Traits

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Traits

Traits are modifiers, positive and negative, available to the player. Some traits can be chosen during character creation (indicated by a points value) and others may be given with their choice of occupation, also known as hobbies. Multiple presets can be made to save a combination of a profession and multiple other traits which makes it useful for players that want to quickly jump right into the apocalypse.

The character will not spawn until "Points to Spend" is a positive number or equal to zero. This means that the player can start the game with only negative traits if they choose to do so, but if the player wants positive traits they will have to make some compromises.

Traits categorized as "Mutually exclusive" cannot be taken simultaneously (e.g. Choosing "Deaf" cannot be taken with "Hard of Hearing" or "Keen Hearing" too).

Consider that occupations can manipulate the maximum amount of starting points a player can have. So a list of positive traits that an unemployed character is allowed may result in a point deficit for a character who is a veteran instead, requiring more negative traits.

Some traits can be gained or lost during gameplay, which will depend on the player's activities. Such as the "Overweight" trait, which can be gained if the player reaches a weight above 85, or picked up during character creation and then lost by reaching a weight below 85. These traits can be seen at any time by checking the "Info" panel, which is opened with the J key by default.

A character will get an XP boost in any skill they start the game above level 0. The XP boosts gained with different starting levels are as follows:

Starting level 0 1 2 ≥3
XP boost 25% 75% 100% 125%

Note: that there is a bug in the current version of build 41, and this bonus is shown for both Strength and Fitness but is NOT applied as of version 41.50.Verify

List of traits

Positives

Icon Name Type Mutually exclusive Points Description Effect
Trait adrenalinejunkie.png Adrenaline Junkie Positive Agoraphobic, Claustrophobic, Cowardly, Desensitized -8 "Moves faster when highly panicked." Adds a flat bonus of 0.20 or 0.25 for the character's base speed at Strong or Extreme Panic, which increases walking, running, and sprinting speed.
Trait athletic.png Athletic Positive Fit, Out of Shape, Obese, Overweight, Unfit, Very Underweight -10 "Can run faster and longer without tiring." +4 Fitness. +20% running/sprinting speed . -20% running/sprinting endurance loss from the trait itself.
Trait brave.png Brave Positive Cowardly, Desensitized -4 "Less prone to becoming panicked." 30% panic except for night terrors and phobias.
Trait nightvision.png Cat's Eyes Positive - -2 "Better vision at night." +20% better vision at night. Affects search mode
Trait dextrous.png Dextrous Positive All Thumbs -2 "Transfers inventory items quickly." 50% inventory transferring time.
Trait eagleeyed.png Eagle Eyed Positive Short Sighted -6 "Has a faster visibility fade and a higher visibility arc." Character has a wider field of view. Affects search mode
Trait fasthealer.png Fast Healer Positive Slow Healer -6 "Recovers faster from injury and illness." Does not apply to exercise fatigue. Recently inflicted injuries have less severity.

Including Scratches, Lacerations, Lodged Bullets, Deep wounds (with/without glass), Bites and Fractures. (Check Health for more details.)

