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 indicates character's personality. Hitherto undiscovered qualities develop over time, revealing themselves as experience is gained. But the starting traits will always remain the same. Traits have significant effects on a character's capabilities, their opinion of others and behavior.

Overview

Every character in the game starts with three traits which are generated when the character is made, these will then define their personality. Once they're in play they'll be able to learn additional traits.

How does it work

Effect

Characters begin play with several traits, which enhance – and in some cases hamper – their abilities in many areas. You can view a character's traits and scrutinize their effects by mousing over them in the character 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. Be aware of the attributes and other bonus that the general gains directly from traits or indirectly from relationships. With great traits and harmonious working environment, not only will your general 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 army for a period 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 your court, but also reduces the character's satisfaction and makes them more likely to demand independence from your faction if they are assigned as the administrator of a commandery.

Harmony and Disharmony

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

Main article: Guanxi

Character can have opinion on their colleague based on traits. For example, 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. Player can check this on the court screen or on their unit cards. When character likes each other by sharing similar opinion, their relationship is considered as harmony with a green tick displayed. When your 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 unsatisfied for long time. Although worth noting that disharmonious characters will try to compete with each other on the job, resulting in a slightly performance buff.

List of Traits

Listed in alphabetical order (work in progress)

• 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

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• Agile: +4 Expertise, +10 Melee Evasion
  • Commends Flexibility, Commends Physical Ability
• Ambitious: +8 Authority, Increased penalty from desire for higher office, +5% income from all sources (AC), Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator.
  • Admires Power
  • Wary of Ambition
• Arrogant: +2 Instinct, +6 Authority, -15% Chance of evading capture post-battle
  • Loathes Arrogance
• Artful: +6 Expertise, +2 Instinct, +2 Public Order(AC), +10 Maximum cover when spying
  • Admires Ambition, Admires Intelligence
• Ascentic: +4 Resolve, +4 Authority, +2 Food Production (Generals)(AC)
  • Respects Discipline
  • Loaths Gluttony, Loathes Vanity, Dislikes Drunkenness
• Beautiful +4 Authority, -5 Satisfaction (FW), +5 Satisfaction
  • Admires Attractiveness
• Brave: +12 Resolve, +6 moral (WC)
  • Commends Bravery
• Bright: +2 Expertise, +6 Cunning, +5 Military Supplies (OA)
  • Admires Intelligence, Commends Flexibility
• Brilliant: +6 expertise, +6 Cunning, +15% Ammunition for all units (OAC), -30% Ammunition for all units (EAAC), +10% income from all sources (AC), Increased ambition to gain independence as administrator.
  • Admires Intelligence, Commends Physical Ability
• Careless: -4 Cunning, +6 Instinct, -15% Change of avoiding ambush (OA).
  • Accepts: Carelessness
• Cautious: +6 Cunning, -4 Instinct, +10% Chance of Evading Capture, +10% Chance of avoiding ambush (OA)
  • Respects Caution
  • Wary of Zeal, Dislikes Carelessness
