State of Decay: A Matter of Character
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Many Traits reflect a survivor's background, representing job history or hobbies the survivor had in the past. These typically provide free Stars in related skills. For example, any active hobby like Hiking, Cycling or Aikido starts a survivor with two or three stars in Cardio instead of the one star that most survivors have initially. The Aikido trait also provides a free star in Fighting. Similarly, backgrounds that require street smarts or survival skills give a bonus star or two in Wits.
Other Traits reflect natural aptitude or ineptitude and provide a bonus or penalty to how fast a survivor can advance a particular skill. Being (Eagle-Eyed) means improving all Shooting skills faster than normal, while the (Hates Gore) Trait makes some slower to improve in Fighting, and being a (Dim Bulb) means Wits takes a lot more work to raise.
A handful of Traits have unique game effects. Having a (Bum Knee,) for example, means stamina drain while crouched. So a survivor with this trait can hide in bushes just as well as anyone else but can't use it as a way to recover.
Finally, many Traits provide Personal Skills such as Leadership. Only survivors with the right Traits have access to each Personal Skill (and the stat bonus and abilities it provides). Just as in real life, the skills that the survivors have developed can vary widely in usefulness. Here's a small sampling:
'¢ Bruiser Comes from Natural Athlete, Brute, or Strong as an Ox. Provides a whole unique set of combat and exploration abilities. Survivors with this skill are few and far between, but they have the potential to learn unique melee combat techniques, to carry heavier burdens without tiring, and to use larger firearms without sacrificing mobility.
'¢ Construction Comes from Architect, Mechanic, Electrician, or Engineer, among other jobs and hobbies. This skill doesn't have much effect when out exploring, but having someone with any stars in Construction is essential for building a more advanced Workshop in your home.
'¢ Leadership Comes from Presence or Born Leader. As mentioned above, each star of Leadership increases the Trust you gain from your actions. In addition, higher Leadership unlocks special effects from your emotes, allowing you to do things like boost the combat effectiveness of the survivors around you by cheering them on.
'¢ Counseling Comes from People Person, Funeral Director, Stylist, or other jobs and hobbies. This skill has no impact on your combat or exploration abilities, but provides a chance to prevent community conflicts and to raise the spirits of frightened or depressed community members. Sexting Comes from Sleaze or Flirt. Without phone or internet service, this finely honed skill may be doomed to be something of a lost art.
'¢ Sports Trivia Just as in real life, this is one of the most common skills. Sure, it might not be useful, but did you know that Randy Moss' vertical leap was once said to be 51'³? I did. (True story.)
