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What matters at character creation
Jobs determine starting skills, specialist XP bonuses and the points available for traits. Traits are permanent character choices, so prioritize lasting value over conveniences that equipment can replace.
Job
Sets your initial specialty and trait-point budget.
Positive traits
Spend points on permanent benefits and quality-of-life.
Negative traits
Grant points in exchange for permanent handicaps.
Beginner rule: Summer Intern offers the most freedom. Avoid Defense Analyst unless you knowingly accept its forced Slow Learner penalty.
Personnel database
Compare jobs and traits
Search by role, effect, rank or playstyle. Rankings are recommendations, not hard rules.
12 trait points
Summer Intern
- Starting focus
- No starting skill levels
- Specialization
- No bonus XP
- Best for
- Beginners, solo play and custom builds
The most flexible start. Twelve points can fund premium traits without forcing a negative trait.
10 trait points
Lab Assistant
- Starting focus
- +3 Sprinting, +3 Sneaking, +2 Strength
- Specialization
- +50% Sneaking XP
- Best for
- Exploration, stealth and mobility
Excellent carrying capacity and escape tools, with enough points for a powerful trait package.
8 trait points
Trans-Kinematic Researcher
- Starting focus
- Blunt Melee, Fortitude, Sprinting and Strength
- Specialization
- Faster Strength and Fortitude progression
- Best for
- Melee bruisers and aggressive solo play
A focused close-range start that can hit, carry and endure, but has less trait flexibility.
8 trait points
Para-Theoretical Physicist
- Starting focus
- Throwing, Crafting, Sneaking, Reloading and Construction
- Specialization
- Faster Crafting and Throwing progression
- Best for
- Crafting, utility and ranged hybrids
A versatile utility job with early Crafting value and several useful secondary skills.
9 trait points
Somatic Gastrologist
- Starting focus
- +4 Cooking, +2 Sharp Melee, +1 Fortitude
- Specialization
- Cooking specialization
- Best for
- Team chef and melee support
Unlocks valuable food options quickly while remaining capable in close combat.
9 trait points
Phytogenetic Botanist
- Starting focus
- +3 Agriculture, Cooking and Strength
- Specialization
- Faster Agriculture progression
- Best for
- Farming and long-term team support
A strong specialist when the group needs renewable food, crops and healing ingredients.
9 trait points
Epimedical Bionomist
- Starting focus
- +3 First Aid, Agriculture and Cooking
- Specialization
- First Aid specialization
- Best for
- Medic and survival support
A dependable multiplayer support job with enough points to branch into survivability or utility.
7 trait points
Archotechnic Consultant
- Starting focus
- Construction, Crafting and Strength
- Specialization
- Building and crafting focus
- Best for
- Dedicated builders
Useful skills, but its low starting-point total makes it less flexible than the physicist.
5 trait points
Defense Analyst
- Starting focus
- Fortitude, Strength, Blunt Melee, Reloading and Accuracy
- Specialization
- Several combat starting levels
- Best for
- Challenge runs and specialized combat builds
The forced Slow Learner penalty makes this difficult to recommend to new players despite broad combat bonuses.
Build recommendations
Ready-to-use starting directions
Use these as flexible templates. If a combination exceeds the available points after a balance change, take a mild drawback only when you are comfortable managing it.
Summer Intern
Flexible beginner
Wrinkly Brainmeat + Fanny Pack + Hearty Appetite
Maximum quality-of-life with faster progression and extra hotbar space. Hearty Appetite supplies the extra points.
Lab Assistant
Mobile infiltrator
Wrinkly Brainmeat + Decathlon Competitor
Combines stealth, speed, carrying capacity and broad skill growth.
Trans-Kinematic Researcher
Solo bruiser
Wrinkly Brainmeat + Weathered
Leans into melee progression and durability.
Somatic Gastrologist
Team chef
Hobbyist Chef + Wrinkly Brainmeat
Accelerates Cooking while preserving points for comfort.
Para-Theoretical Physicist
Utility scientist
Wrinkly Brainmeat + Weathered
Supports crafting and throwing while adding broad progression and temperature resistance.
Phytogenetic Botanist
Farm specialist
Gardener + Wrinkly Brainmeat
Gets renewable food systems online quickly.
Multiplayer planning
Build a team, not four generalists
Specialist XP bonuses are most valuable when one teammate consistently handles the matching activity. Everyone can still learn every skill, so fill missing roles naturally rather than restarting a world.
Food
Somatic Gastrologist
Farming
Phytogenetic Botanist
Medical
Epimedical Bionomist
Building
Para-Theoretical Physicist or Archotechnic Consultant
Our safest first-character pick
Choose Summer Intern when you do not yet know your preferred playstyle. Wrinkly Brainmeat improves every skill you practice, while the remaining points can buy Fanny Pack convenience or several cheaper traits. Choose a specialist job once you know which activity you want to own.
Job and trait effects may change with game balance updates. Rankings reflect general beginner value and can differ by playstyle, server settings and team composition.