Choosing the right traits in Archived can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing passive bonuses that adapt to your playstyle. With a variety of traits available, it can be tough to decide which ones are best for your specific builds. That’s why we’ve created a detailed Archived trait tier list to ensure you make informed decisions and maximize your gameplay.
Archived Traits Explained and How to Get Them
In Archived, traits serve as passive bonuses that enhance your character’s capabilities at all times. To acquire new traits, focus on increasing your Grade or using Mirror Shards and Golden Boughs. Keep in mind that some traits can only be earned through specific questlines. Importantly, you can only equip three traits at once.
Note: When using a Golden Bough, ensure you type the trait’s name in chat exactly as it appears since trait names are case-sensitive; otherwise, your Golden Bough will be wasted.
Archived Trait Tier List

This Archived trait tier list evaluates the usefulness of traits in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Traits that are versatile across different builds or possess no conditional limitations are rated more favorably. Below, explore the traits alongside their effects and how to obtain them.
S-Tier Traits
Trait | Effects | Obtainment | Pros & Cons |
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• Boosts stamina regeneration | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Suitable for all builds + No downsides |
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• Red parry animation • Increased stun duration on successful parry • Higher stamina loss when blocking | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Great for seasoned players + Awesome parry benefits in PvE − Not ideal for block-heavy players |
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• Blue parry animation • +0.3s to parry frames • +3s to cooldown on a whiffed parry | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough • Origins choice | + Fantastic for skilled players + Excellent in PvE − Whiffing parries can be punishing |
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• Cancels your grips unless ragdolled | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Outstanding in PvP + Versatile for most builds |
A-Tier Traits
Trait | Effects | Obtainment | Pros & Cons |
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• Less damage taken when staggered | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Less punishment when parried + Useful in PvP |
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• Decreased damage outside permadeath zones • Increased damage within permadeath zones | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Excellent for experienced players + Advantage in permadeath areas − Tough in non-permadeath zones |
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• Faster grip time on targets | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Effective in large PvP + Quickens target elimination |
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• Lower emotion level activation threshold • Enhanced emotion level gain | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Very beneficial overall + Frequent activation of emotion levels |
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• Reduces damage vulnerability by 10% | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Boosts overall survivability + Works for many builds |
B-Tier Traits
Trait | Effects | Obtainment | Pros & Cons |
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• Black dash trail • Enhanced dash i-frames • Always affected by Haste • Longer dash cooldown | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough • Origins choice | + Significantly improves dashes + Simple to obtain + Ideal for newcomers − Longer cooldown may hinder mobility |
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• Purple parry animation • -0.3s to parry frames • -1s to coldown on a whiff | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Reduced cooldown is advantageous − Limited utility for experienced players |
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• Decreased stamina cost when blocking • Increased cost on parry whiff | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Good for beginners − Average overall |
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• Higher shin proc damage • Reduced shin proc occurrence | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Offers more burst damage − Not ideal for overall DPS |
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• Lower ragdoll cancel cooldown • More stamina loss when canceling | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Eases escape from combos − Less effective compared to alternatives |
C-Tier Traits
Trait | Effects | Obtainment | Pros & Cons |
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• Boosted stamina recovery on a parry • Less sanity recovery | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Great for skilled parriers + Works well in PvP − Not beginner-friendly |
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• Gain additional Light from parrying guardbreak attacks | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Handy for experienced players − Requires good parrying skills to be effective |
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• Mitigated speed penalty at low HP | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Aids in escaping tight spots − Limited usefulness overall |
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• Significantly improved health regeneration • Drastically reduced stamina recovery | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Nice to have HP regen − Major trade-off affects gameplay |
D-Tier Traits
Trait | Effects | Obtainment | Pros & Cons |
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• Parry knockback is removed | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Eliminates the need to close gaps after a parry − Increases susceptibility post-parry |
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• Mitigated negative effects from food consumption | • Shadou’s questline | + Eases management of sanity − No combat perks |
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• Rats ignore you until attacked | • Random Rat’s questline | + Useful for peaceful grinding + Suitable for beginners − Lacks combat benefits |
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• Matches animation colors to cosmetics • Changes hair color with emotion levels | • Grading Up • Mirror Shard • Golden Bough | + Adds a pleasing visual effect − No combat advantages |
How to Remove Traits in Archived
If you wish to remove a trait, simply interact with the Stranger NPCs located across the map and pay them 1,000 Ahn. While speaking with them, you can also view details about your current traits.
This concludes our comprehensive Archived trait tier list. We invite you to share your thoughts on which trait reigns supreme and why in the comments below. If you’re keen on mastering the various controls and moves in the game, be sure to check out our Archived controls guide.
What are the best traits to get in Archived?
The top traits to consider are Resourceful, Hot-Headed, Proficient, and Coldness, as they offer powerful bonuses beneficial for nearly all builds.
Can you remove traits?
Yes, you can remove any trait you’ve acquired by spending 1,000 Ahn at the Stranger NPCs located throughout the map.
How many traits can you have equipped at once?
You can equip up to three traits simultaneously.
Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, continue exploring more content related to Archived to further enhance your gameplay. Discover more insights at Moyens I/O.