Q: What does the Empath trait in Starfield do?

A: The Empath trait allows you to experience the effects of the Self-Esteem buff and the Self-Doubt debuff. If you make choices or perform actions that a character appreciates, you receive the Self-Esteem buff, which increases your critical hit chance and boosts your odds in Persuasion speech challenges for 2 hours. Conversely, if you do something unfavorable, you'll get hit with the Self-Doubt debuff, diminishing your critical hit rate and reducing your chances in Persuasion speech challenges for the same duration.

Q: How can I remove the Empath trait if I no longer want it?

A: If you decide the Empath trait isn't for you, you can have it removed by visiting a doctor at an infirmary or Reliant Medical. The removal will cost you 10,000 credits. Opting for this can be beneficial if you don't want to be influenced by companion opinions, especially during more morally ambiguous playthroughs.

Q: Is it recommended to keep the Empath trait?

A: The Empath trait can be advantageous, especially if you're paired with a companion that aligns with your playstyle. With frequent interactions in places like cities, it's feasible to maintain the Self-Esteem buff consistently. Given the benefits it provides, many players may find it worthwhile to retain the trait.

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Starfield Empath Trait Explained Self-Esteem Self-Doubt Buff Debuff How to Remove

Games

Starfield Empath Trait Explained: Self-Esteem Buff, Self-Doubt Debuff, How to Remove

August 31, 2023

By Nicholas Tan

The Starfield Empath trait is not well-explained during character creation. While it says that you will gain some kind of “temporary increase in combat effectiveness” when you do something a character likes, it’s unclear what that buff actually does. The same goes for the debuff if you do something that someone dislikes. Here’s a breakdown of what the effects…

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