All Skill Challenges in Starfield & Their Rewards

A Bethesda game wouldn’t be one without a long list of skills for players to pick. These skills establish a player’s gameplay style and, in turn, let them roleplay the character they want. Starfield achieves this perfectly by bringing many skills that’ll tailor every character. Some can lean more toward a stealthy approach, while others can become Space Rambo with heavy weapons and grenades. Regardless of who you want to be, you must improve these skills to make your character more powerful. For that, we’ve prepared a guide to show you all the skill challenges and their rewards in Starfield.

Starfield: All Skill Challenges and Rewards Explained

Starfield brings changes to how skills work in comparison to other Bethesda titles. In Starfield, each skill has four ranks, and to rank up, you need to complete certain challenges, which will then give you rewards in the shape of increased damage, carrying capacity, and so on. To help you decide which skills to take or help you see how far you are from the next level, we’ve made a list of every skill and its challenges.

Physical Skills

Physical skills determine how agile, sneaky, or fit your character is. Some focus on movement, and others focus on hand-to-hand combat. If you want to run long distances or carry a lot of things, focus on these skills first.

Boxing

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with an unarmed attack.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Unarmed attacks do 25% more damage. 25% less Oxygen is used when using a power attack.
  • Rank 2: Unarmed attacks do 50% more damage. 50% less Oxygen is used when using a power attack.
  • Rank 3: Unarmed attacks do 75% more damage. 75% less Oxygen is used when using a power attack.
  • Rank 4: Unarmed attacks do 100% more damage and have a chance to knock down opponents.

Fitness

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Use up all available Oxygen 20 times.
  • Rank 2: Use up all available Oxygen 50 times.
  • Rank 3: Use up all available Oxygen 100 times.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You have 10% more oxygen available.
  • Rank 2: You have 20% more oxygen available.
  • Rank 3: You have 30% more oxygen available.
  • Rank 4: Sprinting and power attacks now use significantly less oxygen.

Stealth

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Perform 10 sneak attacks.
  • Rank 2: Perform 20 sneak attacks.
  • Rank 3: Perform 40 sneak attacks.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Adds a Stealth Meter. You are 25% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 5% sneak attack damage.
  • Rank 2: Adds a Stealth Meter. You are 50% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 15% sneak attack damage.
  • Rank 3: Adds a Stealth Meter. You are 75% more difficult to detect when sneaking. Suppressed weapons do an additional 15% sneak attack damage.
  • Rank 4: Adds a Stealth Meter. 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

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Sprint for 1,000 meters at 75% or more of your maximum load capacity.
  • Rank 2: Sprint for 2,500 meters at 75% or more of your maximum load capacity.
  • Rank 3: Sprint for 5,000 meters at 75% or more of your maximum load capacity.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increase total carrying capacity by 10 kilograms.
  • Rank 2: Increase total carrying capacity by 25 kilograms.
  • Rank 3: Increase total carrying capacity by 50 kilograms.
  • Rank 4: Increase total carrying capacity by 100 kilograms. Gain 50% resistance to stagger.

Wellness

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Heal 200 damage.
  • Rank 2: Heal 500 damage.
  • Rank 3: Heal 1000 damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increase your maximum health by 10%
  • Rank 2: Increase your maximum health by 20%
  • Rank 3: Increase your maximum health by 30%
  • Rank 4: Increase your maximum health by 40%

Energy Weapon Dissipation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Take 150 points of energy damage.
  • Rank 2: Take 350 points of energy damage.
  • Rank 3: Take 750 points of energy damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Energy damage is reduced by 5%.
  • Rank 2: Energy damage is reduced by 10%.
  • Rank 3: Energy damage is reduced by 15%.
  • Rank 4: 25% chance to reflect energy damage to an attacker when your health is below 50%

Environmental Conditioning

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Take 100 environmental damage.
  • Rank 2: Take 250 environmental damage.
  • Rank 3: Take 500 environmental damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Gain 10 resistance to Airborne environmental damage.
  • Rank 2: Gain 10 resistance to Thermal environmental damage.
  • Rank 3: Gain 10 resistance to Corrosive and Radiation environmental damage.
  • Rank 4: Reduced chance to gain afflictions from environmental damage sources.

Gymnastics

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Take 100 fall damage.
  • Rank 2: Kill 5 enemies in Zero-G environments.
  • Rank 3: Kill 20 enemies in Zero-G environments.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Unlock the ability to combat slide. Take 15% less fall damage.
  • Rank 2: Move faster in Zero-G. Take 20% less fall damage.
  • Rank 3: Become more stable while firing in Zero-G. Take 30% less fall damage. Replenish some 02 after mantling.
  • Rank 4: Increase jump height. Run faster after combat sliding or mantling.