• Charismatic: +12 Authority, +5 Satisfaction(FW), +3 Public Order(AC), Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Values Sociability, Admires Zeal
• Charitable: +4 Resolve, +4 Authority, +4 Public Order, -4 Food production (generals) (AC), +10% Income from peasantry (AC).
  • Sympathetic to the Sick, Values Charity, Sympathetic to the Debilitated, Sympathetic to the Weak
• Cheerful: +6 Resolve, +2 Authority, +5 Satisfaction (FW), +10 Satisfaction
  • Values Sociability, Admires Zeal
• Clever: +8 Cunning, +25% Character Experience
  • Admires Intelligence
  • Loathes Superstition
• Clumsy: -4 Expertise, -10 maximum cover when spying.
  • Accepts Carelessness
• Competitive: +6 Instinct, +2 Authority, +10 Charge Bonus, Increased ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Accepts Competitiveness, Admires Ambition
• Composed: +6 Expertise, +2 Cunning
  • Commends Bravery, Respects Patience
• Committed: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, -1 mustering turns (OA), +3% replenishment (OA)
  • Admires Zeal, Respects Decisiveness
• Concerned: +2 Expertise, +6 Authority, +2 Public Order (FW)
  • Values Kindness, Respects Decisiveness
• Co-ordinated: +6 Expertise, +10 Maximum cover when spying
  • Commends Physical Ability
• Cordial: +2 Cunning, +6 Authority, +10% income from commerce
  • Values Sociability, Values Diplomacy
• Cowardly: +4 Cunning, -4 Authority, +25% chance of evading capture post-battle, -10 morale, Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Respects Caution
  • Opposes Intimidation, Opposes War
• Creative: +12 Expertise, -5% Construction Cost(FW)
  • Commends Perceptiveness, Commends Flexibility
  • Resents Discipline
• Cruel: +6 Instinct, +2 Authority, -4 Public order (FW, +5 Military Supplies, +10% Income from peasantry (FW).
  • Supports: Cruelty.
  • Disregards: Kindness.
• Cunning: +12 Cunning, +15% Chance of ambushing (OA)
  • Commends Perceptiveness, Admires Intelligence
• Deceitful: +6 Cunning, +2 Instinct, -5 Cover cost when performing spy actions
  • Disregards Honour, Disregards Trustworthiness
• Defiant: +2 Expertise, +6 Resolve, +5% Attrition to hostile forces (EAAC), +10 morale when defending (OA).
  • Supports War
  • Resents Discipline, Wary of Power
• Determined: +6 Resolve, +2 Instinct
  • Admires Zeal, Respects Decisiveness
• Direct: +2 Resolve, +6 Instinct, Enables: Charge Reflect
  • Accepts Impulsiveness
• Disciplinarian: +6 Expertise, +2 Resolve, +4 Satisfaction (FW), Enables: Fatigue Resistance.
  • Respects Discipline
  • Dislikes Carelessness, Dislikes Impulsiveness
• Disloyal: +2 Cunning, +6 Instinct, Increased penalty from desire for higher office, Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Unconcerned by Friendship, Unconcerned by Duty, Unconcerned by Family
• Distinguished: +6 Instinct, +2 Authority, Increases Ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Admires Attractiveness, Admires Refinement
• Dutiful: +8 Authority, Reduced penalty from desire for higher office, +10 Satisfaction.
  • Focuses on Duty
• Elusive: +6 Cunning, +2 Instinct, +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
• Energetic: +2 Expertise, +6 Instinct, +5 Campaign Movement Range (OA)
  • Admires Zeal
• Enigmatic: +6 Cunning, +2 Authority, -5 Cover cost when performing spy actions
  • Respects Patience
  • Dislikes Carelessness, Dislikes Impulsiveness
• Feared: +8 Instinct, +4 Authority, Enables: Scare, +5 morale in enemy territory(OA)
  • Suppports Intimidation, Admires Power
• Fertile: +2 Instinct, +50% chance of having children
• Fiery: +2 Resolve, +6 Instinct, +10 Charge Speed.
  • Admires Zeal, Supports War
  • Disregards Diplomacy
• Formidable: +4 Expertise, +8 Instinct
