04 Skills & Allocation

🎯 Skills & Allocation

All three character creation methods use skills — this page is your one-stop reference for what skills exist, how to spend your 86 points, and what the Streetrat packages look like so you can use them as a baseline.

→ For full skill descriptions, see Skills

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Skill Point Rules

All creation methods give you 86 skill points (Streetrats get predetermined packages totaling 86).

Hard Limits

• 13 Basic Skills must be at least Level 2 — 26 points minimum
• Native Language at Level 4 from Lifepath — 4 more points committed
• No skill higher than Level 6 during creation
• ×2 Skills cost double (2 points per level instead of 1)

Your Budget

Budget Item	Points
Starting pool	86
Basic Skills at minimum 2	−26
Native Language at 4	−4
Remaining for customization	56

Skill Level Guide

Level	Competence	Typical Use
2	Basic — you can do simple tasks	Skills you rarely use
4	Trained — working professional	Skills you use sometimes
6	Expert — best in the city	Your core identity (max at creation)

How Many Skills at 6?

With 56 free points, you can typically raise 7–8 skills to Level 6 (costing 4 points each to boost a basic skill from 2→6, or 6 points for non-basic skills from 0→6). The Streetrat packages average about 7–8 role skills at 6 — a good target.

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Don’t Start From Zero

Use the Streetrat Package as a Starting Point

Even if you’re building an Edgerunner or Complete Package character, check your Role’s Streetrat Skill Package below. It shows you which skills matter most for your Role. Then customize from there:

1. Start with the Streetrat package as a baseline
2. Swap out skills you don’t want — reclaim those points
3. Boost skills you care about — spend the freed-up points

For example, a Solo’s Streetrat package puts 6 into Interrogation — but if your Solo is a silent assassin, drop it to 2 and invest those 4 points into Stealth instead.

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Quick Picks by Archetype

Not sure where to invest? Here are proven combinations regardless of Role:

If you want to be…	Invest in…
A fighter	Handgun 6, Evasion 6, Shoulder Arms or Autofire (×2), Melee Weapon
A face/talker	Persuasion 6, Human Perception 6, Conversation 6, Bribery, Trading
A tech specialist	Basic Tech 6, Cybertech 6, Electronics/Security (×2), Weaponstech
A sneak	Stealth 6, Conceal/Reveal 6, Pick Lock, Evasion 6
A medic	Paramedic (×2) 6, First Aid 6, Science 6, Deduction 6
An investigator	Perception 6, Deduction 6, Criminology 6, Library Search, Tracking

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The 13 Basic Skills

Everyone must have these at Level 2 minimum (26 points):

Skill	STAT	Description
Athletics	DEX	Running, climbing, jumping
Brawling	DEX	Unarmed fighting
Concentration	WILL	Focus under pressure
Conversation	EMP	Small talk, building rapport
Education	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	DEX	Dodging melee attacks; requires REF 8+ to also dodge bullets
First Aid	TECH	Basic wound treatment
Human Perception	EMP	Reading people
Language (Streetslang)	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Home)	INT	Knowing your area
Perception	INT	Noticing things
Persuasion	COOL	Convincing people
Stealth	DEX	Moving quietly

Evasion & REF 8

Melee: Anyone can use Evasion to dodge melee attacks — no REF requirement.
Ranged: Only characters with REF 8 or higher can dodge bullets, explosions, and ranged attacks using DEX + Evasion + 1d10 vs. Attack Roll.
No REF 8? You can still get the ability through the Reflex Co-Processor cyberware.

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Skill Shopping List

Below is every non-basic skill you can buy, grouped by purpose. Skills marked (×2) cost double (2 points per level). Your 13 Basic Skills are covered above — this list shows what else is available, plus which basic skills are worth boosting.

⚔️ Combat Skills

Ranged Weapons (linked to REF):

Skill	Cost	What It Does
Handgun	1/lvl	Pistols — the most common weapon
Shoulder Arms	1/lvl	Rifles & shotguns
Autofire (×2)	2/lvl	Full-auto spray — powerful but expensive
Heavy Weapons (×2)	2/lvl	Rocket launchers, grenade launchers
Archery	1/lvl	Bows and crossbows

Melee & Defense (linked to DEX):

Skill	Cost	What It Does
Melee Weapon	1/lvl	Swords, bats, knives — ignores half armor
Martial Arts (×2)	2/lvl	Choose a form (see Martial Arts). ROF 2, ignores half armor, BODY-based damage
Brawling (basic)	1/lvl	Unarmed fighting — already at 2
Evasion (basic)	1/lvl	Dodging attacks — already at 2. REF 8+ needed to dodge ranged

