Traits

Traits are a customization option you can choose at character creation. In-game, they work like and share user interface space with mutations. Several traits can be gained from mutagen and other typical methods of mutating, while others can only be picked at character creation.

Traits are split between positive ones, which cost points and help your character, and negative ones, which give you points and hinder your character. However, neither all positive nor all negative traits are created equal. Some negative traits have positive effects that outweigh their negative effects (and vice versa) and many traits have negligible effects. The right selection of traits can mean the difference between a living survivor and a rotting corpse.

Several starting professions also grant you special profession traits, which are based on the characters' career before the Cataclysm and represent the expertise, training, special permissions, or other effects you've gained from that. They are unobtainable in-game.

Some starting scenarios, namely Challenge - Lab Patient and Experiment, allow you access to starting traits you wouldn't otherwise be able to choose. This represents that you were experimented on and possibly mutated prior to the Cataclysm. These starting mutations count as traits, so they cannot be removed with purifier and do not count for threshold mutations.

Differences between traits and mutations

• Traits can only be picked at character creation. Several of them can also be gained as mutations in-game, but will not be treated as starting traits.
• Starting traits do not count toward your mutation category strength for determining which mutation line you're on or for breaching thresholds.
• Traits are very hard to get rid of, but can evolve normally into other mutations in their branch.
• Purifier will restore your starting traits that have changed to other traits.