In the vast expanse of RimWorld, the survival colony simulation game, expertise plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of your colonists. Whether they thrive or perish depends on your ability to assign them to tasks that align with their unique strengths and weaknesses. However, with over 200 skills to choose from, selecting the right expertise for each colonist can be a daunting task. To navigate this complex decision-making process, let’s delve into the intricacies of expertise selection and uncover strategies to maximize your colony’s potential.
The key to effective expertise selection lies in understanding the interdependent nature of skills in RimWorld. While some skills, such as Cooking and Construction, are essential for basic survival, others, like Medicine and Research, become increasingly important as your colony grows and faces new challenges. Moreover, certain skills synergize particularly well with each other. For example, a colonist with high Intellectual and Artistic skills can excel in both Research and Crafting, opening doors to advanced technological advancements and sophisticated equipment production. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the overall balance and complementarity of skills when making expertise choices.
Another important factor to consider is the personality and background of each colonist. Some colonists may have a natural aptitude for certain skills based on their past experiences or inherent traits. For instance, a colonist with a background in farming might have a head start in the Growing skill. By aligning expertise with colonist predispositions, you can leverage their existing strengths and expedite their progress in specific areas. Additionally, paying attention to colonists’ passions and aspirations can provide valuable insights into their potential areas of excellence. By investing in skills that align with their passions, you can foster a sense of purpose and satisfaction among your colonists, further enhancing their productivity and overall well-being.
Understanding Expertise Levels
Technical Mastery
Technical Mastery is the core of your colonist’s ability to perform tasks. Measured on a scale from 1 to 20, it indicates their proficiency in a specific skill. For instance, a colonist with a Technical Mastery of 10 in Construction will build structures more efficiently and with higher quality compared to a colonist with a Technical Mastery of 5. As colonists gain experience and practice, their Technical Mastery increases, allowing them to execute tasks more effectively.
Passion
Passion has a significant impact on a colonist’s eagerness to engage in a specific task. Colonists develop passions for various skills, which can boost their Technical Mastery in those areas by 20%. For example, a colonist with a passion for Shooting will have an inherent advantage in acquiring proficiency in the Shooting skill compared to a colonist without a passion for it.
Inspiration
Inspiration is a temporary bonus that elevates a colonist’s Technical Mastery by 10%. Triggered by positive events, such as successfully completing a task or witnessing a notable achievement, Inspiration can significantly enhance a colonist’s efficiency. However, it’s important to note that Inspiration is a fleeting state and will eventually subside.
| Expertise Level | Benefits |
| 1-5 | Basic proficiency, suitable for simple tasks |
| 6-10 | Intermediate proficiency, capable of performing tasks efficiently |
| 11-15 | Advanced proficiency, able to handle complex tasks and provide guidance |
| 16-20 | Exceptional proficiency, capable of extraordinary achievements and mastering skills |
Selecting the Right Expertise for Your Role
When choosing an expertise, it’s crucial to consider your role within the colony. Different expertise offer distinct advantages depending on your responsibilities:
Construction and Crafting
These expertise are essential for building and maintaining your colony. Construction allows colonists to construct structures quickly and efficiently, while Crafting enables them to create weapons, armor, and other necessary items. If your colony focuses on building and producing, these expertise are highly beneficial.
Medical and Research
These expertise are vital for keeping your colonists healthy and advancing your colony’s technology. Medical allows colonists to heal wounds and diseases, while Research enables them to develop new technologies and unlock new resources. If your colony prioritizes healthcare and innovation, these expertise are indispensable.
Farming and Hunting
These expertise are crucial for sustaining your colony’s food supply. Farming allows colonists to cultivate crops, while Hunting enables them to acquire meat from animals. If your colony relies on agriculture and sustenance, these expertise are essential for survival.
| Expertise | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Construction | Efficient construction of structures |
| Crafting | Creation of weapons, armor, and other items |
| Medical | Healing of wounds and diseases |
| Research | Development of new technologies |
| Farming | Cultivation of crops for sustenance |
| Hunting | Acquisition of meat from animals |
Balancing Expertise for Colony Success
Balancing Expertise for Colony Survival
In Rimworld, diversifying colonist expertise is crucial to ensure the colony’s survival. Assigning colonists to specific roles allows them to specialize in essential skills, increasing productivity and efficiency. It’s important to strike a balance between assigning colonists to different roles to cover various needs. This includes critical skills such as farming, construction, crafting, and medical care.
