You Can Be A Mama’s Boy And You Can Be Alien-Enhanced: Explaining All 17 Traits In Starfield

The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 gifted us with the most-awaited game from Bethesda, Starfield. And the game managed to exceed all the fans’ expectations with its unique take on the sci-fi genre. The game had some unique concepts introduced by Bethesda while building upon past titles from their studio. They have made the title pretty expansive, with many weapons, factions, and character traits in the game.

Character traits, coupled with skill trees, are very important aspects of the game. They both let you build the desired character in-game. The developers did not hold back in giving players options for the character traits. This will make the character creation in Starfield more in-depth as compared to previous titles from Bethesda. There are a total of seventeen traits in the game.

What are the character traits in Starfield?

Players can select traits when creating their character in-game. And they are an optional feature to have. Players can opt to not have any traits at all or have up to three character traits. Each trait comes with its own set of pros and cons. Furthermore, certain traits cannot be combined because they contradict each other. However, later in the game, players can choose to remove the traits.

There are a total of seventeen traits in-game.

• Alien DNA
• Dream Home
• Empath
• Extrovert
• Freestar Collective Settler
• Hero Worshiped
• Introvert
• Kid Stuff
• Neon Street Rat
• Raised Enlightened
• Raised Universal
• Serpent’s Embrace
• Spaced
• Taskmaster
• Terra Firma
• United Colonies Native
• Wanted

Enhanced with ‘Alien DNA’

This trait offers significant health benefits to the players. The game’s description says this trait is the result of a controversial experiment that combined alien and human DNA. This grants players higher endurance and health against foes. However, the effects of healing items are not useful due to the alien DNA in the blood.

This is one of the few traits that is compatible with all traits. To get the most out of this trait, players should pair it with a Chef background or Combat Medic background.

‘Dream Home’ in Starfield

This trait is for those who want to live a lavish lifestyle. The game’s description reads, “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.”

This trait is for those interested in base building and outposts. The only downside is the mortgage that comes with it.

Being an ‘Empath’

A pretty straightforward trait of connecting with the feelings of others. As a great way to increase combat effectiveness and team bonding with your companion, players should perform actions they like to gain these advantages. Inversely, players will get a combat debuff if they don’t do what their companion likes.

‘Extrovert’ skill sets

Another pretty straightforward trait of being a people person Being around humans and interacting with them will give players more life, quite literally, as they will get an oxygen boost. However, this ability cannot be combined with the Introvert trait, as they cancel each other out.

Joining the ‘Freestar Collective Settler’ Faction

The developers have also given certain traits for joining each faction. Like in this trait, players gain access to special Freestar Collective dialogue options and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. But on the flip side, the criminal bounty towards other factions is increased.

The Freestar Collective faction is the forerunner in advocating for the personal freedom of people. So this trait may help in getting past locked areas through the use of dialogue. This trait cannot be combined with other factions’ traits.

‘Hero Worshiped’: Having an adoring fan

Bethesda has brought this trait from their Elder Scrolls series. This trait will grant players an adoring fan who brings them gifts constantly. However, the fan will present themselves randomly and keep talking with the players at length.

‘Introvert’ skill sets

This trait is the complete inverse of the Extrovert trait. The player’s overall endurance increases when adventuring alone. Being around people surely drags the player’s abilities down. The best option for players choosing this trait is to get robotic allies.

‘Kid Stuff’: Comfort of having in-game parents

One of the most heartwarming traits present in the game is that it allows players to visit their families. The game’s description reads, “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 trait will definitely teach the players how to budget their resources to send money to their in-game parents. However, using Bargaining skills may help reduce the 10% cut.

Joining the ‘Neon Street Rat’ faction

Another faction trait, this trait also offers the same rewards and abilities as Freestar Collective Settler. The players get special dialogue options and better rewards on missions. But on the flip side, the criminal bounty towards other factions is increased too.

This faction is present in the most vibrant and dangerous location in Starfield. So maybe this trait will grant the players the ability to ease their way through dangerous situations on the streets. This trait cannot be combined with other factions’ traits.

Being ‘Raised Enlightened’ in religion

This trait comes from the religions present in Starfield. The game description reads, “You grew up as a member of the Enlightened. You gain a significant discount at the organization store, but lose access to the Sanctum Universum store.”

Enlightened religion believes in the power of science and technology. But choosing this trait will deny access to another religion present in-game. The trait cannot be combined with Raised Universal and Serpent’s Embrace.

Being ‘Raised Universal’ in religion

Another trait related to the religions in Starfield. The game description reads, “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.”

The Sanctum Universum religion stands against everything in the Enlightened religion. Choosing this trait will prevent players from accessing the Enlightened store. The trait cannot be combined with Raised Enlightened and Serpent’s Embrace.

‘Serpent’s Embrace’ religion in Starfield

This religious trait is the most unusual of all the traits. The players have grown up worshipping the Great Serpent. This trait grants a temporary boost to the health and endurance of the players if they jump systems. Unfortunately, the players have to do this on a regular basis, or their health and endurance start to deplete with time.

Read More: Hours After Xbox Showcase, Starfield Skyrockets to No.1 on Top-Sellers Chart on Steam

This trait can be useful for those who look for constant adventures or for the restless. However, the trait cannot be combined with Raised Enlightened or Raised Universal.

‘Spaced’: perform well in space missions of Starfield

This trait helps the players adapt to space adventures. The game’s description reads, “Health and endurance are increased when in space, but decreased when on the surface.”

This trait might come in handy, judging by the multiple adventures set in space by the developers. However, this trait cannot be used together with an undiscovered trait, Terra Firma.

‘Taskmaster’: an unknown trait till now in Starfield

The game developers have yet to reveal information about this trait. But fans are speculating that this trait has to do with ship crew abilities.

‘Terra Firma’: the opposite of Spaced

Another trait whose effects are unknown is Terra Firma. But it can be confidently stated that it is the complete opposite of the Spaced trait, as they both cannot be used together. Maybe this trait will increase health and endurance on planets; however, the exact buff ability is yet to be discovered.

Joining the ‘United Colonies Native’ Faction

The exact buffs for this faction ability are yet to be discovered. This trait cannot be combined with other faction traits like Freestar Collective Settler and Neon Street Rat.

The faction itself is the largest faction in the Settled Systems. So using this trait will definitely give the advantage of an ally to the players.

Being ‘Wanted’ in Starfield

This trait is made for those looking for combat action. The game description reads, “Receive a damage buff when your health is low, but bounty hunters will randomly appear and try to kill you.”

All the traits look enticing to use, but they come with their own pros and cons. And the traits can be removed later on in the game by completing certain quests. The title arrives on PC and Xbox Series X/S on September 6. Furthermore, pre-orders of this title are open now.

What are your thoughts on the traits present in Bethesda’s latest sci-fi title, Starfield? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch this Story | Starfield: The excellent weapon design of Bethesda’s Next RPG