Skill Trees and Progression
Explore the four attributes: Tactics, Aggression, Instinct, and Cunning. Learn how to specialize your Samson for your preferred playstyle.
Despite its gritty, grounded realism, Samson features a robust RPG-lite progression system. As you complete jobs, defeat enemies, and survive the daily grind, you earn Experience Points (XP) that convert into skill points for investment.
With over 25 distinct upgrades across four attributes, you can shape Samson into a specialized survivor suited to your preferred approach.
Attribute System Overview
There are four core attributes, each governing different aspects of gameplay:
| Attribute | Focus | Prestige Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Tactics | Health, Defense, Survival | ”Opportunist” (Max Tactics) |
| Aggression | Damage, Guard Breaks | ”Berserker” (Max Aggression) |
| Instinct | Adrenaline, Reflexes | ”Sixth Sense” (Max Instinct) |
| Cunning | Parry Windows, Awareness | ”Trickster” (Max Cunning) |
Tactics
Tactics is the survival attribute—it keeps you alive in protracted encounters.
Core Benefits
- Increased maximum health pool
- Better damage reduction from blocks
- Longer survival in multi-enemy fights
Skill Tree Upgrades
| Level | Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toughness I | +10% base health |
| 2 | Toughness II | +15% base health |
| 3 | Thick Skin | -5% damage taken |
| 4 | Pain Tolerance | -10% damage from critical hits |
| 5 | Fortitude | Regenerate small health when near death |
Prestige: Opportunist
Reach the maximum level in Tactics
Global Unlock Rate: 1.5%
Aggression
Aggression is the offensive attribute—it makes your strikes devastating.
Core Benefits
- Increased melee damage multiplier
- Faster guard break on enemies
- Access to devastating charged attacks
Skill Tree Upgrades
| Level | Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Power I | +10% melee damage |
| 2 | Power II | +15% melee damage |
| 3 | Momentum | Faster heavy attack chargedown |
| 4 | Shatter | Guard breaks deal bonus damage |
| 5 | Devastation | Critical hits cause knockdown |
Prestige: Berserker
Reach the maximum level in Aggression
Global Unlock Rate: 1.4%
Instinct
Instinct governs the Adrenaline system—your ultimate survival mechanism.
Core Benefits
- Faster Adrenaline gauge fill rate
- Longer Adrenaline Rush duration
- More effective Rush state
Skill Tree Upgrades
| Level | Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reflexes I | +15% Adrenaline gain from damage |
| 2 | Reflexes II | +20% Adrenaline gain from damage |
| 3 | Rush Duration I | +10% Adrenaline Rush time |
| 4 | Rush Duration II | +15% Adrenaline Rush time |
| 5 | Adrenaline Master | Rush triggers at 75% gauge |
Prestige: Sixth Sense
Reach the maximum level in Instinct
Global Unlock Rate: 1.3%
Cunning
Cunning is the finesse attribute—it rewards precision and awareness.
Core Benefits
- Wider perfect parry windows
- Better dodge effectiveness
- Reveals hidden police patrols on minimap
- Reduced detection in Shadows missions
Skill Tree Upgrades
| Level | Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Precision I | +10% parry window |
| 2 | Precision II | +15% parry window |
| 3 | Evasion | +10% dodge distance |
| 4 | Awareness | Reveals nearby threats on minimap |
| 5 | Shadow | Reduced detection range in stealth |
Prestige: Trickster
Reach the maximum level in Cunning
Global Unlock Rate: 1.2%
Collectibles: Permanent Upgrades
Beyond skill points, Samson can find physical collectibles hidden throughout Tyndalston that provide permanent statistical boosts.
Combat Magazines
Scattered in hidden corners, rooftops, and backroom dens:
- Effect: Permanently increases base brawling strength
- Collection: “Street Fighter” achievement for collecting all
- Global Unlock Rate: 0.9%
Car Magazines
Found throughout the city:
- Effect: Passive benefits to vehicular handling, durability, or customization options
- Collection: Find all for vehicle-related bonuses
Exploration Tip: Tyndalston rewards dedicated exploration. Hidden areas often contain both magazines and Points of Interest.
XP and Leveling
Earning XP
- Complete Jobs (all types)
- Defeat enemies in combat
- Discover Points of Interest
- Complete Chapter missions
Skill Point Conversion
- Level ups grant 1 skill point per level
- Each attribute upgrade costs 1 skill point
- No respec option—choose carefully
Ultimate Achievement: “Ultimate Enforcer”
Max out all four Attributes in the Skill Tree.
Global Unlock Rate: 0.9%
This is one of the rarest achievements in the game—requiring dedicated grinding across all playstyles.
Recommended Builds
Balanced Survivor
- 3 points Tactics, 2 points Aggression, 2 points Instinct, 2 points Cunning
- Good for: First playthrough, learning the game
Glass Cannon
- 5 points Aggression, 3 points Instinct, 1 point Cunning
- Good for: High-risk, high-reward play
Defensive Tank
- 5 points Tactics, 3 points Cunning, 1 point Aggression
- Good for: Patients who prefer methodical play
Adrenaline Junkie
- 5 points Instinct, 2 points Tactics, 2 points Cunning
- Good for: Aggressive rush-down tactics
Related Guides
- Combat Mechanics — Apply your skills
- Achievement Guide — Track your completion
- Beginner Guide — Core progression concepts