Character Skills - Overview

Character Skill - Main Overview





Overview Description


All Survivors have four basic skills: Cardio, Fighting, Shooting, and Wits (survivors with certain traits will posess additional skills).

Skills levels are displayed as stars, from 1 to 7. A character's progress towards the next level is indicated by a small XP bar below the skill.

Skills are developed by directly using them (i.e killing zombies with melee weapon improves Fighting, while killing them with firearms improves Shooting).


As skills improve, the character becomes more effective at fighting and exploring. For example, improving Cardio grants additional Stamina, improving Fighting grants more Vitality. Other benefits are less tangible. For example, a character with higher levels in Wits will be able to search quicker and more quietly.


Specialization


When a character reaches level 4 in a combat skill (Fighting or Shooting), they have the option to choose a single Weapon Specialization.

After choosing that specialization (e.g. heavy weapons) characters will gain a new xp bar for that specilization.

Specializing in and leveling up a weapon skill provides further benefit when that weapon is being used. At level 4 of Melee Weapon Specialization, a Special Attack can be chosen that further improves the effectiveness of that weapon. Firearms, on the other hand, do not have special attacks.

As a character with Reflexes or Powerhouse skill improves these skills, they can choose one Utility Skill and one Defensive Skill for additional close combat moves.

When a Basic Skill reaches maximum level (7), it unlocks one Special Technique (except Cardio, which unlocks two). Each character can choose a single Special Technique.


Traits and Skills


Certain character traits can affect skills (positive or negative). For example, the Two Left Feet trait lowers leveling speed of Fighting, thus making it difficult for characters with this trait to improve Fighting and Vitality. On the other hand, some traits can give starting bonuses or increase leveling speed of certain skills.


Personal Skills


Aside from the basic four (Cardio, Wits, Fighting, Shooting), all remaining skills are personal skills, which is not available for all characters.


Categories and Basic Skills

Cardio
Wits
Fighting
Shooting

Personal Skills In the Field

Among personal skills, only 3 can be improved: Leadership, Powerhouse, Reflexes.

While Jurisprudence had no effect in storyline mode, it was changed to offer a slight bonus to Trust gain in Breakdown. Still, it cannot be improved.



Facilities

The second type of personal skill, Home Site Skills, improve the effectiveness of facilities in the player's home site. They cannot be improved and have no impact on combat or exploration. If one survivor has multiple home site skills, he or she will be able to work on both facilities at the same time. (Examples include Chemistry, Construction, Medicine, Cooking and Tattoo Artist.)


Gags

The third type, Gag skills, have no effect on gameplay. (Examples include Arts and Crafts, Computer Skills, etc.)


All Specialization Skills

Blunt Weapon Specialization
Edged Weapon Specialization
Heavy Weapon Specialization
Pistol Specialization
Revolver Specialization
Rifle Specialization
Assault Weapon Specialization
Shotgun Specialization
Special Attack
Special Technique
Utility Skill
Defensive Skill