What is the Best Leader in State of Decay? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of the best leader in State of Decay 2 is a complex one, as the answer isn’t a simple matter of one being universally superior. It depends heavily on your playstyle, goals, and what you prioritize in your post-apocalyptic community. While the Warlord initially appears to be the most potent choice due to their combat prowess and powerful Armory project, the other three leader types – Builder, Sheriff, and Trader – offer unique benefits that can significantly shape your game experience. The true “best” leader is the one that aligns most closely with your vision for the community’s survival and development. There is no single dominant choice; rather, each leader role offers distinct strengths and is viable depending on what a player seeks to achieve in their playthrough. Let’s dive into each leader type to see how they contribute:
Understanding the Four Leader Types
Builder: The Architect of Stability
The Builder is focused on long-term sustainability and quality-of-life improvements. They are the backbone of a thriving community. Their Leader Project allows the establishment of crucial facilities like power and water, which can dramatically enhance the base. Think of the Builder as the long-term strategist, ensuring that your community has the infrastructure to endure. Builders provide stability and allow the community to operate more efficiently.
Sheriff: Upholding Justice and Morality
The Sheriff is concerned with justice, safety, and community cohesion. Their focus is on resolving local conflicts and bringing order to the chaos. Their Leader Project involves making the local area more secure by addressing plague hearts and other threats, which is key for the long-term survival of the community. This role provides a moral compass and actively works towards the safety of the community and its surroundings.
Trader: The Merchant of Opportunity
The Trader is all about building connections with other communities. They prioritize establishing trade routes and building economic prosperity. The Leader Project for the Trader revolves around establishing these crucial trade links. This can be incredibly beneficial for obtaining rare resources and powerful items, leading to a more robust and better-equipped community. The Trader is focused on using commerce as a way of ensuring long term sustainability for the group.
Warlord: The Commander of Power
The Warlord is the leader most geared towards military strength and outright dominance. The Warlord’s Leader Project, the Armory, allows them to produce any type of ammunition, which is incredibly beneficial in the harsh world of State of Decay 2. The Warlord is designed for those who want to play aggressively, focusing on combat and resource acquisition. This leader prioritizes the needs of the many and has no problem becoming a leader that is “feared and respected”. The Warlord project is often considered the most powerful, but this comes at a cost.
Choosing the Right Leader for You
Ultimately, the “best” leader for you depends on how you want to play the game:
- For Long-Term Survival & Infrastructure: If you prioritize a stable base with reliable utilities, the Builder is the way to go.
- For Community Security & Moral Grounding: If you’re looking to cleanse the map of infestations and improve morale the Sheriff is the one for you.
- For Economic Prosperity & Resources: If you want to build trade networks and gain a regular influx of supplies, then the Trader is the perfect choice.
- For Military Strength & Combat Domination: If you are focused on eliminating threats and you prioritize ammunition, the Warlord is your leader of choice.
It’s not just about the leader’s project, but their personality, traits, and skills also matter. Some traits, like Volunteer Coordinator, Officer Material, and Red Talon Operative are incredibly valuable regardless of the leader type.
State of Decay 2: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you change leaders in State of Decay 2?
Yes, but not easily. The only way to change leaders is to get rid of the current one by either having them killed or exiling them. You can’t simply “downrank” a leader.
2. Can you have two leader buildings in State of Decay 2?
Yes. If you build a leader-specific facility (like the Armory for a Warlord), and then change leaders, that facility will stay and remain functional. This allows you to have multiple Leader Projects active in your community simultaneously.
3. What are the best traits in State of Decay 2?
Some of the most beneficial traits include Volunteer Coordinator, Officer Material, Red Talon Operative, Indefatigable, Diehard Veteran, Unbreakable, Immortal, and Can Sleep Anywhere. These traits offer significant boosts to morale, combat abilities, and overall survivor efficiency.
4. What does a Builder leader do?
A Builder leader focuses on creating long-term infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements, mainly through the implementation of essential utilities like power and water for your base.
5. What does a Sheriff leader do?
A Sheriff leader focuses on security, justice, and overall stability in the region. This is achieved by ensuring that the community is safe and secure from threats such as plague hearts.
6. What does a Trader leader do?
A Trader leader focuses on establishing connections with other settlements to build a prosperous community through commerce and business. The goal here is to ensure that the community is well-supplied through trade.
7. What does a Warlord leader do?
A Warlord leader focuses on military strength and dominance. The leader is focused on combat and resource acquisition and is often viewed as a feared and respected figure that prioritizes the needs of the many.
8. How do you pick a leader in State of Decay 2?
When a survivor reaches the Hero rank, they become eligible to be selected as leader. You can choose a leader through the Community tab by selecting the State of Decay symbol.
9. What is the end goal of State of Decay 2?
The end goal is to complete the Legacy missions associated with your chosen leader type after destroying all the plague hearts. This “wins” the game and cements your community’s lasting contribution to the world.
10. Can anyone be a leader in State of Decay 2?
No, not everyone can become a leader. Only survivors who have reached the Hero rank are eligible for leadership.
11. What are dark traits in State of Decay 2?
Dark traits are those associated with negative behaviors, such as Narcissism, Hubris, and Machiavellianism. These personality traits lead to negative outcomes and counterproductive behaviors.
12. How can you avoid dark leadership in State of Decay 2?
While State of Decay 2 doesn’t let you micromanage personality traits, you can avoid potential negative impacts from dark traits by prioritizing community morale, making fair decisions, and valuing your community members. Keeping morale high is an excellent way to combat the effects of these traits.
13. What is the powerhouse trait in State of Decay?
The Powerhouse skill increases melee critical hit chance, allows survivors to carry 10 lbs more, and carry stacks of four items instead of three.
14. What is the maximum recruitment in State of Decay 2?
The game limits your community to a maximum of 12 survivors. Recruitment becomes increasingly rare after reaching 9 survivors.
15. Is Meagher Valley the best map in State of Decay 2?
Many players find Meagher Valley to be the most balanced map, thanks to its density and variety of buildings, making looting more efficient. However, what map is “best” is subjective.
Conclusion
Choosing the best leader in State of Decay 2 is a highly personal decision that should be made by considering the specific benefits of each leader in relation to your individual playstyle and goals. The Warlord, despite his seemingly superior strength, isn’t always the best choice. The Builder, Sheriff, and Trader each offer unique advantages that can enrich the game experience. By thoroughly considering each leader type and taking advantage of helpful character traits, players can have a lasting impact and create their ideal community. Ultimately, the most fulfilling leader choice is the one that aligns with the vision you have for your community’s long-term survival in the zombie-infested world.