Choosing Your Commander: The Definitive Guide to Leader Roles in State of Decay 2
The best leader role in State of Decay 2 is subjective and depends entirely on your playstyle, community needs, and preferred map. However, if I had to pick a single “best” it would be the Sheriff. While not the flashiest, the Sheriff’s Legacy Boon provides a crucial early game boost to morale, influence, and standing with local enclaves, making for a smoother and more sustainable experience. That said, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of all four leader types – Builder, Sheriff, Trader, and Warlord – is crucial for optimizing your community’s survival.
Understanding the Four Leader Types
Each leader type in State of Decay 2 brings a unique set of skills, facilities, and a Legacy Boon to the table. Choosing the right leader is paramount, as it drastically alters the late-game experience and impacts subsequent playthroughs via the Boons.
1. The Builder: Fortification and Infrastructure
The Builder is all about establishing a robust and self-sufficient base. Their focus is on providing long-term stability and comfort for the community.
- Leader Project: Utilities: Allows you to construct a free water and power facility, removing the need for outposts dedicated to these resources. This frees up valuable outpost slots for scavenging and resource generation.
- Legacy Boon: Free Power and Water: Starts you with a base providing free utilities from the outset of your next playthrough. This boon is especially helpful on higher difficulties, where resources are scarce.
The Builder is excellent for players who enjoy base management and want a comfortable, well-defended home. They thrive in maps like Meagher Valley where numerous bases offer ample building opportunities.
2. The Sheriff: Community Harmony and Justice
The Sheriff prioritizes maintaining morale and fostering positive relationships within the community and with neighboring enclaves. They aim to uphold a sense of order and justice in the chaotic zombie apocalypse.
- Leader Project: Community Meetings: A recurring event that boosts morale and increases standing with nearby enclaves, opening up trade and recruitment opportunities.
- Legacy Boon: Daily Bonus Resources: Provides a daily influx of resources and increased standing gains with enclaves. This Boon is incredibly useful for long-term sustainability and facilitates rapid community growth.
The Sheriff is well-suited for players who value diplomacy and community well-being. They are effective on any map, but particularly shine in maps like Cascade Hills where the numerous enclaves offer plenty of opportunities to utilize the sheriff’s abilities.
3. The Trader: Economic Powerhouse and Scavenging Master
The Trader focuses on amassing wealth, establishing trade routes, and maximizing resource acquisition. Their goal is to create a thriving economy that supports the community’s survival.
- Leader Project: Trade Depot: A facility that allows you to call in unique traders offering rare and valuable goods, effectively turning your base into a bustling marketplace.
- Legacy Boon: Bonus Influence: Provides a flat bonus to all influence gained. Influence is the currency of State of Decay 2, used for claiming outposts, calling in favors, and trading, so this Boon is incredibly powerful.
The Trader is ideal for players who enjoy maximizing resource gains and exploiting the game’s economy. They excel on maps with abundant loot and numerous trading opportunities, such as Drucker County.
4. The Warlord: Military Might and Resource Domination
The Warlord believes in asserting dominance through force and controlling resources through any means necessary. Their focus is on arming the community and eliminating threats with extreme prejudice.
- Leader Project: Armory: Grants the ability to craft ammunition, greatly alleviating the reliance on scavenging for this essential resource.
- Legacy Boon: Starting Weapons and Ammo: Provides your next community with a supply of powerful weapons and ammunition at the start of the game. A significant advantage, especially on higher difficulties.
The Warlord is perfect for players who prefer a combat-heavy playstyle and want to arm their community to the teeth. They are effective on any map, but their aggressive approach can lead to increased zombie hordes and challenging encounters.
Making the Right Choice: A Personalized Approach
Ultimately, the “best” leader role hinges on your personal preferences and the specific challenges you want to overcome in State of Decay 2. Consider these questions:
- What is your preferred playstyle? Do you enjoy building bases, managing communities, trading resources, or engaging in combat?
- What are your community’s current needs? Are you struggling with resources, morale, or defense?
