Perks in 7 Days to Die are organized under five attributes (Strength, Perception, Agility, Fortitude, Intellect). Points are precious in the early game, so the trick is to start with perks that “always help” and “directly connect to how you play.”
The Basic Approach
- Prioritize perks tied directly to the weapon you use: Start with ones that boost your main weapon’s damage, reload, and rate of fire
- Next, take the “always-effective” stuff like gathering and movement: Mining, chopping, and stamina perks save time and end up strong as a result
- Save the situational convenience perks for later: Effects that only apply in specific situations can wait until you have room to spare
Recommended Directions for the Early Game
- Combat: Build up one line to match your main (blunt / blade / gun / bow). Narrowing down your weapons is efficient
- Gathering: Mining and chopping efficiency perks make collecting iron and wood far easier all at once
- Looting: If you focus on exploration, perks that improve container contents start paying off from the mid game onward
- Stamina and health: The foundation that supports long stretches of work and combat. When in doubt, these are a solid choice too
Things to Watch Out For
- Don’t lean too heavily into a single attribute: In the early game, go shallow and wide, then dig deep once you’ve met the prerequisites you need
- Use them alongside magazines: From the V2 series onward, recipe unlocks are centered on magazines. Keep the division of roles in mind — perks are for “boosting,” magazines are for “learning”
- Respec with a plan: The handful of points you spend early are hard to get back, so decide on your main style first
When in doubt, building up the two directions of “the weapon you use most + the work you do most” is the least likely to go wrong.
Related: Early-Game Roadmap ／ Status Effects Summary ／ Strategy & Tips Index
Related: Strategy & Tips Article List