View source for Starting Ability

{{Version|1.3.4}}
== Overview ==

Starting Abilities are extra capabilities unlocked at higher levels of Citadel [[upgrades]]. Once unlocked in the Smoldering City, you get the bonus the moment a member of that [[species]] joins your settlement (or at the start of the run).

== List of Starting Abilities ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:100px;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;" | Species !! style="font-weight:bold;" | Ability !! style="font-weight:bold;" | Unlocked in
|-
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Beavers|large}}
| style="text-align:center" | Extends available [[Trading#Trade_Routes | Trade Offers]] by 1 in each neighboring town 
| style="text-align:center" | '''Dim Square''' level 7<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 72, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Machinery.png|24px]] x 12, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Artifact.png|24px]] x 12
|-
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Foxes|large}} 
| style="text-align:center" | Reveals the location of 1 of the nearest [[Rainwater Geysers]] 
| style="text-align:center" | '''Pioneers' Gate''' level 7<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 84, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Machinery.png|24px]] x 12, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Artifact.png|24px]] x 12
|-
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Frogs|large}} 
| style="text-align:center" | Reveals the location of 1 of the nearest [[Ruins]] 
| style="text-align:center" | '''Brass Forge''' level 8<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 96
|-
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Harpies|large}} 
| style="text-align:center" | Gain 50 {{rl|Coats}} 
| style="text-align:center" | '''Vanguard Spire''' level 7<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 72
|-
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Humans|large}} 
| style="text-align:center" | Reveals the location of 1 of the nearest patches of [[Fertile Soil]] 
| style="text-align:center" | '''First Dawn Headquarters''' level 6<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 60, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Machinery.png|24px]] x 12, [[File:Icon_MetaResource_Artifact.png|24px]] x 12
|- 
| style="text-align:left" | {{Species link|Lizards|large}} 
| style="text-align:center" | Gain 10 {{rl|Tools}} 
| style="text-align:center" | '''Monastery of The Vigilant Flame''' level 5<br/>[[File:Icon_MetaResource_FoodStockpiles.png|24px]] x 48
|}

== Additional Information and Strategies ==

=== Lizards ===

10 {{rl|Tools}} can help in early game to solve [[Glade Events]], complete [[Orders]] or be traded for other [[Resources]]. It can be also a good strategy to keep them for sending [[Abandoned Caches]] to the Citadel later, as {{rl|Tools}} are amongst the most expensive and hard-to-produce goods in the game.

=== Beavers ===

{{Species link|Beavers}}' passive ability will unlock the first level of expansion with every neighboring city for free (otherwise it costs 5 {{rl|Amber}} for each), which unlocks one extra [[Trading#Trade_Routes | Trade Offer]] (2 -> 3). It allows the player to pick better offers and improve [[standing]] with trading partners faster.

Combined with {{bl|Guild House}} being a [[Buildings#Species_Specific_Buildings | species-specific]] Service [[building]] that might be offered in [[blueprint]] choices when {{Species link|Beavers}} are in the game, {{Species link|Beavers}} are a good choice for players that center their strategy around [[Trading]].

=== Humans ===
[[File:HumanPassiveExample.png|thumb|220px| Humans passive icon.]]
{{Species link|Humans}}' Starting Ability will show the nearest '''undiscovered''' [[Fertile Soil]] patch on map. This information can be useful when picking [[blueprints]] or when choosing the best direction of expansion. Based on this information players can also deduce which [[Glades]] in close proximity are unlikely to contain [[Fertile Soil]] patches.

=== Harpies ===

Although 50 {{rl|Coats}} seems to be a large number, they can disappear quickly without real benefit if starting caravan has many villagers with a [[Clothing Need]]. It is recommended to forbid usage of {{rl|Coats}} at the beginning of the game in  [[Consumption Control]] and enable it again when it is beneficial:
<div style="margin-left:30px">
==== Surviving Storm Season ====

{{Species link|Harpies}}' [[Resilience]] is Low and their base [[Resolve]] is only 5, so it might be a struggle to keep them positive during [[Storm Season]].
Enabling {{rl|Coats}} before Storm might prevent them from leaving.

==== Resolve Orders ====

[[Orders]] and especially Timed Orders that require to keep {{Species link|Humans}}', {{Species link|Beavers}}' or {{Species link|Harpies}}' [[Resolve]] above certain thresholds are much easier to fulfil with {{rl|Coats}} at player's disposal.

==== Solving Glade Events ====

There are five Dangerous [[Glade Events]] that can be solved with a help of {{rl|Coats}}:
* [[Viceroy_-_P20_Glade_Events#Blightrot_Cauldron | Blightrot Cauldron]]
* [[Viceroy_-_P20_Glade_Events#Corrupted_Caravan | Corrupted Caravan]]
* [[Viceroy_-_P20_Glade_Events#Merchant_Shipwreck | Merchant Shipwreck]]
* [[Viceroy_-_P20_Glade_Events#Withered_Tree | Withered Tree]]
* [[Viceroy_-_P20_Glade_Events#Noxious_Machinery | Noxious Machinery]]
</div>

=== Foxes ===
[[File:FoxesPassiveExample.png|thumb|220px| Foxes passive icon.]]
{{Species link|Foxes}}' Starting Ability will show the nearest '''undiscovered''' [[Rainwater Geyser]]' position on the map and also reveal its [[Rainwater]] type.
This information can be useful when picking [[blueprints]] or when choosing the best direction of expansion.
Based on this information players can also deduce which [[Glades]] in close proximity are unlikely to contain [[Rainwater Geyser | geysers]].

== References ==
1. [https://eremitegames.com/sentinels-of-the-forest-update/ Sentinels of the Forest Update]