Players can choose between 17 different Traits in Starfield, with each one offering a vastly different way of experiencing the game, so picking the best ones on your first playthrough might be tricky.

Traits drastically change the way you’ll play Starfield, offering everything from exclusive new content to unique dialogue options with certain factions. However, you can only pick 3 Traits when you start the game.

Fortunately, we’ve broken down the best Traits you should pick for your first playthrough to give you the best experience.

The Best Traits in Starfield

The best Traits in Starfield that players should pick are:

  • Freestar Collective Settler/Neon Street Rat/United Colonies Native
  • Introvert/Extrovert
  • Spaced/Terra Firma
  • Kid Stuff
  • Hero Worshipped
  • Wanted

These Traits mostly ensure you aren’t locked out of too much content while also helping you roleplay the way you want to.

Of course, you can only pick 3 of the above Traits, so if you’re wondering which are the absolute best, go with Introvert/Extrovert, Kid Stuff, and Hero Worshipped.

Additionally, Traits are completely optional, so if you don’t like any of these, then feel free to skip the Traits section. Below we explain why these are the best Traits in Starfield:

The Trait selection screen in Starfield

The 3 best traits to pick in Starfield are:

Freestar Collective Settler/Neon Street Rat/United Colonies Native

The Freestar Collective Settler, Neon Street Rat, and United Colonies Native Traits are incompatible with one another. However, they all give you the same reward, just with the corresponding faction:

  • You gain access to special [insert faction here] dialogue options, and better rewards from some missions given by the faction. But, crime bounty towards other factions is greatly increased.

So, make sure you pick the one that aligns with whichever faction you’re most interested in joining.

The player walking through Akila City in Starfield

Extrovert/Introvert

Similarly, the Extrovert and Introvert Traits are incompatible with one another as they have clashing effects. Those effects are:

  • Extrovert – You’re a people person. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring with human companions, but more when adventuring alone.
  • Introvert – You really need your alone time. Exerting yourself uses less oxygen when adventuring alone, but more when adventuring with human companions.

So, make sure to pick the one that suits your playstyle better. If you prefer having companions around, choose Extrovert, and if you want to go solo, pick Introvert.

It’s important to note that you can still have VASCO as a companion and not suffer the debuff if you pick the Introvert Trait, as it does not count as a human companion.

The player talking to Sam Coe in Starfield

Spaced/Terra Firma

Finally, the Spaced and Terra Firma Traits alter your health and oxygen depending on whether you’re on land or in space:

  • Spaced – Your body has become acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased
    when in space, but decreased when on the surface.
  • Terra Firma – You’ve never acclimated to space. Health and oxygen are increased when on
    the surface, but decreased when you’re in space.

They’re incompatible with one another, so you’ll need to pick one depending on which location suits you the most.

Alternatively, we recommend the Empath Trait as it gives you a significant boost when you do things your companions approve of. However, if you do something they don’t approve of, you’ll be punished.

It’s important to note that this Trait only works if you pick Extrovert instead of Introvert, as it requires you to have companions in the first place.

The player and their companion in space suits walking across a planet in Starfield

Kid Stuff

Kid Stuff gives you exclusive parents and a family home that you can only access if you pick this Trait. Of course, with parents comes some responsibility, so you’ll have to send them a bit of money each week:

  • Your parents are alive and well, and you can visit them at their home. But you will automatically send 2% of your credits home to them every week.

It’s certainly one of the more fun Traits available in Starfield, so long as you don’t mind the slight financial disadvantage it brings.

The player's parents in Starfield

Hero Worshipped

The Hero Worshipped Trait brings back a familiar face that will make any Oblivion fan smile. You’ll get an exclusive companion, but we’re not sure you’re ready for him:

  • You’ve earned the attention of an annoying “Adoring Fan” who will show up randomly and jabber at you incessantly. He’ll join your ship’s crew and give you gifts.

This Trait is really for fans of Oblivion, but you’ll likely get the idea even if you’ve never played Bethesda’s seminal RPG.

The Adoring Fan in Starfield

Wanted

Wanted is for players who are looking for a challenge, as it will randomly spawn a group of blood-thirsty mercenaries who want your head:

  • Someone put a price on your head, and the word has spread. Occasionally, armed mercenaries will show up and try to kill you, but being cornered gives you the edge – when your health is low, you do extra damage.

Of course, for players brave enough to experience these exclusive encounters, you’ll also get the added bonus of doing extra damage when your health is low. So that’s a plus!

Bounty hunters fighting the player in Starfield