Abilities, traits, or stats are traits nichelings possess that are determined by their genes. Clicking the paw icon in the lower left UI after selecting a nicheling will display their ability menu, and abilities are also displayed below the nicheling in the family tree.
Speed[]
Creature movement range
A nicheling's Speed stat determines how many tiles it can move with one action, provided it has vision of those tiles from either itself or a packmate. Note that obstacles such as rocks, berry bushes, and npcs will block a nicheling’s travel path. It is not possible to have 0 speed because all hind leg genes give at least +1 Speed.
Two movement icons
Speed is given by the genes Lean Body (+2), Medium Body (+1), Runner Leg (+1), Hind Leg (+2), Webbed Hind Leg (+1) and Bearyena Hind Leg (+1).
The maximum amount of Speed is 6 (Lean Body, 2 Runner Legs, and Hind Legs).
A Movement icon ( Updated )
Swimming[]
A nicheling's Swimming stat determines how many water tiles it can move with one action. It is not possible to have 0 Swimming as all hind legs have at least 1 Swimming.
Swimming is given by Water Body (+2), Webbed Paw (+1), Webbed Hind Legs (+2), Hind Legs (+1), Bearyena Hind Legs (+1), Swimming Tail (+1), and Tail Fin (+2).
The maximum amount of Swimming is 8 (2 Webbed Paws, Water Body, Webbed Hind Legs and Tail Fin).
Flying[]
The Flying stat determines how far a nicheling can fly with one action. Flying allows the nicheling to move over obstacles and perch on trees. Nichelings that can fly cannot walk, so Speed doesn't matter for flying nichelings.
Flying is determined by Big Body (-1), Wings (+4), and Bat Wings (+4). However, a nicheling can only fly if it has a flying ability greater than 4 (requiring two wings). Therefore, a nicheling with a single wing must still rely on its Speed ability to move around and will not be able to perch.
Nichelings with mismatched wings are still able to fly.
Collecting[]
The Collecting ability determines how many resources a nicheling can harvest at once. If a creature has no Collecting ability, it can still try to perform the action, but this has a low chance of success and only gives 1 piece of food. Certain kinds of plants cannot be collected from without a minimum level of Collecting ability. Collecting is not required to pick up meat from meat piles.
Collecting is given by the genes Nimble Fingers (+2), Runner Leg (+1), Velvet Paw (+1), and Bird Beak (+1). The maximum amount of Collecting is 5 (2 Nimble Fingers and Bird Beak).
Strength[]
The Strength stat determines how much damage a creature will do with one attack. If a creature doesn't have any Strength, it can still attempt to attack prey and predators with a small chance of dealing 1 damage. Creatures with no Strength cannot attack wild nichelings or rogue males.
Strength is given by the genes Big Body (+2), Normal Body (+1), Spiky Body (+2), Ram Horns (+1), Antlers (+1), Savanna Horns (+1), Megaloceros Horns (+2), Hammer Tail (+1), Claw (+2), Bearyena Claw (+3), Saber Tooth Fangs (+2), Bearyena Snout (+2), and Bearyena Hind Legs (+1).
The maximum amount of Strength is 14 (Big Body, Megaloceros Horns, Saber Tooth Fangs/Bearyena Snout, Hammer Tail, 2 Bearyena Claws, and Bearyena Hind Legs).
If a creature has 10 Strength or more, it can destroy rocks. Breeding a nicheling with 12+ Strength unlocks the achievement 'Hybrid'.
Digging[]
The Digging ability allows creatures to dig up a tile that has a root in it, which are only visible while using the smell perception mode. The higher a nicheling's Digging level, the more food a root will provide when dug up. If the nicheling has no Digging and successfully attempts to dig up a root, it will only give 1 food.
Digging is given by the Digging Paw (+2) and Digging Trunk (+3). The highest amount is 7 (Digging Trunk, 2 Digging Paws).
Cracking[]
The Cracking ability allows creatures to harvest nuts and shells, which are worth 2 food each. Attempting to open a nut or shell without Cracking ability will still give 2 food if the action succeeds.
Cracking is given by the Cracker Jaw (+2), Hammer Tail (+1), and Nimble Fingers (+1). The maximum amount of Cracking is 5 (Cracker Jaw, 2 Nimble Fingers, Hammer Tail).
