This guide will cover the various traits available to new characters created in Fallout New Vegas. Traits are similar to perks, in that they are chosen modifiers of your character, however unlike perks they usually have counterbalancing positive and negative effects. Each new character can choose up to 2 traits, or pass on one or both of their available trait choices. This cannot be chosen after the initial selection in place of perks during level ups.
Built to Destroy
This trait gives a +3% to the critical hit chance of all weapons, but causes an increased weapon decay of 15%. This can prove to be a detriment unless you spend a fair amount of points on your repair skill or have Raul the Ghoul follower whom is capable of repairing your items.
Fast Shot
This trait gives a 20% bonus to the fire rate of Guns and Energy Weapons at the cost of a 20% reduction in accuracy of said weapons. This is useful for players who like getting up close and personal, and aren’t looking to snipe their targets from long range. Warning! Do not choose this trait with the Trigger Discipline trait as they will cancel each other out.
Four Eyes
Requires less than 10 perception to pick. This trait gives a character +1 perception while wearing glasses, but counters this with -1 perception without them. This is useful since there are glasses in Doc Mitchells house, and they do not break down easily, however they cannot be worn with all types of headgear.
Good Natured
Relatively useful trait for those looking to increase their non-combat skills, this trait represents an inner desire for peace and love, giving a +5 skill bonus to Barter, Medicine, Repair, Science and Speech while giving -5 to Energy Weapons, Explosives, Melee Weapons, Guns and Unarmed.
Heavy Handed
This trait gives a reduction in the critical hit damage by 60% with unarmed or melee attacks, but counters by upping the damage caused with all normal hits by 20%. Excellent choice for this with an already low luck score, who are not looking to score critical hits anyways.
Kamikaze
This trait represents a nature to be incredibly reckless in combat, simply to harm the enemy. This trait grants +10 AP bonus while reducing your damage threshold by 2. Great choice for long range fighters, or those with high endurance/HP. Getting that extra shot in often can counterbalance the need to survive damage a little longer.
Loose Cannon
All thrown weapons are launched 30% faster but at the cost of 25% range. Another good trait for the player who likes getting up close and personal with his prey, and in this case, favors the thrown weapons in Fallout New Vegas.
Small Frame
Gives +1 Agility but makes you take 25% more limb damage. Excellent for the speed boost and agility related perks, but shows its weakness when facing traps, or limb damaging effects like explosives. Even more difficult if choose on Hardcore mode. Offset by the Adamantium Skeleton perk.
Trigger Discipline
The exact opposite of Fast Shot, giving a 20% boost to the accuracy of Guns and Energy weapons while reducing the speed at which they fire by 20%. A good choice for the long range or sniper character. Make sure to avoid taking both Fast Shot and Trigger Discipline as they will cancel each other out.
Wild Wasteland
Unlocks a plethora of Easter Eggs in Fallout New Vegas, many of them random encounters that add a nice chunk to the game play. Suggested for all but the most serious of players, as these moments are classic, especially for those of young adult age who can enjoy the cultural references.