Nutrition

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Consume 10 food or drinks.
  • Rank 2: Consume 30 food or drinks.
  • Rank 3: Consume 75 food or drinks.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Food and drink are 10% more effective.
  • Rank 2: Food and drink are 20% more effective.
  • Rank 3: Food and drink are 30% more effective.
  • Rank 4: Food and drink are 50% more effective.

Pain Tolerance

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Take 250 points of physical damage.
  • Rank 2: Take 500 points of physical damage.
  • Rank 3: Take 1000 points of physical damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Physical damage is reduced by 5%
  • Rank 2: Physical damage is reduced by 10%
  • Rank 3: Physical damage is reduced by 15%
  • Rank 4: 5% chance to ignore physical damage when your health is low.

Cellular Regeneration

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Recover from 5 injuries.
  • Rank 2: Recover from 15 injuries.
  • Rank 3: Recover from 30 injuries.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Slightly increased chance of recovering from injuries naturally.
  • Rank 2: Moderately increased chance to recover from injuries naturally.
  • Rank 3: Noticeably increased chance to recover from injuries naturally.
  • Rank 4: 20% chance of not gaining an injury when you otherwise would.

Decontamination

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Recover from 5 infections.
  • Rank 2: Recover from 15 infections.
  • Rank 3: Recover from 30 infections.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Slightly increased chance to recover from infections naturally.
  • Rank 2: Moderately increased chance to recover from infections naturally.
  • Rank 3: Noticeably increased chance to recover from infections naturally.
  • Rank 4: 20% chance of not gaining an infection when you otherwise would.

Martial Arts

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 250 damage with unarmed attacks.
  • Rank 2: Disarm 10 enemies using melee or unarmed attacks.
  • Rank 3: Disarm 30 enemies using melee or unarmed attacks.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: 15% increased chance to crit with a melee or unarmed attack.
  • Rank 2: 15% chance to disarm an opponent with a melee or unarmed power attack.
  • Rank 3: While unwarmed or wielding a melee weapon, take 10% less damage.
  • Rank 4: Reflect 50% damage when blocking a melee or unarmed attack.

Concealment

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Perform 10 melee/unarmed sneak attacks.
  • Rank 2: Perform 30 melee/unarmed sneak attacks.
  • Rank 3: Perform 75 melee/unarmed sneak attacks.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You no longer set off enemy mines. Ranged sneak attacks do 2.5x normal damage, and your melee sneak attacks do 4x normal damage.
  • Rank 2: Running while sneaking doesn’t affect stealth. Ranged sneak attacks do 3x normal damage, and your melee sneak attacks do 5x normal damage.
  • Rank 3: 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.
  • Rank 4: 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

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Stun 10 enemies with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 2: Stun 30 enemies with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 3: Stun 75 enemies with an unarmed attack.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: 10% chance to stun an NPC with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 2: Unarmed attacks now do additional EM damage.
  • Rank 3: 20% chance to stun an NPC with an unarmed attack.
  • Rank 4: After stunning an enemy, you also knock down any enemies within close range.

Rejuvenation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Fall below 25% health 3 times and fully heal.
  • Rank 2: Fall below 25% health 8 times and fully heal.
  • Rank 3: Fall below 25% health 15 times and fully heal.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Slowly regenerate health outside of combat.
  • Rank 2: Regenerate health much more quickly outside of combat.
  • Rank 3: Regenerate health much faster outside of combat. You can now slowly regenerate health while in combat.
  • Rank 4: Regenerate health even faster outside of combat. You can now regenerate health quickly while in combat.

Social Skills

Social skills focus on your ability to get out of tight spots just by talking. Others focus on making prices better for you or manipulating people; if that’s what you like, these are the skills for you.

Commerce

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Buy or sell 25 unique items.
  • Rank 2: Buy or sell 75 unique items
  • Rank 3: Buy or sell 150 unique items.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Buy for 5% less and sell for 10% more.
  • Rank 2: Buy for 10% less and sell for 15% more.
  • Rank 3: Buy for 15% less and sell for 20% more.
  • Rank 4: Buy for 20% less and sell for 25% more.

Gastronomy

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Create 5 food or drink items.
  • Rank 2: Create 25 food or drink items.
  • Rank 3: Create 50 food or drink items.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can craft specialty food and drinks and research additional recipes at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can research and craft gourmet food and drinks.
  • Rank 3: You can research and craft food and drink delicacies.
  • Rank 4: Crafting food and drinks occasionally doesn’t use up resources. You can research and craft exotic recipes.

