Starfield traits: Best inherent skills to pick and why

These choices are not to be taken lightly.

The option is given during the character creation menu – alongside background, which is pretty important too – with three traits available to pick.

It's a lot of pressure considering the long-term effects of what you choose are not that easy to see early on in the game.

Depending on how you want to play Starfield, certain traits offer better benefits that will be suited to your play style.

To help break down this vital decision, head below to find the full list of Starfield traits, as well as the best ones to pick and what each does.

What are the best Starfield traits?

The best Starfield traits will give you an advantage in certain situations, with our pick here at RadioTimes.com being Alien DNA, which gives you increased health and oxygen at the cost of less effective healing and food items.

Dream Home is a cool trait as it gives you a fancy house right away. It does come at a cost of 125,000 credits, though, which is a lot to be down on at the beginning of your quest. You should make those credits back and then some before too long, mind.

Hero Worshipped is another to consider as it gains you the Adoring Fan companion (something long-term Bethesda fans will recognise) and adds him to your crew. While he certainly can be a bit annoying at times, he does add some personality along with gifting you presents from time to time.

Last but certainly not least, we recommend the Taskmaster trait. Applying this to your character essentially gives you a free automatic ship repair back up to 100 per cent health every time it is damaged below 50 per cent. The only downside with this one is that all crew members will cost twice as much to hire – you can get around this with increases in persuasion skills.

Ultimately, the choice of what trait or traits to pick is entirely up to you. If you don’t like one of your traits, too, you can always remove it by completing its specific mission/activity.

Read more on Starfield:

• Starfield review - our final verdict
• Starfield missions list - how far are you?
• Starfield tips and tricks - how to get started
• Starfield romance - all potential relationships
• Starfield digipick - how to lockpick
• How long is Starfield? The hours you'll need
• Will Starfield ever come to PS5? Developer comments
• Starfield cast - all voice actors
• Starfield companions - who to recruit
• Starfield soundtrack - how to listen
• Starfield storage guide - don't be overburdened
• Starfield FOV - change your point of view
• Starfield FPS - developers explain 30fps
• Starfield PC requirements - specs needed
• Starfield performance - potential fixes
• Starfield factions - all possible groups

Full list of Starfield traits and their perks

There are 17 Starfield traits in total, coming with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Here is the full list of Starfield traits and their perks:

• 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, customisable 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
• 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
• 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 adventuring with other human companions
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Spaced | Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when in space but decreased when on the surface
• 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
• 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
• 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

How to remove Starfield traits

Not happy with what you've selected? We've rounded up how to remove every trait in Starfield. Be aware: once removed they cannot be reclaimed, and new ones can't be added either. See below for the full list:

• Alien DNA | Head to Reliant Medical in New Atlantis and pay 10,000 credits to the doctor
• Dream Home | Speak with Landry Hollifield at Galbank in New Atlantis
• Empath | Head to Reliant Medical in New Atlantis and pay 10,000 credits to the doctor
• Extrovert | Visit the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis and speak with Andy Signh
• Freestar Collective Settler | Go to Akila City on Akila and speak with Mayor Elias Cartwright
• Hero Worshipped | Speak to the Adoring Fan and either tell him to leave, attack or kill him
• Introvert | Visit the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis and speak with Andy Signh
• Kid Stuff | Talk to your parents
• Neon Street Rat | Go to Neon City on Neon and speak with the bartender in Madam Sauvage's Place
• Raised Enlightened | Visit the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis and speak with Andy Signh
• Raised Universal | Visit the Sanctum in New Atlantis and speak with Keeper Aquilis
• Serpent’s Embrace | Make your way to UC Security Office in New Atlantis and speak with Mir'za
• Spaced | Head to Reliant Medical in New Atlantis and pay 10,000 credits to the doctor
• Taskmaster | Visit the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis and speak with Andy Signh
• Terra Firma | Head to Reliant Medical in New Atlantis and pay 10,000 credits to the doctor
• United Colonies Native | Head to the Colonial Health and Human Resources Office in the MAST district of New Atlantis and speak to Administrator Rookes
• Wanted | Find the Tracker Alliance Agent near the Church of the Enlightened in New Atlantis and pay 3,000 credits

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