Fishing[]
The Fishing ability allows nichelings to harvest fish for food. Fish Swarms may be gathered by any creature with 1 or more Fishing, and will provide as many fish as the creature has Fishing points, provided there are still that many fish left in the swarm. Larger fish such as Clownkoi and Razoranhas require 3 and 4 Fishing respectively to successfully catch. Nichelings without the required amount of Fishing can try to fish, but their success rate is much lower.
Fishing is given by the Claw (+2), Bearyena Claws (+1), and Fishing Tail (+2). The maximum amount of Fishing is 6 (Fishing Tail, 2 Claws).
Feeding from the Bottom[]
The Feeding from the Bottom ability allows nichelings to dig up underwater tiles to obtain worms for food, an aquatic version of the Digging ability. Each tile dug up provides 3 food. Nichelings without the ability still have a low chance to successfully perform this action.
Feeding from the Bottom is only given by the gene Platypus Beak (+1), meaning that 1 is the highest possible level for this ability.
Venomous[]
When a nicheling with the Venomous trait attacks an entity, the victim will be poisoned. The poison deals 1 damage to a victim each day for 3 days. However, some predators will be immune to venom. All nichelings with the Venomous ability will also have Poison Resistance.
Venomous is given by the gene Poison Fang (+2), and Scorpion Tail (+1). The maximum is 3 (Poison Fang, and Scorpion Tail)
Strong Voice[]
The Strong Voice ability gives the nicheling the ability to growl at a predator, which may cause the predator to flee.
Strong Voice is given by Sabertooth Fangs (+1) and Bearyena Snout (+1). There is no maximum level.
Voice Reach[]
Icon for the temporary Voice Reach ability.
Voice Reach is a unique ability because it is not given by a gene, but is instead a temporary ability based on a nicheling's location. If a nicheling is perched in a tree or sitting on top of a stump, it receives a +1 High Position modifier and the Voice Reach ability will be available. The nicheling will be able to call for wild animals, which attracts wild nichelings to its location.
Purring[]
The Purring ability allows a nicheling to heal its tribemates. If a nicheling with the Purring ability uses an action to purr, any creatures on neighboring tiles will gain the Healing status effect for three days, with one unit of damage removed each day. However, a Purring nicheling cannot heal itself.
This ability is given by Purr Snout (+1).
Fertility[]
A nicheling's fertility stat determines the chances of a successful mating attempt, as well as the chances of the offspring being twins. It is a gene slot; both genes are active and add up to a total of 0 to 6. Higher Fertility increases the nicheling's chances to have twins, while low fertility decreases the chance of a successful breeding. If a mating fails, the player will receive an event notification.
Fertility is determined by the genes High Fertility (+3), Medium Fertility (+2), Low Fertility (+1), and No Fertility (+0). The highest amount of Fertility that a creature can have is 6 (2 High Fertility). When breeding, a maximum of 12 fertility is possible; by combing two nichelings with 6 fertility each.
The chances of a mating attempt resulting in a pregnancy for each possible sum of fertility in the pair of breeding nichelings are summarized in the table below:
| 2 Fertility | 3 Fertility | 4 Fertility | 5 Fertility | 6 Fertility | 7 Fertility | 8 Fertility | 9 Fertility | 9 Fertility | 10 Fertility | 12 Fertility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≈19.3% | ≈26.2% | ≈33% | ≈42.9% | ≈51.5% | ≈61.3% | ≈69.4% | ≈75.8% | ≈83.2% | ≈93.5% | =100% |
Immunity[]
The Immunity trait determines a nicheling's chances of getting sick. A nicheling either has Immunity or does not, and this is determined by their immunity genes. If a nicheling has two different immunity genes, they will have the Immunity trait and will not be born sickly.
A nicheling born with two of the same immunity gene will be born with a common cold which cannot be cured. The sick nicheling will constantly receive 1 damage everyday due to sickness, which effectively cuts their lifespan in half from 24 days to 12 if they do not receive any healing.
To ensure that a nicheling is born with two immunities, make sure that the parents do not share a common immunity gene.