Support:

Skill	STAT	Cost	What It Does
Tactics	INT	1/lvl	Directing battles, flanking
Resist Torture/Drugs	WILL	1/lvl	Withstanding interrogation & chemical effects

🗣️ Social Skills

All linked to COOL unless noted:

Skill	Cost	What It Does
Persuasion (basic)	1/lvl	Convincing people — already at 2
Conversation (basic, EMP)	1/lvl	Extracting info via casual chat — already at 2
Human Perception (basic, EMP)	1/lvl	Reading emotions, detecting lies — already at 2
Bribery	1/lvl	Knowing who to pay and how much
Interrogation	1/lvl	Forcing info from someone
Streetwise	1/lvl	Finding illegal goods, navigating the underworld
Trading	1/lvl	Haggling prices, deal-making
Personal Grooming	1/lvl	Looking good, making first impressions
Wardrobe & Style	1/lvl	Wearing the right thing for the occasion
Acting	1/lvl	Disguise, faking identity, bluffing

🧠 Knowledge & Awareness Skills

All linked to INT unless noted:

Skill	Cost	What It Does
Education (basic)	1/lvl	General knowledge — already at 2
Perception (basic)	1/lvl	Spotting hidden things — already at 2
Concentration (basic, WILL)	1/lvl	Focus under pressure — already at 2
Library Search	1/lvl	Research, Data Pool searches
Deduction	1/lvl	Connecting clues, diagnosis
Criminology	1/lvl	Forensics, fingerprints, crime scenes
Conceal/Reveal Object	1/lvl	Hiding weapons, finding hidden items
Lip Reading	1/lvl	Reading lips at distance
Tracking	1/lvl	Following trails
Accounting	1/lvl	Financial forensics
Bureaucracy	1/lvl	Navigating red tape
Business	1/lvl	Economics and trade
Composition	1/lvl	Writing songs, articles
Cryptography	1/lvl	Encoding/decoding messages
Gamble	1/lvl	Games of chance
Local Expert (basic)	1/lvl	Knowing a specific area — already at 2
Language (basic)	1/lvl	A specific language — Streetslang at 2, native at 4
Science (choose field)	1/lvl	Physics, Biology, Chemistry, etc.
Tactics	1/lvl	Battle management
Wilderness Survival	1/lvl	Surviving outdoors, Badlands travel
Animal Handling	1/lvl	Training and calming animals

🔧 Technical Skills

All linked to TECH:

Skill	Cost	What It Does
First Aid (basic)	1/lvl	Treating wounds, stabilizing — already at 2
Basic Tech	1/lvl	General repair, simple machines
Cybertech	1/lvl	Installing/repairing cyberware
Weaponstech	1/lvl	Weapon repair and modification
Land Vehicle Tech	1/lvl	Car/bike repair
Electronics/Security Tech (×2)	2/lvl	Computers, alarms, bugs, security
Paramedic (×2)	2/lvl	Treating serious critical injuries
Demolitions (×2)	2/lvl	Explosives, bombs, breaching
Forgery	1/lvl	Faking documents and IDs
Pick Lock	1/lvl	Opening mechanical locks
Pick Pocket	1/lvl	Stealing from pockets, sleight of hand
Photography/Film	1/lvl	Cameras, video, braindances
Paint/Draw/Sculpt	1/lvl	Visual arts
Air Vehicle Tech	1/lvl	AV/helicopter repair
Sea Vehicle Tech	1/lvl	Boat repair
Play Instrument	1/lvl	Musical instruments (choose one)

🚗 Vehicle & Movement Skills

Skill	STAT	Cost	What It Does
Athletics (basic)	DEX	1/lvl	Running, jumping, climbing — already at 2
Stealth (basic)	DEX	1/lvl	Sneaking, hiding — already at 2
Drive Land Vehicle	REF	1/lvl	Cars, bikes, trucks
Pilot Air Vehicle (×2)	REF	2/lvl	AVs, helicopters
Pilot Sea Vehicle	REF	1/lvl	Boats
Riding	REF	1/lvl	Horses and mounts
Contortionist	DEX	1/lvl	Escaping bonds, tight spaces
Dance	DEX	1/lvl	Professional dancing
Endurance	WILL	1/lvl	Pain tolerance, harsh conditions

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📚 Streetrat Skill Packages

These are the predetermined skill packages for Streetrat characters. Each Role gets a tailored set of skills optimized for their way of life. Edgerunner and Complete Package characters should also use these as a starting baseline.

