Traits (Total War: Three Kingdoms)

For traits in other Total War titles, see Traits.

A trait summary window showing the attribute bonus, harmony and additional effects

Traits in Total War: Three Kingdoms are a fundamental campaign mechanic regarding characters' personalities. A character's starting traits will always remain the same, though they can develop new traits over time through experience or through events. Traits can give bonuses or debuffs to a character's attributes, combat stats, or their abilities as an administrator or court official.

Traits also form the backbone of the Guanxi system, as most traits come coupled with Guanxi modifiers that will influence characters' relations with other characters or their individual behaviour throughout the campaign.

Overview

Every character in the game starts with three traits. Pre-existing characters will have set traits that will remain the same throughout different playthroughs. Radiant-generated characters, however, will come with three randomly generated traits.

Characters start with three traits, which enhance – and in some cases hamper – their abilities in many areas. The player can view a character’s traits and scrutinise their effects by mousing over them in the character panel. These traits also define their personality. However, the personalities of player faction's characters are unviewable. A player can check other faction leaders' personalities in the Diplomacy panel.

Traits can transform a character’s abilities in campaign and battle, and are key to the formation and development of relationships with other characters. A character with the formidable trait, for example, will gain bonuses to their instinct and melee damage and will gain the opinions ‘Commends Physical Strength’, ‘Commends Physical Ability’, and ‘Supports War’. So not only will he be a better fighter than his base attributes and stats imply, he will also have an affinity for warlike leaders and those who display physical prowess in battle, which will in turn influence the relationships he forms and with whom.

Earn new traits

A character’s activities may earn them new traits over time. For example, a character who has served as a secondary general in an army for a long time might gain the ambitious trait (although this trait cannot be earned if a character has the humble, loyal, dutiful or fraternal traits). The ambitious trait boosts the character’s authority and grants a global increase to faction income if the character is assigned a ministerial role in the player's court, but also reduces the character’s satisfaction and makes them more likely to demand independence from player faction if they are assigned as the administrator of a commandery.

Harmony and Disharmony

Main article: Guanxi

This pop-up window in Kong Rong's relation tab shows the harmonious relationship decided by traits between him and Wang Xiu

Characters can have opinions on their colleague based on traits. For example, A character with the formidable trait will gain bonuses to their instinct and melee damage and will gain the opinions Commends Physical Strength, Commends Physical Ability, and Supports War. The player can check this on the court screen or on their unit cards. When characters like each other for sharing similar opinions, their relationship is considered harmonious, and a green tick will be displayed. When player's characters are harmonious in court or army, they will become more satisfied with their job and eventually become friends. On the other hand, disharmonious characters will dislike each other and leave the faction if they feel dissatisfied for a long time. Although it is worth noting that disharmonious characters will try to compete with each other on the job, resulting in a slight performance buff.

Personality

Main article: Personality (Total War: Three Kingdoms)

Personality is defined by the traits the character has. Legendary characters often have unique personalities. Personality is important because it decides how AI behaves in diplomacy.

List of Traits

Listed below is a list of Traits in Total War: Three Kingdoms. Some rare one-off traits (for example, Liu Yan's inheritance traits) have been excluded from the list because they can only appear once throughout an entire campaign. These are covered on their respective main pages.

A variety of acronyms is used in the list. These are:

• AC = Administered commandery.
• EAC = Enemy armies in this county.
• EAAC = Enemy armies in administered commandery.
• AAC = Armies in administered commandery.
• FW = Faction-wide (only if this character is prime minister, heir, or faction leader).
• LC = Local County.
• OA = Own army.
• OAC = Own army in this county.
• OR = Own retinue.
• TA = This Army.
• WC = When commanding.

