat as many jobs outside of Soldier, Pistoleer and Swordsman do not provide Evasion or substantial weapons skills.
Combat Skills
Pistols
- Primary skill for determining chance-to-hit with Pistols in Crew Combat
- Increases the effectiveness of one Pistoleer Talent
- If higher than Blades and Rifles, contributes to grenade accuracy rolls.
Rifles
- Primary skill for determining chance-to-hit with Rifles in Crew Combat
- If higher than Pistols and Blades, contributes to grenade accuracy rolls
Blades
- Primary skill for determining chance-to-hit with Blades in Crew Combat.
- Also, primary Skill for determining melee defense dice in Crew Combat.
- Increases the effectiveness of a few Swordsman Talents.
- Contributes to grenade accuracy rolls if higher than Rifles and Pistols.
Evasion
- Primary skill for avoiding ranged attacks in Crew Combat
- Secondary skill for avoiding melee attacks in Crew Combat
- Increases the effectiveness of one Pistoleer Talent
Tactics
- Every point of Tactics grants a +1% chance of scoring a Critical Hit whenever attacking in crew combat
- Tested in deep space events
- Reduces Exploration risks
- Increases Patrolling rewards
- Can be tested with Captain's Wisdom to use Security Checkpoint to complete certain missions.
- Can be tested with Captain's Strength to use Distracting Altercation or Attention Grabbing Brawl to complete certain missions quickly and without payment, though with the possibility of violence
- Increases the effectiveness of one Military Officer Talent
- Secondary skill for escaping and changing range at all ranges in ship combat
- Secondary skill for dodging ranged attacks in crew combat if higher than Stealth skill
Stealth
- If in Stealth Mode in crew combat, crew members gain a 10% + Stealth Skill chance of scoring a Critical Hit when attacking
- Increases rewards when trying access a Black Market
- Can be tested with Captain's Charisma to use Daring Disguise or Spice Hall Sneak to complete certain missions.
- Can be tested with Captain's Quickness to use Sneaky Slip to complete certain missions.
- Increases the effectiveness of some Spy and Sniper Talents
- Secondary skill to dodge ranged attacks in crew combat if higher than Tactics skill
Ship Ops Skills
Pilot
- Tested in deep space events
- Tested in Zone landings
- Increases rewards when Spying
- Increases rewards when Blockading
- Provides a skill save for negative Spying or Exploration results along with Quickness
- One of the primary skills, along with electronics, for avoiding attacks in ship combat
- Primary skill for changing range at ranges 1-3 in ship combat
- Primary skill for weapon accuracy at ranges 1-3 in ship combat
Ship Ops
- Tested in deep space events
- Tested in fatal deep space events
- Provides a skill save for negative exploration results along with Resilience
- Provides a skill save for negative spying results along with Fortitude
Gunnery
- Primary skill for determining chance-to-hit with Ship Weapons in Ship Combat
- Increases the effectiveness of some Gunner Talents
Repair
Electronics
- Tested in deep space events
- Tested in fatal deep space events
- Increases rewards when Spying
- Provides a skill save for negative Exploration results along with Wisdom
- Provides a skill save for negative Spying results along with Quickness
- Increases the effectiveness of a few Electronics Tech Talents
- One of the primary skills, along with pilot, for avoiding attacks in ship combat
- Tested in deep space events
- Tested in Hyper-warp jumps
- Increases Patrolling rewards
- Provides a skill save for negative Spying results along with Wisdom
- Provides a skill save for negative Blockading results along with Resilience
- Increases the effectiveness of a few Hyperwarp Navigator, Smuggler and Pilot Talents
- Primary skill for escaping and changing range at ranges 4-5 in ship combat
- Primary skill for weapon accuracy at ranges 4-5 in ship combat
Personnel Skills
Doctor
- Tested in deep space events
- Tested in fatal deep space events
- Increases the effectiveness of Doctor and Combat Medic Healing Talents
- Provides a skill save for negative exploration results along with Resilience
Command
- Tested in deep space events
- Increases Patrolling rewards
- Can be tested with Captain's Charisma to use Forged Papers or Commanding Air to complete certain missions quickly without payment
- Provides a skill save for negative exploration results along with Charisma
- Increases the effectiveness of many Commander and Military Officer Talents
- Increases the effectiveness of some Quartermaster and Zealot Talents
- Secondary skill for avoiding attacks in ship combat
- Secondary skill for changing range in ship combat
Negotiate
- Can be tested to help in mediation missions to increase rewards
- Can be tested with Captain's Charisma attribute to use a Late Night Bribe or Discreet Bribe to complete certain missions quickly but costing more money.
- Can be tested with Captain's Wisdom attribute to use Tense Negotiation to complete certain missions.
- Increases the effectiveness of many Diplomat, Smuggler and Merchant Talents
Intimidate
- Tested in deep space events
- Increases rewards when trying to access a Black Market
- Increases rewards when Blockading
- Can be tested with Captain's Resilience attribute to use Threating Demands to complete some missions
- Increases the effectiveness of various Bounty Hunter and Pirate Talents
- Increases the effectiveness of a few Quartermaster, Zealot, Diplomat and Commander Talents