Trait fastlearner.png Fast Learner Positive Slow Learner -6 "Increases XP gains." 130% XP for all skills except Strength and Fitness.
Trait fastreader.png Fast Reader Positive Illiterate, Slow Reader -2 "Takes less time to read books." 130% reading speed.
Trait fit.png Fit Positive Athletic, Out of Shape, Obese, Overweight, Unfit -6 "In good physical shape." +2 Fitness.
Trait graceful.png Graceful Positive Clumsy -4 "Makes less noise when moving." 60% footsteps sound radius. 90% chance to trip while run/sprint vaulting a low fence or lunging zombies.
Trait inconspicuous.png Inconspicuous Positive Conspicuous -4 "Less likely to be spotted by zombies." 50% chance of zombies spotting you.
Trait irongut.png Iron Gut Positive Weak Stomach -3 "Less chance to have food illness." 50% chance of food illness. Food illness lasts shorter. Check Health for more details.
Trait keenhearing.png Keen Hearing Positive Deaf, Hard of Hearing -6 "Larger perception radius." 200% perception radius. Zombies that approach from behind will be visible much earlier.
Trait lighteater.png Light Eater Positive Hearty Appetite -4 "Needs to eat less regularly." 75% hunger.
Trait lowthirst.png Low Thirst Positive High Thirst -6 "Needs to drink water less regularly." 50% thirst.
Trait lucky.png Lucky Positive Unlucky -4 "Sometimes things just go your way." +10% chance of finding loot. -5% chance of failing item repairs. Affects search mode.
Not available in multiplayer.
Trait organized.png Organized Positive Disorganized -6 "Increased container inventory capacity." 130% capacity for all containers, including boxes, cupboards and cars
Trait outdoorsman.png Outdoorsman Positive - -2 "Not affected by harsh weather conditions." 10% chance of catching a cold. 1% or 1.25% chance of getting scratched/lacerated while Walking or Running through trees. Start a fire on campfires with Notched Plank faster. Affects search mode
Trait resilient.png Resilient Positive Prone to Illness -4 "Less prone to disease. Slower rate of zombification." 75% zombification progression rate, 45% chance of catching a cold, 80% cold strength and 50% cold progression speed.
Trait speeddemon.png Speed Demon Positive Sunday driver -1 "The fast driver." 200% Gear switching speed, 115% top speed for all vehicles
Trait stout.png Stout Positive Feeble, Strong, Weak -6 "Extra knockback from melee weapons and increased carry weight." +2 Strength
Trait strong.png Strong Positive Feeble, Stout, Weak, Very Underweight -10 "Extra knockback from melee weapons and increased carry weight." +4 Strength, +40% knockback power (damage does not increase).
Trait thickskinned.png Thick Skinned Positive Thin Skinned -8 "Less chance of scratches or bites breaking the skin." Multiplies the chance of not being injured by a zombie attack by 1.3 (base 15% chance, modified by character's weapon skill). Additionally, alters the chance of clothes being damaged by walking through trees to 1 in 13.
Trait needslesssleep.png Wakeful Positive Sleepyhead -2 "Needs less sleep." -30% Fatigue increase rate, +10% Sleep efficiency

Hobbies

Icon Name Type Occupation Points Description Effect
Trait mechanics.png Amateur Mechanic Occupation Mechanic - "Familiar with the maintenance and repair of all vehicle models on the roads of Kentucky" +3 Mechanics, can repair all vehicle types without having to read any recipe magazines.
Trait mechanics.png Amateur Mechanic Hobby - -5 "Has a detailed knowledge of common and heavy vehicle models and their repairs." +1 Mechanics, can repair standard and heavy-duty vehicles.
Trait fishing.png Angler Hobby - -4 "Knows the basics of fishing." +1 Fishing
Knows how to make and fix a fishing rod.
Trait axeman.png Axe Man Occupation Lumberjack - "Better at chopping trees. Faster axe swing." Swing axes 25% faster (combat and tree cutting).
Trait baseballplayer.png Baseball Player Hobby - -4 "Has practice with a baseball bat and knows how to hit with precision." +1 Long Blunt
Trait burglar.png Burglar Occupation Burglar - "Can hotwire vehicles, less chance of breaking the lock of a window." Can hotwire vehicles and has less chance of breaking the lock of a window when forced open.
Trait brawler.png Brawler Hobby - -6 "Used to getting into trouble." +1 Axe, +1 Long Blunt
Trait cook.png Cook Hobby - -6 "Knows cooking recipes." +2 Cooking
Currently broken in-game. Trait does not give recipes or affect foraging mode. Still gives skill boost though.
Trait cook.png Cook Occupation Chef
Burger Flipper
- "Knows how to cook." Currently broken in-game. Trait does not give recipes or affect foraging mode.
Trait desensitized.png Desensitized Occupation Veteran - "War... War never changes." 0% panic from all sources except night terrors.
Trait firstaid.png First Aider Hobby - -4 "Has a CPR and First Aid course certificate." +1 First Aid
Trait formerscout.png Former Scout Hobby - -6 "Knows how to pick wild berries and how to treat small injuries." +1 First Aid, +1 Foraging. Affects search mode.
Trait gardener.png Gardener Hobby - -4 "Has basic agriculture knowledge." +1 Farming
Knows mildew and flies cure. Affects search mode.
Trait gymnast.png Gymnast Hobby - -5 "Agile and discreet." +1 Lightfooted, +1 Nimble
Trait handy.png Handy Hobby - -8 "Faster and stronger constructions." +1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance
+100HP to all constructions.
Increases building speed (≈11%).
Trait herbalist.png Herbalist Hobby/
Occupation
- -6 "Can find medicinal plants and craft medicines and poultices from them." Able to find herbal medicines, make poultices from them, and identify poisonous wild food. Affects search mode.
Trait hiker.png Hiker Hobby - -6 "Used to surviving in the jungle." +1 Foraging, +1 Trapping. Affects search mode.
Trait hunter.png Hunter Hobby - -8 "Know the basics of hunting." +1 Aiming, +1 Short Blade, +1 Sneaking, +1 Trapping and affects search mode.
Trait nightowl.png Night Owl Occupation Security Guard - "Requires little sleep. Stays extra alert when sleeping" Recovers from tiredness quicker while sleeping, but will remain asleep even when your character reaches 0 tiredness, which requires an alarm to take advantage of the trait.
Trait nutritionist.png Nutritionist Hobby/
Occupation
Fitness Instructor -4 "Can see the nutritional values of any food." Allows the player to see the nutritional values of any food, even those that aren't packaged. Affects search mode.
Trait jogger.png Runner Hobby - -4 "Runner in the spare times." +1 Sprinting
Trait tailor.png Sewer Hobby - -4 "+1 Tailoring" +1 Tailoring