Persuasion

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Succeed in 5 speech challenges.
  • Rank 2: Succeed in 25 speech challenges.
  • Rank 3: Succeed in 50 speech challenges.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: 10% increased chance of success when persuading someone.
  • Rank 2: 20% increased chance of success when persuading someone.
  • Rank 3: 30% increased chance of success when persuading someone.
  • Rank 4: 50% increased chance of success when persuading someone.

Scavenging

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Loot 25 containers.
  • Rank 2: Loot 75 containers.
  • Rank 3: Loot 150 containers.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: There’s a chance you’ll find extra credits when searching containers.
  • Rank 2: There’s a chance you’ll find extra ammo when searching containers.
  • Rank 3: There’s a chance you’ll find extra aid items, like Med Packs or chems when searching containers.
  • Rank 4: Tracked resources will get highlighted when using the hand scanner.

Theft

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Successfully pickpocket 5 times.
  • Rank 2: Successfully pickpocket 10 times.
  • Rank 3: Successfully pickpocket 20 times.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Unlock the ability to pickpocket targets.
  • Rank 2: 10% greater chance to successfully pickpocket.
  • Rank 3: 30% greater chance to successfully pickpocket.
  • Rank 4: 50% greater chance to successfully pickpocket. You can now pickpocket holstered weapons.

Deception

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Convince 5 ships to surrender.
  • Rank 2: Convince 10 ships to surrender.
  • Rank 3: Convince 20 ships to surrender.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ships 10% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 10% less effective.
  • Rank 2: Ships 20% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 20% less effective.
  • Rank 3: Ships 30% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 30% less effective.
  • Rank 4: Ships 50% stronger will automatically surrender to piracy demands. Enemy contraband scans are 50% less effective.

Diplomacy

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Fall below 25% health 3 times and fully heal.
  • Rank 2: Fall below 25% health 8 times and fully heal.
  • Rank 3: Fall below 25% health 15 times and fully heal.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Slowly regenerate health outside of combat.
  • Rank 2: Regenerate health much more quickly outside of combat.
  • Rank 3: Regenerate health much faster outside of combat. You can now slowly regenerate health while in combat.
  • Rank 4: Regenerate health even faster outside of combat. You can now regenerate health quickly while in combat.

Intimidation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Successfully Intimidate 5 different people.
  • Rank 2: Successfully Intimidate 25 different people.
  • Rank 3: Successfully Intimidate 50 different people.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can force a target NPC at or below your level to flee for a limited time.
  • Rank 2: You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you do flea for a limited time.
  • Rank 3: You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time.
  • Rank 4: Intimidated targets now flee for a substantial amount of time.

Isolation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies while not in command of a follower.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies while not in command of a follower.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies while not in command of a follower.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Slowly regenerate health outside of combat.
  • Rank 2: Regenerate health much more quickly outside of combat.
  • Rank 3: Regenerate health much faster outside of combat. You can now slowly regenerate health while in combat.
  • Rank 4: Regenerate health even faster outside of combat. You can now regenerate health quickly while in combat.

Negotiation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Bribe 3 times through persuasion.
  • Rank 2: Bribe 5 times through persuasion.
  • Rank 3: Bribe 10 times through persuasion.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You now have access to Bribery in speech challenges.
  • Rank 2: Reduces bribery cost by 25%.
  • Rank 3: Reduces bribery cost by 50%.
  • Rank 4: Occasionally, bribery won’t cost any money.

Instigation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Successfully Instigate 5 different people.
  • Rank 2: Successfully Instigate 25 different people.
  • Rank 3: Successfully Instigate 50 different people.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can force a target NPC below your level to attack their allies for a limited time.
  • Rank 2: You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time.
  • Rank 3: You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time.
  • Rank 4: Enemies affected by Instigation will attack their allies until they die.

Leadership

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Sprint 1,000 meters with an active follower.
  • Rank 2: Sprint 2,500 meters with an active follower.
  • Rank 3: Sprint 5,000 meters with an active follower.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Companions gain affinity 25% faster.
  • Rank 2: Companions have 50 more health and 50kg more carrying capacity.
  • Rank 3: Companions will occasionally heal you when you get low health.
  • Rank 4: 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

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Build cargo links on 6 different planets.
  • Rank 2: Construct 8 robots at outposts.
  • Rank 3: Construct 10 crew stations at outposts.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Additional cargo links can be placed at outposts.
  • Rank 2: Additional robots can be constructed at outposts.
  • Rank 3: Additional crew can be assigned at outposts.
  • Rank 4: Outpost extractors produce twice as fast.