List of Traits in Three Kingdoms

Trait	Attributes	Secondary Effects	Guanxi	Description
Agile	+4 Exp	+10% Melee Evasion	Commends Flexibility Commends Physical Ability	A combination of speed, strength, and flexibility grants this individual the physical aptitude of an acrobat.
Ambitious	+8 Aut	50% desire for higher office +5% income from all sources (AC) Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Admires Power Wary of Ambition	This one desires the world, and will go to dangerous lengths to obtain it.
Arrogant	+2 Ins +6 Aut	-15% chance of evading capture post-battle	Loathes Arrogance	Not egotistical, per se, they just see the inferiority in everyone else.
Artful	+6 Exp +2 Ins	+2 public order (AC) +10 maximum cover when spying	Admires Ambition Admires Intelligence	This one sees a remarkable acumen in finding means for their ends.
Ascetic	+4 Res +4 Aut	+2 food production (FW)	Respects Discipline Loathes Gluttony Loathes Vanity Dislikes Drunkenness	Never indulges in excess, this one's watchword is moderation.
Beautiful	+4 Aut	-5 satisfaction (FW) +5 satisfaction	Admires Attractiveness	Turning heads wherever they go, the heavens have gifted this one with stunning looks.
Brave	+12 Res	+3 morale (WC)	Commends Bravery	There is a fine line between fearlessness and foolishness, and this one is no fool.
Bright	+2 Exp +6 Cun	+5 military supplies (OA)	Admires Intelligence Admires Flexibility	This person can find a use for things others would discard without thinking, so nothing is wasted.
Brilliant	+6 Exp +6 Cun	+15% ammunition for all units (OAC) -30% ammunition for all units (EAC) +10% income from all sources (AC) Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Admires Intelligence Commends Physical Ability	A perennial high-achiever, excelling above others in most of their endeavours.
Careless	-4 Cun +6 Ins	-15% chance of avoiding ambush (OA)	Accepts Carelessness	This person commits to action without spending too much time in thought beforehand.
Cautious	+6 Cun -4 Ins	+10% chance of evading capture post-battle +10% chance of avoiding ambush (OA)	Respects Caution Wary of Zeal Dislikes Carelessness	The enlightened are always heedful, the good full of caution.
Charismatic	+12 Aut	+5 satisfaction (FW) +3 public order (AC) Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Values Sociability Admires Zeal	Entranced by this one's personal charm, people hang on their every word.
Charitable	+4 Res +4 Aut	+4 public order (AC) -4 food production (FW) +10% income from peasantry (AC)	Sympathetic to the Sick Values Charity Sympathetic to the Debilitated Sympathetic to the Weak	This one has a true desire to be generous and useful to others, without a single thought of recompense.
Cheerful	+6 Res +2 Aut	+5 satisfaction (FW) +10 satisfaction	Values Sociability Admires Zeal	It is easy to be cynical, but this one remains open to beauty and hope and their optimism is infectious.
Clever	+8 Cun	+25% character experience	Admires Intelligence Loathes Superstition	An intelligent thinker, who learns and adapts quicker than others.
Clumsy	-4 Exp	-10 maximum cover when spying	Accepts Carelessness	Even when carrying out the most mundane tasks, they are like a bull in a china shop!
Committed	+2 Res +6 Aut	-1 mustering turns (OA) +3% replenishment (OA)	Admires Zeal Respects Decisiveness	Like an arrow, this one is ever-moving towards one goal, sweeping up many others in their wake.
Competitive	+6 Ins +2 Aut	+10 charge bonus Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Accept Competitiveness Admires Ambition	This highly-competitive individual relishes one-upmanship at every turn.
Composed	+6 Exp +2 Cun	None	Commends Bravery Respects Patience	Whenever tragedy strikes, this one remains untroubled and acts as an anchor for others with reason and clear thinking.
Concerned	+2 Exp +6 Aut	+2 public order (FW)	Values Kindness Respects Decisiveness	This person is not content to simply nod sadly about other people's troubles but goes out of their way to solve them.