  • Commends Physical Strength, Commends Physical Ability, Supports War
• Fraternal: +8 Resolve, + 10 Satisfaction
  • Focuses on Friendship
• Friendly: +2 Instinct, +6 Authority
  • Values Sociability, Values Kindness
• Fulfilled: +6 expertise, -4 Instinct, +10 Satisfaction
  • Dislikes Competitveness, Wary of Ambition, Loathes Greed
• Graceful: +4 Expertise, +10 Melee Evasion
  • Admires Attractiveness, Commends Physical Ability
• Gracious: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, +5 Satisfaction (LC)
  • Values Kindness, Admires Refinement
• Greedy: -4 Resolve, +6 Authority, Increased penalty from desire for higher office, +10% corruption (AC), Increases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Indulges Greed
  • Disregards Charity
• Handsome: +4 Authority, -5 Satisfaction (FW), +5 Satisfaction
  • Admires Attractiveness
• Healthy: +4 resolve, +10 Melee Evasion
  • Commends Physical Strength
• Honest: +6 Resolve, +2 Authority, +5% corruption (FW)
  • Values Sociability, Commends Trustworthiness
• Honourable: +8 Resolve, Reduced penalty from desire for higher office, -10% change of capturing enemy officers post-battle. Decreased ambition to gain independence as administrator.
  • Commends Honoour
  • Opposes Cruelty
• Humble: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, No desire for higher offices, +10 satisfaction, Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator.
  • Commends Honour
  • Wary of Ambition, Loathes Vanity
• Impeccable: +3 Public Order (FW)
  • Admires Attractiveness, Indulges Vanity
  • Dislikes Scarring
• Incompetent: -4 Expertise, +4 Resolve, -20% Character Experience
  • Accepts Carelessness
  • Wary of Intelligence
• Indecisive: +4 Expertise, -4 Authority, -10% Character Experience, +10 Cover cost for enemy spies (FW), Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Resents Decisiveness
• Intimidating: +12 Instinct, Enables: Immune to Scaring.
  • Respects Decisiveness
• Intrepid: +2 Expertise, Enables: Immune to Fear & Terror
  • Commends Honour, Commends Bravery
• Kind: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, +5 Satisfaction (FW), +2 Public Order (AC).
  • Values Kindness
  • Opposes Cruelty
• Kind-Hearted:  +6 Resolve, +2 Authority, +2 Public Order (FW)
  • Values Kindness
  • Opposes Intimidation, Loathes Greed
• Loyal: +8 Expertise, Reduced penalty form desire for higher office, Decreased ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Focuses on Family
• Lumbering: -4 Instinct, -5% Speed, +5% Armour
  • Commends Physical Strength, Accepts Carelessness
• Modest: +2 Cunning, +6 Authority, Reduced penalty from desire for higher office, -15% retinue upkeep, Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Commends Honour
  • Loathes Arrogance, Loathes Greed
• Obstinate: +6 Resolve, -4 Cunning, Enables: Charge Reflect
  • Respects Decisiveness
  • Disregards Flexibility
• One-Eyed: -2 Cunning, -10 Melee Evasion, Enables: Scare
  • Sympathetic to the Debilitated
  • Is Intimidating (unlisted)
• Pacifist: +4 Cunning, -4 Instinct, +1 Mustering (AAC), +5% Income from all sources (AC)
  • Values Kindness, Values Diplomacy
  • Opposes War
• Patient: +6 Expertise, +2 Cunning, Enables: Fatigue Resistance
  • Respects Patience
  • Dislikes Impulsiveness
• Perceptive: +6 Cunning, +2 Instinct, +10% chance of capturing enemy officers post-battle, +10% line-of-sight
  • Commends Perceptiveness
• Philanthropic: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, +2 Public Order (FW)
  • Values Charity
  • Opposes Intimidation, Loathes Greed
• Populist: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, +5 Satisfaction
  • Commends Honour, Values Diplomacy