Manipulation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Successfully Manipulate 5 different people.
  • Rank 2: Successfully Manipulate 25 different people.
  • Rank 3: Successfully Manipulate 50 different people.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can force a target NPC at or below your level to obey commands for a limited time.
  • Rank 2: You can force a target NPC up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time.
  • Rank 3: You can force a target NPC up to 20 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time.
  • Rank 4: Manipulated targets now obey commands for a substantial amount of time.

Ship Command

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Destroy or board 5 ships with a crew of two or more.
  • Rank 2: Destroy or board 25 ships with a crew of four or more.
  • Rank 3: Destroy or board 50 ships with a crew of six or more.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can have up to four active crew members.
  • Rank 2: You can have up to five action crew members.
  • Rank 3: You can have up to six active crew members.
  • Rank 4: You can have up to eight active crew members.

Xenosociology

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Successfully use Pacify on 15 different aliens.
  • Rank 2: Successfully use Flee on 15 different aliens.
  • Rank 3: Successfully use Frenzy on 15 different aliens.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to stop fighting for a limited time.
  • Rank 2: You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to flee for a limited time.
  • Rank 3: You can force a target alien creature up to 10 levels higher than you to attack their allies for a limited time.
  • Rank 4: You can force a target creature up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time.

Combat Skills

Combat skills are some of the most important in Starfield, and you’ll be completing challenges fast without even noticing. These skills focus on firearm usage, explosives, and more.

Ballistics

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a ballistic weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a ballistic weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a ballistic weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ballistic weapons do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Ballistic weapons do 20% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Ballistic weapons do 30% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Ballistic weapons range is increased by 30%.

Dueling

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a melee weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a melee weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a melee weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Melee weapons do 25% more damage. Take 10% less damage while wielding a melee weapon.
  • Rank 2: Melee kills make you run 20% faster for 10 seconds.
  • Rank 3: Melee weapons do 50% more damage. Take 15% less damage while wielding a melee weapon.
  • Rank 4: Melee kills heal you for 10% of your health.

Lasers

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a laser weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a laser weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a laser weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Laser weapons do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Laser weapons do 20% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Laser weapons do 30% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Laser weapons have a 5% chance to set a target on fire.

Pistol Certification

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a pistol.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a pistol.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a pistol.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Pistols do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Pistols do 25% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Pistols do 50% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Pistol kills grant +25% critical hit chance for 5 seconds.

Shotgun Certification

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a shotgun.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a shotgun.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a shotgun.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Shotguns do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Shotguns do 20% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Shotguns do 30% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Shotgun kills grant a small chance to stun additional targets with shotguns for a limited time.

Demolitions

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with explosives.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with explosives.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with explosives.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Throwing grenades now shows a trajectory arc. Explosions have a 25% larger radius.
  • Rank 2: Explosives do 25% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Reduce damage taken from explosives by 25%.
  • Rank 4: All previous bonuses are doubled.

Heavy Weapons Certification

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a heavy weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a heavy weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a heavy weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Heavy weapons do 10% more damage
  • Rank 2: Heavy weapons do 20% more damage
  • Rank 3: Heavy weapons do 30% more damage
  • Rank 4: Gain 25% Physical resistance while aiming down sights with a heavy weapon.

Incapacitation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 400 EM damage.
  • Rank 2: Deal 1000 EM damage.
  • Rank 3: Deal 2500 EM damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: EM weapons do 5% more damage.
  • Rank 2: EM weapons do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 3: EM weapons do 15% more damage.
  • Rank 4: EM weapons have a 15% chance to do 300% EM damage.

Particle Beams

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a particle beam weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a particle beam weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a particle beam weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Particle beam weapons do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Particle beam weapons do 20% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Particle beam weapons do 30% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Particle beam weapons have a +5% crit chance.

Rifle Certification

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a rifle.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a rifle.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a rifle.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Rifles do 10% more damage.
  • Rank 2: Rifles do 20% more damage.
  • Rank 3: Rifles do 30% more damage.
  • Rank 4: Reload rifles 30% faster while you’re standing still.

Marksmanship

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 10 ranged critical hits.
  • Rank 2: Deal 30 ranged critical hits.
  • Rank 3: Deal 75 ranged critical hits.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 3%.
  • Rank 2: Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 8%.
  • Rank 3: Increase critical hit chance with non-automatic ranged weapons by 15%.
  • Rank 4: 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

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Reload 30 empty magazines.
  • Rank 2: Reload 75 empty magazines.
  • Rank 3: Reload 150 empty magazines.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Reload Ballistic weapons 30% faster.
  • Rank 2: Reload Energy and EM weapons 30% faster.
  • Rank 3: Reload Particle Beam weapons 30% faster. There is a 50% chance to avoid getting interrupted while reloading.
  • Rank 4: Chance on hitting enemies to increase reload speed for all weapons by 50% for 15 seconds.