Co-ordinated	+6 Exp	+10 maximum cover when spying	Commends Physical Ability	This person has an uncanny control of their limbs!
Cordial	+2 Cun +6 Aut	+10% income from commerce (AC)	Values Sociability Values Diplomacy	Many speak highly of this person, for they are a pleasure to be around and conversation with them is effortless.
Cowardly	+4 Cun -4 Aut	+25% chance of evading capture post-battle -4 morale Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Respects Caution Opposes Intimidation Opposes War	At even the slightest hint of danger, this one thinks mostly with their legs.
Creative	+12 Exp	-5% construction cost (FW)	Commends Perceptiveness Commends Flexibility Resents Discipline
Cruel	+6 Ins +2 Aut	-4 public order (FW) +5 military supplies (OA) +10% income from peasantry (FW)	Supports Cruelty Disregards Kindness	Wholly indifferent to the pain and suffering of others, this one likely enjoys it.
Cunning	+12 Cun	+15% chance of ambushing (OA)	Commends Perceptiveness Admires Intelligence	This one always either has a plan or is in the process of devising one.
Deceitful	+6 Cun +2 Ins	-5 cover cost when performing spy actions	Disregards Honour Disregards Trustworthiness	They have no qualms about misleading people, and frequently do.
Defiant	+2 Exp +6 Res	+5% attrition to hostile forces (EAAC) +4 morale when defending (OA)	Supports War Resents Discipline Wary of Power	Any attempt to hold sway over this one will always be met with dogged resistance.
Determined	+6 Res +2 Ins	None	Admires Zeal Respects Decisiveness	This person is convinced that the difference between the possible and the impossible is simply one's persistence.
Direct	+2 Res +6 Ins	Enables: Charge Reflect	Accepts Impulsiveness	Tact is not exactly one of this individual's strong points.
Disciplinarian	+6 Exp +2 Res	+4 satisfaction (FW) Enables: Fatigue Resistance	Respects Discipline Opposes Criminality Dislikes Carelessness Dislikes Impulsiveness	"You will not laugh! You will not cry! You will learn by the numbers and I shall teach you!"
Disloyal	+2 Cun +6 Ins	50% desire for higher office Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Unconcerned by Friendship Unconcerned by Duty Unconcerned by Family	For this recreant, allegiance is temporary, a double-cross always just around the corner.
Distinguished	+6 Ins +2 Aut	Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Admires Attractiveness Admires Refinement	This one carries themselves with an air of eminence, and is often the most notable person in the room.
Drunk	-6 Cun	+5% melee damage	Accepts Drunkenness	"He who drinks, dies. He who doesn't drink, dies as well."
Dutiful	+8 Aut	-50% desire for higher office +10 satisfaction	Focuses on Duty	Goes about their deeds piously, having bound themselves to their obligations.
Elusive	+6 Cun +2 Ins	+5% chance of evading capture post-battle +10% income from commerce, silk and spice (AC) -15% chance of discovery when performing spy actions	Respects Caution Respects Patience Opposes Intimidation	Dwelling in the shadows, this one is a master at evading detection and blending into their surroundings.
Energetic	+2 Exp +6 Ins	+5% campaign movement range (OA)	Admires Zeal	This one spends every waking hour in motion, going about all their activities with excessive enthusiasm.
Enigmatic	+6 Cun +2 Aut	-5 cover cost when performing spy actions	Respects Patience Dislikes Carelessness Dislikes Impulsiveness	When the world around them is in chaos, this one remains unflappable.
Eunuch	-4 Aut	+3 bureaucratic influence -1000% chance of having children +10% character salary (faction-wide) -1000% chance of having an illegitimate child +2 food production	Sympathetic to the Debilitated	Men without their manhood may still have a purpose.
Feared	+8 Ins +4 Aut	Enables: Scare +2 morale in enemy territory (OA)	Supports Intimidation Admires Power	A sword will cut one man down, but dread is like a fire that grows and spreads the more it consumes.
Fertile	+2 Ins	+50% chance of having children	None	A most virile individual, this one's bloodline is most definitely assured.
