Boons and Flaws are unique attributes players must choose when creating their character.
They are modifiers that effect gameplay in various ways, including vital core mechanics such as ether, hunger, and reputation, for the better, or worse.
Boons are positive and helpful effects. They usually have less of an impact than Flaws, though. The number of Boons able to be picked is dependent on the number of Flaws that have been picked, with more selected Flaws equaling more Boons able to be equipped.
Flaws can be rerolled by talking to Yun'Shul and selecting the 2nd option, "My flaws weigh me down too much, I wish for relief." this dialogue only appears once, even if you bargain with Misérables for another wish.
Alternatively, the Shrine of Blasphemy will reroll a flaw of your choice for 5 knowledge given that you are above power 17. This is a much better alternative to wasting a wish with Yun'Shul.
Boons are positive and helpful effects. They usually have less of an impact than Flaws, though. The number of Boons able to be picked is dependent on the number of Flaws that have been picked, with more selected Flaws equaling more Boons able to be equipped.
| Name | Description | Explanation/Comments | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Flaws are negative and harmful effects. They usually have more of an impact than Boons. Picking more Flaws allows more Boons to be picked.
| Name | Description | Explanation/Comments | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
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Default reputation is set to low. Reputation can still be gained normally. Paying to restore reputation only resets up to the default, low reputation. To get this flaw added to the flaw selection screen, gain negative reputation from any faction that you don't start with negative reputation (eg going from neutral Etrea reputation to bad Etrea reputation. |
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Count as 2 flaws, cannot be taken with another flaw. |
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Given after removing an Oath at Yun'Shul. (Not an Unlockable Flaw) |
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Gained from rerolling a bell at Yun-Shul, and can not be selected in the character customization screen. Can be removed by Yamaketzal for 1000 notes or by obtaining Clarity through Misérable for 15 Knowledge. (Not an Unlockable Flaw) |
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Gained from making a deal with Arch_Mage, a developer for Deepwoken, who has an ability that allows players to make a deal with him for their soul. Additionally, has a chance of being gained from making a deal with Yun'Shul. (Not an Unlockable Flaw) |
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Gained from making a wish from Iltria (Retired), a developer for Deepwoken, who has an ability that allows players to make a wish from her, from one of three options. (Not an Unlockable Flaw) (Disabled) |
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(Not an Unlockable Flaw) |
Trivia[]
- Some Flaws are more worth taking than others:
- Deficient can be a problem even in attunement-less builds, as you will suffer in long-term fights and when you use high-cost mantras, and your only main source of damage is your M1s. Generally, not worth taking. However, if you decide to go for Silentheart, the effect is minor, since you won't be able to use any mantras but can still use ether in other ways.
- Fugitive can be worked around if you manage to get reputation with most factions, some might be harder than others.
- Glutton just forces you to handle provisions more smartly, since you will likely need more food for extended sessions, but this can be somewhat worked around by using the carnivore talent/Grand feast
- Manic is basically a free point. The increased insanity gain is minimal, comes from few sources, scratching can be completely avoided if you play properly and can even benefit some builds.
- Obvious seems to increase the radius at which enemies will detect you if you are not crouching. Be cautious on islands like Songseeker. Obvious specifically lowers your stealth by 20%, meaning the Felinor race entirely negates this flaw as that race starts with 20% stealth.
- Simple's EXP gain rate decrease is not problematic for the patient, but it can be annoying to power up at higher levels. It'll also mean it takes more time to get back your first life via powering up. It is one of very few flaws that essentially has no downside at power 20 which makes it somewhat okay.
- Squeamish will cause you to lose stomach upon killing (can be negated if you obtain the Carnivore Talent, as this will cause you to instead gain stomach and hydration after killing) and food-based buffs more quickly; other than that, you typically won't eat more than other characters. Regardless, be sure to carry an ample supply of food.
- Vegetarian’s inability to consume meat can be easily avoided; there are many other food sources other than meat/meat related items but picking this card will make it impossible to obtain the Carnivore Talent, which is very useful.
- Blind gives you the Blinded effect. All of the time. If you can live through it and get Blindseer, you can negate the problem the flaw gives. This flaw does not provide protection from flame blind and gaze. Blind also grants your character milky-white eyes without Jetstriker.
- Haemophilia is basically a free point in 1v1 situations, as the increased blood drain won't have an impact when you'll be knocked before your blood runs out but in ganks you can die to blood before health runs out after some time.
- Some boons are more worth taking than others:
- Autodidact is useful to help level up certain stat quicker or level up stats that are annoying to do manually. If you die, you can also power up to restore your two lives. However, a side effect of free investment points is that you will often be in EXP Debt, as you will "progress" more without meeting proper EXP quotas, hitting training caps faster. Also becomes useless once you reach power 20. Although this boon stacks with the Adret racial buff.
- Gourmet is a well-rounded boon that even stacks with its Talent variant. You spend less time making food overall which is great for extended adventures with limited supplies. Not worth picking if you're going to choose Carnivore, though.
- Maverick's exp boost is a nice bonus but is too poor to be viable and is negated by playing with some friends. Also it becomes useless once you reach power 20.
- Scrapper give your more control over your build. It can be worth taking if you are okay with omitting a long-lasting boon like Survivalist, Gourmet or Steadfast.
- Survivalist's immunity to Acid Rain might seem limited in usage since acid rain only happens in Upper Erisia, but being an ability usually limited to a single armor, it can prove invaluable for spending time there. It also avoids the dangerous event of gliding into acid rain only for the glider to stop working. In addition, it decreases the rate at which parasites in the Second Layer kill you. (This Video Demonstrates this fact.)
- Prior to the official release of the game, Blind was a selectable flaw for 1 point. This was removed during testing for unknown reasons, although was it was brought back during the 16/08/22 update, being unlocked after gaining Blindseer.
- Deepbound used to be a flaw but was changed to be an unlockable origin.
- There used to be more boons and flaws. The currently known ones are Adept (likely the original version of the Talent) and Seasick.
- While not confirmed, Wishbound's passive insanity gain shares some similarities with the Latin concept/word, lunaticus. Within it's Latin origins, the word refers to diseases caused by the moon, such as madness or epilepsy.
Having the Blind flaw at night. (Yes, this isn't just a black image. Look carefully.)
