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Starfield traits

There are many Starfield traits to choose when starting out, and while they provide distinct bonuses, each one also has a negative effect.

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You can pick up to three Starfield traits when creating your Spacefarer. Similar to Fallout: New Vegas, each trait in Starfield offers a benefit but comes with a negative effect. Todd Howard revealed in the Constellation Questions YouTube video that players aren’t necessarily stuck with the traits after picking them and that each trait will have a quest attached to it so you can remove it.

So far we’ve seen 17 different traits, but not all of the associated descriptions.

Certain traits will allow you to have different Starfield NPC interactions and can even align you with the various Starfield factions, so these choices could have a huge influence on each playthrough. It also seems that your choice of traits will affect your interactactions with the various Starfield factions in the game’s campaign. Choosing some faction-specific traits will prevent you from picking ones that align you with rival groups.

In other words: Starfield character creation is going to be more in-depth than any Bethesda game to date.

Here are all the Starfield traits:

Alien DNA

You volunteered for a controversial experiment that combines alien and human DNA. As a result, you start with a higher health pool and greater endurance, but healing items aren’t as effective.

The Alien DNA trait offers a significant boost to your HP pool. You could pair it with the Chef Starfield background for an even tougher Spacefarer, or adopt the Combat Medic background if you’re looking to offset the trait’s downside. It’s unclear if the DNA in question for this trait comes from one of the Starfield creatures out there, or an unknown alien race.

A custom character with various Starfield traits

Dream Home

You own a luxurious, customizable house on a peaceful planet! Unfortunately, it comes with a 50,000 credit mortgage with GalBank that has to be paid weekly.

The Dream Home trait seems to offer a major headstart to anyone interested in Starfield outposts and Starfield base building systems. A hefty mortgage is the obvious downside, but you may be able to circumvent it with the right Starfield console commands – if you can live with yourself.

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.

The Empath trait connects your combat effectiveness to the way you treat your Starfield companions. While a temporary combat debuff might seem like a heavy price to pay for a disagreement between friends, you can always choose a powerful Starfield weapon until they forgive you.

Extrovert

You’re a people person. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring with human companions, but more when going alone. (Can’t be combined with Introvert.)

The Extrovert trait is another example of how the Starfield companions system interacts with the traits system, offering a buff to Spacefarers that choose to team up with human buddies. It also offers insight into oxygen which we’ve only seen in a few trailers as part of the UI. Now we know you can run out of air!

Freestar 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.)

The Starfield character creation system is arguably the most ambitious that Bethesda has ever attempted. Case in point: your choice of traits can align you with certain Starfield factions. The Freestar Collective is a coalition dedicated to preserving the personal freedoms of its citizens, so it seems likely that the dialogue options you unlock with this trait will reflect that worldview and perhaps get you past barriers of entry early.

Hero Worshiped

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 give you gifts…

This trait is sure to be familiar to fans of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Whether or not this Adoring Fan is a full-fledged companion remains to be seen, but the promise of occasional gifts may offset the constant chatter.

Introvert

You really need your alone time. You have more endurance when adventuring alone, but less when adventuring with other human companions. (Can’t be combined with Extrovert.)

Likely a callback to the Fallout 4 Lone Wanderer perk, the Introvert trait will likely give you a damage resistance bonus when navigating the stars alone. We already know that you’ll be able to strike out alongside non-human companions, so Introverts may want to team up with a robotic ally like Vasco, the first officially revealed Starfield companion. Whether robots are an exception to the Introvert trait much like the famous Dogmeat is unclear at this time.

Kid Stuff

Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. But 10% of all the money you earn is deducted automatically and sent to them.

This is surely one of the most heart-warming of all of the Starfield traits revealed so far. That said, a 10% garnish of your space-salary seems a bit excessive – can’t they learn to budget a little? Maybe by taking the Bargaining skill, you can take the sting out just a little?

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.)

Of all the Starfield locations revealed so far, Neon is one of the most vibrant – and dangerous. This pleasure city is home to a thriving drug trade – and the Ryujin Industries and Xenofresh Corporation factions – so the Neon Street Rat trait may unlock street wise new dialogue options for you to select.

Raised Enlightened

You grew up as a member of the Enlightened. You gain a significant discount at the organization store, but lose access to Sanctum Universum store. (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait.)

There are a number of Starfield religions for you to explore, and the Enlightened is a particularly interesting example. This denomination essentially reveres the power of science and technology, so expect new dialogue options that reflect this sciencey religious fervor.

Raised Universal

You grew up as a member of the Sanctum Universum. You gain a significant discount at the church store, but lose access to the Enlightened store. (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait.)

The Sanctum Universum is another Starfield religion, but all we know about this faith so far is that it’s opposed to the Enlightened. As such, it stands to reason that you’d lose access to the Enlightened store by selecting this trait.

Serpent’s Embrace

You grew up worshiping the Great Serpent. Grav jumping provides a temporary boost to health and endurance, but health and endurance are lowered if you don’t continue jumping regularly – like an addiction. (Can’t be combined with any other religion trait.)

Talk about being restless! Throughout your Starfield playthrough, you’ll encounter anomalies, murderous pirates, and a host of hostile worlds, only now you’ll be hurling yourself from system to system with greater frequency or face a debuff.

Spaced

Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and endurance are increased when in space, but decreased when on the surface. (Can’t be combined with Terra Firma.)

The Spaced trait is interesting for what it suggests about Starfield gameplay. We already know that Starfield ships will let you traverse the Settled Systems and that you’ll be wandering around lots of Starfield planets – more than 1000, in fact. This trait, however, suggests that your health and endurance will still matter when you’re in space. In other words, it’s likely that you’ll be exploring space ships, space stations, and other structures on-foot.

Taskmaster

Effects unknown.

There is no information currently available, but perhaps the Taskmaster trait will have an impact on your outpost and ship crew abilities.

Terra Firma

Effects unknown.

While we haven’t yet seen an official description for the Terra Firma trait, it stands to reason that it’d be the opposite of the Spaced trait outlined above. As such, we’d wager that this trait increases health and endurance when you’re on planetary surfaces, and decreases those stats when you’re in space.

United Colonies Native

Effects unknown.

We haven’t yet seen the official description for the United Colonies Native trait, but we do know a fair bit about the United Colonies. As the largest military and political force in the Settled Systems, this trait would make you right at home alongside other members of this mighty Starfield faction. Just be careful when dealing with Starfield NPCs allied with the Freestar Collective…

Unwanted Hero

Effects unknown.

The most mysterious trait yet to be revealed, we can only speculate that reputation boosts from completing certain actions will be reduced and it will be harder to raise your standing for various factions and NPCs. After all, they might accept your help, but that doesn’t mean they have to like you.

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