Eyesight[]
The Eyesight ability allows a nicheling to see, and is one of the three perception modes in the game. For each point of sight, a tile around the creature is lit. +1 eyesight means all adjacent tiles are lit (6) and +2 Eyesight means all of the adjacent tiles of the adjacent tiles are lit (12 tiles), while eyesight 0 only lights up the tile the nicheling is sitting on.
Eyesight is determined by the genes Normal Eyes (+2), Short-Sighted Eyes (+1), and Blind Eyes (0). A creature with Blind Eyes is unable to see any of the tiles surrounding it, and cannot interact with these tiles unless another creature is near them with either Normal Eyes or Short-Sighted Eyes. Blind Eyed nichelings also cannot see within tall grass (unless a creature with sight can see inside), and must clear it before standing in it.
A Nicheling gains +3 eyesight from High Position while perched on top of any tree. A Nicheling on a tree stump gains +2 eyesight from High Position.
Hearing[]
The Hearing ability allows a nicheling to hear. Using the Hearing perception mode allows the player to see other entities moving through tall grass, where they would otherwise not be visible. All nichelings will have a minimum of 3 Hearing. Usefulness of hearing underwater is limited, you will detect Crabbits, but no or fishes of any kind.
Hearing is given by the genes Medium Ears (+3), Round Ears (+3), Bearyena Ears (+3), Big Ears (+4), Bat Head (+3), and Blind Eyes (+1). The maximum amount of Hearing is 5 (Big Ears, Blind Eyes).
Smelling[]
The Smelling ability allows creatures to smell, and can be used in Smelling perception mode to detect food and other entities. Smelling can be used to find roots underground, which can be harvested for food and would otherwise be invisible. It is possible for a nicheling not to have any Smelling ability, since Gills do not give any Smelling.
Smelling is given by the genes Big Nose (+3), Digging Trunk (+3), Short-Sighted Eyes (+1), Blind Eyes (+2), Poison Fangs (+1), Derp Snout (+2), Normal Snout (+2), Cracker Jaw (+2), Bat Head (+2), Sticky Tongue (+2), Bearyena Snout (+2), Platypus Beak (+1), Bird Beak (+1) and Sabertooth Fangs (+2). The highest amount is 5 (Big Nose/Digging Trunk and Blind Eyes).
Defense[]
The Defense stat reduces the amount of damage dealt to a nicheling, and any attacker with a lower Strength stat than your creature's Defense will be harmless.
Defense is given by Armored Body (+3), Big Body (+1) and Mammut Foot (+1). The maximum amount of Defense a nicheling can have is 5 (Armored Body, 2 Mammut feet).
Camouflage[]
Camouflage makes creatures less visually noticed to predators. Standing on a tile with long grass on it gives an automatic +2 to Camouflage regardless of genes.
Fur colors and patterns affect this trait. Different colors and patterns give Camouflage in different environments or when the nicheling is standing on specific tiles. This table gives a summary of which fur colors give Camouflage in which environments, and this table gives a summary for patterns. Only one gene of the fur color is required to obtain Camouflage in its respective surroundings (for example, a nicheling with a white fur gene and black fur gene will still get Camouflage for both fur colors).
The maximum amount of Camouflage is 7 (fur color in its respective environment, stripes, and hiding in grass).
If a nicheling's camoflage value is equal or greater to the eyesight value of a predator, the predator will not be able to "see" them.
Stealth[]
Stealth lets nichelings make less noise when moving, which is key to avoid alerting predators on more difficult islands.
Stealth is given by Medium Body (+1), Runner Leg (+1), Lean Body (+2), and Velvet Paw (+2). The highest amount of Stealth you can get is 6 (Lean Body, 2 Velvet Paws).
If a nicheling's stealth value is equal or greater to the hearing value of a predator, the predator will not be able to "hear" them.
Scentless[]
The Scentless trait makes nichelings harder to be smelled by other nichelings and/or predators. It can also be gained by rolling in mud (+3 for three turns).
It is given by the genes Medium Body (+1), Lean Body (+3), Water Body (+1), and Spiky Body (+1). The maximum amount of Odor Disguise is 6 (Lean Body and rolled in mud)
If a nicheling's scentless value is equal or greater to the smelling value of a predator, the predator will not be able to "smell" them.