Sniper Certification

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 50 enemies using a scoped weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 125 enemies using a scoped weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 250 enemies using a scoped weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Scoped weapons are steadier and have less sway.
  • Rank 2: You can hold your breath longer with scoped weapons
  • Rank 3: Headshots while aiming with a scoped weapon have a +25% critical hit chance.
  • Rank 4: Scoped weapons do 50% more damage while using the scope.

Targeting

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 50 enemies without aiming with a ranged weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 125 enemies without aiming with a ranged weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 250 enemies without aiming with a ranged weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increased accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to one enemy without 25m that damages you.
  • Rank 2: Notably increases accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to two enemies within 50m that damage you.
  • Rank 3: Greatly increased accuracy and range when shooting without aiming. Marks up to three enemies within 75m that damage you.
  • Rank 4: 10% chance to disarm targets hit when shooting without aiming. Marks up to four enemies within 100m that damage.

Armor Penetration

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Kill 20 enemies with a non-automatic weapon.
  • Rank 2: Kill 50 enemies with a non-automatic weapon.
  • Rank 3: Kill 100 enemies with a non-automatic weapon.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Attacks ignore 15% of a target’s armor.
  • Rank 2: Attacks ignore 30% of a target’s armor.
  • Rank 3: Attacks ignore 50% of a target’s armor.
  • Rank 4: Enemy armor is decreased by 25% for 6 seconds after a critical hit.

Crippling

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Put 20 enemies into the bleedout state.
  • Rank 2: Put 50 enemies into the bleedout state.
  • Rank 3: Put 100 enemies into the bleedout state.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Human enemies have a 30% increased chance to enter a downed state after taking enough damage.
  • Rank 2: Humanoid enemies have a 50% increased chance of not naturally recovering from a downed state.
  • Rank 3: Human enemies can now enter a downed state earlier.
  • Rank 4: Previous ranks now apply to all enemy types. You now do 100% more damage to downed enemies.

Sharpshooting

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 50 ranged critical hits.
  • Rank 2: Deal 125 ranged critical hits.
  • Rank 3: Deal 250 ranged critical hits.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increase headshot critical damage by 50% with ranged weapons.
  • Rank 2: Increased critical damage to enemy legs by 50% within ranged weapons,
  • Rank 3: Increase all critical damage to enemies by 50% with ranged weapons.
  • Rank 4: Ranged critical hit kills increase your critical hit chance with all ranged weapons by 25% for 20 seconds.

Science Skills

To research projects and craft some of the best items, you should spend skills points in this category.

Astrodynamics

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Make 5 grav jumps.
  • Rank 2: Make 15 grav jumps.
  • Rank 3: Make 30 grav jumps.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Increased grav jump range of jump drives by 15%.
  • Rank 2: Reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 15%.
  • Rank 3: Increased grav jump range and reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 30%.
  • Rank 4: Reduced fuel cost of jump drives by 50%.

Geology

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Harvest inorganic resources from 20 sources.
  • Rank 2: Harvest inorganic resources from 50 sources.
  • Rank 3: Harvest inorganic resources from 100 sources.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Get more common and uncommon inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Rank 2: Get more rare inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Rank 3: Get more exotic inorganic resources from surface objects.
  • Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rare resources from surface objects.

Medicine

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Use healing items 20 times while wounded.
  • Rank 2: Use healing items 50 times while wounded.
  • Rank 3: Use healing items 100 times while wounded.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 10% additional Health 10% faster.
  • Rank 2: Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 20% additional Health 20% faster.
  • Rank 3: Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 30% additional Health 30% faster.
  • Rank 4: Med Packs, Trauma Packs, and Emergency Kits restore 50% additional Health 50% faster and have a chance to cure an affliction.

Research Methods

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Craft 5 unique food, drinks, drugs, weapons, or equipment mods.
  • Rank 2: Craft 10 unique food, drinks, drugs, weapons, or equipment mods.
  • Rank 3: Craft 15 unique food, drinks, drugs, weapons, or equipment mods.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects are reduced by 10%.
  • Rank 2: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects are reduced by 20%
  • Rank 3: Resources required to craft items and complete research projects are reduced by 40%.
  • Rank 4: Sudden developments during research are twice as common. Resources required to craft items and complete research projects is reduced by 60%.