Negatives

Icon Name Type Mutually exclusive Points Description Effect
Trait agoraphobic.png Agoraphobic Negative Adrenaline Junkie, Claustrophobic, Desensitized +4 "Gets panicked when outdoors" Enters in Panic when outdoors and affects search mode.
Trait allthumbs.png All Thumbs Negative Dextrous +2 "Transfers inventory items slowly" 400% inventory transferring time.
Trait asthmatic.png Asthmatic Negative - +5 "Faster endurance loss" 140% running/sprinting endurance loss. 130% increase in swing endurance lost.
Trait claustophobic.png Claustrophobic Negative Adrenaline Junkie, Agoraphobic, Desensitized +4 "Gets panicked when indoors" Enters in Panic when indoors.
Trait clumsy.png Clumsy Negative Graceful +2 "Makes more noise when moving" 120% footsteps sound radius, 110% chance to trip while run/sprint vaulting a low fence or lunging zombies.
Trait conspicuous.png Conspicuous Negative Inconspicuous +4 "More likely to be spotted by zombies." 200% chance of getting spotted by zombies.
Trait cowardly.png Cowardly Negative Adrenaline Junkie, Brave, Desensitized +2 "Especially prone to becoming panicked" 200% panic except for night terrors and phobias.
Trait deaf.png Deaf Negative Hard of Hearing, Keen Hearing +12 "Smaller perception radius and hearing range" Can't hear sound. Radio chatter will not appear above the radio, however, they can see/read a TV due to closed captions.
Trait disorganized.png Disorganized Negative Organized +4 "Decreased container inventory capacity" 70% capacity for all containers, including boxes and cupboards.
Trait emaciated.png Emaciated Negative - - "Low strength, low endurance and prone to injury" Is only present at weight 50 and less and will begin taking damage at weight 35. 40% melee damage. 75% chance to fail to climb a tall fence. 30% endurance regeneration. 20 more fall damage.
Trait feeble.png Feeble Negative Strong, Stout, Weak +6 "Less knockback from melee weapons. Decreased carrying weight." -2 Strength
Trait hardofhearing.png Hard of Hearing Negative Deaf, Keen Hearing +4 "Smaller perception radius. Smaller hearing range." Besides the decreased perception radius, the range of sound will be decreased and the sound effects will be muffled.
Trait heartyappetite.png Hearty Appetite Negative Light Eater, Very Underweight +4 "Needs to eat more regularly" 150% hunger. Gives a +3% bonus to packaged foods, mushrooms, berries, and animals for foraging.
Trait hemophobic.png Fear of Blood Negative Desensitized +5 "Panic when performing first aid on self, cannot perform first aid on others, gets stressed when bloody" -
Trait highthirst.png High Thirst Negative Low Thirst +6 "Needs more water to survive" 200% thirst
Trait illiterate.png Illiterate Negative Fast Reader, Slow Reader +8 "Cannot read books" Unable to get a mood boost by reading leisure books, learning new recipes by reading recipe magazines, or getting an XP multiplier by reading skill books.
Trait out of shape.png Out of Shape Negative Athletic, Fit, Unfit +6 "Low endurance, low endurance regeneration." -2 Fitness
Trait obese.png Obese Negative Athletic, Fit, Out of Shape, Overweight, Underweight, Very Underweight +10 "Reduced running speed, very low endurance and prone to injury." -2 Fitness. Max Fitness of 8. The trait itself reduce run speed and endurance. Starting weight is 105 and is only present at weights 100 and above. 120% chance to trip while run/sprint vaulting a low fence. 90% chance to trip from lunging zombies. 75% chance to climb a tall fence. 40% endurance regeneration. 20 more fall damage.
Trait overweight.png Overweight Negative Athletic, Fit, Out of Shape, Obese, Underweight, Very Underweight +6 "Reduced running speed, low endurance and prone to injury." Max Fitness of 9. Starting weight is 90 and is only present between weights 85 and 100. 1% slower running speed, 200% endurance loss. 110% chance to trip while run/sprint vaulting a low fence. 95% chance to trip by lunging zombies. 85% chance to climb a tall fence. 70% endurance regeneration.