Understanding the Tables

• Bold skills are the 13 Basic Skills everyone has
• Non-bold skills are your Role’s specialty skills
• ⭐ marks the skills that define this Role
• Don’t forget to add your native language at Level 4 from Lifepath!

(x2) Cost Skills

Some skills marked (x2) in the Edgerunner method cost double skill points to raise. This only matters for Edgerunners/Complete Package — Streetrats just copy the numbers.

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🎸 Rockerboy

Performers with massive social skills and stage presence.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	6	DEX	⭐ Bar fights happen a lot
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	2	EMP	Small talk
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Dodging stage dives and bullets
First Aid	6	TECH	⭐ Patching yourself up
Human Perception	6	EMP	⭐ Reading the crowd
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	4	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	2	INT	Noticing things
Persuasion	6	COOL	⭐ Convincing the masses
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Composition	6	INT	⭐ Writing songs/art
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ A rebel’s insurance
Melee Weapon	6	DEX	⭐ Stage combat
Personal Grooming	4	COOL	Looking good
Play Instrument (choose 1)	6	TECH	⭐ Your art
Streetwise	6	COOL	⭐ Street knowledge
Wardrobe & Style	4	COOL	Image is everything

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⚔️ Solo

Combat specialists. Maximum combat skills with survival instincts.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	2	EMP	Small talk
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Expert at dodging attacks
First Aid	6	TECH	⭐ Patching yourself up
Human Perception	2	EMP	Reading people
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	6	INT	⭐ Threat awareness
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Autofire (x2)	6	REF	⭐ Expert full-auto fire
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ Expert pistol skills
Interrogation	6	COOL	⭐ Getting answers
Melee Weapon	6	DEX	⭐ Expert blade work
Resist Torture/Drugs	6	WILL	⭐ Been through everything
Shoulder Arms	6	REF	⭐ Expert with rifles
Tactics	6	INT	⭐ Reading the battlefield

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🌐 Netrunner

Hackers. Tech skills and stealth for getting to access points.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Focus
Conversation	2	EMP	Small talk
Education	6	INT	⭐ Deep knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Dodge while jacked in
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic patching
Human Perception	2	EMP	Reading people
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	2	INT	Noticing things
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	6	DEX	⭐ Getting to access points
Basic Tech	6	TECH	⭐ General repairs
Conceal/Reveal Object	6	INT	⭐ Hiding your gear
Cryptography	6	INT	⭐ Codes and encryption
Cybertech	6	TECH	⭐ Chrome work
Electronics/Security Tech (x2)	6	TECH	⭐ Hardware hacking
Handgun	6	REF	Self-defense
Library Search	6	INT	⭐ Finding information

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🔧 Tech

Makers. Maximum technical skills for building and repairing everything.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	2	EMP	Small talk
Education	6	INT	⭐ Deep knowledge base
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Dodging in the workshop
First Aid	6	TECH	⭐ Fixing people and machines
Human Perception	2	EMP	Reading people
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	2	INT	Noticing things
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Basic Tech	6	TECH	⭐ General repairs
Cybertech	6	TECH	⭐ Cyberware work
Electronics/Security Tech (x2)	6	TECH	⭐ Electronics and security
Land Vehicle Tech	6	TECH	⭐ Vehicle repair
Science (choose 1)	6	INT	⭐ Specialized knowledge
Shoulder Arms	6	REF	Rifles
Weaponstech	6	TECH	⭐ Gun repair and mods

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🏥 Medtech

Healers. Medical expertise and diagnostic skills.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Focus during surgery
Conversation	6	EMP	⭐ Bedside manner
Education	6	INT	⭐ Medical knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Dodge while treating
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic — Medtechs use Paramedic
Human Perception	6	EMP	⭐ Reading patients
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	2	INT	Noticing symptoms
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Basic Tech	6	TECH	⭐ General repairs
Cybertech	4	TECH	Chrome work
Deduction	6	INT	⭐ Diagnostic reasoning
Paramedic (x2)	6	TECH	⭐ Advanced medical care
Resist Torture/Drugs	4	WILL	Professional hazard
Science (choose 1)	6	INT	⭐ Specialized knowledge
Shoulder Arms	6	REF	Basic rifle use

