Early Access features four recruitable races: Human, Lizardman, Elf, and Lycan. Race sets the baseline stat and skill modifiers; the Background (Major Trait) and an Individual sub-trait layer on top. Match diet to production (Elves dislike meat, Lizardmen dislike vegetables, Humans eat both), and match gear to the trees the Major Trait grants, not to a class label.
On this page
The four races — baselines, bonuses and diets
| Race | Bonuses | Best fit | Diet |
|---|---|---|---|
Human — Flexible all-rounder | +20% logging, +20% construction, +30% cooking; +1 Sword, Greatsword, Fire Magic; +15% EXP gain | Production, sword, greatsword, or fire-magic slots | Eats both meat and vegetables — no production penalty. |
Lizardman — Front-line race | +2 Greatsword, +1 Shield, +1 Blunt; stronger Strength and Will talent range; +20% mining; -20% research, -20% cooking | Shield or heavy-melee roles | Dislikes vegetables. Snake Catcher background is Lizardman-locked. |
Elf — Ranged, magic, research and farming | +2 Bow, +2 Nature Magic, +1 Water magic; +30% research, +30% farming; lower Strength talent range | Bow, nature magic, research, farming | Dislikes meat. |
Lycan — Spear, explorer, night active | +2 Spear, +1 Bow/Nature/Water; +15% to all six major abilities at night, -10% during the day | Spear, explorer, night expeditions | First Beastfolk race in the current build. |
Race × Background × Sub-Trait — three layers
Race defines the baseline. The candidate's stack has three trait layers: Race — the baseline stat and skill modifiers above; Background (Major Trait) — gates which skill trees the recruit can learn (examples: Conscript, Miner, Hunter, Forest Keeper, Wanderer, Porter, Hooligan, Snake Catcher, Butcher); Individual sub-trait — fine-tunes stats, needs and combat roles (examples: Adventurous, Belly Beggar, Pessimistic, Curious). The Major Trait is not cosmetic — it gates skill tree access. Match gear and weapon assignment to the trees the Major Trait grants, not to a class label.
What to check before hiring
Check race → diet compatibility with what your settlement produces — mixing Lizardmen (dislike vegetables) and Elves (dislike meat) without matching food production tanks morale. Check race → role fit — a Lizardman without a Shield or Greatsword slot is wasted, and an Elf without Bow or Nature Magic slots is wasted. Check Background → weapon fit — a Thief given a greatsword performs poorly; a City Guard trait wants a shield. See Skills and Traits for the rule on matching gear to skill trees.