Flaws in The Outer Worlds 2 come with pros and cons. Here’s which ones are worth taking—and how to get them.
The flaws in The Outer Worlds 2 are a core system that grants extra bonus effects and perk points — always with a catch. We break down how to unlock flaws, what they do, and what to consider when choosing them.
- Note: This guide is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.
Flaws in The Outer Worlds 2: How the system works
The flaw system in The Outer Worlds 2 is optional but powerful. As you play, you’ll periodically see a screen proposing a new flaw based on your behavior so far. You can accept or decline any flaw.
- Important: Every flaw grants a benefit but also a permanent drawback. If you accept it, it’s applied to your character for good. In many cases, you’ll also receive an extra perk point or other bonuses.
Depending on the difficulty setting, you can have more flaws active at once. Higher difficulties mean higher risk—but also higher reward.
Unlocking Flaws: How to get them
To trigger a flaw offer, you need to repeat certain behaviors. That includes things like constantly reloading early, overusing gadgets, frequent stealing, or spending lots of time crouched. Flaws mirror your habits and either reward—or punish—them.
Should you accept or decline?
Think of flaws as a tool to amplify — or deliberately tweak — your playstyle. When the game offers one, first check whether the positive effect fits your The Outer Worlds 2 build. Also weigh the downside: Will it cramp your approach, and does the extra perk point translate into a meaningful boost?
- Example: If you never block anyway, “Anger Mismanagement” with +25% power-attack damage is a strong boost. If you block a lot, the drawback (+50% damage taken while blocking) hurts more.
List of all known flaws in The Outer Worlds 2
Below are all currently known flaws with their effects and how to unlock them. Tip: Combine flaws that complement each other—or whose downsides you can easily mitigate. That way you get the most out of your character without boxing yourself in.
Anger Mismanagement
- Positive: +25% damage on power attacks
- Negative: +50% damage taken while blocking
- Unlock: Use power attacks without blocking
Great for aggressive melee builds that prefer swinging to turtling.
Bad Knees
- Positive: +50% crouch movement speed
- Negative: Crouch movement makes noise within a 10-meter radius
- Unlock: Stay crouched for extended periods
Ideal if you sneak a lot but expect enemies nearby.
Bibliomania
- Positive: +20% base health
- Negative: -30% base health for 2 minutes after a conversation
- Unlock: Read lots of notes and documents
Useful if you’re running a build with low max health anyway.
Consumerism
- Positive: -15% shop prices
- Negative: -10% sale value for your items
- Unlock: Premium Edition only
A pure quality-of-life perk for buyers of the upgraded version.
Dangerously Curious
- Positive: +100% hacking XP
- Negative: +1 Bypass Shunt required for every hack
- Unlock: Hack terminals regularly
Great for hacker builds—as long as you’ve got the shunts to spare.
Dependent
- Positive: +25% damage against enemies last hit by a companion
- Negative: -10% total damage
- Unlock: Run with companions and let them strike first
A solid trade-off for team players who actively use companions in combat.
Drug Addiction
- Positive: -40% toxicity from the inhaler
- Negative: -20% healing from the inhaler
- Unlock: Overuse the inhaler
Good if you lean on other healing methods or want to avoid toxicity.
Easily Distracted
- Positive: +1 skill point per level
- Negative: You can only invest points in your lowest or unused skill
- Unlock: Spread your skill points evenly
Handy for generalists who want to raise many skills at once.
Easily Startled
- Positive: -25% footstep noise, -25% enemy visibility
- Negative: When detected, enemies ignore your resistances for 8 seconds
- Unlock: Get spotted often, then re-hide
High-reward stealth—if you get caught, you’ll feel it.
Energy Hog
- Positive: +50% max gadget energy
- Negative: -25% gadget energy recharge rate
- Unlock: Use gadgets frequently, even when unnecessary
Great if you like juggling multiple gadgets at once.
Flawed
- Positive: Every 5 levels you automatically gain a perk point
- Negative: All flaw offers must be accepted
- Unlock: Accept at least two flaws in a row
A long-term perk for players willing to embrace multiple flaws.
Foot-in-Mouth Syndrome
- Positive: +15% XP
- Negative: If you hesitate too long, dialogue options auto-select
- Unlock: Pick dialogue options immediately after a conversation starts
For speed-clickers in dialogue—just mind the small risk.
Gluttony
- Positive: +15% healing from food and drink
- Negative: -10% movement speed in combat
- Unlock: Eat regularly as soon as you pick up new food
A strong bonus if you rely on food for healing.
Hermit
- Positive: 25% chance to get double materials when dismantling
- Negative: +50% shop prices
- Unlock: Dismantle items regularly and avoid shops
Good for crafting-first builds that like to be self-sufficient.
Kleptomania
- Positive: +100% sale value for stolen items
- Negative: Occasional auto-stealing—can trigger fights
- Unlock: Steal regularly in towns or settlements
For thieves who don’t mind a little chaos—risky but profitable.
N-Radiated
- Positive: 5% chance to cloak when taking damage; bonus damage while cloaked
- Negative: On activation, take N-ray damage equal to 5% of max health
- Unlock: Complete the N-ray section with Victor
A tactical edge for aggressive stealth builds—at a health cost.
Overprepared
- Positive: +50% magazine size
- Negative: -40% damage for 8 seconds when the magazine runs empty
- Unlock: Constantly reload even when there’s ammo left
Perfect if you hate fighting on an empty mag.
Profligate Spender
- Positive: Interest bonus on saved Bits at level-up (up to +150% by level 30)
- Negative: 75% of all Bits are locked until level 30
- Unlock: Spend large amounts of Bits
A long-term investment perk—for patient players.
Reckless Leadership
- Positive: When one companion goes down, the other is instantly healed and recharged
- Negative: You can no longer revive companions in combat
- Unlock: Let companions die in combat regularly
For offensive setups that lean on companion rotation.
Snobbish
- Positive: +20% vendor price for crafting materials
- Negative: You can no longer dismantle items
- Unlock: Buy resources from vendors regularly
For players who prefer buying over tinkering.
Sungazer
- Positive: Auto-heals you to 50% health during daytime
- Negative: +100% weapon spread with ranged weapons; blurred vision
- Unlock: Stare directly at the sun repeatedly
Strong healing—but really only for melee or gadget-focused builds.
Technophobia
- Positive: +20% damage against robots
- Negative: +20% damage taken from robots
- Unlock: Fight mechanical enemies regularly
Ideal if you’re specced into anti-robot skills.
Teetotaler
- Positive: +25% healing from the inhaler
- Negative: +25% inhaler toxicity
- Unlock: Use the inhaler sparingly and avoid Zyranium gas
For players who use the inhaler deliberately and sparingly.
Treacherous
- Positive: Enemies lose detection faster (+50%); +100% sneak attack damage
- Negative: -25% base health
- Unlock: Play consistently in stealth and use sneak attacks
A must-have for stealth builds—best for experienced players.
