The trader class is thought by many to be the weakest in the game. A middle-of-the-road fighter at best, traders also lack the devastating nano-formula punch of, say, the nano-technician. Instead, their strengths lie in their ability to assist others, be it through trading their health to a teammate, raising their friends' skill levels, or creating items to, well, trade. As such, their soloing power is much less than that of some other classes.
The trader is an all-around "average" profession, so the Solitus is an excellent choice of breed.
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This trader steals some health from the Cadaver via Patchy Health Funnel. |
Since the trader is by definition a jack-of-all-trades of sorts, the Solitus breed is a surprisingly good fit. Trade skills should be the strength of the trader, so the Solitus' average intelligence rating will be detrimental. However, traders that focus entirely on trade skills will be lost whenever they're not engaged in trading, and actual trading takes up only a small portion of their time. A Solitus trader will not be able to live on the bleeding edge of trading power but will make a much more well-rounded, easier-to-play character.
Much like the Solitus, the Opifex breed lends itself to a well-rounded trader. However, as an Opifex, your character will be better suited to wield most weapons than the Solitus but with reduced initiative and other sense-based skills. Between these two breeds, it's a toss-up as to which is "better"; it's strictly a matter of personal preference.
The Nano breed is the frontrunner for best trade-skill breed; however, you'll pay for the decreased trade skill and nano IP cost with increased combat-based skill cost increases. As such, playing as a Nano trader will be rather difficult.
Looking for a tough time? Play as an Atrox trader. Strength and stamina will of course help you be a better fighter, but the weak intelligence, sense, and psychic scores will make becoming adept at trade skills impossible at worst and expensive at best.
Traders inherently have a slight advantage in shotgun skill, but that's it. If you choose the Opifex breed, you'll have more freedom to choose the weaponry you desire, but as any other breed, you'd be well advised to concentrate on the shotgun.
Again, if you chose the Opifex breed and are concentrating somewhat on combat ability, your armor choices will open up a little bit. Otherwise, you're likely to rely on cyber or nano armor classes.
As the trader, your nano programs focus on the ability to assist others, be it through trading your health to your teammates, raising friends' skill levels, or stealing health from enemies. Trader nano programs are not overpowering, so teaming up is a good idea.