Surveying

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Use the hand scanner to scan 10 unique resources, flora, or fauna.
  • Rank 2: Use the hand scanner to scan 25 unique resources, flora, or fauna.
  • Rank 3: Use the hand scanner to scan 50 unique resources, flora, or fauna.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Adds an optional zoom to the hand scanner, and the scan distance is increased to 20 meters.
  • Rank 2: Adds another level of zoom to the hand scanner, and scan distance is increased to 30 meters,
  • Rank 3: Adds another level of zoom to the hand scanner, and the scan distance is increased to 40 meters.
  • Rank 4: Adds another level zoom to the hand scanner, and the scan distance is increased to 50 meters.

Botany

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Harvest 20 organic resources from plants.
  • Rank 2: Harvest 50 organic resources from plants.
  • Rank 3: Harvest 100 organic resources from plants.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Get more common and uncommon organic resource from plants, learn additional info about them from the scanner, and allows some plants to be cultivated at your outposts.
  • Rank 2: Get more rare organic resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
  • Rank 3: Get more exotic organic resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
  • Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rare resources from plants and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.

Scanning

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Scan 5 planets or moons.
  • Rank 2: Scan 15 planets or moons.
  • Rank 3: Scan 30 planets or moons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can detect uncommon inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces and more information about ships in shape.
  • Rank 2: You can detect rare inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces and more specific information about ships in shape.
  • Rank 3: You can detect exotic inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces and gain better combat information on ships in space.
  • Rank 4: You can detect unique inorganic resources on planet and moon surfaces and gain a complete list of cargo on ships in space.

Spacesuit Design

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Craft 5 spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.
  • Rank 2: Craft 15 spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.
  • Rank 3: Craft 30 spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can craft improved spacesuits, helmets, pack mods, and research additional mods at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can research and craft superior spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.
  • Rank 3: You can research and craft cutting-edge spacesuits, helmets, and pack mods.
  • Rank 4: Construction of spacesuit, helmet, and pack mods occasionally doesn’t cost resources.

Weapon Engineering

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Craft 5 weapon mods.
  • Rank 2: Craft 15 weapon mods.
  • Rank 3: Craft 30 weapon mods.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can craft improved weapon mods at a Weapon Workbench and research additional weapon mods at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can research and craft superior weapon mods.
  • Rank 3: You can research and craft cutting-edge weapon mods.
  • Rank 4: You can research and craft master-level weapon mods.

Zoology

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Harvest organic resources from 20 creatures.
  • Rank 2: Harvest organic resources from 50 creatures.
  • Rank 3: Harvest organic resources from 100 creatures.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: 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.
  • Rank 2: Get more uncommon organic resources from creatures and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
  • Rank 3: Get more rare organic resources from creatures and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.
  • Rank 4: Occasionally harvest additional rare resources from creatures and learn information about them more quickly using the scanner.

Astrophysics

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Scan 10 unique planets or moons.
  • Rank 2: Scan 25 unique planets or moons.
  • Rank 3: Scan 50 unique planets or moons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can scan the moons on your current planet. You have a 10% chance to discover a trait when scanning.
  • Rank 2: You can scan any planet or moon in this system. You have a 20% chance to discover a trait when scanning.
  • Rank 3: You can scan any planet or moon within 16 Light Years. You have a 30% chance to discover a trait when scanning.
  • Rank 4: You can scan any planet or moon within 30 Light Years. You have a 50% chance to discover a trait when scanning.

Chemistry

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Create 10 chems.
  • Rank 2: Create 25 chems.
  • Rank 3: Create 50 chems.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can create improved chems and research additional chems at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can research and create superior chems.
  • Rank 3: You can search and create cutting-edge chems.
  • Rank 4: Crafting chems occasionally triples the amount crafted.

Outpost Engineering

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Build 5 different outpost modules.
  • Rank 2: Build 25 different outpost modules.
  • Rank 3: Build 50 different outpost modules.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can construct improved outpost modules and research additional modules at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can research and construct superior outpost modules.
  • Rank 3: You can research and construct cutting-edge outpost modules.
  • Rank 4: Outpost modules now cost 50% fewer resources to build.

Aneutronic Fusion

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Destroy 5 ships.
  • Rank 2: Destroy 25 ships.
  • Rank 3: Destroy 50 ships.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ship reactors produce 1 extra unit of power.
  • Rank 2: Ship reactors produce 2 extra units of power.
  • Rank 3: Ship reactors produce 3 extra units of power.
  • Rank 4: Ship reactors produce 5 extra units of power.

Planetary Habitation

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Build habitable outposts on 5 different planets.
  • Rank 2: Build habitable outposts on 10 different planets.
  • Rank 3: Build habitable outposts on 20 different planets.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can build outposts on planets with extreme temperatures (Deep Freeze and Inferno). Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 4.
  • Rank 2: You can build outposts on planets with extreme pressure. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 8.
  • Rank 3: You can build outposts on planets with toxic or corrosive atmospheres. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 12.
  • Rank 4: You can build outposts on planets with extreme gravity. Increase the maximum number of Outposts you can build by 16.