Fiery	+2 Res +6 Ins	+10 charge speed	Admires Zeal Supports War Disregards Diplomacy	Not a bear to be poked, this one is prone to outbursts of anger.
Formidable	+4 Exp +8 Ins	None	Commends Physical Strength Commends Physical Ability Supports War	"Show me a warrior that can match my strength and I shall exchange my sword and steed for a spade and plough!"
Fraternal	+8 Res	-50% desire for higher office	Focuses on Friendship	A brother might not always be a friend, but a friend like this is always like a brother.
Friendly	+2 Ins +6 Aut	None	Values Sociability Values Kindness	This one's doors are always open, and the tea is always hot.
Frivolous	+4 Exp -4 Res	+5 satisfaction -5% character experience	Values Sociability Accepts Carelessness Opposes Tradition Unsympathetic to Heartbreak	This one often makes light of even the most serious of situations.
Fulfilled	+6 Exp -4 Inst	+10 satisfaction	Dislikes Competitiveness Wary of Ambition Loathes Greed	Harmony comes from accepting things as they are; seeking change within the natural order instead of forcing it.
Graceful	+4 Exp	+10% melee evasion	Admires Attractiveness Commends Physical Ability	Moves with the balletic grace of a butterfly.
Gracious	+2 Res +6 Aut	+5 satisfaction (LC)	Values Kindness Admires Refinement	This person performs acts of compassion far beyond what is expected of mere etiquette, proving that their heart and deeds are genuine.
Greedy	-4 Res +6 Aut	50% desire for higher office +10% corruption (AC) Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Indulges Greed Disregards Charity	One who chases two rabbits catches neither, but given the chance, this individual would certainly still try.
Handsome	+4 Aut	-5 satisfaction (FW) +5 satisfaction	Admires Attractiveness	When one possesses aesthetic features so agreeable to the eye, shortcomings in personality or wealth matter little.
Healed	None	+2 morale (OA)	Commends Physical Strength
Healthy	+4 Res	+10% melee evasion	Commends Physical Strength	A notable specimen of robust health and physical well-being.
Honest	+6 Res +2 Aut	-5% corruption (FW)	Values Sociability Commends Trustworthiness	This one believes that to be rich and powerful at the expense of their soul is a fool's deal, and unworthy of consideration.
Honourable	+8 Res	-50% desire for higher office -10% chance of capturing enemy officers post-battle Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Commends Honour Opposes Criminality Opposes Cruelty	A character of integrity and moral rectitude, who has rightfully earned the respect of others.
Humble	+2 Res +6 Aut	No desire for higher offices +10 satisfaction Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Commends Honour Wary of Ambition Loathes Vanity	Like bamboo, the higher this individual grows, the deeper they bow.
Impeccable	None	+3 public order (FW)	Admires Attractiveness Indulges Vanity Dislikes Scarring	This person is fastidious in their appearance, demonstrating an attention to detail that inspires confidence in others.
Incompetent	-4 Exp +4 Res	-20% character experience	Accepts Carelessness Wary of Intelligence	Unable to cope with most situations, are there no limits to this one's ineptitude?
Indecisive	+4 Exp -4 Aut	-10% character experience +10 cover cost for enemy spies (FW) Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Resents Decisiveness	Tends to dwell on all the possible options without ever actually committing to one.
Intimidating	+12 Ins	Enables: Immune to Scaring	Respects Decisiveness	A menacing individual, who stirs up awe and fear in all those in their presence.
Intrepid	+2 Exp	Enables: Immune to Fear & Terror	Commends Honour Commends Bravery	True courage comes from refusing to let fear paralyse you from righteous action, not in denying you feel it to save face.
Kind	+2 Res +6 Aut	+5 satisfaction (FW) +2 public order (AC)	Values Kindness Opposes Cruelty	A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses.
