Skills in The Outer Worlds 2 do far more than boost stats; they shape how your journey unfolds. The right skills can turn a hostile encounter into a peaceful resolution, unlock hidden paths the game never directly shows you, or transform your character from a simple gunfighter into a silver-tongued problem-solver.
This The Outer Worlds 2 Best Skills Tier List breaks down which skills truly change your playthrough and which ones are best saved for niche builds. If you want a smoother, smarter, and more rewarding run, these are the skills that matter most.
The Outer Worlds 2 Best Skills Tier List & Guide
S-Tier Skills
Speech
Speech turns conversations into shortcuts. You’ll talk your way into restricted areas, out of gunfights, and into rewards others miss. It also gives you bonus damage against humans, which pays off constantly since most enemies are just people with bad intentions. If you want the most content, solutions, and power per point, Speech is the king of versatility.
Lockpick
Lockpick quietly makes the galaxy open up for you. Locked doors become alternate routes, sealed containers turn into free loot, and pickpocketing lets you “borrow” valuables without a firefight. The bonus evasion helps you survive early skirmishes and tight escapes. If you love exploration or always want the best loot early, Lockpick is essential.
Guns
Guns is all about clean, reliable damage. It buffs the firepower of nearly every ranged weapon, letting you punch through armor and drop foes before they close distance. Since most weapons you’ll use are guns, the value of this skill hits every fight. If you want a simple, effective way to stay lethal from start to finish, this is the safest investment.
A-Tier Skills
Hack
Hack gives you a backstage pass to terminals, restricted inventories, and mechanical systems. It opens alternate ways to complete objectives, quietly disable automechs, or gain intel that creates new dialogue options. The damage bonus to mechanical enemies gives you an advantage in high-tech facilities. It doesn’t replace Speech or Lockpick, but it pairs beautifully with them.
Melee
Melee shines if you want to feel every swing matter. It boosts your close-quarters damage and makes blocking more rewarding, turning duels into skillful clashes rather than panic brawls. This path stays fun whether you favor fast blades or heavy-hitting hammers. It can’t match the universal value of Guns, but for players who like up-close chaos, it delivers.
Science!
Science! makes combat more tactical and stylish instead of pure trigger-pulling. More gadget energy means you can lean on tools and abilities rather than treating them as emergencies. It also amps up elemental effects, letting shock, plasma, and corrosive builds really chew through enemies. Perfect for players who enjoy clever, tech-powered combat over brute force.
B-Tier Skills
Sneak
Sneak turns you into a whisper in the dark, letting you slip past guards or delete enemies with a single well-placed strike. It feels great when everything goes according to plan, especially during early infiltration missions. The problem is once you’re spotted, the skill falls off instantly. Strong start, limited staying power in boss fights and open combat.
Explosives
Explosives make every throw feel like a miniature boss moment. You deal more blast damage, resist explosions better yourself, and can safely disarm traps. This is fantastic for players who love chaos and AoE wipes. The catch? Explosive weapons are rarer than guns or melee gear, so value depends heavily on your loadout and playstyle.
Medical
Medical is the safety net skill for cautious explorers. It raises your inhaler usage ceiling and helps you push through toxic zones or creature-infested areas more comfortably. The damage bonus to creatures is helpful, but humans and bots make up more encounters overall. Good for survivalists, but its impact can be replaced with gear and consumables.
C-Tier Skills
Leadership
Leadership buffs companion damage and durability, letting them pull more weight in fights. It sounds great, but companions can already be geared up through quests and mods without needing this skill. If you prefer a solo-leaning or self-reliant playstyle, Leadership loses value fast. Only worth it if your squadmates are the stars of your build.
Observation
Observation rewards curiosity by revealing hidden objects and boosting weak spot damage. It occasionally unlocks alternate routes or subtle dialogue reads that can be fun to discover. The issue is most of its benefits can be replicated by other party members or higher-impact skills. Good flavor pick, but rarely a priority.
Engineering
Engineering gives you a toolkit for repairs and a small boost to damage resistance. It can fix certain mechanical issues in the world, but most Roadblocks can be bypassed with other paths like Lockpick, Hack, or raw strength. Since armor and mods can cover its defensive perks, it struggles to justify early investment.
Best Skills Tier List
| Tier | Skills |
|---|---|
| S Tier | Speech, Lockpick, Guns |
| A Tier | Hack, Melee, Science! |
| B Tier | Sneak, Explosives, Medical |
| C Tier | Leadership, Observation, Engineering |
If you want the most rewarding first playthrough, Speech and Lockpick enhance nearly every quest and area you enter, while Guns keeps combat smooth and satisfying throughout the story. The remaining skills are great for personal flavor, but the S-Tier trio consistently gives the best combination of content access, efficiency, and power. Once you understand the world better, experiment with A- and B-tier skills to craft more specialized runs.