Trait pacifist.png Pacifist Negative - +4 "Less effective with weapons" 75% of skill EXP for Short Blade, Long Blade, Small Blunt, Long Blunt, Axe, Spear, Maintenance and Aiming.
Trait hypercondriac.png Prone to Illness Negative Resilient +4 "More prone to disease. Faster rate of zombification." 125% progression rate of zombification. 170% chance of catching a cold, 120% cold strength, and 150% cold progression speed.
Trait insomniac.png Restless Sleeper Negative - +6 "Slow loss of tiredness while sleeping" Sleep for fewer hours each time, and slower loss of tiredness when sleeping.
Trait shortsighted.png Short Sighted Negative Eagle Eyed +2 "Small view distance. Slower visibility fade." -2 foraging radius in search mode. Can be negated with glasses and reading glasses.
Trait needsmoresleep.png Sleepyhead Negative Wakeful +4 "Needs more sleep" +30% Fatigue increase rate, -10% Sleep efficiency.
Trait smoker.png Smoker Negative - +4 "Stress and unhappiness decrease after smoking tobacco. Unhappiness rises when tobacco is not smoked." Stress will constantly slowly rise. Smoking Cigarettes will lower the stress level.
Trait slowhealer.png Slow Healer Negative Fast Healer +6 "Recovers slowly from injuries and illness" Does not apply to exercise fatigue. Recently inflicted injuries have more severity.

Including Scratches, Lacerations, Lodged Bullets, Deep wounds (with/without glass), Bites, and Fractures. (Check Health for more details.)

Trait slowlearner.png Slow Learner Negative Fast Learner +6 "Decreased XP gains" 70% XP in all skills except Strength and Fitness.
Trait slowreader.png Slow Reader Negative Fast Reader, Illiterate +2 "Takes longer to read books" 70% reading speed.
Trait sundaydriver.png Sunday driver Negative Speed Demon +1 "The very slow driver" Accelerates vehicles 40% slower. Has a max speed of 30 km/h.
Trait thinskinned.png Thin-skinned Negative Thick Skinned +8 "Increased chance of scratches, lacerations, or bites breaking the skin." Multiplies the chance of not being injured by a zombie attack by 0.7 (base 15% chance, modified by character's weapon skill). Additionally, alters the chance of clothes being damaged by walking through trees to 1 in 3.
Trait underweight.png Underweight Negative Obese, Overweight, Very Underweight +6 "Low strength, low endurance and prone to injury." -1 Fitness. Starting weight is 70 and is only present between weights 65 and 75. 80%x melee damage. +10% chance to trip by while run/sprint vaulting a low fence or from lunging zombies. 85%x chance to fail a tall fence climb.
Trait unfit.png Unfit Negative Athletic, Fit, Out of Shape +10 "Very low endurance, very low endurance regeneration. " -4 Fitness
Trait unlucky.png Unlucky Negative Lucky +4 "What could go wrong for you, often does." -10% chance of finding rare loot. +5% chance of failing item repairs. Affects search mode.
Not available in multiplayer.
Trait very underweight.png Very Underweight Negative Athletic, Hearty Appetite, Obese, Overweight, Underweight +10 "Very low strength, very low endurance and prone to injury." -2 Fitness. Starting weight is 60 and is only present between weights 50 and 65. 60% melee damage. 20% higher chance to trip by while run/sprint vaulting a low fence or from lunging zombies. 75% chance to fail a tall fence climb. 10% more fall damage.
Trait weak.png Weak Negative Feeble, Strong, Stout +10 "Less knockback from melee weapons. Decreased carrying weight." -5 Strength,-40% knockback power (damage does not decrease).
Trait weakstomach.png Weak Stomach Negative Iron Gut +3 "Higher chance to have food illness." 200% chance of food illness. Food illness lasts longer. Check Health for more details.