Kind-hearted	+6 Res +2 Aut	+2 public order (FW)	Values Kindness Opposes Intimidation Loathes Greed	Respect earned from kindness has deep roots, whereas that forced from fear lives on shifting sands.
Lame	-4 Ins	-5% speed	Sympathetic to the Debilitated
Loyal	+8 Exp	-50% desire for higher office Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Focuses on Family	Like an unbreakable blade of grass in a tempest, this one's loyalty has been proven in the most turbulent circumstances.
Lumbering	-4 Ins	-5% speed +5% armour	Commends Physical Strength Accepts Carelessness	This one moves with the grace of an inebriated panda.
Maimed	-4 Exp	-5% melee damage	Sympathetic to the Debilitated Sympathetic to the Weak
Modest	+2 Cun +6 Aut	-50% desire for higher office -15% retinue upkeep Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Commends Honour Loathes Arrogance Loathes Greed	Deliberately unassuming in their words, actions, and manner.
Obstinate	+6 Res -4 Cun	Enables: Charge Reflect	Respects Decisiveness Disregards Flexibility	If told that everyone needed air to live, this person would hold their breath until they passed out.
One-eyed	-2 Cun	-10% melee evasion Enables: Scare	Sympathetic to the Debilitated
Pacifist	+4 Cun -4 Ins	+1 mustering turns (AAC) +5% income from all sources (AC)	Values Kindness Values Diplomacy Opposes War	The supreme art of war is to subdue an enemy without fighting.
Patient	+6 Exp +2 Cun	Enables: Fatigue Resistance	Respects Patience Dislikes Impulsiveness	One who endeavours to move a mountain begins by carrying away the smallest stones.
Perceptive	+6 Cun +2 Ins	+10% chance of capturing enemy officers post-battle +10% campaign line-of-sight	Commends Perceptiveness	With near-superhuman observation skills, this individual is highly attuned to reading both situations and people.
Philanthropic	+2 Res +6 Aut	+2 public order (FW)	Values Charity Opposes Intimidation Loathes Greed	This person has few belongings and refuses luxuries to be free of material concern and focus on the needs of others.
Populist	+2 Res +6 Aut	+5 satisfaction	Commends Honour Values Diplomacy	This shrewd individual anticipates and meets the wants of the people, even before they know them themselves!
Quiet	+6 Cun +2 Ins	+4 cover gain per turn when spying Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator	Disregards Sociability Wary of Zeal	A conversation with this one is often a one-way affair. Frequently goes unnoticed in a room full of people.
Reckless	+6 Res -4 Cun	-10% chance of evading capture post-battle -1 mustering turns (AAC) -5 public order (AC) +10% speed	Accepts Impulsiveness Resents Discipline Resents Caution	Would be the first to volunteer to extract a tooth from a tiger's mouth.
Relentless	+2 Res +6 Ins	-25% fatigue rate	Commends Physical Strength Admires Zeal Respects Decisiveness	When this one falls, he who strikes the final blow should dig the grave deeply, for some say even death will not stop them.
Resourceful	+2 Exp +4 Cun	+5 reserves (AC)	Commends Flexibility	Willing to bend instead of break.
Scarred	+2 Aut	+2 morale when attacking (OA)	None	These skin disfigurements are the remnants of a brutal and painful past.
Scholarly	+4 Exp +4 Cun	+25% character experience	Values Education Admires Intelligence	For this individual, to study and learn is to attain treasures that cannot be lost or stolen.
Selfless	+6 Res +2 Aut	+2 public order (FW)	Values Kindness Values Charity Opposes Cruelty	By putting others before themselves, this one achieves peace and humility, acting as an example to us all.
Sickly	-6 Res	-10% Melee Evasion	Sympathetic to the Sick Sympathetic to the Weak
Sincere	+2 Res +6 Aut	+1 satisfaction (LC)	Values Diplomacy Commends Trustworthiness	For every good reason to lie, this one will always find a better one to be honest.
Solitary	+6 Exp +2 Cun	-2 satisfaction (TA)	Disregards Sociability	Totally at peace with themselves, they prefer their own company.
Spiteful	+2 Cun +6 Ins	-4 satisfaction (FW) Enables: Scare	Supports Cruelty Unsympathetic to the Sick Unsympathetic to the Debilitated Unsympathetic to the Weak	For this person the thrill of a vindictive word or deed as it hits home is as pleasing as a beautiful sunset.
