Skills System

Skills represent your character's learned abilities and expertise in Chatsubo. Unlike attributes (which are fixed unless modified by cyberware), skills improve through practice and experience. This guide explains how skills work and how to develop your character's capabilities.

How Skills Work

The Basics

Skills range from 0 to 10: - 0-2: Novice - Basic understanding - 3-5: Competent - Professional level - 6-8: Expert - Advanced mastery - 9-10: Master - Elite specialist

Skills combine with attributes to determine success:

Your Skill Check = Attribute + Skill Level + Roll

Example: Hacking a system requires Intelligence (attribute) + Hacking (skill) + dice roll.

Skill Caps by Level

IMPORTANT: Your character level limits maximum skill levels to prevent balance issues.

Why caps exist: - Prevents low-level characters from becoming overpowered - Encourages balanced skill development - Ensures progression stays meaningful throughout the game

Learning Skills

Use-Based Learning

Skills improve through practice: - Use a skill successfully in challenging situations - Gain small amounts of skill XP - Skills level up when they accumulate enough XP - Maximum 10 XP per skill per day from use

Best practices: - Practice skills in situations appropriate to your level - Too-easy tasks don't grant XP - Repeated identical actions have diminishing returns - Focus on one or two skills to level them efficiently

XP Investment

You can also spend character XP to train skills: - Cost: (Current Level + 1) × 10 XP - Example: Raising Hacking from 3 to 4 costs 40 XP - Skills in your role's specialty cost 25% less - Skills above level 6 require special training or instruction

Starting Skills

Your role determines starting skills:

Console Cowboy: - Hacking: 3, Tech: 2, Combat: 1, Street Smarts: 1

Street Samurai: - Combat: 3, Street Smarts: 2, Tech: 1, Medical: 1

Fixer: - Street Smarts: 3, Combat: 1, Tech: 1, Medical: 1, Hacking: 1

Tech: - Tech: 3, Hacking: 2, Medical: 1, Street Smarts: 1

Street Medic: - Medical: 3, Tech: 2, Street Smarts: 1, Combat: 1

The Five Core Skills

Chatsubo uses a simplified skill system with five core skills:

1. Hacking

Governing Attribute: Intelligence

What it does: - Crack security systems and bypass firewalls - Manipulate digital data and networks - Interface with the matrix - Decode encrypted information

How to improve: - Attempt hacks on systems appropriate to your skill level - Complete hacking-based quests - Practice on training systems - Invest XP in hacking training

Role synergy: - Console Cowboys start with Hacking 3 and get XP discount - Essential for digital infiltration and information warfare

2. Tech

Governing Attribute: Intelligence

What it does: - Repair and maintain equipment - Craft and modify items - Install and repair cyberware - Understand complex technology

How to improve: - Repair damaged equipment - Craft new items - Work on cyberware installations - Complete tech-based quests

Role synergy: - Techs start with Tech 3 and get XP discount - Console Cowboys and Street Medics have secondary Tech skills

3. Combat

Governing Attribute: Reflexes

What it does: - Hit accuracy in combat - Damage output with weapons - Combat effectiveness - Weapon proficiency

How to improve: - Win combat encounters - Fight challenging enemies - Practice at shooting ranges - Complete combat quests

Damage bonus: - Combat skill provides flat damage bonus equal to skill level - Skill 5 = +5 damage per attack - Makes specialization meaningful at all levels

Role synergy: - Street Samurai start with Combat 3 and get XP discount - Critical for frontline fighters

4. Street Smarts

Governing Attribute: Cool

What it does: - Navigate social situations - Negotiate and persuade - Detect danger and deception - Understand street culture

How to improve: - Complete social interactions successfully - Negotiate deals - Navigate dangerous situations - Build relationships with NPCs

Role synergy: - Fixers start with Street Smarts 3 and get XP discount - Important for social characters and quest access

5. Medical

Governing Attribute: Intelligence

What it does: - Heal injuries and treat wounds - Perform cyberware surgery - Diagnose medical conditions - Create pharmaceuticals

How to improve: - Heal injured characters - Perform medical procedures - Complete medical quests - Study pharmacology

Role synergy: - Street Medics start with Medical 3 and get XP discount - Essential for healers and support characters

Skill Development Strategies

Early Game (Levels 1-5)

Focus on your primary skill: - Your role's main skill should reach cap (level 2) quickly - Don't spread XP too thin - Use-based learning for secondary skills

