The Undisputed Champion: What is the Best Skill in State of Decay 2?

The question of the “best” skill in State of Decay 2 is one that sparks endless debate amongst survivors battling the undead hordes. While individual preferences and playstyles certainly influence opinions, a strong case can be made for Discipline as the most impactful and universally beneficial skill in the game. Why? Because it addresses a core mechanic crucial to long-term survival: morale. High morale translates to increased efficiency, fewer internal conflicts, and a much higher chance of your community thriving in the face of overwhelming odds. Discipline directly combats the morale-crushing effects of the zombie apocalypse, making it the MVP skill for any serious player. Now, let’s dive into a more granular look at the skill, its advantages, and some of the other contenders for the title of “best.”

Why Discipline Reigns Supreme

Discipline, a rare fifth skill, dramatically reduces the impact of negative events on community morale. It offsets the constant stress and anxieties inherent in a zombie-infested world. Here’s a breakdown of its key benefits:

• Reduced Morale Penalties: The apocalypse is a downer. Loss of community members, infestations, supply shortages, and countless other disasters constantly chip away at your community’s morale. Discipline mitigates these negative impacts, preventing your survivors from spiraling into depression or infighting.
• Increased Efficiency: Happy survivors are productive survivors. High morale leads to increased work speed, improved crafting times, and a general sense of well-being that translates to tangible benefits for the entire community.
• Prevention of Internal Conflicts: Low morale breeds discontent, leading to arguments, disagreements, and even survivors leaving the group. Discipline helps maintain a stable and harmonious community, preventing these disruptive events.
• Reduced Risk of Mental Breakdown: Survivors pushed to their breaking point can develop severe mental health issues, rendering them useless or even dangerous. Discipline provides a buffer against this, ensuring your community remains mentally resilient.
• Facilitates Long-Term Survival: Morale isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for long-term survival. A happy, efficient, and stable community is far more likely to weather the storms of the apocalypse than one constantly teetering on the brink of collapse.

Other Contenders for “Best Skill”

While Discipline is the overall champion, several other skills deserve honorable mentions for their significant contributions to survivor well-being.

Combat Skills

• Fighting: A high Fighting skill is essential for melee combat, increasing damage output, stamina, and overall effectiveness against zombies. Specializations like Close Combat or Striking offer even greater advantages.
• Shooting: Accurate shooting is crucial for dispatching threats from a distance, conserving ammo, and taking down specialized zombies like Ferals and Juggernauts. Specializations like Assault or Sharpshooting can turn your survivors into formidable marksmen.
• Wits: Wits governs your character’s search speed, stealth, and most importantly, their ability to execute stealth takedowns. Stealth is key to avoiding unnecessary engagements and conserving resources.

Utility Skills

• Medicine: A high Medicine skill is vital for treating injuries, curing diseases, and crafting essential medical supplies. Specializations like Surgery or Pharmacology are invaluable for keeping your community healthy.
• Mechanics: Mechanics allows you to repair vehicles, craft vehicle upgrades, and maintain your base’s infrastructure. A skilled mechanic is essential for keeping your community mobile and functional.
• Gardening: Gardening provides a reliable source of food, reducing your reliance on scavenging and ensuring your community has a sustainable supply of nutrients. Agriculture specialization is important for long-term food security.
• Cooking: Cooking provides improved food bonuses to your community’s morale and stamina. A skilled cook increases overall community stamina.

Quirk Skills

Many quirk skills offer unique and powerful benefits. While the specific usefulness of a quirk skill depends on your playstyle and community needs, some standouts include:

• Lichenology: Identifies edible plants increasing food supplies.
• Gut Packing: Increases inventory management options.
• Pinball: Improves community morale.

The Importance of Skill Synergies

It’s important to remember that no single skill exists in a vacuum. The most effective communities are those where survivors possess a diverse range of skills that complement each other. A skilled medic paired with a resourceful gardener and a sharpshooting security guard creates a well-rounded team capable of tackling any challenge. The Games Learning Society encourages players to explore and understand these synergistic relationships to optimize their gameplay experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the core skills in State of Decay 2?

The four core skills are Cardio, Fighting, Shooting, and Wits. These skills are fundamental to survivor performance and level up through repeated use.

2. How do I improve my survivor’s skills?

Skills are improved by performing actions related to that skill. For example, running increases Cardio, fighting zombies improves Fighting, shooting enhances Shooting, and stealth takedowns boost Wits.

3. What are specializations and how do I get them?

Specializations are advanced skill branches that unlock after a core skill reaches level 7. You’ll be presented with two or more specialization options, each offering unique bonuses and abilities.

4. Can I retrain a survivor’s specialization?

No, specializations are permanent. Choose wisely, as you cannot undo your decision.

5. How do I find survivors with specific skills?

Recruiting new survivors with desired skills is largely based on luck. However, completing missions for certain enclaves may yield specific survivors as rewards.

6. What are hero bonuses and how do they work?

When a survivor reaches max level in all their skills, they achieve “Hero” status. This unlocks a permanent community-wide bonus that provides a passive benefit.

7. What’s the best leader type for my community?

The best leader type depends on your playstyle and community needs. Warlords provide military power, Sheriffs focus on community, Traders improve resource acquisition, and Builders enhance base development.

8. Can I change my leader type after selecting one?

No, once you select a leader and complete their legacy missions, the game ends. You’ll need to start a new community to experience other leader types.

9. What are the best base facilities to build?

Essential facilities include an Infirmary for treating injuries, a Garden for food production, a Workshop for repairs and crafting, and a Training Area for skill development.

10. How important is morale in State of Decay 2?

Morale is crucial for community stability and efficiency. Low morale can lead to infighting, depression, and survivors leaving the community.

11. How do I increase my community size?

You can increase your community size by completing recruitment missions for friendly enclaves. However, the maximum community size is 12 survivors.

12. What is the Plague Heart and how do I destroy it?

Plague Hearts are the source of the Blood Plague infection. They must be destroyed to eliminate the Blood Plague threat from a region. Use explosives, fire, or powerful firearms to destroy them.

13. What is the difference between the different difficulty levels?

Difficulty levels affect zombie density, resource availability, and the severity of consequences for mistakes. Higher difficulties offer a greater challenge but also provide greater rewards.

14. What is Legacy?

Legacy is the finale after completing your leader’s project and cementing your community’s lasting contribution to the world.

15. Are there any resources for improving my gameplay?

Yes, plenty of online resources are available, including guides, forums, and videos. Consider exploring resources offered by organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into learning and skill development through gaming.

Conclusion

While many skills contribute to success in State of Decay 2, Discipline stands out as the most universally valuable. Its ability to mitigate the morale-crushing effects of the apocalypse provides a foundation for long-term survival and allows your community to thrive in the face of overwhelming odds. However, remember that a well-rounded community with a diverse range of skills is essential for true success. Experiment with different skills, find your preferred playstyle, and remember to adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the zombie apocalypse. Good luck, survivor!