Special Projects

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Craft 10 common or uncommon manufactured components.
  • Rank 2: Craft 10 rare manufactured components.
  • Rank 3: Craft 10 exotic manufactured components.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can research experimental projects at a Research Lab.
  • Rank 2: You can craft rare manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench.
  • Rank 3: You can craft exotic manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench.
  • Rank 4: You can craft unique manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. Outpost extractors have a chance to produce additional resources.

Tech Skills

Last but not least, we have tech skills. These are crucial if you want to improve how your ship works.

Ballistic Weapon System

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 1,000 damage to enemy ships with ballistic weapons.
  • Rank 2: Deal 4,000 damage to enemy ships with ballistic weapons.
  • Rank 3: Deal 10,000 damage to enemy ships with ballistic weapons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ballistic ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 20% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 2: Ballistic ship weapons have 20% increased damage and recharge 15% faster.
  • Rank 3: Ballistic ship weapons have 30% increased damage and recharge 30% faster.
  • Rank 4: Ballistic ship weapons do 50% more damage to individual systems.

Boost Pack Training

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Boost jump 10 times while in combat.
  • Rank 2: Boost jump 25 times while in combat.
  • Rank 3: Boost jump 50 times while in combat.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can now utilize boost packs.
  • Rank 2: Using a boost pack expends less fuel.
  • Rank 3: Boost pack fuel regenerates more quickly.
  • Rank 4: Doubles previous bonuses.

Piloting

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Destroy 5 ships.
  • Rank 2: Destroy 15 ships.
  • Rank 3: Destroy 30 ships.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can now utilize ship thrusters
  • Rank 2: Increased ship turning rate and maneuverability.
  • Rank 3: Unlock the ability to pilot Class B ships.
  • Rank 4: Unlock the ability to pilot Class C ships.

Security

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Pick 5 locks.
  • Rank 2: Pick 15 locks.
  • Rank 3: Pick 30 locks.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: You can attempt to hack Advanced locks, and 2 auto attempts can be banked.
  • Rank 2: You can attempt to hack Expert locks, and 3 auto attempts can be banked. Rings now turn blue when the pick can be slotted.
  • Rank 3: You can attempt to hack Master-level locks, and 4 auto attempts can be banked.
  • Rank 4: Expend a digipick to eliminate keys that aren’t required to solve the puzzle. 5 auto attempts can be banked.

Targeting Control Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Destroy 5 enemy ships while in targeting mode.
  • Rank 2: Destroy 15 enemy ships while in targeting mode.
  • Rank 3: Destroy 30 enemy ships while in targeting mode.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Unlock ship targeting functionality.
  • Rank 2: Time to lock onto enemy ships reduced by 15%. Target-locked ships fire at you 25% slower.
  • Rank 3: Time to lock onto enemy ships is reduced by 30%. You have a 10% increased chance of critically hitting a target-locked ship.
  • Rank 4: Time to lock onto enemy ships is reduced by 60%. Deal 20% increased system damage in targeting mode.

Energy Weapon Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 1,000 damage to enemy ships with Energy weapons.
  • Rank 2: Deal 4,000 damage to enemy ships with Energy weapons.
  • Rank 3: Deal 10,000 damage to enemy ships with Energy weapons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Energy ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 15% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 2: Energy ship weapons have 20% increased damage and cost 30% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 3: Energy ship weapons have 30% increased damage and cost 45% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 4: Energy ship weapons recharge 30% faster.

Engine Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Boost 5 times with your spaceship while in combat.
  • Rank 2: Boost 25 times with your spaceship while in combat.
  • Rank 3: Boost 50 times with your spaceship while in combat.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Your ship’s top speed is increased by 10%.
  • Rank 2: Ship boosts last longer, and the cooldown is shorter.
  • Rank 3: Your ship’s top speed is increased by 20%.
  • Rank 4: While boosting, all enemies disengage the player and can only reacquire them as a target after the player stops boosting.

Payloads

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Make 10 grav jumps with 75% or more maximum cargo capacity.
  • Rank 2: Make 25 grav jumps with 75% or more maximum cargo capacity.
  • Rank 3: Make 50 grav jumps with 75% or more maximum cargo capacity.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ship cargo holds have 10% more capacity.
  • Rank 2: Ship cargo holds have 20% more capacity.
  • Rank 3: Ship cargo holds have 30% more capacity.
  • Rank 4: Ship cargo holds have 50% more capacity.

