Character creation in Project Zomboid can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. In addition to choosing a profession you had before the zombie apocalypse, you have dozens of additional traits to choose from. These have both negative and positive effects on your character and thus influence your gameplay. And of course, you need to balance these cleverly, as your character can’t be super strong right from the start. But which traits are worth it and which negative effects can you balance well? Let’s take a closer look at the traits in Project Zomboid!
Negative Traits: Which Disadvantages Can You Balance?
Let’s first take a look at the negative traits, as they can seem a bit daunting at first. However, some are surprisingly manageable and don’t really restrict your gameplay.
Can be easily balanced in-game:
Slow Reader (+2): In single-player, this trait has virtually no impact as you can fast-forward. However, in multiplayer, it’s not as practical if you’re stuck reading a book forever.
Short-Sighted (+2): Balance this trait right at character creation by giving your character reading glasses.
Slow Healer (+3): Initially seems bad, but it’s actually not a big deal. If you take good care of your wound, it hardly affects your game negatively.
Weak Stomach (+3): As long as you don’t eat spoiled food (which you shouldn’t anyway!), this trait has no negative impact on your game.
Weak Immune System (+4): This trait is also manageable. And if you’re bitten, your current run is over anyway!
Smoker (+4): This trait balances your stress, panic, and boredom, but you must always have cigarettes with you. Fortunately, you can find them everywhere, especially at petrol stations.
Thirsty (+6): If you always have enough water with you, this trait shouldn’t be a problem. Water is abundant, especially at the beginning of the game, and later you can collect rainwater and channel it directly into the water system.
(Very) Underweight (+6 / +10): These traits give you less starting weight but can be balanced with high-calorie food. Not a problem for long runs, but can make the start a bit tougher as you’re less fit.
Has less impact depending on playstyle:
Cowardly (+2): Pair it wonderfully with adrenaline junkie to turn your panic into a positive trait.
Agoraphobic (+4) & Claustrophobic (+4): These traits can work well depending on your playstyle. Use them if you mainly stay indoors/outdoors and can balance them well.
Conspicuous (+4): If you play aggressively, this trait is actually very useful! You can control hordes better with it.
Pacifist (+4): Can be balanced in long runs as it only affects your weapon skill progression.
Not worth it:
Sunday Driver (+1): You’re MUCH slower with cars, and it’s definitely not worth the one point.
Clumsy (+2): Makes you too loud, so it’s not worth it. You can also trip and injure yourself more often.
All Thumbs (+2): Not recommended as you sort items much slower.
Hoarder (+4): Also not a good trait for inventory management, as you’ll be able to carry significantly less.
Hard of Hearing (+4): You’ll perceive zombies in your surroundings much worse. Not recommended!
Illiterate (+8): Only for hardcore runs, as you can’t read books or entertainment media otherwise.
Positive Traits: Which Strengths Are Worth It?
To strike a good balance, you must also carefully choose your positive traits. You can’t be an incredibly strong survivor, but you can still make your gameplay easier.
Always worth using:
Outdoorsman (-2): An extremely important trait as you’ll get sick less and injure yourself less in nature, for example, from scratches from trees.
Cat’s Eyes (-2): Allows you to see better at night – and nights in Project Zomboid can be dark!
Dextrous (-2): One of the best traits in the game as you can sort items faster, and the two points are really worth it.
Runner (-5): An extremely underrated trait that makes you faster and more nimble.
Keen Hearing (-6): Really practical, as you’ll perceive your surroundings much better and detect zombies faster.
Organised (-6): You can carry more overall, which will be immensely helpful.
Fast Learner (-6): You learn all skills (except strength and fitness) 30% faster.
Athletic (-10): Costs a lot, but is extremely practical for your athleticism. You’ll tire faster and generally move faster.
Strong (-10): Almost indispensable, as these traits are hard to level up. You’re stronger, both in combat and carrying capacity.
Occasionally helpful:
Fast Reader (-2): Really only worth it in multiplayer, where you can’t fast-forward time. Otherwise, “slow reader” is much better.
Insomniac (-2): You have more time during the day but find it much harder to fall asleep. You might also become dependent on sleeping pills.
Adrenaline Junkie (-4): As explained with the negative traits, this pairs well with “cowardly”. You’re more agile when you panic.
Fisherman (-4): Can be helpful if you want to live in the wild and primarily survive by fishing.
Brave (-4): A good choice for beginners to make handling combat easier. Later, it’s less worthwhile once you’ve made progress.
Low Thirst (-4): Can be practical if you want to spend less time searching for food. However, it’s not necessarily needed as you’ll always find something.
Tailor (-4): If your clothing gets damaged quickly, this trait can be surprisingly useful!
Avoid at all costs:
Speed Demon (-1): Too loud in the long run, too risky for accidents, and can backfire on you.
Iron Gut (-3): You shouldn’t eat spoiled food anyway, so this trait is practically useless.
Inconspicuous (-4): This trait sounds good at first, but in the current build 41, it makes little difference. Zombies will see you as soon as you’re in their line of sight anyway.
Fast Healer (-6): Not worth it, even if it sounds good. An infection means death, anything else heals if you’re more careful.
Why Is Choosing the Right Traits Worth It?
Project Zomboid’s character traits are complex and need to be balanced with each other. This makes the game extremely fun and gives you many options to customise your character and try out different playstyles. You can rent your own Project Zomboid server with us and coordinate your characters with your friends. This way, you’ll have a balanced team and be prepared for any challenge! You can actually use as many or as few traits as you want. It doesn’t hurt to test different playstyles.
