Best traits to start/pick in Starfield. This guide includes which character traits and skills are compatible including the special bonus effects of each traits you get.
Table of Contents
Best Traits For Each Background
Best Traits To Pair For Each Character Background
*Please note that the following are based on the information available up to this point and may be subject to change depending on the actual final version of the game that is released.
| Background | Recommended Traits |
|---|---|
| Beast Hunter | Extrovert Alien DNA Wanted |
| Bouncer | Terra Firma Alien DNA Wanted |
| Bounty Hunter | Terra Firma or Spaced Alien DNA Wanted |
| Chef | Alien DNA Raised Enlightened or Raised Universal Terra Firma or Spaced |
| Combat Medic | Empath Alien DNA Raised Enlightened or Raised Universal |
| Cyber Runner | Alien DNA Introvert Neon Street Rat |
| Cyberneticist | Raised Enlightened Alien DNA Taskmaster |
| Diplomat | United Colonies Native Alien DNA Raised Enlightened |
| Explorer | Alien DNA Extrovert Taskmaster |
| Gangster | Neon Street Rat Alien DNA Wanted |
| Homesteader | Starter Home Kid Stuff Terra Firma |
| Industrialist | Alien DNA Starter Home Terra Firma |
| Long Hauler | Spaced Alien DNA Taskmaster |
| Pilgrim | Alien DNA Spaced Raised Universal |
| Professor | Alien DNA United Colonies Native Spaced |
| Ronin | Wanted Alien DNA Taskmaster |
| Sculptor | Starter Home Kid Stuff Terra Firma |
| Soldier | Alien DNA Wanted Taskmaster |
| Space Scoundrel | Alien DNA Wanted Taskmaster |
| Xenobiologist | Alien DNA Terra Firma Taskmaster |
| [File Not Found] | Alien DNA Wanted Taskmaster |
Choose Depending On Your Playstyle
Each Character Trait has its own pros and cons so keep that it in mind when choosing. If you are unsure yet on what traits to get on Starfield, then read on to get a quick overview of their inclination that might be useful in certain aspects of the game.
| Trait | Exploring | Combat | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alien DNA | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Starter Home | ✓ | ||
| Empath | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Extrovert | ✓ | ||
| Freestar Collective Settler | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Hero Worshipped | ✓ | ||
| Introvert | ✓ | ||
| Kid Stuff | ✓ | ||
| Neon Street Rat | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Raised Enlightened | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Raised Universal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Serpent's Embrace | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Spaced | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Taskmaster | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Terra Firma | ✓ | ✓ | |
| United Colonies Native | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Wanted | ✓ |
Things To Consider When Choosing Character Traits
Traits With Home Base & Housing Bonus
If you are interested in getting a sort out base or outpost early in Starfield, you can either get your own place with Starter Home or Kid Stuff where you can visit and stay your parents house. However, you need to take note that each comes with a price like a 125,000 credit mortgage with GalBank or 2% of your credits are automatically deducted and sent to your parents at home every week.
Each Trait Has Its Own Advantages And Disadvantages
Each trait has some additional bonus effects that you might find handy in game although it comes with its own setbacks.
| Trait | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Alien DNA | Higher health pool and Endurance | Healing items are less effective |
| Starter Home | You start with a small house on a "peaceful little moon" | Comes with a 50,000 credit mortgage with GalBank |
| Empath | Performing actions your companion likes creates a temporary increase in combat effectiveness | Performing actions your companion dislikes creates a temporary decrease in combat effectiveness |
| Extrovert | Exerting yourself using less oxygen adventuring with human companions. | Exerting yourself using more oxygen adventuring alone. |
| Freestar Collective Settler | Access to special Freestar Collective dialogue options and better faction rewards. | Crime bounties towards other factions are greatly increased. You can't combine with any other faction allegiance trait. |
| Hero Worshipped | An 'adoring fan' will appear randomly and give you gifts. | An 'adoring fan' will appear randomly |
| Introvert | Greater endurance when adventuring alone | Less endurance when adventuring with other human companions |
| Kid Stuff | You can visit your parents at their home | 10% of all money you earn is automatically sent to them |
| Neon Street Rat | Acess to special dialogue options and better rewards from some missions on Neon | Crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased You can't also combine it with any other faction allegiance trait. |
| Raised Enlightened | Significant discount at the organization store | Lose access to Sanctum Universum You can't also combine with any other religion trait. |
| Raised Universal | Significant discount at the church store | Lose access to Enlightened store You can't also combine it with any other religion trait. |
| Serpent's Embrace | Grav jumping provides a boost to health and endurance | Health and endurance are lowered if you don't continue jumping regularly You can't also combine it with any other religion trait. |
| Spaced | Health and endurance are increased when in space | Health and endurance are decreased when on the surface |
| Taskmaster | Ship will automatically repair itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50% if you have a trained crew in it | Crew cost twice as much to hire |
| Terra Firma | Health and oxygen are increased when on the surface | Health and oxygen are decreased when you're in space |
| United Colonies Native | Access to special United Colonies dialogue options and better rewards from some missions given by the faction | Crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. |
| Wanted | You do extra damage when your health is low | Occasionally, armed mercenaries will show up and try to kill you |
Can Have A Slight Effect On Exploring Environment
Certain Traits like Terra Firma and Spaced may be handy at times although specifically in the right environment. You can choose one of them if you are inclined to stay in a particular environment or find the side effects troublesome especially when enemies are attacking you.
What Are Character Traits?
Traits are optional although it is highly recommended that you use them as they can give your character additional perks aside from the background option in the Character Creation. The right combination of traits can enhance your character's abilities and give you a certain edge which can be useful along the way as you explore the vast universe.
Traits Are Optional
You can choose to get one up to three Traits or none at all. There seems to be no dire impact on the gameplay if you skip this part however you'll miss out on certain bonus that you might get from these traits that can be useful later on.
Traits Change
There's no official news or update yet that confirms if players can change their character traits later on or if a certain trait can develop as you progress through the game.
Related Starfield Guides
Character Creation Guide
Character Creation - How To Change AppearanceBackground Features & Builds
| Combat Oriented | ||
|---|---|---|
| Combat Medic | Cyberneticist | Gangster |
| Ronin | Soldier | [File Not Found] |
| Exploration Oriented | ||
| Explorer | Pilgrim | Professor |
| Xenobiologist | ||
| Pirate Oriented | ||
| Bounty Hunter | Cyber Runner | Long Hauler |
| Trader Oriented | ||
| Diplomat | Industrialist | |
| Balance Oriented | ||
| Beast Hunter | Bouncer | Chef |
| Sculptor | Space Scoundrel | |
