What are the best Starfield traits? One of your first choices in Starfield will be picking your traits. Coming with big bonuses but also large drawbacks, it's not an easy decision to make. However, with the Starfield best traits, you'll be set up for success right away, and many will serve you well into the endgame. So, here's all you need to know about traits in Starfield, including the best starting traits so you're not struggling in the early stages.
Starfield character customization not only sees you sculpting your character's appearance but also choosing the stats that can dictate their playstyle long into the Starfield length. As such, it's crucial to understand the best Starfield backgrounds and traits so you're not struggling. Check out our guide to the best Starfield builds to learn more about how to set yourself up for success.
Starfield best traits
The best Starfield traits are:
- Alien DNA
- Extrovert
- Introvert
- Hero Worshiped
- Kid Stuff
- Taskmaster
- Wanted
- Freestar Collective Settler/United Colonies Native
- Dream Home
These traits give the biggest benefits without any significant downsides that can get in the way, at least as frequently as other traits. Remember though, you don't need to pick three traits, and these won't work for each and every Starfield build, despite how strong they can be.
Alien DNA
Alien DNA will increase health and oxygen, but healing and food items are less effective. This can be great for builds that have access to later-level healing skills or Medicine that will compensate for the hit. Furthermore, food items are terrible in general, so the hit to this specific healing method doesn't really matter all too much, while the hit to true healing items can be remedied, as mentioned.
Extrovert
Extrovert is a fantastic trait if you are gonna party up with companions and know you are right from when you begin your game. Reduced oxygen consumption is a core mechanic that will make traversal much, much easier. If you're fed up of running around without any oxygen, then you might be tempted to restart with this trait.
Introvert
Introvert is one of the best traits in the game so long as it is right for your style of play. Offering reduced oxygen consumption when adventuring alone is a great free upgrade, so long as you don't join up with the Starfield companions during the game. It's the opposite of Extrovert, so pick whichever suits you more.
Hero Worshipped
While he might be a pain, the Starfield Hero Worshipped trait will cause your biggest fan – the Adoring Fan – to show up with gifts, which can be a nice boon in the middle of a game. But, you will have to put up with him.
Alongside the occasional gift, the Adoring Fan can also be recruited as a Starfield crew member, so he can serve a purpose even if you don't want him tailing you. He's also one of the best Starfield easter eggs for long-time fans of Bethesda games, so that's a reason to choose this trait in its own right.
Kid Stuff
Kid Stuff is a deceptively strong trait. While it will cost you 2% of your credits each week, you'll get strong rewards in return, including even Starfield unique weapons. That's right, your parents don't mess around, arming you for success quite literally.
Besides the more tangible benefits, it can also be a good time finding your parents around the universe.
Taskmaster
With the Taskmaster trait, if you have crew trained in a certain ship system, that system has a chance of automatically repairing itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50%. In response though, crew will cost twice as much to hire. This is a great trait for those who are spacefaring explorers with a keen interest in the Starfield ships system.
Wanted
With Wanted, you will deal extra damage when your health is low. To tone down this great boost, however, armed mercenaries will occasionally show up for a fight. Given the powerful boost, this trait is worth the investment, though you might need the best Starfield weapons by your side to survive.
Even better though, if you encounter these mercenaries while exploring you can steal one of the best Starfield ships for free. That's right, the mercenary ships are technically one of the many Starfield free ships, and they will often be an upgrade to your current vessel. It's hard to turn down the incredible values offered by this trait.
Freestar Collective Settler/United Colonies Native
Freestar Collective Settler offers unique dialogue options with this faction and better rewards from FC missions but greatly increases crime bounties in other factions.
On the other hand, United Colonies Native provides the same compelling boost but for the UC instead.
Given the prominence of these two factions, arguably being the biggest two in the game, either one is a great choice. We've got guides on how to join both the Starfield Freestar Collective and the Starfield UC Vanguard so you can experience these stories.
Dream Home
Dream Home is perhaps the best trait for those looking to have their own home, giving you access to the Starfield houses system with a luxurious and customizable home. Like real life though, it does come with a large mortgage that you'll have to pay back. Similarly, Kid Stuff lets you visit your parents, but you'll have to send 2% of your credits home every week if you want the full family experience.
Starfield traits list
The 17 Starfield traits are:
- Alien DNA
- Dream Home
- Empath
- Extrovert
- Freestar Collective Settler
- Hero Worshipped
- Introvert
- Kid Stuff
- Neon Street Rat
- Raised Enlightened
- Raised Universal
- Serpent's Embrace
- Spaced
- Taskmaster
- Terra Firma
- United Colonies Native
- Wanted
Alien DNA
Alien DNA gives you increased health and oxygen, but causes healing and food items to be less effective. This can work wonders in melee focused builds, as several of the physical skills can grant other sources healing. Similarly, Medicine in the science tree will increase the effectiveness of healing items, counteracting the downside of this trait. Therefore, it's a win-win if you're willing to compensate for the slight downside.
