In Starfield, you can learn and master a variety of skills to make the most of your time among the stars. Some of the later skills are super specialized and can prove extremely useful, but only after you unlock their true value. Here is our guide telling you what the Special Projects skill does in Starfield.
Starfield – what the Special Projects skill does
As you play Starfield, you’ll come across a number of skills that immediately improve the experience. Other skills don’t seem especially useful at a glance, including Special Projects. However, its true value becomes more apparent as you try to make the most of your crafting capabilities. Use Special Projects to make better equipment and crafting components, and to improve your outposts.
To access the Special Projects skill, devote enough points to the Science branch of the skill tree. The Special Projects skill is on the lowest level, meaning you must first spend 12 points on skills in higher tiers. Even though I focused on the Science branch pretty early in my own run, I was at around level 30 or so before I dedicated my first point to the Special Projects skill.
Related: How to research new items and equipment at the Research Laboratory in Starfield
At rank 1, the Special Projects skill lets you research ‘experimental projects’ at a Research Lab. Specifically, you need Special Projects at its base level (along with Spacesuit Design at rank 3) to complete the Pack Mods 3 research project. Otherwise, you simply can’t max out the last of your equipment. This benefit can be easy to miss if you haven’t figured out how to get Research Stations in Starfield.
Related: All workbench and research lab locations in Starfield
At rank 2 and above, the Special Projects skill allows you to craft manufactured components at an Industrial Workbench. This ability is important, since you can use semi-common resources to craft rarer ones that let you build better stuff. You can eventually craft rare, exotic, and finally unique components at a workbench. Additionally, extractors you set up at your outposts may yield additional resources. In other words, you’ll want to max out this skill for your elite manufacturing needs.
Other Starfield articles