Are Auto-save Talents enough for Negotiate & Stealth?

[tenbsmith]

In my limited experience, most Skills get tested regularly during space travel and combat. In contrast, the Skills Negotiate and Stealth are tested infrequently, so having Talents that automatically pass tests of these skills seem sufficient. I'm not aware of a need to build strong skill pools for Negotiate and Stealth, but there may be game mechanics of which I'm not aware. 

[bobc]

Passing mission tests using your skill pools will generate more XP than if you use a skill save.  No idea of actual numbers though, it came up early in the alpha.
I always have a range of skill save talents available though since you can guarantee that the one you lose will be for a $200k payday!!

[MintDragon]

Nov 24, 2017 13:39:08 GMT -5 bobc said:

Passing mission tests using your skill pools will generate more XP than if you use a skill save.  No idea of actual numbers though, it came up early in the alpha.
I always have a range of skill save talents available though since you can guarantee that the one you lose will be for a $200k payday!!

That makes sense.  Might be good to add some text to the mission success screen indicating that we gained less XP since a save talent was used.

[John Robinson]

Nov 24, 2017 12:10:08 GMT -5 tenbsmith said:

In my limited experience, most Skills get tested regularly during space travel and combat. In contrast, the Skills Negotiate and Stealth are tested infrequently, so having Talents that automatically pass tests of these skills seem sufficient. I'm not aware of a need to build strong skill pools for Negotiate and Stealth, but there may be game mechanics of which I'm not aware. 

I agree most skills get tested during space travel and combat.  After this many years on the forum together. I probably have nothing new
to add you don't already know. Just a mention;

For the entire alpha my Captains have been Merchant, or Merchant/Diplomat.  My first impressions matched yours about the small number
of times a Negotiate test occurs, but that point of view has shifted. 

Merchants must run allot of diplomatic missions to be successful. Multi step diplomatic tours really help increase Negotiation tests, 
especially if you choose the option "Join diplomat in negotiations" versus simple escort.

It's subtle but every time you execute one of these talents a Negotiate test is performed which turns into experience +XP.
High Negotiate skill is only useful to Merchants/diplomats. When building these Captains I start with a +10 Negotiate skill.
In addition; Some Merchant talents will perform Charisma tests.

You can make allot of >$5k trades early in the game.

Merchant
Market Confidant	Trade at the Exchange worth over $5,000, gain Reputation up to your Negotiation Skill with the local Faction
Cordial Invitation	Receive up to a [Negotiate Skill] Reputation bonus with a new Contact when buying an Introduction
Righteous Profits	Trade at the Exchange worth over $5,000, barters for better price by 10% + Negotiation
Wise Counsel	passes a failed Negotiation test in any situation; including deep space travel, mutiny or during a mission
Known Trader	Discounts price for trading Permit by 10% + Negotiate Skill.
Diplomat
Winning Compromise	Increases your payment for every step in a Mission by 10% + Negotiate Skill
Silver Tongue	Price for military Rank is discounted by 10% + Negotiate Skill
Warm Invitation	Receive a [10 + Negotiate]% discount on price of Contact Introductions
Settlement	passes a failed Negotiation test in any situation; including deep space travel, mutiny or during a mission

[tenbsmith]

Good points John Robinson, always enjoy your posts. I may give Market Confidant a try in my current game. I've got strong rep with two factions, a bunch of -1 reps, and a -7. Market Confident and more patrolling could be the ticket to positive rep with all factions.

Patrolling is really good for managing rep. Before completing a mission that will reduce rep, I often patrol that system in hopes of offsetting rep boosts.

I didn't realize passing skill tests gives more XP than a talent save. I agree with Mint Dragon that might be added to game text somehow.