Dream Home
Dream Home provides you with a large house but burdens you with a 120,000 credit mortgage that has to be paid weekly. While this won't offer any moment to moment gameplay bonuses, having access to a customizable house can be a fun side activity similar to Starfield outposts.
Empath
Empath provides a temporary increase in combat effectiveness after performing actions your Starfield companions like. However, performing actions they dislike will have the opposite effect. This can be one of the best Starfield traits if you choose a companion that aligns with your actions and playstyle, rewarding you for playing how you want.
Extrovert
Extrovert causes you to consume less oxygen when adventuring with companions, but more when adventuring alone. This can't be combined with Introvert. Like Empath, Extrovert works wonders if you already know you want a companion by your side. If you change your mind later down the road though, be prepared to deal with the consequences.
Freestar Collective Settler
Freestar Collective Settler will give access to unique dialogue options relating to this faction, as well as improved rewards for missions from the faction. However, crime bounties towards other factions are increased. Keep in mind though, this can't be combined with other faction allegiance traits, so consider which faction you would like to side with.
Hero Worshipped
Hero Worshipped will cause an 'Adoring Fan' to randomly show up and shower you with gifts. If you're struggling with a trait to pick, Hero Worshipped doesn't come with any downsides, unless, of course, you really can't stand the Adoring Fan.
Introvert
Introvert causes you to consume less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when adventuring with companions. This can't be combined with Extrovert. Introvert is the perfect pick if you know you don't want a companion by your side. However, if you change your mind, or if a quest requires a companion to tag along, then you will have to suffer with the downsides.
Kid Stuff
Kid Stuff lets you visit your parents, but you will automatically send 2% of your credits home each week. Like Dream Home, the Kid Stuff trait offers some interesting story and roleplaying details, especially since their appearance is based on your own custom character, but it won't help you out in the thick of it. It's worth noting though that your father will give you a powerful sidearm. However, ammo for this weapon is hard to come by, especially early on in your adventure when it would otherwise be most useful.
Neon Street Rat
Neon Street Rat provides access to special dialogue relating to this faction, alongside better rewards from some missions on Neon. However, crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. As with all faction traits, however, this can't be combined with other faction allegiance traits. As such, think about which faction you would like to side with.
Raised Enlightened
Raised Enlightened grants access to a chest of items in the House of the Enlightened in New Atlantis. Since this can't be combined with other religion traits, you will lose access to the Sanctum Universum chest.
Raised Universal
Raised Universal grants access to a chest of items in the Sanctum Universum in Starfield New Atlantis. Again, since religion traits can't be combined, you'll lose access to the House of the Enlightened Chest.
Serpent's Embrace
Serpent's Embrace causes grav jumping to provide a temporary boost to health and oxygen, but health and oxygen will be lowered if you don't continue jumping regularly. This can't be combined with other religion traits. Offering a great reward but a significant downside, Serpent's Embrace can be a fun but awkward experience.
Spaced
With Spaced, health and oxygen are increased when in space, but decreased when on the surface of a planet. This can't be combined with Terra Firma. Given you'll be jumping between planets and spaceships, Spaced is a tricky trait to get benefit from without also suffering from the downsides.
Taskmaster
With the Taskmaster trait, if you have crew trained in a certain ship system, that system has a chance of automatically repairing itself to full health whenever it is damaged below 50%. In response though, the crew will cost twice as much to hire. This can be a great trait for those looking to go all in on Starfield ships, though it's probably best not to pair it with a trait like Dream Home or Kid Stuff that drains your resources.
Terra Firma
Terra Firma increases health and oxygen when on the surface of a planet but decreases these stats while in space. This can't be combined with Spaced. Like Spaced, it's hard to get full use out of this trait without also suffering from the downsides. However, you're likely to spend more of your time exploring the Starfield planets than you are walking around spaceships.
United Colonies Native
United Colonies Native provides access to unique dialogue options related to the faction, as well as increased rewards from some missions given by this faction. However, crime bounty by other factions is greatly increased. If you know what faction you're leaning towards in terms of roleplaying, then this can be a great pick.
Wanted
With Wanted, you will deal extra damage when your health is low. To tone down this great boost, however, armed mercenaries will occasionally show up for a fight. Given the powerful boost, this trait is worth the investment, though you might need the best Starfield weapons by your side to survive.
Now you know the best Starfield traits, you're ready to start exploring the universe at your fingertips, getting used to the Starfield powers, and digging deep into Starfield ship customization. With all these intricate systems, especially pushing for more roleplaying aspects, Starfield could become one of the best RPG games of recent times.
Still looking for more? While a good Starfield wiki can be a handy source of information, our new Starfield Database goes further, offering you daily news, searchable databanks, and even interactive tools.