Skills Shadowrun Returns Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Each attribute has corresponding skills. Some of them improve only statistics and other unlock special techniques. Skills are developed the same way as attributes, but there is certain relationship. For example in order to develop Ranged Combat on level 5, you first need at least 5th level of Quickness. There are also skills which require appropriate level of another main skill. The mentioned Ranged Combat has to be on level 6 or higher if we want to improve Pistol to 6th level.
Skills are assigned to respective attributes. Please also note that skills do not have separate limitations according to races. Maximum value for the attribute is the same as maximum value for the skill.
Quickness - Skills
Ranged Combat (main skill)
Description: Determines chances to hit an enemy with a ranged weapon. Unlocks access to all firearms.
Special skills: 3 - Additional weapon slot, 4 - Overwatch.
Pistol (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use pistols and increases weapon damage. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 1 - Aimed Shot, 2 - Shows percentage of critical damage, 4 - Auto Reload, 5 - Dead-eye, 6 - Double-Tap, 7 - Chainshot, 9 - Disarm.
Smg (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use Smg and increases weapon damage. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 1 - Spray and Pray, 2 - Shows percentage of critical damage, 3 - Aimed Shot.
Shotgun (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use shotguns and increases weapon damage. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 1 - Kneecap, 2 - Shows percentage of critical damage, 3 - Aimed Shot, 5 - Wide Load.
Rifle (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use rifles and increases weapon damage. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 1 - Aimed Shot, 2 - Burst Fire/Shows percentage of critical damage, 3 - Full Auto, 5 - Dead-eye, 6 - Double-Tap, 7 - Headshot.
Dodge (main skill)
Description: Increases the chances to dodge physical attacks with melee weapons, firearms or grenades. Doesn't influence magical attacks.
Special skills: None.
Strength - Skills
Close Combat (main skill)
Description: It determines accuracy of attacks with melee weapons and bare fists. It unlocks an access to the melee weapons and unarmed fight.
Special skills: 3 - Additional weapon slot, 4 - Overwatch, 6 - Defense Bonus.
Melee Weapons (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use melee weapons and increases weapon damage. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 1 - Thrust, 2 - Shows percentage of critical damage, 3 - Pommel Strike, 5 - Cleave, 8 - Disarm.
Unarmed (side skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to fight unarmed and increases damage. It contains all skills associated with bare fists fight.
Special skills: 1 - Wound, 2 - Shows percentage of critical damage, 4 - Roundhouse Kick, 8 - Disarm.
Throwing Weapons (main skill)
Description: Unlocks the ability to use throwing weapons and increases chances to hit particular area. It contains all skills associated with this type of firearms.
Special skills: 5 - Reduces using grenades to 1 AP.
Intelligence - Skills
Biotech (main skill)
Description: Gives a bonus to recovered HP while using MedKit.
Special skills: None.
Decking (main skill)
Description: Unlocks possibility to use Decking. Increases chances to hit enemy programs and enemies in Matrix.
Special skills: 1 - Can equip Sony CTY-360, 2 - Mark Target I, 3 - Can equip Renraku Kraftwork-1, 4 - Mark Target II, 5 - Can equip Fuchi VirtuaX, 6 - Mark Target III, 7 - Can equip Fairlight Excalibur.
ESP Control (side skill)
Description: Increases power of expert programs in Matrix.
Special skills: None.
Drone Control (main skill)
Description: Gives an access to different drone classes.
Special skills: 1 - Can equip Class C Drones, 3 - Can equip Class B Drones, 4 - Can equip two drones at the same time, 5 - Can equip Class A Drones, 7 - Can equip Class S Drones.
Drone Combat (side skill)
Description: Increases drones abilities in the fight.
Special skills: 1 - Drone Armor I, 2 - Drone Accuracy I, 3 - Drone Dodge I, 4 - Drone Damage I, 5 - Drone Armor II, 6 - Drone AP I, 7 - Drone Accuracy II, 8 - Drone Dodge II, 9 - Drone AP II.
Willpower - Skills
Spellcasting (main skill)
Description: Increases chances to hit with particular spells.
Special skills: 2 - Additional spell slot, 3 - Shows Ley Lines during the fight, 4 - Additional spell slot, 6 - Additional spell slot, 7 - Shows Ley Lines through FOW (Fog of War).
Chi Casting (main skill)
Description: Increases chances to hit enemies with Adept powers.
Special skills: 1 - Killer Hands, 2 - Magic Resistance I, 3 - Mana Fist/Chi Focus, 4 - Stride/ Additional spell slot, 5 - Counterstrike, 6 - Magic Resistance II/Chi Onslaught/ Additional spell slot, 7 - Quick Strike, 8 - Mystic Armor, 9 - Pain Resistance, 10 - Magic Resistance III.
Charisma - Skills
Spirit Summoning (main skill)
Description: Unlocks possibility to summon Spirits and increases their power. Also gives an access to new Totems.
Special skills: 1 - Shows Spirit summoning points, 2 - Additional spell slot, 3 - Totem choice available, 4 - Additional spell slot, 5 - You can summon two Spirits from the same point, 6 - Additional spell slot.
Spirit Control (side skill)
Description: Increases chances to keep control over summoned Spirits.
Special skills: None.
Conjuring (main skill)
Description: Increases chances to hit with Shaman spells - Conjuring.
Special skills: 2 - Air Barrier/Additional spell slot, 4 - Lightning Barrier/Additional spell slot, 6 - Fire Barrier/Additional spell slot, 8 - Hellstorm Barrier/Additional spell slot.