Empath

Empath overview

You can choose the Empath Starfield trait from 17 options during the Starfield character creation screen. Upon finalizing your character and leaving the character creator menu, you will no longer be able to pick up additional traits like Empath if you didn’t select it the first time around. You can get around this limitation by using a Starfield console command, but not without disabling Starfield achievements.

Fortunately, Starfield allows you to remove traits by speaking with trait-specific NPCs, so you can always remove the Empath trait if you find it counter-productive, or not as much fun as you thought.

The Starfield 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.

in-game description

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.

Looking for more traits? Check our full list of Starfield trait IDs and effects.

How to get the Empath trait

Apart from selecting the Empath trait as one of your three choices at the Starfield character creator menu, you can use Starfield console commands to add or remove the trait from your Spacefarer.

To add the Empath trait, use the following command:

player.addperk 00227FD6

To remove the Empath trait, use the following command:

player.removeperk 00227FD6