Prioritizing Essential Skills
When choosing expertise, prioritize skills that are vital for the colony’s survival. These include:
| Skill | Importance |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Treating injuries and illnesses |
| Construction | Building shelter, walls, and other structures |
| Crafting | Creating tools, furniture, and other items |
| Farming | Growing food to sustain the colony |
Balancing Skills Within a Role
Each skillset should have multiple colonists with varying levels of expertise. For example, it’s wise to have a primary farmer with high skills in farming and a backup farmer with lower skills to assist when needed. This diversity ensures that key roles are covered even if a colonist is injured or incapacitated. Additionally, diversifying expertise within a role can allow colonists to specialize in sub-areas within a skillset. For instance, one crafter might focus on construction while another specializes in weapon crafting.
Prioritizing Expertise in Early Game
In the early stages of Rimworld, efficiently managing your colonists’ expertise is critical to ensure their survival. Prioritizing certain skills can expedite your progress and lay a solid foundation for your colony.
Essential Early Game Expertise
There are four crucial expertise that every colony should prioritize in the early game:
1. Construction
Colonists with high Construction skill are vital for erecting shelters, building essential structures, and repairing damaged facilities. Having at least one colonist with a Construction skill of 6 or higher is recommended.
2. Medicine
Injuries and illnesses are common occurrences in Rimworld. Colonists with Medicine skill are crucial for treating these ailments and preventing infections. A Medicine skill of 4 or higher is ideal for handling basic medical needs.
3. Farming
Food is essential for survival. Farmers with a high Farming skill will ensure a reliable food supply and prevent starvation. Aim for at least one colonist with a Farming skill of 6 or higher.
4. Cooking
While not as critical as the other skills, Cooking is important for improving food quality and providing nutritional meals. A colonist with a Cooking skill of 4 or higher can prepare nutritious meals that boost your colonists’ mood and health, making them more productive.
| Skill | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Construction | 6 |
| Medicine | 4 |
| Farming | 6 |
| Cooking | 4 |
Adapting Expertise to Different Playstyles
The choice of expertise is not solely determined by the Settler’s traits and passions. It is equally important to consider the playstyle and objectives of the player. Here are some guidelines for adapting expertise to different playstyles:
Casual Playstyle:
For players who prefer a relaxed gameplay experience, prioritizing comfort and survival is recommended. Expertise in skills such as Cooking, Construction, and Medicine can ensure the well-being of Settlers and the stability of the colony.
Aggressive Playstyle:
Players seeking more challenging and combat-oriented gameplay should consider expertise in Shooting, Melee, and Social skills. These skills enhance the colony’s combat capabilities, allowing for effective defense against raids and hostile wildlife.
Science-Focused Playstyle:
Players fascinated by technological advancements and research can specialize in Intellectual skills. Expertise in Research, Science, and Medicine provides the necessary knowledge for unlocking advanced technologies and medical advancements.
Trading Playstyle:
For players who enjoy colony management and economic activities, expertise in Social and Intellectual skills is crucial. Diplomacy, Trading, and Intellectual skills enable Settlers to establish trade routes, negotiate favorable deals, and gain access to valuable resources.
Tribal Playstyle:
Players emulating the traditional tribal lifestyle can prioritize expertise in Animal Handling, Hunting, and Construction. These skills enhance the colony’s ability to interact with animals, provide food from hunting, and establish sturdy structures.
Optimizing Expertise for Specific Tasks
Medical
Pawns with medical expertise are crucial for treating injuries, administering medication, and performing surgeries. Prioritize pawns with high intellectual and medical skills, as they gain proficiency in treating more complex conditions. Equip them with medical beds and advanced equipment to enhance their efficiency.
Construction
Pawns with construction expertise are essential for building and maintaining structures. Focus on pawns with high manual and construction skills, as they can handle more demanding tasks. Provide them with power armor and heavy machinery to improve their productivity.
Research
Research is vital for unlocking new technologies. Pawns with intellectual and research skills should be assigned to this role. Establish a dedicated research bench and provide them with comfortable workstations to maximize their output.
Crafting
Pawns with crafting expertise produce a wide range of items, from clothing and weapons to electronic devices. Prioritize pawns with high crafting and manipulation skills, as they create high-quality items. Equip them with tool benches and specialized equipment to enhance their efficiency.
