Summary
- RPGs like Fantasy Life, Fallout 4, and Starfield offer various non-combat skill tree options.
- Vampire: The Masquerade focuses on non-combat skills to maintain the masquerade as a vampire.
- Games like My Time at Sandrock and Disco Elysium emphasize non-combat skills for character development.
The majority of RPGs usually have gamers taking part in various combat scenarios, especially titles that have the player exploring a fantasy setting with all sorts of mystical beasts. To improve their chances of fighting against these foes as different classes, the player typically has an assortment of skill trees that will allow them to use all sorts of abilities and improve their damage output.
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However, some role-playing games take their progression systems a step further by not only having skill trees for their combat classes, but also an assortment of non-combat skill trees for the player to explore. The most common non-combat skill is often cooking, though these RPGs are by far the best for having non-combat skill trees.
7 Fantasy Life
Become Proficient In Other Walks Of Life
Fantasy Life
- Released
- October 24, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Level-5
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Life Simulation
Although Fantasy Life doesn't feature typical skills in a skill tree, the player has the choice between including the usual combat classes, such as Hunter, Magician, and Mercenary, while also having an assortment of non-combat lives to explore, too.
Focusing on each and every non-combat life in Fantasy Life can be incredibly beneficial in this RPG, as leveling up in them makes various recipes available that could benefit another. For example, a player may wish to focus on their skill as a Blacksmith so that they can build the various weaponry for their other lives or tools needed for the other non-combat options. The resources required for this life are then gotten through leveling up the Miner's life, further encouraging the player to focus on these non-combat roles.
6 Fallout 4
SPECIAL Perks Include Non-Combat Options
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
While Fallout 4 may not have entirely separate skill trees, players of this RPG can purchase an assortment of non-combat perks when exploring the SPECIAL skill tree. With each skill being connected to an attribute like Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck, the player will find a mix of both combat abilities and non-combat skills, too, depending on the attribute.
Although a player may assume that the Strength section of the SPECIAL skill tree would only include skills that would improve their melee combat, it's also possible for the player to learn how to upgrade their weaponry and Armor in Fallout 4 through Blacksmith or Armorer skills, with these only being two examples.
5 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Keeping The Masquerade Means Avoiding Combat
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
- Released
- November 16, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Troika Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
While it may be tempting to invest points in the character sheet of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines purely into skills that improve their combative vampire abilities, the main focus is keeping up the facade that the player is just like any other human.
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As the player levels up, they are given the option to put their points into an assortment of talents. With the player's vampire choosing from the likes of Subterfuge, which allows them to deceive humans, there are countless in-depth, non-combat ways for games to build their vampire in this RPG.
4 Starfield
An Assortment Of Social Skills To Explore
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Bethesda continues to make RPGs with an assortment of non-combat skill trees that make for interesting playthroughs, and Starfield is no different, with players having various skills they can improve that are grouped into the five categories: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Technology.
With one category being focused on fighting, it's easy to imagine that many of the other categories focus on the other RPG mechanics, with some categories going a lot deeper than players may expect. The Social skills in Starfield don't just include persuading or intimidating NPCs, but also Gastronomy for those who enjoy cooking or Outpost Management. The same can also be said for the other categories, which also provide an assortment of methods for players to improve their character in a non-combat-oriented way.
3 My Time At Sandrock
Increase The Player's Gathering, Workshop, And Social Knowledge
My Time At Sandrock
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Pathea Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation, Farming
RPG life simulators like My Time at Sandrock are perfect for gamers who are looking for role-playing experiences where they can focus on skills that don't revolve around combating various enemies found within the dungeons.
In My Time at Sandrock, the skill trees refer to knowledge that the player will expand upon when earning experience via completing various activities. With the player's main role being a builder hoping to bring the town of Sandrock back to life, knowledge within Gathering is by far one of the most beneficial skill trees to focus on, as it improves the amount of stamina the player has, allowing them to gather more resources for building.
2 Disco Elysium
An In-depth Character Sheet That Explores The Character's Psyche Among Other Things
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
- Developer(s)
- ZA/UM
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Disco Elysium is arguably one of the greatest RPGs ever made, featuring an assortment of skill trees for players to focus on when building their character. Each part of Harry's character is important, from his psyche to his motor skills, as not focusing on putting points into a certain part of him may have dire consequences .
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Some skills in Disco Elysium aid with the limited combat within this incredible RPG, while the rest can drastically change Harry's personality and the parts of his mind that interact with him throughout the story. These non-combat skills also encourage the player to replay the RPG, with one playthrough having high empathy and another focusing on composure.
1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Alchemy And Speech Are Just As Important As Combat
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The Elder Scrolls franchise continues to be one of the best RPG franchises, with Skyrim being the greatest in recent years. Not only is there a huge open world for the player to explore, but there is also a great deal freedom to be enjoyed regarding how the Dragonborn is shaped.
Skyrim features an assortment of skill trees in the design of star signs for the player to get stuck into. These star signs go deeper than just enhancing combat abilities; Alchemy, Speech craft, and Enchanting are just a few of the many non-combat-focused skills that players can make use of during their playthrough.
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