All 40 Remnant 2 traits: how trait points and the cap work, the full trait list, best picks per build, and how to reset with an Orb of Undoing.
Remnant 2 Traits Guide — All 40 Traits, the Point Cap, and the Best Picks
Remnant 2 has 40 traits — four core traits, 14 archetype traits, and 22 regular traits — and a hard cap on how many points you can spend. The current cap is 85 freely distributed trait points (raised from 60 at launch and 65 after the August 2023 patch), on top of up to 25 automatic points from your archetypes. Since that's nowhere near enough to max everything, choosing what to level is a real build decision. This guide explains how the system works, lists every trait, and recommends what to prioritize for each playstyle.
Official resources: Steam store page · Remnant 2 Wiki — Traits · IGN — Trait Point Cap · Polygon — trait point cap
How Traits and Trait Points Work
Traits are passive stat lines that max out at level 10 each. You start with the four Core Traits (Vigor, Endurance, Spirit, Expertise) and your chosen archetype's trait; the rest unlock through gameplay. Points come from three sources:
- Tomes of Knowledge hidden around every world (each gives 1 point)
- Bosses and Aberrations (each first kill awards a point)
- Archetype leveling (free automatic points — see below)
The headline number: the free-point cap is 85. Once you hit it, Tomes of Knowledge stop giving points and instead reward Scrap and XP. On top of the 85, your prime archetype assigns 5 free points into your core traits, and your two equipped archetypes auto-level their traits up to 10 points each — so a fully developed character effectively runs 110 points of traits, but only 85 of them are yours to choose.
Per the Remnant 2 Wiki — Traits page: "There are currently 40 total Traits in the game: 4 Core Traits, 14 Archetype Traits, and 22 Traits." The same page confirms the free point cap at 85.
IGN's Trait Point Cap page and most launch-era articles state the cap is 60. That was true at launch in July 2023. Gunfire raised it to 65 in the August 2023 patch, and it currently sits at 85 (the 65→85 raise shipped with the Awakened King update). Check the patch date on any article before trusting its numbers.
The Core Traits
All four are universally useful and worth early points:
| Trait | Effect at max |
|---|---|
| Vigor | +30 maximum health |
| Endurance | +30 maximum stamina |
| Spirit | +20% mod power generation |
| Expertise | -20% skill cooldowns |
The 14 Archetype Traits
Each archetype grants a unique trait that levels automatically as the class levels. At archetype level 10, the trait unlocks permanently for any other build (costing regular points if you equip it off-class). Notable ones: Strong Back (Challenger, +15 carry weight — the weight-class enabler), Fortify (Engineer, +50% armor effectiveness), Swiftness (Explorer, +15% move speed), Kinship (Handler, -80% friendly fire dealt and received), Triage (Medic, +50% healing), Flash Caster (Archon, +50% cast speed), Affliction (Ritualist, +100% status duration) and Barrier (Warden, +15% shield amount). Full per-class breakdowns are in our archetypes guide.
The 22 Regular Traits (Complete List)
These are found in the world — bosses, events, and puzzle rewards — and this is where your 85 points go:
- Amplitude — +50% AoE and aura size
- Arcane Strike — +50% mod power from melee damage
- Barkskin — -10% all incoming damage (top pick)
- Blood Bond — summons absorb 10% of damage taken
- Bloodstream — +3.0/s grey health regeneration
- Fitness — +30% evade distance
- Footwork — +50% movement speed while aiming
- Glutton — +35% consumable and relic use speed
- Handling — -30% weapon spread and recoil
- Recovery — +30/s stamina regeneration
- Chakra — +30% mod duration
- Revivalist — +50% revive speed (co-op staple)
- Rugged — +100% summon health
- Scholar — +15% experience gain (farming staple)
- Shadeskin — +20% resistance to elemental status damage
- Siphoner — +3% lifesteal
- Leech — +50% lifesteal efficacy
- Dark Pact — +30% grey health conversion rate
- Resolute — -25% hit reaction time
- Perception — +3% haste and +10% slow bonus
- Insight — +10/s mod regeneration
- Preservation — +30% shield duration received
Best Traits by Build
- Survivability: Barkskin, Vigor, Fortify, Siphoner — then Bulwark sources on top (see our Bulwark guide for how the 80% damage-reduction cap works).
- Damage: Amplitude (AoE builds), Arcane Strike (melee-mod builds), Handling (accuracy), Perception (haste).
- Farming / XP: Scholar, plus the Explorer's Swiftness and Lucky — pair with our world drops farming guide.
- Co-op: Revivalist, Kinship (with a Handler), Triage (as Medic), Blood Bond (summon builds).
A common 2026 all-rounder setup: Vigor 10, Barkskin 10, Fortify 10 (if armored), Swiftness 10, Scholar 10, Siphoner 10, then your archetype traits — roughly 60 of your 85 points spent, leaving room for specialization.
Respeccing with the Orb of Undoing
Traits aren't permanent. Wallace in Ward 13 sells the Orb of Undoing (3 Lumenite Crystals and around 1,500-2,500 Scrap — the Scrap cost has shifted across patches), which refunds every freely spent point so you can reallocate. Archetype-assigned points stay where they are. The October 2024 update also added Loadouts: saved gear presets that recall your trait spread automatically as long as you carry an Orb of Undoing.
When you switch your prime archetype, its 5 free core points redistribute automatically, and equipping an archetype refunds any points you spent on its trait. You can't waste points permanently — the only real cost is the Orb of Undoing for manual respecs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the trait point cap in Remnant 2?
85 freely distributable trait points as of 2026 (raised from 60 at launch to 65 in August 2023, then 85 with the Awakened King update). Automatic archetype points add roughly 25 more, for ~110 total effective.
How do I get more trait points?
Find Tomes of Knowledge in every world, kill bosses and Aberrations (first kills only), and level your archetypes. After the cap, tomes and boss points convert to Scrap and XP instead.
What are the best traits in Remnant 2?
Barkskin (10% damage reduction), Vigor, Fortify (50% armor effectiveness), Swiftness, Scholar (15% XP) and Siphoner (lifesteal) are the consensus S-tier picks; co-op players add Revivalist and Kinship.
Can I reset my traits in Remnant 2?
Yes — buy an Orb of Undoing from Wallace in Ward 13 (3 Lumenite Crystals + Scrap) and use it to refund all freely spent points. Loadouts (October 2024 patch) also auto-recall trait spreads if you hold an Orb.
Do archetype traits count toward the trait cap?
No — the orange-dot archetype points and the 5 core points from your prime class are automatic and don't consume your 85. Only white-dot points you spend yourself count against the cap.
Related Guides
- Remnant 2 Archetypes Guide — All 14 Classes & Unlocks
- Remnant 2 Prisms Guide — Fusions & Legendary Bonuses
- Remnant 2 Armor Sets — Every Set & Weight Class Explained
- Remnant 2 Bulwark — How Damage Reduction Stacks Work
- Remnant 2 World Drops — How to Farm Them Fast
Last updated: August 13, 2026.
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