Example (Console Cowboy): - Push Hacking to 2 immediately - Let Tech improve through use - Don't invest heavily in Combat yet

Mid Game (Levels 6-15)

Develop secondary skills: - Primary skill likely at cap (level 5) - Invest in 1-2 secondary skills - Keep breadth for versatility

Example (Street Samurai): - Combat at 5 (capped) - Raise Street Smarts to 3-4 - Keep Tech at 2 for equipment maintenance

Late Game (Levels 16+)

Specialize deeply: - Push primary skills toward master level (8-10) - Develop complementary skills - Consider unique skill combinations

Example (Fixer): - Street Smarts at 8 - Hacking at 5 (for information gathering) - Combat at 3 (basic self-defense)

Skill Specialization

At high skill levels, you become increasingly specialized:

Level 6+ - Expert tier - Access to advanced techniques - Noticeable advantage over others - May require special training to progress

Level 8+ - Master tier - Elite-level capability - Recognized expert in Night City - Requires mentorship or special quests

Level 10 - Legendary - Absolute peak of human+cyberware capability - Rare achievement - Defines your character's legend

Tips for Skill Progression

1. Match Skills to Your Role

Don't fight your role's strengths: - Console Cowboys should focus on Hacking and Tech - Street Samurai should maximize Combat - Fixers need high Street Smarts - Techs should prioritize Tech and Hacking - Street Medics need Medical and Tech

2. Consider Attribute Synergy

Skills work better with high governing attributes: - High Intelligence boosts: Hacking, Tech, Medical - High Reflexes boosts: Combat - High Cool boosts: Street Smarts

Install cyberware that boosts your key attributes!

3. Practice Efficiently

Use-based learning is limited: - 10 XP per skill per day from use - Focus practice sessions on one skill - Don't waste time on skills you won't use

XP investment is unlimited: - Save character XP for important skill increases - Invest when you need immediate improvement - Remember role discounts for specialty skills

4. Balance Breadth vs. Depth

Specialist approach: - Master 1-2 skills completely - Extreme effectiveness in narrow areas - May struggle outside specialty

Generalist approach: - Competent in 3-4 skills - Versatile and adaptable - Less dominant in any single area

Recommended: Focus primary skill to cap, keep 2-3 secondary skills at moderate levels.

5. Plan for Level Caps

Don't waste XP on capped skills: - If you're level 10 and skill is at 5 (cap for level 6-15), wait to level up before investing more - Check your current level cap before spending XP - Use the waiting period to develop other skills

Checking Your Skills

In-Game Commands

score

Shows your character stats including all skill levels.

status

Detailed character information including skills and progression.

Understanding Skill Display

Skills are usually shown as:

Hacking: 4 (Intelligence)
Combat: 3 (Reflexes)
Tech: 2 (Intelligence)

The number is your current skill level. The attribute in parentheses shows which attribute affects that skill.

Common Questions

Can I reset my skills?

No. Skill progression is permanent. Choose your investments carefully.

What happens when I hit the skill cap?

You can't increase that skill further until you reach the next character level bracket. Save your XP for other skills or wait to level up.

Do skills decay if I don't use them?

No. Skills never decrease. Once learned, they're permanent.

Can I learn skills outside my role's specialty?

Yes! All characters can learn all skills. Your role just provides starting bonuses and XP discounts for certain skills.

How long does it take to master a skill?

Reaching level 10 in a skill takes significant time and XP investment - typically mid-to-late game for most players. Plan for this to be a long-term goal.

Skill Progression Example

Example: Console Cowboy from Level 1 to 20

Level 1-5 (Tutorial Phase) - Hacking: 3 → 2 (capped) - Tech: 2 (keep it) - Combat: 1 → 2 (basic defense)

Level 6-10 (Early Game) - Hacking: 2 → 5 (new cap, invested XP) - Tech: 2 → 4 (use-based learning) - Combat: 2 (adequate)

Level 11-15 (Mid Game) - Hacking: 5 (capped, waiting for level 16) - Tech: 4 → 5 (capped) - Street Smarts: 0 → 3 (new focus)

Level 16-20 (Late Game) - Hacking: 5 → 7 (specialist path) - Tech: 5 → 6 (support skill) - Street Smarts: 3 → 4 (social capability) - Combat: 2 → 3 (survival)

Related Guides

• Character Roles - Role-specific skill recommendations
• Leveling Guide - How to earn XP for skill investment
• Character Basics - Overview of character systems

Skills are earned through practice and dedication. Master your craft. Become a legend.

Last Updated: October 2025