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📺 Media

Truth-seekers. Social, investigative, and deception skills.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	6	EMP	⭐ Getting people to talk
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Dodging trouble
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic patching
Human Perception	6	EMP	⭐ Reading people perfectly
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	6	INT	⭐ Knowing every corner
Perception	6	INT	⭐ Noticing everything
Persuasion	6	COOL	⭐ Convincing anyone
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Bribery	6	COOL	⭐ Greasing palms for info
Composition	6	INT	⭐ Writing stories
Deduction	6	INT	⭐ Connecting the dots
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ A journalist’s insurance
Library Search	4	INT	Finding information
Lip Reading	4	INT	Reading conversations
Photography/Film	4	TECH	Capturing evidence

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💼 Exec

Corporate leaders. Social dominance and business acumen.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Focus under pressure
Conversation	6	EMP	⭐ Building alliances
Education	6	INT	⭐ Corporate training
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Survival instinct
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic patching
Human Perception	6	EMP	⭐ Reading the room
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your turf
Perception	2	INT	Basic awareness
Persuasion	6	COOL	⭐ Negotiation master
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Accounting	6	INT	⭐ Following the money
Bureaucracy	6	INT	⭐ Navigating systems
Business	6	INT	⭐ Running operations
Deduction	6	INT	⭐ Strategic analysis
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ Executive protection
Lip Reading	6	INT	⭐ Boardroom advantage
Personal Grooming	4	COOL	Professional image

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🚔 Lawman

Law enforcers. Combat and investigation in equal measure.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic fitness
Brawling	6	DEX	⭐ Subduing suspects
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	6	EMP	⭐ De-escalation
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Surviving firefights
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic patching
Human Perception	2	EMP	Basic reads
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Knowing your beat
Perception	2	INT	Basic awareness
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Autofire	6	REF	⭐ Suppressive fire
Criminology	6	INT	⭐ Understanding crime
Deduction	6	INT	⭐ Solving cases
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ Service weapon mastery
Interrogation	6	COOL	⭐ Getting answers
Shoulder Arms	6	REF	⭐ Patrol rifle
Tracking	6	INT	⭐ Hunting suspects

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🤝 Fixer

Dealmakers. Social skills and street connections.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic physical
Brawling	2	DEX	Last resort
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	6	EMP	⭐ Building rapport
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Slippery when cornered
First Aid	2	TECH	Basic patching
Human Perception	6	EMP	⭐ Reading everyone
Language (Streetslang)	4	INT	Fluent street talk
Local Expert (Your Home)	6	INT	⭐ Knows every corner
Perception	2	INT	Basic awareness
Persuasion	4	COOL	Convincing people
Stealth	2	DEX	Basic stealth
Bribery	6	COOL	⭐ Greasing palms
Business	6	INT	⭐ Running operations
Forgery	6	TECH	⭐ Fake IDs and docs
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ Always packing
Pick Lock	4	TECH	Getting into places
Streetwise	6	COOL	⭐ Total street knowledge
Trading	6	COOL	⭐ Buying and selling

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🛣️ Nomad

Road warriors. Combat and survival for life outside the city.

Skill	Level	STAT	Notes
Athletics	2	DEX	Basic fitness
Brawling	6	DEX	⭐ Road brawls
Concentration	2	WILL	Staying focused
Conversation	2	EMP	Small talk
Education	2	INT	General knowledge
Evasion	6	DEX	⭐ Survival training
First Aid	6	TECH	⭐ Road medicine
Human Perception	2	EMP	Reading people
Language (Streetslang)	2	INT	Everyone speaks this
Local Expert (Your Home)	2	INT	Basic turf knowledge
Perception	4	INT	Road awareness
Persuasion	2	COOL	Basic
Stealth	6	DEX	⭐ Ambush skills
Animal Handling	6	INT	⭐ Some packs use animals
Drive Land Vehicle	6	REF	⭐ Expert driver
Handgun	6	REF	⭐ One-handed while driving
Melee Weapon	6	DEX	⭐ Road warrior combat
Tracking	6	INT	⭐ Hunting and scouting
Trading	6	COOL	⭐ Barter economy
Wilderness Survival	6	INT	⭐ Life on the road

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📝 Don’t Forget!

• Add your native language at Level 4 from your Lifepath Cultural Origin
• Your Role Ability starts at Level 4
• Basic Skills are the foundation everyone needs

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