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Ruling Traits Elder Scrolls Castles
Screenshot: PC Invasion

Best ruling traits in Elder Scrolls Castles, explained

Have a ruler everyone can look up to.

Elder Scrolls Castles hits you with a dilemma right away: Which ruling trait should you choose for your ruler? Don’t worry, the rulers aren’t permanent. As you go through leaders and selectively breed heirs and nobles, you need to know the best ruling traits in the game.

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How do ruling traits work in Elder Scrolls Castles?

Just in case you’re unaware, the traits in Elder Scrolls Castles work differently between rulers and subjects, and you can’t see how a trait will change before the person becomes a ruler, making it a gamble if you don’t know what each trait does.

The traits between ruler and subject are similar enough for you to make educated guesses, although some are pretty vague and hard to discern.

You may want to bookmark or save this page for easy access until you remember them all.

The best ruling traits in Elder Scrolls Castles

Tiber Setpim Elder Scrolls Castles Ruling Traits
Image: Reddit/jtbrownell

Instead of knowing how every trait translates from a subject trait to a ruling trait in Elder Scrolls Castles, you may simply want to know the best.

Note that these are generally what I see as the best traits for a ruler to have. However, some castles and players may prefer specific traits for a certain angle that they’re aiming for. If you simply want a strong general ruler, then you can’t go wrong with the following five traits.

Enduring

The Enduring trait allows rulers to live for longer. This allows you to access bonuses and decorations exclusive to rulers with a longer reign. Also, it menas any good traits you have with the ruler are in effect for longer.

Considerate

The Considerate trait increases productivity in the Kitchen and Loom. Food already depletes rather quickly and the more subjects you have the quicker it goes. Keeping on top of your food levels is important, especially if your Orders demand some.

Mighty

The Mighty trait increases productivity in the Oil Press and Smithy. As your castle demands more and more Oil, a bonus in Oil production will mean you’re never behind. At least hungry subjects can work, whereas an Oil deficit makes every station stop working.

Envious

Envious increases the material gains you get from rulings, however, your subjects can’t be happier than the ruler. The thing is, if you have a happy ruler, you’re going to have happy people, meaning this trait will only boost your ruling gains.

Jester

The Jester trait provides extra happiness from positive rulings. Always having a net positive of happiness even during rulings that upset others will mean that mixed ruling outcomes will now still increase the average happiness.

You can get a noble with these five traits by breeding nobles together with these traits to try and make a baby harboring all five. It’s a lot of effort but will be worth it.

All ruling traits in Elder Scrolls Castles

Elder Scrolls Castles Ruling Traits
Image: Reddit/Boukrarez

If you want to know exactly what you’re dealing with if you have a complex ruler or heirs, then you’ll need to know what every single trait does in Elder Scrolls Castles. Here’s a complete list.

Ruling TraitsTrait Effects
ConsiderateIncreases productivity at the Kitchen and Loom.
EnduringThe ruler lives for longer than average.
HeadstrongIncreases productivity at the Furnace and Workshop.
MightyIncreases productivity at the Oil Press and Smithy.
LeaderA chance for a station to auto-complete after a ruling.
JesterIncreases happiness from positive rulings.
SophisticatedSubjects are generally happier, but productivity decreases slightly.
TribalBoosts the Tribal trait for subjects,
PerceptiveIncreases productivity at the Mill and Sewing Table.
CharmingRulings provide more happiness, but productivity is slightly reduced.
EnviousIncreases material gains in rulings, but citizens can’t be happier than the ruler.
PyromaniacIncreases Fire ability damage in combat but increases Oil consumption.
HeartlessIncreases Frost ability damage in combat but subjects are can’t be happy.
HauntedIncreases the number of hauntings.
VolatileIncreases Shock ability damage in combat but rulings provide less happiness from positive rulings.
EmotionalRulings provide more happiness or unhappiness on “emotional” and personal matters.
MelodramaticNegative rulings provide even less happiness.
BossySubjects are more productive, but are generally less happy.
DeviousSubjects can’t be happy but the ruler is harder to assassinate.
RecklessRulings provide more happiness or unhappiness.

Now that you know all about the ruling traits for Elder Scrolls Castles, you can selectively breed your nobles until you have a ruler that’s a perfect fit for your castle. If you’re still in the early stages, make sure you know the best Gold farming strategy.


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Author
Image of Aidan Lambourne
Aidan Lambourne
Aidan Lambourne is a contributing writer for PC Invasion, with almost a couple years of experience in the industry. He has written about Roblox extensively, although has keenly covered new releases and indie games. A passionate writer and gamer, he still can't really believe he gets to indulge in both for a career.