Growing
Pawns with growing expertise are responsible for cultivating food and plants. Focus on pawns with high intellectual and planting skills, as they can handle complex plant types and adverse conditions. Provide them with fertile soil, irrigation systems, and greenhouses to maximize crop yields.
Animal Handling
Pawns with animal handling expertise manage and train animals. Prioritize pawns with high social and animal handling skills, as they can handle a wide range of animals and gain their loyalty. Equip them with animal beds, training equipment, and pastures to provide a suitable environment for animals.
Balancing Expertise with Other Skills
Balancing Expertise with Other Skills
In Rimworld, selecting expertise is crucial for developing specialized colonists who excel in specific roles. However, it’s equally important to balance expertise with other essential skills to create a well-rounded workforce.
Prioritizing Essential Skills
Before specializing in expertise, ensure that basic survival skills such as Construction, Cooking, and Medical are covered within the colony. Without these foundational abilities, the colony’s progress may be hindered.
Skill Level Recommendations
Consider the following minimum skill levels for essential skills:
| Skill | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Construction | 5-10 |
| Cooking | 6-8 |
| Medical | 6-8 |
Avoiding Specialization Trap
While expertise can provide significant benefits, it’s important to avoid the trap of over-specialization. Each colonist should have a balance of expertise and general skills to handle diverse tasks and emergencies.
Developing Synergistic Skills
Consider developing synergistic skills that complement expertise areas. For example, a planter with the Green Thumb expertise benefit from higher Growing and Research skills to optimize crop yields and research breakthrough
Assessing Skill Needs
Regularly assess the colony’s skill needs and adjust expertise as necessary. As the colony grows and evolves, the demand for specific skills may change, and balancing expertise with other skills becomes an ongoing process.
Prioritizing Survival over Expertise
In critical situations, survival should take priority over expertise. If a colonist with expertise is unavailable or incapacitated, it may be necessary to rely on colonists with general skills to perform essential tasks.
Hiring Pawns with Specialized Expertise
In RimWorld, pawns can possess specialized expertise that greatly enhances their abilities in specific areas. To acquire pawns with these skills, you can either recruit them from the prisoner pool or use the “Hire” tab at the Comms console. The “Hire” tab allows you to filter pawns based on expertise by selecting the desired skill from the dropdown menu.
Locating Pawns with Specialized Expertise
To locate pawns with specific expertise, navigate to the “Prisoners” tab and filter the prisoners by skill. Hovering over a pawn’s name will display their primary and secondary skills, as well as their opinions on your colony. Choose pawns who possess the desired expertise and align with your colony’s values.
Interviewing and Recruiting Pawns
Once you’ve identified potential pawns, interview them to assess their personality and motivations. Determine whether they fit well with your colony’s culture and goals. During the interview, you can offer items to entice the pawn to join your faction. Successfully recruiting a pawn will add them to your colony’s active roster.
Developing Specialized Expertise
While you can hire pawns with specialized expertise, you can also develop these skills within your existing colony. Assign pawns to relevant tasks that require the desired expertise, and provide them with ample opportunities to practice and improve their abilities. Over time, pawns will gain experience and become proficient in their chosen areas of expertise.
Benefits of Specialized Expertise
Specialized expertise provides numerous benefits to your colony. It enables pawns to perform tasks more efficiently, reducing labor costs and increasing productivity. For example, a doctor with specialized expertise in surgery can perform operations with a higher success rate, reducing the risk of post-operative complications.
Specialized Expertise Matrix
The following table outlines some common specialized expertise areas and their potential benefits:
| Expertise | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Improved surgical success rate, faster wound healing |
| Research | Increased research speed, unlocking new technologies faster |
| Construction | Faster building construction, improved building quality |
| Crafting | Increased production speed and quality of crafted items |
| Social | Enhanced social interactions, improving colony morale and diplomatic relations |
| MeleeIncreased combat proficiency in melee combat | |
| Shooting | Increased combat proficiency in ranged combat |
| Animals | Improved ability to care for and train animals, fostering a stronger bond and utility |
Training Pawns to Gain Expertise
In Rimworld, pawns can gain expertise in various skills through training. There are two main methods of training: dedicated training and work-related training.
Dedicated Training
Pawns can be assigned to dedicated training schedules by clicking the “Train” button in the “Work” tab. They will then spend a set amount of time each day practicing a specific skill. The amount of time required for a pawn to reach a certain level of expertise depends on their base skill level, the skill’s difficulty, and the quality of their training environment.
