Perks

Perks are used by the player to increase their effectiveness with many different Game Mechanics (although not all of them). They can make the player more proficient with a certain type of weapon. They can help the player collect resources at a higher rate with Mother Lode, or teach the player to craft new items or higher quality items. They can give a flat bonus to the player's various resistances. Perks are the player's way of progressing in 7 Days to Die, and is a very important part of surviving.

Experience points are awarded every Character Level, granting the player 1 skill point each Character Level to increase the level of Attributes and Perks.

You can simulate perk builds with the Alpha 19 Perks Calculator.

## Attributes

There are 5 main Attributes: Perception, Strength, Fortitude, Agility, Intellect, each having 10 levels and giving a bonus in that category with every level. The player starts with a level in all five attributes and can continue leveling them up as they please. Levels 2-5 cost one skill point, levels 6-8 cost two and the last two levels cost 3 points. The difference between Attributes and Perks is that Attributes must be learned first, as most Perks require a certain level of Attribute, which also requires a certain Character Level. Every attribute has its own perks, but all attributes have at least two different weapon perks under them. Drugs can be used to increase attributes momentarily and certain clothes increase them permanently as long as the said piece of clothing is worn.

### Perk Requirements

Attributes must be upgraded to certain levels before their Perks can be purchased or upgraded. Perks can be increased under the effect of a drug, but if the attribute's level returns to a lower value than the perk requires, the benefit from said perk is lost. For example, if a player has Fortitude at level 4 and Heavy Armor at 2, they can raise their Fortitude to 5 using Sham Chowder and buy the third level of Heavy Armor. However, after the effect from Sham Chowder ends, the benefit from the third level of Heavy Armor is removed and the player is treated as if the only had level 2 of that perk. The third level still shows as unlocked but with a red mark stating "Disabled by status effect". However, once the attribute is leveled to the required level, the perk will be upgraded automatically without a need for another skill point. Because of this, it is advisable to only unlock and level up perks that are unlocked by attribute levels gained from usage of skill points or clothing. Most Perks require the exact same Attribute levels, but there are exceptions.

## Perk Lists

###  Perception Attribute

Perception is the measure of your sensory awareness. Level one of this perk gives 200% headshot damage to spears, rifles and explosive weapons. Levels 2-8 increase headshot damage by 10% and chance to dismember by 5%. Levels 9 and 10 increase headshot damage by 15% and dismember chance by 5%. It's split into three subcategories with various perks related to weapons, general perception and scavenging.

  Treasure Hunter
  Salvage Operations | "Waste not, want not! Salvage items for more resources with a wrench, ratchet, or impact driver."

###  Strength Attribute

Strength is the measure of your muscular might. Level one of this perk gives 200% headshot damage to shotguns, clubs and sledgehammers. Levels 2-8 increase headshot damage by 10% and chance to dismember by 5%. Levels 9 and 10 increase headshot damage by 15% and dismember chance by 5%. It's split into three subcategories with various perks related to weapons, general strength and construction.

  Mother Lode | "Harvest more resources and bring home the mother lode."

###  Fortitude Attribute

Fortitude is the measure of your physical resilience. Level one of this perk gives 200% headshot damage to fists and machine guns. Levels 2-8 increase headshot damage by 10% and chance to dismember by 5%. Levels 9 and 10 increase headshot damage by 15% and dismember chance by 5%. It's split into three subcategories with various perks related to weapons, survival, and recovery.

  Rule 1: Cardio | "Train your body in number one tactic against the zombie menace: Running away from them."

###  Agility Attribute

Agility is the measure of your athletic prowess. Level one of this perk gives 200% headshot damage and have a 5% chance to dismember with bows, handguns, and knives. Levels 2-8 increase headshot damage by 10% and chance to dismember by 5%. Levels 9 and 10 increase headshot damage by 15% and dismember chance by 5%. It's split into three subcategories with various perks related to weapons, general strength and stealth.

  From The Shadows | "Specialize in sneaking around in the dark and making less noise in general."

###  Intellect Attribute

Intellect is the measure of your mental ability. Increasing Intellect improves head shot damage with intellect governed weapons such as Robotic turrets and stun batons. Level one of this perk gives 200% headshot damage and have a 5% chance to dismember with stun batons and Robotic turrets. Levels 2-8 increase headshot damage by 10% and chance to dismember by 5%. Levels 9 and 10 increase headshot damage by 15% and dismember chance by 5%. It's split into three subcategories with various perks related to weapons, general strength and craftsmanship.

  Grease Monkey
  Lock Picking | "Learn to pick locks faster and break less lock picks."

### Perk Books

Perk Books provide the player with certain perks after reading them. They can be found anywhere in the world by looting containers. Bookcases are a great place for the player to look for Perk Books, as they have an approximate 45% chance of containing a volume of a Perk Book series. Bookcases can be found in bulk at Book Stores, but also can be found in other buildings in small amounts. There are 19 Perk Book series, each with 7 volumes. If the player reads all 7 volumes of a given Perk Book series, they will gain the bonus perk that corresponds to the book series, in addition to the perk given by the last read volume. Each Perk Book series has a different theme indicated by the name and cover art, and the volume's perks within them all apply to that theme, for example: The perks given by the volumes of the Lucky Looter Perk Book series will make the player find better loot.

## Videos

What skills to get first, keep in mind that you can get enough points to max out every skill.