- Which Legacy Boons would most benefit your future playthroughs?
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select the leader role that aligns perfectly with your goals and maximizes your chances of survival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Leaders in State of Decay 2
1. How do I choose a leader in State of Decay 2?
When a survivor reaches the Hero status (by earning enough standing), they become eligible to be a leader. Open the Community tab in the menu and select the State of Decay symbol to nominate a leader.
2. Can I change leaders in State of Decay 2?
Yes, but the process isn’t straightforward. You can either exile your current leader or allow them to be killed by zombies or other threats. Alternatively, completing the leader’s Legacy storyline allows you to choose a new leader for your next community.
3. What happens when I complete a leader’s Legacy in State of Decay 2?
Completing a leader’s Legacy “wins the game” for that community and unlocks a Legacy Boon that will be available in your future playthroughs. You can then choose to disband the community or continue playing with it, potentially choosing a new leader along the way.
4. Do I get a morale penalty from exiling a Leader?
Yes, you will face a morale penalty for exiling a Leader. If your current leader is exiled from the community, the remaining survivors will be demoralized. The demoted survivor will also suffer a morale penalty, but it will disappear after a while.
5. What are the best traits for a leader in State of Decay 2?
While traits are random, some are particularly beneficial for leaders. Traits that boost morale, resourcefulness, combat abilities, and community skills are generally desirable. Look for traits like “Volunteer Coordinator,” “Officer Material,” “Red Talon Operative,” “Indefatigable,” and “Unbreakable,” as mentioned in the original text.
6. Can I have two leader buildings in State of Decay 2?
Yes, you can! If you build a leader-specific facility and then remove that leader (through exile or death), the facility will remain and continue to function. This allows you to accumulate multiple leader projects over time.
7. What happens when I send a survivor to the Legacy Pool?
When you complete a Legacy, you have the option to send survivors to the Legacy Pool. These survivors will be available to recruit in future playthroughs, carrying over their skills and traits. This is a great way to build a roster of powerful characters.
8. What is the maximum community size in State of Decay 2?
The maximum community size is 12 survivors. However, recruiting becomes increasingly difficult after you reach 9 survivors, so choose your recruits wisely.
9. Should I continue or disband my community after completing a Legacy?
This is a matter of personal preference. Continuing allows you to explore the map further, experiment with different leader types, and further develop your survivors. Disbanding starts a fresh playthrough with your chosen Legacy Boons and potentially new Legacy Pool recruits.
10. What happens when I exile a survivor in State of Decay 2?
When you exile a Survivor in State of Decay 2, it will affect your community morale. Exiled survivors may also reappear later in the game and attempt to kill your player or community members. This could be in a direct attack on your base, or random encounters whilst out scavenging.
11. What are the most important skills to look for in survivors?
Fighting, shooting, cardio, and wits are essential skills for survival. Specific skills like medicine, mechanics, gardening, and cooking are also crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive community. Quirk skills like “Pinball” can also offer unique and powerful benefits.
12. When should I move to a new base in State of Decay 2?
It’s generally a good idea to move to a larger base once you have around 6-8 survivors. This allows you to take advantage of the larger base’s facilities and defenses.
13. What is the best map in State of Decay 2?
Meagher Valley is often considered the best map due to its dense layout, abundant loot, and balanced challenge. However, each map offers unique advantages depending on your playstyle.
14. How do I get a good start in State of Decay 2?
Focus on scavenging for essential resources, claiming nearby outposts, and completing enclave missions to build positive relationships. Stealth is your friend in the early game, so avoid unnecessary confrontations with hordes.
15. Do traits matter in State of Decay 2?
Absolutely! Traits significantly impact a survivor’s skills, abilities, and overall usefulness to the community. Pay close attention to traits when recruiting new survivors, as they can make or break your community’s success.
Ultimately, choosing the best leader role is a journey of discovery in State of Decay 2. Experiment with different leaders, explore different maps, and find the playstyle that resonates with you. And remember, knowledge is power in the zombie apocalypse! For more information about games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.