Summary
- Enduring trait ensures long reign for Ruler
- Leader trait minimizes negative effects of rulings
- Volatile trait boosts combat abilities but reduces happiness
In The Elder Scrolls: Castles, traits determine how subjects will work or fight, and they hold unique importance for Rulers, making them crucial when selecting a kingdom’s successor. A bad trait can turn a Ruler into a ruthless dictator, hindering the well-being of the people, while a good trait can offset kingdom shortcomings, ensuring peasants and nobles feel secure and valued.
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When choosing a Ruler, one of the most critical questions players face is: what traits are best suited for a king or queen? Are there specific trait benefits or privileges that can enhance a Ruler’s performance? The answer to both questions is yes. And below is a list of six traits in The Elder Scrolls: Castles that can elevate a Ruler’s effectiveness.
6 Enduring
Keeps Your Kingdom Drama-Free for a While
- Advantage: Gives the Ruler longevity.
- Disadvantage: Has no tangible perks.
The Enduring trait is especially beneficial for a Ruler, as it can ensure a longer reign. Subjects with this trait tend to live past eighty, giving players ample time to groom the castle for the successor. During this extended period, players can also work on breeding nobles to improve future candidates for the crown.
One intriguing aspect of ruling a kingdom in The Elder Scrolls: Castles is managing mortal subjects. The Ruler—whether king or queen—might be assassinated by enemies or eventually pass away from natural causes. Losing the Ruler often stirs drama within the castle, particularly if the heir and nobles aren’t fully prepared for the succession.
5 Leader
It Is a Risk-Free and Foolproof Choice
- Advantage: Can increase the impact of Rulings.
- Disadvantage: Its impact is insignificant.
The Leader trait claims to enhance the impact of Rulings, making them more inspiring for castle residents. If this were fully effective, it would undoubtedly be a top trait for a Ruler. However, the effect is so subtle that players might overlook the actual benefits.
Still, the Leader trait is a solid, risk-free option, especially when there’s no ideal heir for the crown. With this trait, players can rest assured that Rulings won’t have negative side effects—a reasonable advantage. It’s worth noting that most traits in a Ruler create both positive and negative effects. With Leader, however, players’ decisions usually face less criticism from the public.
4 Volatile
It’s a Risky Trait, But the Payoff Is Worth It
- Advantage: Gives every subject the Shock ability.
- Disadvantage: Decreases Rulings’ joy.
For subjects, the Volatile trait is useful primarily in combat scenarios. But for a Ruler, it becomes a powerful asset, giving all castle residents the Shock effect, which boosts their combat performance, especially in mid-range battles.
However, players should be aware of the significant drawback: a Volatile Ruler will struggle to increase kingdom Happiness through Rulings. Positive decisions yield fewer rewards and Happiness points for the kingdom, making it harder to maintain morale compared to other traits.
3 Perceptive
Enhances Your Mill and Sewing Table’s Performance
- Advantage: Increases the Mill and Sewing Table performance.
- Disadvantage: Its buff can be subtle—especially in end-game content.
As players approach the end-game, they can produce materials more efficiently with less workforce. However, in the early stages of castle building, a Perceptive trait on the Ruler is invaluable, enhancing the performance of two key stations: the Mill and Sewing Table.
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The Mill produces wood, stone, and other materials needed to expand the castle, while the Sewing Table is essential for crafting outfits to customize subjects. Without these outfits and uniforms, the castle’s productivity can become inconsistent. A Perceptive Ruler boosts material and outfit production at these stations, helping players speed up their progress significantly.
2 Tribal
Encourages Familial Cooperation and Boosts Productivity
- Advantage: Increases the castle’s overall productivity.
- Disadvantage: Requires additional planning for each station’s workforce.
For regular subjects, the Tribal trait boosts their efficiency when working near family members. But for a Ruler, this trait increases productivity for all castle residents who work alongside their loved ones. With Tribal, players can effectively double station output without upgrading or adding workers.
The trade-off is that players must carefully select hires for each station. The Ruler’s Tribal effect only works when family members or partners are assigned to work together in the same area.
1 Considerate
Helps You Never Run Out of Food
- Advantage: Enhances the Kitchen and Loom production.
- Disadvantage: Its buff can be subtle—especially in end-game content.
The best trait for a Ruler in The Elder Scrolls: Castles is Considerate. While it lacks combat benefits, it supports a crucial resource—Food. With a Considerate Ruler, the Kitchen operates more efficiently, producing more food for castle residents.
In end-game stages, where players can have multiple Kitchens, this trait may be less impactful. But in early-game progression, the ability to produce more food with fewer workers is a significant advantage. Additionally, the Considerate trait boosts production at the Loom, simplifying the crafting of outfits and armor.
- Released
- September 10, 2024
- ESRB
- 12+
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
