Feature

Complete Skill Tree rework Every vanilla Skill has been reworked — not just number bumps. Weak Skills get meaningful buffs, and some include new mechanics that make them worth investing in. Example: Boxing (a weak Skills in the game): Rank 1: Unarmed attacks do 50% more damage. 25% less O2 used when using a power attack. Rank 2: Unarmed attacks do 100% more damage. 50% less O2 used when using a power attack. Rank 3: Unarmed critical hit chance increased by 15%. While in a fight and unarmed, running consumes 50% less O2. Rank 4: Unarmed critical hit chance increased by 30% and have a 33% chance to knock down opponents when using a power attack. (Image 1)

1.2. Smoother Skill Challenges Most Skill Challenges have been rebalanced to reduce unnecessary grinding while keeping the original gameplay theme. Example: Boxing Challenges are now: Challenge 1: Kill 2 legendary human enemies above level 10 with an unarmed attack. Challenge 2: Kill 5 legendary human enemies above level 25 with an unarmed attack. Challenge 3: Kill 5 legendary human enemies above level 50 with an unarmed attack. (Image 2)

1.3. Core function Skills refund 1 point If a Skill Rank mainly unlocks a core gameplay function (BoostPack Training, Security, Targeting Control Systems, etc.), it refunds 1 skill point after being learned. Around 80 skill points can be refunded this way across all such skills. (Image 3)

1.4. Vanilla bug fixes Several bugs have been fixed. Example: Leadership Rank 2 was reducing affinity gain to 10% below Rank 1 — now fixed.

Reworked Crew Skills Many Crew Skill values have been improved, making crew assignment more meaningful for ships, outposts, companions, and combat. Some Crew Skills now properly support the doubled effect from Leadership Rank 4.
Reworked Traits All Traits have been reworked to feel more like real character identity choices instead of small passive effects. (Image 4 5) For example: Dream Home: provides reduced outpost building material costs Neon Street Rat: bonuses to Pickpocket and Stealth Alien DNA: greatly improves the effect of Alien Genetic Material Kid Stuff: payment to parents reduced to 1%, but no maximum limit — let your parents live a better life in New Atlantis :)
25 new Backgrounds Adds 25 new Backgrounds that fit the world of Starfield. (Image 6) Each has its own identity, flavor, and 3 matching starting skills — designed to feel like a believable life someone could have lived in the Settled Systems.
No more vague descriptions All descriptions now display specific values and probabilities. (Image 7)

Full change list

See all changes in the Google Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FdZmcLYPqR__fBgJ8r-6-3jOI1V3eOrjzXuY9R0qF6w/edit?usp=sharing

Installation

Safe to install at any stage of the game. If installed on an existing save, skill point refunds for "function unlock" Skills you've already learned will be applied on your next NG+.

Compatibility

This mod edits only the vanilla records. It is not compatible with mods that modify the same vanilla Skill, Trait, or Crew Skill records. It is compatible with mods that add new Skills, Traits, Crew Skills, or Backgrounds.