Ready to dive deep into The Outer Worlds 2’s unique flaw system? This returning mechanic introduces exciting new negative attributes, often more intense than those found in the original game. By strategically embracing these optional flaws, you can unlock valuable perk points and powerful new abilities, though not without some intriguing trade-offs. The tougher your chosen difficulty, the more flaws you can integrate, offering diverse paths to either simplify or amplify your journey. With a vast array of skills, perks, and traits, character building in this RPG is already a nuanced art – and flaws are a crucial, permanent decision that truly defines your Spacer.
It can be tricky to unlock flaws, as the game rarely explicitly tells you what action triggered the opportunity. However, with keen observation, you can often deduce the connection between your actions and the flaws presented.
Here are all the flaws we’ve discovered in The Outer Worlds 2 so far:
- Consumerism
- Flawed
- Kleptomania
- N-Radiated
- Reckless Leadership
- Hermit
- Easily Distracted
- Anger Mismanagement
- Bad Knees
- Energy Hog
- Sungazer
- Overprepared
- Gluttony
- Bibliomania
- Teetotaler
Consumerism
Ah, the allure of a good deal! If you find yourself unable to resist constant sales and promotions, even when they’re financially unwise, you might develop Consumerism. Your buying habits will take a hit with a -15% Vendor Price penalty and a -10% Sell Value at Vendors. Ironically, this one’s unlocked by purchasing the Premium edition of The Outer Worlds 2 – perhaps a meta-commentary?
Flawed
Some folks are just built to overcome adversity. If you consistently face down life’s disadvantages and emerge stronger, you might earn the Flawed trait. While you must accept any flaw offered, the upside is huge: you’ll gain an extra perk point every 5 levels, and this bonus even applies retroactively! Embrace this by simply accepting two consecutive flaws during your adventure.
Kleptomania
Got sticky fingers? Kleptomania means you have an irresistible urge to ‘acquire’ items that aren’t yours. While you’ll occasionally snatch things automatically, your ill-gotten gains come with a silver lining: a massive +100% Vendor Buying Price for stolen items. Just start swiping a few things, and this compulsion could be all yours!
N-Radiated
Frequent exposure to the N-Ray Range has altered your very being, granting you the N-Radiated flaw. Now, whenever you take damage, you have a 5% chance to automatically become Camouflaged, rendering you invisible to enemies and boosting your damage. The catch? You’ll also suffer an additional 5% of your max health as N-Ray damage (with a 30s cooldown). This transformation occurs after you complete the N-Ray Range section and deal with Victor.
Reckless Leadership
Are your companions constantly getting knocked out? Your unconventional leadership might be the cause, leading to the Reckless Leadership flaw. You’ll lose the ability to revive allies in battle, but there’s a strategic silver lining: when one companion falls, your other companion receives an instant boost – fully healed and their ability meter immediately filled. To unlock this, just keep letting your companions bite the dust during skirmishes.
Hermit
Your impressive self-reliance and constant crafting haven’t gone unnoticed by vendors. Unfortunately, this makes them wary of selling you anything, resulting in a steep +50% Vendor Price increase. However, your intimate knowledge of items grants you a 25% chance to double items on Breakdown, making you a master recycler. Start crafting like there’s no tomorrow to become a true Hermit.
Easily Distracted
If you’re a true jack-of-all-trades, scattering your talents across many disciplines, you might gain the Easily Distracted flaw. While you’ll enjoy +1 Skill Point Gained per Level, your specialization will suffer: when leveling up, you can only allocate points to your lowest non-zero skill or any skill with zero points. This flaw is a natural fit for players who spread their skill points out evenly during progression.
Anger Mismanagement
Do you prefer a furious offense over careful defense? Your untamed rage might lead to Anger Mismanagement. While you’ll receive a whopping +50% Damage when Blocking, your Power Attacks will deal +25% more damage. Unlock this by consistently charging into melee combat and forsaking any attempts to block incoming blows.
Bad Knees
Spending too much time sneaking around? Years of crouching can take their toll, earning you Bad Knees. You’ll gain a +50% Crouch Speed, but with a painful downside: crouching now emits a 10m radius sound that hostiles can hear and investigate! You’ll acquire this flaw by staying crouched for prolonged durations.
Energy Hog
If you’re prone to overusing your gadgets, even unnecessarily, you might become an Energy Hog. Your gadget energy will now recharge 25% slower, but you’ll compensate with a generous +50 Gadget Energy Meter Max, giving you a larger pool to burn through. To unlock this, simply keep draining your gadget energy, even when it’s not strictly needed.
Sungazer
Spent a little too much time admiring the cosmic vistas? Sungazer means your eyesight has suffered permanent damage, resulting in blurred vision and a massive +100% Ranged Weapon Spread. On the bright side, you’ve forged a deep connection with daylight, allowing you to continually heal while outside during the day up to 50% health. Earn this celestial handicap by staring directly into the sun for an extended period.
Overprepared
Always topping off your magazines? Your meticulous nature earns you the Overprepared flaw. You’ll enjoy a significant +50% Magazine Size, but if you ever do let a weapon run completely dry, you’ll suffer a -40% Damage penalty for 8 seconds. This flaw is acquired by frequently reloading your weapons before they hit empty.
Gluttony
A constant craving for snacks marks you with Gluttony. Your food and drink will now provide +15% more healing, but your combat mobility takes a hit with a -10% Combat Movement Speed penalty. Indulge in this flaw by repeatedly consuming food shortly after picking it up.
Bibliomania
Do you prefer the company of books over people? Bibliomania grants you a permanent +20% Base Health boost, but with a social consequence: engaging in conversation will reduce your Base Health by 30% for two minutes! Become a bookworm and unlock this flaw by devouring several books in quick succession.
Teetotaler
If you generally steer clear of combat stimulants, you’re a Teetotaler. This means your system reacts more intensely to them: you’ll receive +25% Toxicity from your Medical Inhaler, but in return, it will restore +25% more health upon activation. Maintain a drug-free lifestyle to acquire this unique trait.
With this comprehensive guide to all known flaws in The Outer Worlds 2, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions about your character’s progression. Ready to explore further? Be sure to check out our guides on recruiting companions and navigating the various factions across the Halcyon colony!