Strength

Strength or STR is one of the basic statistics in System Shock 2.

Overview

The maximum level of each statistic is 8. A player can only permanently upgrade Strength to level 6, while the last two levels require a combination of the following items/psionic disciplines:

• A BrawnBoost Implant (+1)
• A Strength Booster (+1)
• Psychogenic Strength (+2)

Strength is the requirement of certain weapons and armors:

Strength Level	Items
2	Light Combat Armor, M-22 Assault Rifle, WormSkin Armor
3	Powered Armor, Stasis Field Generator, Annelid Launcher
4	Medium Combat Armor, Fusion Cannon
6	Heavy Combat Armor

Strength also increases the inventory size and the melee damage bonus of a player:

Strength Level	Total Inventory Slots	Melee Damage Bonus
1	30	0
2	33	1
3	36	2
4	39	3
5	42	4
6	45	6
7	45	10
8	45	15

• The bonus melee damage is added only after each weapon's damage have been multiplied by any factors that need to be taken in (like the type of enemy is attacked, bonuses from researching organs, any particular weapon upgrades, any upgrades of weapon category, O/S upgrades). In other words, the bonus melee damage is not multiplied.

Strategies

• All character builds need a certain level of Strength, as it allows the player to carry more items and increases the power of the Wrench and other melee weapons. The sooner one upgrades one's Strength level, the easier the early levels.
• The only question is that how high Strength level a player needs:
  • Strength level 2 is mostly required to use the M-22 Assault Rifle and the Light Combat Armor ;
  • Level 3 meets most requirements for Strength. This includes the Powered Armor, which is the most protective armor in the game. Higher level of Strength could be redundant, especially on higher difficulties ;
  • The Medium Combat Armor and the Fusion Cannon require Strength 4 to use, and hence that level of Strength is recommended for Heavy Weapons users;
  • Players who focus on melee combats should obviously prioritize obtaining Strength level 6, choose Lethal Weapon and Smasher as their O/S Upgrades and additionally use at least two PSI powers, Psychogenic Strength and especially Adrenaline Overproduction (for best results both cast with very high PSI stat).
    STR level 6 is also needed for wearing Heavy Combat Armor.

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