Shield Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Take 150 shield damage.
  • Rank 2: Take 350 shield damage.
  • Rank 3: Take 750 shield damage.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Your ship has a 20% increased shield capacity.
  • Rank 2: Your ship has a 40% increased shield capacity.
  • Rank 3: Your ship has an 80% increased shield capacity.
  • Rank 4: Your shields will occasionally resist 100% of all damage received.

Missile Weapon Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Damage 1,000 damage to enemy ships with missile weapons.
  • Rank 2: Damage 4,000 damage to enemy ships with missile weapons.
  • Rank 3: Damage 10,000 damage to enemy ships with missile weapons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ship missile weapons do 10% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 20%.
  • Rank 2: Ship missile weapons do 20% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 40%.
  • Rank 3: Ship missile weapons do 30% more damage, and their Targeting mode cost is reduced by 60%.
  • Rank 4: Ship missiles have a 20% Increased Range, Travel Speed, and Reload Speed.

Particle Beam Weapon Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Damage 1,000 damage to enemy ships with particle beam weapons.
  • Rank 2: Damage 4,000 damage to enemy ships with particle beam weapons.
  • Rank 3: Damage 10,000 damage to enemy ships with particle beam weapons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Ship particle beam weapons do 10% more damage, and Targeting mode is reduced by 10%.
  • Rank 2: Ship particle beam weapons do 20% more damage, and Targeting mode is reduced by 20%.
  • Rank 3: Ship particle beam weapons do 30% more damage, and Targeting mode is reduced by 30%.
  • Rank 4: Increased critical hit chance with ship particle beam weapons.

Robotics

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Destroy 5 robots.
  • Rank 2: Destroy 25 robots.
  • Rank 3: Destroy 50 robots.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: 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.
  • Rank 2: 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.
  • Rank 3: 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.
  • Rank 4: You can force a target robot up to 10 levels higher than you to obey commands for a limited time.

Starship Design

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Install 5 unique ship modules.
  • Rank 2: Install 15 unique ship modules.
  • Rank 3: Install 30 unique ship modules.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Allows the installation of improved ship modules.
  • Rank 2: Allows the installation of superior ship modules.
  • Rank 3: Allows the installation of cutting-edge ship modules.
  • Rank 4: Allows the installation of experimental ship modules.

Starship Engineering

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Use 5 ship repair kits.
  • Rank 2: Use 10 ship repair kits.
  • Rank 3: Use 15 ship repair kits.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: All ship systems repair 10% faster.
  • Rank 2: All ship systems have 25% increased damage mitigation.
  • Rank 3: All ship systems repair 25% faster.
  • Rank 4: Occasionally, repairing one block of a system will repair the entire system.

Automated Weapon Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 1,000 damage to enemy ships with automated turret weapons.
  • Rank 2: Deal 4,000 damage to enemy ships with automated turret weapons.
  • Rank 3: Deal 10,000 damage to enemy ships with automated turret weapons.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Automated ship weapons do 10% more damage and reduce all targeting mode costs by 20%.
  • Rank 2: 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.
  • Rank 3: Automated ship weapons do 30% more damage and reduce all targeting mode costs by 40%. Increases crit chance against targeted sub-systems by 20%.
  • Rank 4: Ship turret weapons recharge 40% faster and do 20% more damage to target sub-systems.

Boost Assault Training

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 200 damage to enemies using the boost pack.
  • Rank 2: Knockdown 20 enemies with a boost.
  • Rank 3: Deal 500 damage to enemies using the boost pack.
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: Nearby enemies take damage when you boost and have a chance to catch on fire.
  • Rank 2: Chance to knock down nearby enemies when you boost.
  • Rank 3: Aiming down sights while boosting will let you hover in place. Fuel is still expended until empty.
  • Rank 4: While hovering, time slows down, and the world moves 70% slower around you.

EM Weapon Systems

• Challenges:
  • Rank 1: Deal 1,000 damage to enemy ships with EM weapons.
  • Rank 2: Deal 4,000 damage to enemy ships with EM weapons
  • Rank 3: Deal 10,000 damage to enemy ships with EM weapons
• Rewards:
  • Rank 1: EM ship weapons have 10% increased damage and cost 15% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 2: EM ship weapons have 20% increased damage and cost 30% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 3: EM ship weapons have 30% increased damage and cost 45% less in Targeting Mode.
  • Rank 4: EM ship weapons have a small chance of instantly disabling enemy engines.

Related:

How to Get Infinite Money Using Cheats in Starfield

That’s a wrap on all the skill challenges in Starfield and their rewards. Focus on the ones you like the most to start building your character. While you can respec and experiment with others, we recommend sticking to a few to get that edge you need in combat and exploration.

Starfield is available now on Xbox and PC.