Work-Related Training
Pawns can also gain expertise through work-related activities. For example, a pawn who works in the kitchen will gain experience in cooking. The amount of experience gained depends on the frequency and duration of the work activity.
Factors Affecting Expertise Gain
There are several factors that can affect how quickly a pawn gains expertise:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Base Skill Level | Pawns with higher base skill levels will gain expertise more quickly. |
| Skill Difficulty | Skills that are more difficult to learn, such as intellectual skills, will take longer to gain expertise in. |
| Training Environment Quality | Pawns who train in a high-quality environment will gain expertise more quickly. |
| Work Experience | Pawns who work in a specific skill area will gain expertise in that skill through experience. |
| Mood | Pawns who are in a good mood will learn more quickly. |
| Injuries | Pawns who are injured may not be able to train as effectively. |
| Age | Pawns who are older will gain expertise more slowly. |
| Traits | Certain traits, such as “Fast Learner,” can affect how quickly a pawn gains expertise. |
| Inspiration | Pawns who are inspired will gain expertise more quickly. |
Maximizing the Benefits of Expertise
1. Identify Your Priorities
Determine the critical skills and abilities your colony needs at the moment. Consider factors such as defense, food production, or research.
2. Choose Expertise Wisely
Select expertise that complements your existing colonists’ abilities and fills in gaps in your colony’s capabilities.
3. Specialize in High-Value Areas
Focus on expertise in areas where it can significantly impact your colony’s growth, such as medicine, research, or construction.
4. Consider Multiple Expertise Levels
Don’t limit yourself to a single level of expertise. Invest in both basic and advanced forms to maximize efficiency.
5. Train Multiple Colonists
Train multiple colonists in the same expertise to provide redundancy and ensure continuity in case of injuries or fatalities.
6. Utilize Research and Learning
Use research and learning to acquire expertise that is not available through recruitment. This allows you to customize your colony’s skillset.
7. Recruit Skilled Colonists
Look for potential colonists with existing expertise that aligns with your colony’s needs. This can save time and resources on training.
8. Leverage Underrated Skills
Consider investing in often-overlooked expertise, such as social, animals, or art. These skills can provide unique benefits and enhance your colony’s overall stability.
9. Match Expertise with Roles
Assign expertise to colonists who are best suited for specific roles within your colony. This ensures that tasks are performed efficiently and effectively.
10. Monitor and Adjust
Regularly review your colony’s expertise and make adjustments as needed. Adapt to changing circumstances and acquired new technologies to maintain optimal performance.
How to Choose Expertise in Rimworld
In Rimworld, expertise is a valuable commodity. It allows your colonists to specialize in different tasks, making them more efficient and productive. But with so many different expertise to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for your colony.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing expertise:
- The needs of your colony. What tasks are most important for your colony to survive? If you’re struggling to produce food, you might want to focus on expertise that will help you improve your farming skills. If you’re constantly being raided, you might want to invest in expertise that will help you build better defenses.
- The skills of your colonists. Not all colonists are created equal. Some colonists have natural talents for certain skills, while others may struggle to learn them. When choosing expertise, it’s important to consider the skills of your colonists and choose expertise that they’re likely to be good at.
- The availability of resources. Some expertise require specific resources to be used. For example, the Machining expertise requires a machining table in order to be used. Before you choose an expertise, make sure you have the resources necessary to use it.
People Also Ask
How do I get expertise in Rimworld?
There are a few ways to get expertise in Rimworld. One way is to read books. Each book will give your colonists a small amount of expertise in a specific skill. Another way to get expertise is to have your colonists practice a skill. The more they practice, the better they will become at it. Finally, you can also use the “Train” tab in the colonist’s menu to assign them to a specific skill to train.
What are the best expertise in Rimworld?
The best expertise in Rimworld depend on the needs of your colony. However, some of the most popular and useful expertise include:
– **Farming:** This expertise allows your colonists to grow crops more efficiently.
– **Construction:** This expertise allows your colonists to build structures more quickly and efficiently.
– **Medicine:** This expertise allows your colonists to heal injuries and diseases more effectively.
– **Cooking:** This expertise allows your colonists to cook food more efficiently and nutritiously.
– **Research:** This expertise allows your colonists to research new technologies and advancements.
