New Game Mode: Traits+

We're super excited to launch our first new game mode since we introduced Traits way back in March 2021. Paper Pirates' new game mode, Traits+, is a whole new way to sail with traits!
When playing a Traits+ game, each crewmate will be given TWO traits - one active, and one passive. Active traits are traits that typically do something during the job phase when you either do, or don't, play in for a job. Think things like The Meddler, The Shapeshifter, and The Brawler. Passive traits are traits that are typically always in play. Think things like The Pure, The Tainted, and The Contrarian.
We've updated the Captain's Log and the game customisation screen to clearly list which traits are active and which are passive. If your voyage configuration doesn't have enough active or passive traits to go round the whole crew, some of the pirates might be declared Innocent (in place of a passive trait), or Inactive (in place of an active trait). Traits+ offers a whole new strategic layer to Paper Pirates, with over three hundred potential combinations. Will your traits work well with each other? Will they force you to side with the human team, or the ghost team? Will they pull you in two different directions? And how will you ever know who you can trust.

New Trait: The Traders

Our very first Traits+ exclusive Trait is The Traders, an active trait that always appears as a pair. The two pirates with The Traders can activate their shared ability any time either of them is not a job.
When activated, The Traders will exchange their passive traits with each other. When the traits swap, they carry all their charges, accumulated stats, and information with them. This opens up a raft of new strategic potential! Be warned though... The Traders power only requires one of the two Traders to activate it, so if you're the second Trader, you might find yourself in an endless tug-of-war with your companion for a good passive trait!

New Trait: The Manipulator

The Manipulator is a new active trait appearing in both Trait and Traits+ game modes. The Manipulator's powerful ability allows them to target a pirate on days when they don't play in and force them to vote for a specific pirate the next time they vote.
The Manipulator can use their power three times per voyage, and their power lasts until that player next votes, and also removes that pirate's option to pass their vote. The Manipulator could control of The Assassin to utilise them to nefarious means, take control of a mid-ship ghost engine, or force the Captain to vote for the Stowaway. The options are endless!

New Trait: The Retaliator

The Retaliator is a new passive trait appearing in both Trait and Traits+ game modes. The Retaliator's base voting power is always increased by the number of votes currently cast against them.
The Retaliator's strength comes in taking revenge on those pirates that vote against them, but, it also has a raft of strategic potential. If you're willing to co-operate with other pirates, you could pool all your votes onto The Retaliator, concentrating the potential possession targets if you accidentally vote over a human... But be careful, The Retaliator could always use all that accumulated voting power right back at you...

New Trait: The Torn

The Torn is a new passive trait appearing in both Trait and Traits+ game modes. When it's The Torn's turn to vote, they have the opportunity to vote twice! Each vote has half their base voting power (rounded up).
The Torn can use each of their votes however they like. They can pass them both, use each one on a different pirate, the same pirate, or even use one and then pass the other. This allows them to be a little safer when throwing someone overboard, or to hedge their bets if they're just not sure.

New Event: Change of Trait

Change of Trait is a new event appearing only in Traits+ games. When a Change of Trait happens, a randomly chosen pirate will be offered the opportunity to change their passive trait. If they choose to accept, their passive trait will immediately change into a new passive trait that isn't already claimed by anyone else on the ship.
The Change of Trait pirate doesn't get to see which passive trait they'll get in advance, so it's always risky. Watch out after a Change of Trait event - could a pirate have just become The Tainted?

Five New Achievements

With new content comes new achievements, and with new achievements comes new hats! There are five new tasks for you to complete to earn a lovely bounty of new hats for your crew to enjoy. The new achievements are:

• A Traitorous Sequel: Play a Traits+ Game
• Murderous Mind Games: As The Manipulator, force another pirate to throw you overboard
• The Retaliator's Revenge: As The Retaliator, throw a pirate who voted for you overboard
• Proficient Prognosis: As The Psychic, correctly predict which pirate will next go overboard in a The Psychic's Prediction event
• Top and Tail: As The Traders, trade traits while occupying the Captain and Stowaway ranks

Time Warp in Trait and Traits+ Games

With Traits+ offering the opportunity to be really playful with traits, we've updated the Time Warp event to now impact traits in both Trait and Traits+ game modes. This means that a Time Warp will now revert any trait progress, but also restores any charges spent in the aborted timeline. This means that The Witch recovers their used ingredients, The Legion might lose or gain ghosts, The Undecided might lose their current trait, and much more. Make sure to check your Black Spot after a Time Warp to check who - or what - you even are...!

Trait Player Count Requirement Updates

We've reviewed the player count requirements for all traits, mostly bringing more advanced traits into smaller games. This will help games to feel fresh and exciting no matter how big your crews, and helps to balance the active and passive traits available to all crew sizes. We'll keep this under review, making changes where necessary.