Gunfire Games’ Remnant 2 offers many ways for players to gain power, whether it’s the new Archetype system conferring different perks and Skills or the abundance of weapons, Mods and Mutators. Don’t discount the Traits, though, which make a return from Remnant: From the Ashes.
Traits are bonuses to passive stats like damage reduction, health, Stamina, health regeneration, skill cooldowns, etc. You level them up with Trait Points, found throughout the various worlds, but Archetypes also have unique Traits worth leveling them up for.
Remember to experiment with different Traits, especially since you can speak to Wallace to refund Trait Points with Orbs of Undoing (which cost three Lumenite Crystals and 2,500 Scrap each).
Let’s look at all of the Traits in the game, starting with the Core Traits.
All Traits
Core Traits
These are your starting Traits and provide increases to basic stats.
Vigor
Increases your max health by +30 at level 10.
Endurance
Increases your max Stamina by +30 at level 10.
Expertise
Reduces Skill Cooldowns, maxing out at 20 percent reduced cooldowns at level 10.
Spirit
Mod Power generation is increased by 20 percent at the max level.
Archetype Traits
Archetype Traits are exclusive to each Archetype, and available as soon as you unlock that Archetype. They level up automatically as the Archetype Level increases, so you don’t need to invest Trait Points (but you can still do so if you want). When an Archetype is fully leveled, their Trait can be used with any build. However, you still need to invest Trait Points to activate them and reap the benefits.
Here are all the Archetype Traits in Remnant 2:
Ammo Reserves
Ammo reserves are increased by 50 percent at level 10, allowing you to carry more ammo. It’s the Gunslinger’s exclusive Trait and increases automatically with the Archetype’s level.
Kinship
Friendly fire damage dealt and received is reduced by 80 percent at max level. It’s the Handler’s exclusive Trait.
Swiftness
Movement speed is increased by 15 percent at level 10. It’s the Explorer’s exclusive Trait.
Triage
Healing provided by Weapon Mods is increased by 50 percent at the max level. It’s the Medic’s exclusive Trait.
Longshot
Ideal range for a weapon is increased by six meters when fully maxed out. It’s the Hunter’s exclusive Trait.
Potency
Consumable duration is increased by 100 percent at level 10. It’s the Alchemist’s exclusive Trait.
Regrowth
Health regeneration is increased by 1.5 seconds at max level. It’s the Summoner’s exclusive Trait.
Strong Back
Encumbrance is reduced by 10 when fully upgraded. It’s the Champion’s exclusive Trait.
General Traits
These are Traits which you discover by playing the game, either by defeating bosses or speaking to different NPCs.
Amplitude
The area of effect size for attacks is increased by 50 percent at level 10. Unlocked after completing the Horde-style event in the Labyrinth.
Arcane Strike
Mod Power generated from melee damage increases by 50 percent at level 10. Unlocked after defeating a World Boss in Yaesha.
Blood Bond
When maxed out, your Summons absorb 10 percent of damage received by the player. Unlocked by defeating the Root Nexus in Yaesha.
Bloodstream
Grey health regeneration is increased by 3.0 per second at level 10. Speak to Meidra in Yaesha, and choose answers that support the Ravager to get the Ravager’s Eye and this Trait.
Fitness
Evade distance is increased by 30 percent at max level. Unlocked in N’Erud after completing the Vault of the Formless.
Footwork
When fully leveled up, movement speed while aiming is increased by 50 percent. Unlocked in N’Erud at Terminus Station after completing the train event.
Glutton
Using consumables and relics is 30 percent faster when this Trait is at max level.
Handling
Weapon Spread and Recoil is reduced by 40 percent at level 10. Unlocked after completing a Horde-style event on Root Earth.
Recovery
Stamina regeneration is increased by 30 per second at max level. Unlocked in Losomn in Cotton’s Kiln. When venturing outside, bring the lone child you find back to the woman spinning yarn (she’s in a house with several other children).
Resonance
When fully upgraded, Aura Size is increased by 50 percent.
Revivalist
Reviving speed is increased by 50 percent at level 10. It also allows players to be revived faster at the same rate. Unlocked by reviving teammates in multiplayer.
Rugged
Archetype Summons gain 100 percent increased health at max level.
Shadeskin
It grants 20 percent damage resistance to elemental status effects at level 10. Unlocked in Losomn in the Butcher’s Quarter after completing the burning man event.
Siphoner
Lifesteal is increased by three percent when fully leveled. Unlocked after completing the Dormant N’Erudian Facility on N’Erud.
Wayfarer
Increases traversal speed when vaulting, climbing ladders and wading through water by 50 percent when fully maxed. Unlocked after defeating a Horde Boss on Root Earth.
Barkskin
Obtained from Meidra in Yaesha, provides up to 10 percent damage reduction at level 10. Choose answers that support Doe to get the Doe’s Gift, thus providing this Trait.
Scholar
Obtained from defeating the final boss. Grants up to 15 percent bonus XP at level 10. It’s a must when replaying levels, rerolling in Adventure Mode or the Campaign, and leveling up alternate classes.
Recommended Traits
It’s recommended to max out each Archetype to take full advantage of their exclusive Traits, especially since they’re available permanently when maxed out. If you’re starting the game, Ammo Reserves from the Gunslinger and Triage from the Medic are very good. While playing through the first time, Vigor, Endurance, Expertise and Spirit are all good choices. Barkskin, Footwork, Fitness, Recovery and Siphoner are also ideal.
After finishing the Campaign once, max out the Scholar Trait immediately for that XP bonus. Once your build has become more defined, you can prioritize certain Traits.
Ranged players can go for Handling, Footwork, Barkskin, Siphoner, Spirit and Expertise (if you’re reliant on Skills), but Endurance is also good. If you’re dealing with explosives and Weapon Mods that deal area-of-effect damage, Amplitude is also good. Longshot is also good for shooting enemies with a Coach Gun from absurd ranges.
Melee players should consider Endurance (since melee strikes consume Stamina), Vigor, Barkskin, Fitness, Recovery, Siphoner, Regrowth, Shadeskin and Arcane Strike. There are several options here, but the important thing is to have some toughness and Stamina recovery since you’re so up close.
Strong Back is also good since it allows for equipping heavier armor without suffering the penalties of Encumbrance. Bloodstream increases grey health regeneration, which is good in specific set-ups.
Remnant 2 is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out our review here, where we scored it an 8 out of 10.