Stalwart	+6 Exp +2 Res	+5% income from all sources (FW)	Focuses on Friendship Focuses on Duty Focuses on Family	Like a mountain, this one does not strive for greatness, but achieves it by simply being dependable to those that need them.
Stern	+6 Exp +2 Aut	-3 public order (FW) +5% income from industry (AC)	Respects Discipline Respects Decisiveness Opposes Criminality Unsympathetic to the Weak	An absolute belief in their own ideals as opposed to all others makes this person inflexible and lacking in sympathy.
Strong	+6 Res	+10% armour-piercing damage	Commends Physical Strength	This one is as strong as an ox.
Stubborn	+6 Res -4 Aut	Enables: Unbreakable	Respects Discipline Disregards Flexibility	Whether or not they choose the correct path, little can detract them from it.
Superstitious	+6 Res +2 Ins	May randomly trigger superstition events for their owning faction	Indulges Superstition Respects Caution	This one carries around a three-legged toad. Yes, really.
Suspicious	+6 Cun +2 Ins	+10 undercover network cost for enemy spies (FW)	Wary of Ambition Wary of Power Disregards Trustworthiness	"The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!"
Temperamental	-4 Res +4 Ins	-3 public order (FW)	Admires Zeal Accepts Impulsiveness Resents Caution Resents Patience	Trying to predict this one's moods is like trying to close shave with a sword, and every bit as unsettling.
Tolerant	+2 Exp +6 Aut	+5% corruption (FW)	Indulges Arrogance Indulges Superstition Respects Patience Indulges Vanity Accepts Drunkenness	This one affects ignorance to small misdemeanours, as a little dipping into the pot every now and then keeps the peace.
Tough	+4 Res	+10% melee evasion	Commends Physical Strength Unsympathetic to the Weak	Tough times never last, but tough people generally do.
Tranquil	+12 Res	+5% armour (OR) +3% replenishment (OA)	Respects Patience Wary of Zeal	This one is as calm as a still lake; their thoughts possess a mindful clarity and they perform their tasks all the better for it.
Trusting	+6 Exp +2 Res	-10 undercover network cost for enemy spies (FW)	Respects Patience Commends Trustworthiness	This one sees the good in people, even when there is none.
Trustworthy	+8 Exp	+10% trade influence (FW)	Commends Honour Commends Trustworthiness	An open and honest face makes it easier to be places where you shouldn't and hear confidences meant for other ears.
Uncomplicated	+4 Res -4 Cun	+10% recruitment cost (TA)	Disregards Education Wary of Intelligence	The Tao talks of the usefulness of empty spaces, but the vacuum between this person's ears may be going too far.
Understanding	+2 Res +6 Cun	None	Accepts Madness Accepts Carelessness Indulges Superstition Respects Patience Accepts Impulsiveness	To help others without being sanctimonious and dismissing what may seem trivial demonstrates true empathy.
Unobservant	+4 Res -4 Cun	-10% campaign line-of-sight	Accepts Carelessness Disregards Perceptiveness	This one may have eyes, but more often than not, they cannot see.
Vain	-4 Cun +6 Ins	+25% retinue upkeep +1 starting rank for all recruits (OR)	Admires Attractiveness Indulges Vanity Dislikes Scarring	The fly on the water buffalo's back thinks itself better than the water buffalo itself.
Vengeful	+2 Res +6 Ins	None	Supports Intimidation Supports War Disregards Diplomacy	Whenever wronged, this one emphatically repays their perceived injustices in kind, no matter how small.
Vigilant	+8 Exp +4 Ins	+5 melee evasion (OR)	Commends Perceptiveness Respects Caution	This one uncannily evades blows as if they are forewarned of each one.
Weak	-4 Res	-10% melee evasion	Sympathetic to the Weak	A gust of wind would blow this one right over. They are unsuited to any vocation that requires heavy lifting.
Wise	+2 Exp +6 Cun +4 Aut	+5 satisfaction (LC)	Respects Patience Admires Intelligence	When others are lost, it is this one's advice they seek out first.

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