The passion and dedication of Bethesda fans are the stuff of legends. Just recently, a fan released a compendium filled with all the details that Bethesda has released about the much-anticipated space-themed game, Starfield. But, it appears that there are other fans who are just as willing to put in enough time and effort to create something that you very rarely see in other communities.
As gamers count down the days to the launch of Starfield on the PC and the Xbox Series S/X on September 6, a dedicated fan invested a mind-boggling 200 hours to compile an in-depth analysis of the game’s skill systems. The end product? A 44-page Google document collating and categorizing every conceivable skill that Starfield will bring to the table. The fan didn’t stop at merely identifying and categorizing these skills into Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Oh no, this fan went ahead and broke down each skill into four tiers – from Novice to Advanced, then Expert, and finally Master. To reach this pinnacle requires you to amass 16 skill points per ability. That’s not just thorough; it’s near-forensic.
The dossier, supported by well over 100 images captured from pre-release trailers and gameplay demos, pieces together an absurd amount of information to approximate the entire skill tree, revealing over 60 individual skills. With the physical enormity of Starfield already causing waves of excitement, this meticulous breakdown presents a tantalizing glimpse into the vast array of skills the game offers, tailoring your character to your personal playing style.
After almost 200 hours of research, here is the complete skill system used in Starfield (SPECULATION)
by inStarfield
This fervent fan activity is a testament to the indomitable enthusiasm that Bethesda fans have been known for. However, with such passionate fervor comes volatility. The dichotomy can be stark – as Fallout 76’s launch proved, unmet hype can morph into potent disappointment.
We need not look further than when Starfield courted controversy multiple times in the past few months, first with the FPS cap and now with its stringent PC requirements, albeit the latter is more of AMD’s fault than Bethesda’s.
Nevertheless, the fans remain hopeful that Bethesda learned from the Fallout 76 episode. Every piece of detail matters to these devotees. The foremost on their list is the full skill tree, followed by the missing backgrounds and traits. For them, no detail is too small, and no piece of information is irrelevant. The game’s potential skills system is examined with an intense focus, fuelled by intense hyper fixation, as explained by the author in a reply to curious fans who wondered what spurred them on to create this.
The creator combed through every direct interview with painstaking patience, at times in ultra-slow motion to capture specific details. They’ve pieced together tantalizing information about the game’s features. Furthermore, the fans, including the author of the aforementioned skill tree guide, have noticed that the skills follow a progression pattern with a consistent increase in one or more effects or ‘stat boosts’, with a unique effect awarded at the final rank. In order to level up beyond the first rank, players will have to perform tasks related to the skill – a natural way to ensure progression in the game. This adds a layer of real-world logic to the fantasy of the game.
The depth of such fan engagement makes one thing clear. For these fans, it isn’t about the game; it’s about understanding the nuances, the underlying logic, and the creators’ intentions. Every revelation, every detail, every speculative leap is an essential part of the gaming experience.
Between the compendium, this skill tree, and this attempt at mapping out the entire explorable area of Starfield, it’s safe to say that fans can’t wait to get their hands on the game.
Starfield might not have launched yet, but its fandom is already a universe unto itself. From skill systems to settlements to speculations and occasional slips into an imagined reality, Bethesda fans are a breed apart. The hope is that their passion will be rewarded and that Starfield will live up to its growing, astronomically high expectations.
Otherwise, Starfield might crash faster and worse than No Man’s Sky did many years ago.
