How to bribe NPCs in Starfield

Starfield, the highly anticipated and massively expansive game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, introduces a bribery mechanic similar to Skyrim. This guide aims to walk you through the steps to unlock and maximize the benefits of the Negotiation skill, allowing you to effectively bribe NPCs in the game. So, let's dive in and explore the intricacies of this exciting gameplay mechanic!

Unlocking the Bribery Ability:

To gain access to the bribery ability in Starfield, you need to focus on leveling up your Negotiation skill, which can be found in the Social Skill tree. The Negotiation skill has four levels, each offering unique advantages:

- Rank 1: Unlocks bribery in speech challenges: At this rank, you will be able to use the bribery option during speech challenges with NPCs. This opens up new avenues for interaction and influence.

- Rank 2: Reduces bribery costs by 25%: As you progress and reach Rank 2, you will notice a significant reduction in the costs associated with bribing NPCs. This allows you to save valuable resources while still achieving your desired outcomes.

- Rank 3: Further reduces bribery costs by 50%: Once you reach Rank 3, the reduction in bribery costs becomes even more substantial. This upgrade ensures that you can bribe NPCs more frequently without breaking the bank.

- Rank 4: Allows for free bribery in certain situations: Upon unlocking Rank 4 of the Negotiation skill, you gain the ability to bribe NPCs for free in specific situations. This is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used strategically to your advantage.

Benefits of Increasing Skill Rank:

Investing time and effort into leveling up your Negotiation skill early on in Starfield can greatly enhance your ability to influence NPCs through bribes. By increasing your skill rank, you unlock various benefits that can significantly impact your gameplay experience:

- Enhanced dialogue options: As your Negotiation skill rank increases, you will notice additional dialogue options becoming available. These options allow for more nuanced and persuasive conversations, giving you greater control over the outcomes of interactions with NPCs.

- Improved success rate: With a higher Negotiation skill rank, the success rate of your bribery attempts increases. This means that you are more likely to sway NPCs to your desired course of action through the power of your words and bribes.

- Greater rewards and opportunities: Successfully bribing NPCs can open up new opportunities and unlock additional rewards within the game world. Whether it's gaining access to restricted areas, acquiring valuable information, or obtaining rare items, the benefits of effective bribery are vast.

Understanding the Bribery Mechanic:

The bribery mechanic in Starfield works similarly to the Persuasion mechanic found in previous Bethesda games. When engaging in dialogue with an NPC, you will notice the [Negotiation] option automatically available in the dialogue choices. In some instances, Persuasion and Negotiation may work together, initiating a Persuasion minigame before utilizing the Negotiation skill.

During the Negotiation process, you will have the opportunity to offer bribes to NPCs. The effectiveness of your bribes will depend on your Negotiation skill rank, the value of the bribe offered, and the disposition of the NPC towards you. It's important to consider these factors and tailor your bribes accordingly to achieve the desired outcomes.

Coercing or Reducing Hostility:

Through high-level Negotiation skills and effective bribes, players can coerce NPCs into favorable actions or reduce their hostility towards them. This can be particularly useful in navigating challenging situations within the game world. For example, you may bribe a guard to turn a blind eye to your actions or persuade a hostile faction member to become more amicable towards you.

Bribing NPCs can also provide alternative solutions to quests or help you avoid unnecessary conflicts. By leveraging your Negotiation skill, you can find diplomatic resolutions or gain advantages in complex scenarios.

By unlocking and progressively increasing the rank of your Negotiation skill in Starfield, you can fully leverage the benefits of the bribery mechanic. Remember to invest time early on to maximize the potential of your Negotiation skill, allowing for smoother interactions with NPCs throughout your journey.

Whether you choose to coerce NPCs into favorable actions or reduce their hostility towards you, effective bribery can open up new opportunities and shape your gameplay experience in Starfield. So, go forth, immerse yourself in the vastness of the game world, and enjoy the power of persuasion through effective bribery!