For adventurers considering one of the three equipment trade skills (Blacksmithing, Clothing, or Woodworking), it’s worth understanding that certain gear items can have particular properties, or “traits,” added. Traits grant specific effects, but different gear types may not be created in the same way; for example, a bow with a damage bonus requires a different trait plan compared to a sword. Traits tend to improve if an item’s quality—the color-coding from Common/white to Legendary/gold—is higher.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that you can ignore traits completely, or craft equipment with traits added as a final, extra step. It takes time, but for those wanting the most powerful equipment of all, it’s a worthwhile task. Keep in mind that only one trait can be added to a single piece of equipment, though you can use armor and weapons and wear jewelry that have all been researched, with a trait applied to each.
Items with Traits Imbued
The key to researching traits is to find an item with a trait imbued that can be destroyed during the research process. These are occasionally found throughout Tamriel, looted from enemies, or created during crafting. They can also be purchased from traders, but the easiest method of obtaining an item with a trait is from a friendly guild member.
Researching Traits
To create an item with a trait, you first need to research it at a crafting station specific to the gear type:
Heavy armor and metal-based weapons are researched at a Blacksmithing Station. There are over 125 different research traits for all the heavy armor and weapons, mainly because each individual piece of armor requires its own trait research, even if the trait is identical to another section of heavy armor.
Light armor and medium armor are researched at a Clothing Station. There are over 125 different research traits for these armor types, mainly because each individual piece of armor requires its own trait research, even if the trait is identical to another section of light or medium armor.
Bows, shields, and staves are researched at a Woodworking Station. There are over 50 different research traits for this equipment, spread across the three types.
Go to the station with an item in your inventory that already has the trait you wish to research. Research it by destroying that item, and wait a specific number of real hours or days.
Trait Gems
Once research is complete, certain dyes may be unlocked as by-products of the research, as well as some Achievements. The trait itself is bound to a specific type of gem. These need to be acquired if you wish to use a Trait Gem when crafting an item with that trait. So, if you want the Charged trait for your weapons, you need a supply of amethysts. Find Trait Gems by:
- Refining raw materials (there’s a chance a random Trait Gem appears)
- Looting containers across Tamriel
- Deconstructing items with a trait (sometimes)
- Buying them from traders, or fellow players
- Receiving them from Hirelings
The following tables show the available traits and their associated gems for each of the nine armor traits (for shields and light, medium, and heavy armor) and weapon traits (for metal and non-metal weaponry).
Trait Gems (Armor)
| Trait | Gem | Gem Name | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divines* |
|
Sapphire | Increases Mundus Stone effects |
| Impenetrable* |
|
Diamond | Increases Critical Resistance, and item takes 50% less durability damage |
| Infused* |
|
Bloodstone | Increases armor enchantment effect |
| Nirnhoned |
|
Fortified Nirncrux | Increases Physical and Spell Resistance |
| Prosperous |
|
Garnet | Increases gold gained from looting enemies |
| Reinforced* |
|
Sardonyx | Increases item’s armor value |
| Sturdy |
|
Quartz | Reduces block cost |
| Training* |
|
Emerald | Increases Experience gained from kills |
| Well-Fitted |
|
Almandine | Reduces the cost of sprinting and dodge rolling |
* Recommended traits to try first.
Trait Gems (Weapons)
| Trait | Gem | Gem Name | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charged |
|
Amethyst | Increases chance to apply status effects |
| Decisiv |
|
Citrine | Chance to gain an additional Ultimate when an Ultimate is gained |
| Defending |
|
Turquoise | Increases Physical and Spell Resistance |
| Infused |
|
Jade | Increases weapon enchantment effect and reduces enchantment cooldown by 40% |
| Nirnhoned |
|
Potent Nirncrux | Increases Weapon Damage |
| Powered* |
|
Chysolite | Increases healing |
| Precise* |
|
Ruby | Increases Weapon and Spell Critical values |
| Sharpened* |
|
Fire Opal | Increases Physical and Spell Penetration |
| Training |
|
Carnelian | Increases Experience gained from kills |
* Recommended traits to try first.