Skills (State of Decay)

• Marcus, with most skills maxed out
• Detail of Shooting Skill, with the benefits listed

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All Survivors have four basic skills: Cardio, Fighting, Shooting, and Wits.

Some survivors may have additional skills based on their traits.

Skills level up from 1 to 7 stars, with progress shown by a small EXP bar below each skill. Skills improve through direct use:

1. Melee kills increase Fighting.
2. Firearm kills increase Shooting.
3. Running improves Cardio.
4. Searching and sneaking boost Wits.

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 exp bar for that specialization. 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.

• See alsoWeapon Specialization, Special Attack, Special Technique, Utility Skill, Defensive Skill for further information

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

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 story-line 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.)

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

References

• A matter of Character