Traits

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.