Poisonous[]
If a nicheling with the Poisonous trait is attacked, the attacker will be poisoned. The poison deals 1 damage to the affected entity each day for 3 days. All nichelings with the Poisonous trait will also have Poison Resistance. Goldleeches will die immediately upon contact with a poisonous nicheling.
Poisonous is given by the gene Toxic Body (+2).
Underwater Breathing[]
The Underwater Breathing ability determines whether a nicheling takes damage underwater. Having at least 1 point of Underwater Breathing means a creature can move and sleep (end turns) underwater without taking damage.
Underwater Breathing is given by Gills (+2) and Water Body (+2). The highest amount of underwater Breathing is 4 (Gills and Water Body). It is not required to have both.
Spikyness[]
If a nicheling with the Spikyness trait is attacked, the attacker will receive 1 day of damage per attack, but it also hurts packmates if another nicheling licks them. Rogue Males will not impregnate Spiky females. Spiky Body also disables the tail gene. Bluebirds will not take Spiky babies.
Spikyness is given by the gene Spiky Body (+1).
Though "Spikiness" is the correct spelling of this word, the game currently refers to this trait as "Spikyness", so this is how it will be spelled on the wiki.
Attractiveness[]
Nichelings with the Attractiveness trait will attract wild nichelings of the opposite gender.
Attractiveness is given by Peacock Tail (+1). Only males can have this ability, since the female version of the Peacock Tail gene does not give this trait.
Distasteful Scent[]
The Distasteful Scent trait makes predators less likely to attack your nichelings, and is helpful for avoiding the Big Nosed Ape. It also wards off Insect Swarms, preventing the creatures from getting Sleep Sickness.
Distasteful Scent is given by the Stinky Tail (+1).
Distasteful Appearance[]
The Distasteful Appearance trait makes predators less likely to attack your creatures, especially the Big Eyed Ape.
Distasteful Appearance is given by the genes Toxic Body (+1), Bearyena Snout (+1), Saber Tooth Fangs (+1) and Derp Snout (+1). The maximum amount is 2 (Toxic Body and one of the snouts).
Poison Resistance[]
The Poison Resistance ability prevents a creature from getting poisoned (i.e. from Toxic Berry Bushes). All nichelings with the Poison Resistance trait also have the Venomous and/or Poisonous trait.
Poison Resistance is determined by the genes Poison Fangs (+1), Toxic Body (+1), and Scorpion Tail (+1). The maximum amount is 3.
Cold Resistance[]
The Cold Resistance ability determines how much cold a creature can stand; if it's too cold, the nicheling will lose an action point, and will eventually freeze if they aren't warmed up in time. Nichelings can gain an additional 2 points of Cold Resistance by being adjacent to two other nichelings.
Cold Resistance is determined by the genes Big Ears (-1), Tail Fin (-1), Big Body (+2), Medium Body (+1), Mammut Foot (+1), Medium Tail (+1), and Heat Body (+4). The maximum amount of Cold Resistance is 9 (Heat Body, two Mammut Feet, Medium Tail and Warmed Up).
Heat Resistance[]
The Heat Resistance ability determines how much heat a creature can stand; if it's too hot, the creature will lose an action point. If a creature stands under an Acacia Tree, they get +2 points of Heat Resistance.
Heat Resistance is determined by the genes Big Ears (+2), Big Body (-1), Medium Body (+1), and Lean Body (+3). The maximum amount of Heat Resistance is 7 (Big Ears, Lean Body and Shaded).
Heat Radiation[]
A nicheling with the Heat Radiation ability will give off heat to adjacent tiles. This can warm up packmates and melt snow.
Heat Radiation is given by Heat Body (+1).
Weather Prediction[]
The Weather Prediction ability can show the player how many days are left until it rains or snows (depending on the biome). It can be very useful on some islands where rain is scarce. If a nicheling has this ability, opening their ability menu and hovering over the Weather Prediction section will display this information.
Weather Prediction is given by Antenna (+1).
Insect Collecting[]
Insect Collecting allows nichelings to collect food from Termite Mounds and Insect Swarms. The amount of food gained is based on the nicheling's stat level.
Insect collecting is given by Bird Beak (+1), Bat Head (+2), and Sticky Tongue (+2). The maximum amount is 2.