Removed/future traits

Icon Name Type Mutually Exclusive Points Description Effect
Trait blacksmith.png Blacksmith Hobby Blacksmith ? "Use an anvil to create metal items" -
Trait brooding.png Brooding Negative - +2 "Recovers slower from bad moods" -
Trait hypercondriac.png Hypochondriac Negative - +2 "May develop infection symptoms without having been infected." Any scratch or laceration (and possibly other injuries) may cause the character to gain Sickness and Stress moodles as if they had caught the Knox Infection.
Trait patient.png Patient Positive Short Tempered -4 "Less like to get angry" -
Trait shorttemper.png Short Tempered Negative Patient +4 "Quick to anger" -
Trait lightdrinker.png Light Drinker Negative Hardened Drinker +2 "Gets drunk quickly" 400% drunkness from alcohol.
Trait hardeneddrinker.png Hardened Drinker Positive Light Drinker -3 "Doesn't get drunk easily" 30% drunkness from alcohol.
Trait crackshot.png Marksman Hobby - 0 "Improved gun accuracy. Quicker reload." Whilst not completely commented-out like other traits here, Marksman is currently no longer active. It previously was automatically granted to Police Officers, and granted a significant boost to weapon accuracy independent of Aiming skill.
Trait talkative.png Gift Of The Gab Positive - ? "Extra high charisma. Better chance of currying favor from NPCs" -

Adaptive traits

Some traits can be changed during gameplay. (Note that skill gain/loss effect of all traits is applied only during character creation - meaning losing a negative trait during the game will not grant you lost skill points back. E.g. losing overweight will not improve your fitness skill level.)

Strength traits

Negative traits Feeble and Weak can be removed by leveling up Strength.
Positive traits Stout and Strong can be gained by leveling up Strength.

Fitness traits

Negative traits Out of Shape and Unfit can be removed by leveling up Fitness.
Positive traits Fit and Athletic can be gained by leveling up Fitness.

Strength/Fitness 0-1 2-4 5 6-8 9-10
Trait Weak/Unfit Feeble/Out of Shape None Stout/Fit Strong/Athletic

Weight traits

Negative traits Obese and Overweight can be removed by losing weight or obtained by gaining weight.
Negative traits Underweight and Very Underweight can be removed by gaining weight or obtained by losing weight.

Panic traits

Panic recovery speed is increased each day, capping at 150 days.

Panic resistance is not affected.

Agoraphobia will eventually no longer increase panic because your character will recover from panic quicker than those traits give panic. However, the trait is still there. When you are outside, your recovery speed from panic is slower.

Claustrophobia will still make you panic depending on the size of the room. On a new character, the limit for a sealed room seems to be 63 floor tiles, at which point the player's panic gain stagnates. This seems to work for any room shape, as long as the floor tiles are not interrupted in some way. (Doors, fences, etc.) Furniture does not seem to impede this. It is useful to note that this number will decrease based on the player's acclimatisation to panic gain.

(Your panic recovery speed is constantly fighting against Agoraphobia and Claustrophobia.)

Trivia

  • Similar to First Aid Kit, First Aid trait has its icon changed from a brown cross to green, after issues other games had with depiction of Red Cross. Old image: Trait firstaid-old.png.

See also