Players who want to increase their chances of survival in Starfield must invest in unique skills. One such skill involves bribing NPCs. In these interactions, players to interact with said NPCs, and offering them credits to get out of sticky situations. Unfortunately, many players do not know how to bribe NPCs in Starfield, largely because the game does not explain the feature thoroughly.
While Starfield does not explain the bribe skill, it is not complicated. Keeping this in mind, this guide will illustrate how players can bribe NPCs in Starfield, along with other helpful tidbits to know about this gameplay mechanic.
How to Bribe NPCs Via the Negotiation Skill
Before players can bribe NPCs, they must unlock the Negotiation skill. Once unlocked, players will need to upgrade the skill, after which they are free to bribe NPCs with credits during conversations.
After the player unlocks the Negotiation skill, they will get the Negotiation option during conversations. For instance, the player will get the Negotiation option during the following missions:
- All That Money Can Buy – Players can pay off a security guard or bribe Slayton’s secretary to get access to his office.
- A Tree Grows in New Atlantis – Players can bribe the museum manager to acquire the Ancient Branch in exchange for credits.
Players can upgrade the Negotiation skill to reduce the amount of credits required to bribe NPCs and to boost the skill, after which players can easily direct conversations in their favor. After reaching rank four, players will see a significant drop in the cost of bribes. They can sometimes drop to zero, allowing players to save their precious credits to spend elsewhere.
Here is a quick summary of the Negotiation skill levels:
- Rank 1 – Gain the ability to bribe NPCs.
- Rank 2 – Bribery cost reduced by 25%.
- Rank 3 – Bribery cost reduced by 50%.
- Rank 4 – Bribery cost reduced to an absolute minimum, sometimes zero.
Are There Consequences for Bribing NPCs?
The consequences of bribing an NPC successfully or failing to do so are unknown at this time. However, depending on the companion in tow, it could affect how companions view the player, resulting in positive or negative relationships. Other potential consequences include missing out on quest paths or getting into brawls or firefights.
Regardless of the reasons for bribing NPCs, this mechanic allows players to explore new opportunities and make the most of what the game offers.
Starfield is available on Xbox Series S/X and PC.