• Quiet: +6 Cunning, +2 Instinct, +4 Cover gain per turn when spying, Decreases ambition to gain independence as administrator
  • Disregards Sociability, Wary of Zeal
• Reckless: +6 Resolve, -4 Cunning, -10% chance of evading capture post-battle(AAC), -1 Mustering turns, -5 Public order (AC), +10% Speed.
  • Accepts Impulsiveness
  • Resents Discipline, Resents Caution
• Relentless: +2 Resolve, +6 Instinct, -25% Fatigue Resistance
  • Commends Physical Strength, Admires Zeal, Respects Decisiveness
• Resourceful: +2 Expertise, +6 Cunning, +5 Reserves (AC)
  • Commends Flexibility
• Scarred: +2 Authority, +3 morale when attacking (OA)
• Scholarly: +4 Expertise, +4 Cunning, +25% Character Experience
  • Values Education, Admires Intelligence
• Selfless: +6 Resolve, +2 Authority, +2 Public Order (FW)
  • Values Kindness, Values Charity
  • Opposes Cruelty
• Sincere: +2 Resolve, +6 Authority, +1 Satisfaction (LC)
  • Values Diplomacy, Commends Trustworthiness
• Solitary: +6 Expertise, +2 Cunning, -2 Satisfaction (TA)
  • Disregards Sociability
• Spiteful: +2 Cunning, +6 Instinct, -4 Satisfaction(FW), Enables: Scare
  • Supports Cruelty
  • Unsympathetic to the Sick, Unsympathetic to the Debilitates, Unsympathetic to the Weak
• Stalwart: +6 Expertise, +2 Resolve, +5% income from all sources (FW)
  • Focuses on Friendship, Focuses on Duty, Focuses on Family
• Stern: +6 Expertise, +2 Authority, -3 Public Order(FW), +5% Income from Industry(AC)
  • Respects Discipline, Respects Decisiveness
  • Unsympathetic to the Weak
• Strong: +6 Resolve, +10% Armour-piercing damage
  • Commends Physical Strength
• Stubborn: +6 Resolve, -4 Authority, Enables: Unbreakable
  • Respects Discipline
  • Disregards Flexibility
• Superstitious: +6 Resolve, +2 Instinct, May randomly trigger superstition events for their owning faction
  • Indulges Superstition, Respects Caution
• Suspicious: +6 Cunning, +2 Instinct, +10 undercover network cost for enemy spies (FW)
  • Wary of Ambition, Wary of Power, Disregards Trustworthiness
• Temperamental: -4 Resolve, +4 Instinct, -3 Public Order
  • Admires Zeal, Accepts Impulsiveness
  • Resents Caution, Resents Patience
• Tolerant: +2 Expertise, +6 Authority, +5% Corruption(FW)
  • Indulges Arrogance, Indulges Superstition, Respects Patience, Indulges Vanity, Accepts Drunkenness
• Tough: +4 Resolve, +10 Melee Evasion
  • Commends Physical Strength
  • Unsympathetic to the Weak
• Tranquil: +12 Resolve, +5% Armour (OR), +3 Replenishment (OA)
  • Respects Patience
  • Wary of Zeal
• Trusting: +6 Expertise, +2 Resolve, -10 undercover network cost for enemy spies (FW)
  • Respects Patience, Commends Trustworthiness
• Trustworthy: +8 Expertise, +10% Trade Influence(FW)
  • Commends Honour, Commends Trustworthiness
• Uncomplicated: +4 Resolve, -4 Cunning, +10% Recruitment cost (TA)
  • Disregards Education, Wary of Intelligence
• Understanding: +2 Resolve, +6 Cunning
  • Accepts Madness, Accepts Carelessness, Indulges Superstition, Respects Patience, Accepts Impulsiveness
• Unobservant: +4 Resolve, -4 Cunning, -10% Line-of-sight
  • Accepts Carelessness
  • Disregards Perceptiveness
• Vain: -4 Cunning, +6 Instinct, +25% Retinue upkeep, +1 starting rank for all recruits (OR)
  • Admires Attractiveness, Indulges Vanity
  • Dislikes Scarring
• Vengeful: +2 Resolve, +6 Instinct
  • Supports Intimidation, Supports War
  • Disregards Diplomacy
• Vigilant: +8 Expertise, +4 Instinct, +5 Melee Evasion(OR)
  • Commends Perceptiveness, Respects Caution
• Weak: -4 Resolve, -10 Melee Evasion
  • Sympathetic to the Weak
• Wise: +2 Expertise, +6 Cunning, +4 Authority, +5 Satisfaction (LC)
  • Respects Patience, Admires Intelligence