View source for Build Advice: Traits

{{Guide
| name = Build Advice
| image = AWikiEditor.gif
| description = Forget the builds you used in Fallout 2. The builds in this game are different.
| status = Will add a Builds Template
| complete = 90%
| authors = [[User:Henry|Henry]]
| chapter = Optional TRAITS
| chapters = [[Build Advice|Build Advice: Title Page]]<br>[[Build Advice: SPECIAL]]<br>[[Build Advice: Traits]]<br>[[Build Advice: Perks]]<br>[[Build Advice: Skills]]<br>[[Builds: Strong Explorer]]<br>[[Builds: Universal Soldier]]<br>[[Builds: Turbo Miner]]<br>[[Builds: A Leveling Build]]
}}

==Fast Metabolism==
[[Fast Metabolism]] is not popular. It cuts your drug duration in half to 15 minutes. Since most all serious characters use some drugs, this is highly inconvenient.
* PLUS: Speeds up [[Healing Rate]] (not much, and does not compare with simply using stims).
* MINUS: Cuts drug duration in half

==Bruiser==
Very few people use this Trait anymore because it slows you down too much. Half of the +4 to ST can be obtained by using [[Buffout]], and 1 more ST from using [[Psycho]]. Yet, this Trait is still chosen by a few experienced people who like specialized pugilists.
* PLUS: Bonus to HtH damage, and +4 to ST
* MINUS: -2 [[AP]]! '''Ouch!'''

==Small Frame==
This is a [[PvP]] Trait. Almost every single hard-core [[PvP]] fighter in this game has [[Small Frame]].
* PLUS: +1 to [[Agility]], thus you get one extra SPECIAL point for something else, like [[Luck]] maybe.
* MINUS: Lowered [[Carry Weight]], which simply doesn't matter much at all in most [[PvP]] fights, but bad for explorers.

==One Hander==
Very few people use [[One Hander]] because the benefit is so minor considering a character only needs a higher gun skill to get more [[Hit Chance]], and NOT having this Trait means no restriction on what gun you use.
* PLUS: 20% boost to [[Hit Chance]] when using a one-handed weapon. Big deal.
* MINUS: 40% penalty to [[Hit Chance]] when using two-handed weapons. '''Forget this one!'''

==Finesse==
This is a tricky one. If you want to cause a lot of crits, and don't need to do as much damage, then [[Finesse]] might be for you. If you're running with a team of friends who do serious damage, then okay. But if you're running solo, it's tougher to actually kill an opponent; you'll do crits ''sometimes'' but you'll do less damage almost ''every time''.
* PLUS: 10% bonus to [[Critical Chance]] but see [[Finesse]] page for details.
* MINUS: 30% bonus to target's [[DR]] but see [[Finesse]] page for details.

==Kamikaze==
Very few veterans use [[Kamikaze]] except on highly unusual characters. [[Armor Class]] only works when a character is running, and goes back down once he stops or walks. These days most opponents have higher gun skills - many have 300, so an AC character is often not as successful as hoped. Then there's the painful penalty of a reduced [[DR]]. 
* PLUS: 40 point bonus to [[Armor Class]]
* MINUS: 10 point penalty to [[Damage Resistance]] '''Ouch!'''

==Heavy Handed==
[[Heavy Handed]] is an awesome Trait for a pugilist. When combined with [[ST]] 10 and a [[Mega Power Fist]], a fist-fighter will have amazing successes knocking down enemies. Opponents have to spend [[AP]] to stand up. Meanwhile, you knock them down again. Not the best choice for doing crits, but then again a knockdown is a crit. This Trait works the same even on a low [[Luck]] character.
* PLUS: +2 to Unarmed damage, and you have a ''high chance to knock down your opponents''.
* MINUS: -20 to Critical Hit tables

==Fast Shot==
[[Fast Shot]] is popular for both [[PvE]] and [[PvP]] characters, but it does not reduce the [[AP]] cost of firing a bursting weapon, nor does it give fist-fighters a punching speed advantage.
* PLUS: +5 damage to your attacks, and 1 less [[AP]] to single-shot guns and [[Throwing]].
* MINUS: Unable to do any targeted attacks, so you cannot "aim eyes" or "aim head" etc.

==Bloody Mess==
[[Bloody Mess]] only gives you more violent death animations, and that is all.

==Jinxed==
[[Jinxed]] is a weird one. You cause more crit fails, but some of them are yours! Who wants a character prone to critical failures? Still, with a unique plan, you could run him through an enemy [[Town Control]] and maybe cause them some trouble. A Jinxed [[Sneak]] scout? Maybe...

==Good Natured==
Even with [[Charisma]] 1, [[Good Natured]] is perfect for anyone who wants 3 companion followers, instead of only 2.
* PLUS: +50 [[Party Points]]
* MINUS: Cannot have slaves.

==Chem Reliant==
At first you might think [[Chem Reliant]] is a bad choice. But the truth is, many characters have this Trait because it doubles the length of time your drugs work. Drugs are cheap, but it's far more convenient to have a whole hour on a round of drugs and not have to worry about carrying another round with you into combat. The addictions are permanent, but so what? That doesn't matter when you're logged out, and you're not going to play your [[Chem Reliant]] character without using another round of drugs anyway. And if your [[Chem Reliant]] character ''does'' want to clear his addictions, he can use a [[Drug Antidote]].
* PLUS: Drug durations are doubled. Usually that means 60 minutes instead of only 30.
* MINUS: Drug addictions are semi-permanent, corrected by continued drug use, or with [[Drug Antidote]].

==Chem Resistant==
Very few people use [[Chem Resistant]] for a few reasons. Drugs no longer cause addictions, unless you have [[Chem Reliant]]. Next is the painful penalty; we all need maximum healing benefits from using stims. This is basically a leftover Trait from 2238, from back when addictions meant more. Nowadays though, a character can use [[Drug Antidote]] to fix addictions, or just keep using the drugs their builds are meant to use.
* PLUS: Immunity to drug addictions (which were removed from all non-Chem-Reliant characters anyway).
* MINUS: It cuts in half the [[Hit Points]] you get from using healing drugs like [[Stimpak]]s.

==Bonehead==
[[Bonehead]] gives you better crit hit resistance to eyes and head. It does not reduce the chance your enemy has to do a crit on you, but it reduces that crit hit's affect on your eyes and head only. This benefit is considered a good combination with the [[Man of Steel]] perk. A lot of [[PvP]] fighters have this Trait.
* PLUS: 10% boost to crit hit resistance.
* MINUS: -1 [[Intelligence]] so you lose a SPECIAL point, which is balanced with more levels.

==Skilled==
[[Skilled]] looked good in Fallout 2, but it's not good in this game, mainly since [[Perks]] are so important and nearly everyone else will have 8 of them. You cannot afford to have 25% less perks than your enemies in a game this brutal, and expect to remain combat-competitive. Plus, there is no leveling cap so more [[Skill Points]] are always available.
* PLUS: 2 more [[Skill Points]] per level - big deal - '''seriously do not get this Trait'''
* MINUS: You only get 6 perks instead of 8!

==Loner==
[[Loner]] is one of the important elements of a leveling build, leading to a [[Reroll]]. It stacks with [[Swift Leaner]] so if you have both, you get a 20% more [[XP]] whenever XP is earned.
* PLUS: +10% [[XP]] whenever XP is earned.
* MINUS: Cannot have followers.

'''Go to next chapter:''' [[Build Advice: Perks|About Perks]]

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