What do traits do, specifically? And are traits like "Devious" or "Cruel" useful in any situation?

[Targyr Darksun]

1. What does a trait like "generous" or "merciful" do exactly? Does it add to your influence? Does it add to persuasion success? Or perhaps something else?

2. Are "negative" traits like "devious" or "cruel" entirely negative and worthless, or do they help you in any way, like inspiring fear in an opposing army, or something like that?

It's cool to have these traits, but I'm try to look for specific explanations.

 

[Ruwka]

I'm not sure, but I believe they influence the Barter Options (cruel characters can intimidate easier etc.) and sometimes you get a little bit of bonus rep with notables, but otherwise i haven't found anything

 

[RayJr]

After almost 80 hours played I have not seen these traits do a single thing and since the DEVS have not told us if or how they impact the game there is no information on if they are even implemented other than text.

 

[Orbit-]

What I understood from the traits is that when you barter with someone who has similar traits to you, choosing the option with i.e mercy has a more success chance or critical success chance. I may be wrong though.

 

[Targyr Darksun]

Oh, traits are mainly for bartering? I don't really barter much, so maybe I shouldn't care about my traits or my companions' traits then.

 

[Targyr Darksun]

I wonder if traits also affect persuasion chance with like-minded NPCs?

 

[TrierarchGorky]

I think merciful companions at least dont like when you force them to raid villages and this decreases relationships with them, this is the only interaction i've encountered though

 

[Orbit-]

I wonder if traits also affect persuasion chance with like-minded NPCs?

Yeah it seems like traits affect the outcome but not really sure.

 

[Lesbosisles]

I had a "Devious" character and was trying to find a wife. I've talk to some lady with "Honest" and "Mercy" traits, and I've failed to persuade her since I had low to zero chances to persuade her due to her traits. However, when I've found another one, with "Cruel" and some other "red" trait, the ice was broken very quickly.

Still, during my second playthrough, I had an "Honest" character and went to the same lady (I believe her name is Valla, she's a Sturgian) on purpose. I've succeeded in persuasion despite the somewhat opposing traits. Maybe it was because I had high "Charm". I'm not sure.

 

[Targyr Darksun]

I had a "Devious" character and was trying to find a wife. I've talk to some lady with "Honest" and "Mercy" traits, and I've failed to persuade her since I had low to zero chances to persuade her due to her traits. However, when I've found another one, with "Cruel" and some other "red" trait, the ice was broken very quickly.

Still, during my second playthrough, I had an "Honest" character and went to the same lady (I believe her name is Valla, she's a Sturgian) on purpose. I've succeeded in persuasion despite the somewhat opposing traits. Maybe it was because I had high "Charm". I'm not sure.

That's interesting. I wonder if those similar/opposing traits increase/decrease the success percentage chance on the side of the chat response options.