Like a lot of other modern RPGs,Starfieldfeatures a wide variety of interconnecting systems that define the player’s customizable character and help to determine the bonuses and abilities that they’ll benefit from throughout their playthrough. This includes the Traits system, which players will be introduced to during the opening stages of the game whilechoosing their character’s Backgroundand appearance.
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Traits are a little different than skills in that they focus more on the character’s qualities and relationships than they do on their active abilities. Players will be able to select up to three active Traits at any given time, some of which will provide new dialogue options and rewards. Thankfully, it is possible to remove a trait inStarfieldwith a little bit of work, so while it is still important to think carefully about which Traits to choose, players aren’t locked in for the entirety of their playthrough.
Which are the Best Traits in Starfield?
The best Traits inStarfieldare Extrovert, Hero Worshipped, and Raised Enlightened, although some players may want to swap out that last one for Raised Universal depending on their religious beliefs (see below). Of the 17 starting Traits inStarfield, these are the ones with the fewest downsides, and thus are the least likely to have a negative effect on one’s playthrough. Better still, all three Traits are very easy to remove, meaning that players who do find themselves regretting their decisions are not locked in for the entirety of their run.
Best Starfield Traits #1: Extrovert
TheExtrovertTrait decreases the amount of oxygen that players use when exerting themselves whenever they’re traveling with a human companion but decreases it if they’re traveling alone. Given that most ofStarfield’s main story missionsrequire players to work with companions, Extrovert is a solid choice and thus one of the best Traits inStarfield. Players can remove the Extrovert Trait by speaking with Andy Singh at the House of the Enlightened.
Best Starfield Traits #2: Hero Worshipped
Hero Worshippedprovides players with an “Adoring Fan”. They can be pretty annoying, particularly when they first introduce themself to the player, but they also provide players with gifts and will offer to join their crew. If players get fed up with them, they can alwaysassign them to a ship or an outpostthat they rarely visit so as to spare themselves from the adoring fan’s humorous remarks. Alternatively, players can remove the Hero Worshipped Trait by killing the Adoring Fan.
Best Starfield Traits #3: Raised Enlightened
Raised Enlightenedis one of two religious Traits that grant access to a special chest full of goodies, the other one being Raised Universal. Choosing either of these two Traits will prevent players from claiming the chest tied to the other religion, though choosing neither will prohibit players from opening either. As such, there’s a strong argument to be made for choosing one Trait or the other. Players can remove the Raised Enlightened Trait by speaking with Andy Singh at the House of the Enlightened.
Raised Enlightened vs. Raised Universal
Most tend to be in agreement that Raised Universal and Raised Enlightened are two of the bestStarfieldtraits. However, players will only be able to choose one of them. When it comes to their respective chests, it doesn’t really matter if players choose Raised Universal or Raised Enlightened as the contents are more or less equal in value. When it comes to each religion’s philosophies though, they couldn’t be more different. The Enlightened are atheists who believe in being good to one another, while followers of the Sanctum Universum believe that God exists and that they may even be out there somewhere among the endless sea of stars. As such, some players may wish to make their decision based on their own personal beliefs.
Effect
Alien DNA
You volunteered for a controversial experiment that combines alien and human DNA. As a result, you start with increased health and oxygen but healing and food items aren’t as effective.
Dream Home
You own a luxurious, customizable house on a peaceful planet! Unfortunately, it comes with a 125,000 Credit mortgage with GalBank that has to be paid weekly.
Empath
You are deeply connected to the feelings of others. Performing actions your companion likes will result in a temporary increase in combat effectiveness. But, performing actions they don’t like will have the precise opposite effect.
Extrovert
You’re a people person. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring with human companions, but more when adventuring alone (Can’t be combined with Introvert).
Fresstar Collective Settler
You gain access to special Freestar Collective dialogue options and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. But, crime bounty towards other factions is greatly increased (Can’t be combined with any other faction allegiance trait).
Hero Worshipped
You’ve earned the attention of an annoying “Adoring Fan” who will show up randomly and jabber at you incessantly. On the plus side, he’ll join your ship’s crew and give you gifts…
Introvert
You really need your alone time. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when exploring with other human companions (Can’t be combined with Extrovert).
Kid Stuff
Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. But you will automatically send 2% of your Credits home to them every week.
Neon Street Rat
You grew up on the mean streets of Neon. You gain access to special dialogue options and better rewards from some missions on Neon. Crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased (Can’t be combined with any other faction allegiance trait).
Raised Enlightened
You grew up as a member of the Enlightened. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis, but lose access to the Sanctum Universum chest (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait).
Raised Universal
You grew up as a member of the Sanctum Universum. You gain access to a special chest full of items in the Sanctum Universum in New Atlantis, but lose access to the House of the Enlightened chest (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait).
Serpent’s Embrace
You grew up worshipping the Great Serpent. Grav jumping provides a temporary boost to health and oxygen, but health and oxygen are lowered if you don’t continue jumping regularly - like an addiction (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait).
Spaced
Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when in space but decreased when on the surface (Can’t be combined with Terra Firma).
Taskmaster
Occasionally, if you have crew trained in a certain ship system, that system will automatically repair itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50%. However, all crew cost twice as much to hire.
Terra Firma
You’ve never acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when on the surface but decreased when you’re in space (Can’t be combined with Spaced).
United Colonies Native
You gain access to special United Colonies dialogue options and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. However, crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased (Can’t be combined with any other faction allegiance trait).
Wanted
Someone put a price on your head and word has spread. Occasionally, armed mercenaries will show up and try to kill you, but being cornered gives you an edge - when your health is low, you do extra damage.
Removing Traits in Starfield
Those fretting over whichStarfieldTraits to choose can rest easy, as their choices are far from permanent. This is because it’s possible to remove every Trait inStarfield, though the method for doing so can vary from Trait to Trait. For example, removing a religion-based Trait will require players to speak with somebody from their chosen religion and explain that they’re having doubts, and Traits like Introvert and Extrovert can also be removed by speaking with pastors, preachers, and priests. That said,certainStarfieldTraits can only be removed by killing the person or people who are tied to them, so those wishing to avoid having blood on their hands should perhaps steer clear of these.
Starfieldis available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
