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Regarding conversation skills, I suggest boosting intellect. I've talked my through some dangerous situations so far. I think it helped.
Really liking no XP for kills. Allows for non-violent talky or puzzle solving solutions to quests without penalizing XP.
My character is also a Cypher. Gives me a +1 lore, mechanics, and stealth boni, which I like.
Race is Death Godlike for the +1 dexterity and +1 intellect and damage bonus on enemies with low endurance, though he is rather ugly.
Background is The Living Lands - Scientist for the +1 might, mechanics and lore boni. I will use him for lockpicking. So far he's had no trouble with locks. The lore bonis already opened up additional dialogues. I love that stuff.
I picked the Scientist background, hoping he will find a good fire arm. Already, the dialogue reflected my scientist background which was nice flavor text. I hope the dialogue choices to further flesh out the background have some consequences later in the story.
Playing a ranged bowman for now though. To use his spirit powers he needs to move a bit into medium range, so it adds a degree of trickiness to the play. Can't just stay long range and fire off abilities and arrows. He has low endurance and health so it's not easy. He's already been knocked out once.
Stats
Might 15
Constitution 11
Dexterity 14
Perception 10
Intellect 18
Resolve 10
Bit of a glass cannon smart and sneaky mind-based spellcaster/bowman. Hope he survives.