Talent tree

Doing things in the game completes inspiration goals, which award inspiration points in one of five colours. You spend them in the talent tree on talent levels and perks. The five lines are Building (orange), Smithing (red), Farming (green), Book writing (yellow) and Anatomy (blue). Zombie workers have their own talent levels and perks, priced in tech points; the game’s tutorial says zombies earn tech points while crafting.

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Talent tree
Perk or level	Talent	For	Cost	Requires	Effect
Building mastery +1	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Talent level +1
Building mastery +1	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	Talent level +1
Mason	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	Stone is your passion, and your carvings are excellent. You sometimes craft extra items from stonework.
Axeman	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	The axe is your friend, and it’s a sharp friend! You sometimes get extra logs when chopping trees. You can also make more firewood and wedges from logs. Chopping wood is so relaxing!
Splinter Proof	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Axeman	Your hands are so calloused, splinters break against your skin, not inside it. +2 [orange talent] when working with wood.
Carpenter	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Splinter Proof	You know how to work with wood! Circular saws are more productive in your hands. You also find the work very relaxing.
Building mastery +1	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Splinter Proof	Talent level +1
Builder	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1, Carpenter	Who says cutting corners is a bad thing? You recover some resources when restoring buildings.
Fissure Finder	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	You've learned to spot natural flaws in the rock, before breaking your pickaxe on it. +2 [orange talent] when working with stone.
Artist	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Fissure Finder	Is it just a piece of stone? For you, it’s art. You gain a quality bonus when crafting statues and decorations.
Building mastery +1	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Artist	Talent level +1
Jeweler	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	You have a nose for gems, so you find them more often. You also know how to craft fine jewelry.
Glassworker	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Fissure Finder	You make glass, not break it. Sometimes you craft extra glasswork items. Sometimes it's even pretty good.
Building mastery +1	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Glassworker	Talent level +1
Belt Master	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	You know how to keep things rolling. Your zombies produce more [gear].
Carrier	Building	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Building mastery +1	Your neck was made for something, right? Carry more items on your head.
Building mastery +1	Building	Zombies	50 red tech points	—	Talent level +1
Building mastery +12 levels like this, each at this cost.	Building	Zombies	100 red tech points	Building mastery +1	Talent level +1
Excavator	Building	Zombies	50 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie has mastered the shovel. Increased speed when digging clay and sand.
Tailor	Building	Zombies	100 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie has gotten better with fabric and thread: fewer scraps, more finished items.
Apprentice Carpenter	Building	Zombies	200 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie has learned the difference between a log and a plank. +2 [orange talent] when working with wood.
Building mastery +12 levels like this, each at this cost.	Building	Zombies	200 red tech points	Building mastery +1	Talent level +1
Logger	Building	Zombies	200 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie figured out which end of the axe to hold. Woodcutting speed increased.
Quarryman	Building	Zombies	200 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie has mastered the pickaxe. Quarrying speed increased.
Novice Stonemason	Building	Zombies	200 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie realized the chisel is for the stone, not for gnawing. +2 [orange talent] when working with stone.
Master Carpenter	Building	Zombies	500 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie has learned to saw in a straight line. +4 [orange talent] when working with wood.
Building mastery +22 levels like this, each at this cost.	Building	Zombies	500 red tech points	Building mastery +1	Talent level +2
Magpie’s Eye	Building	Zombies	500 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie notices the shiny things in the mine, and can recover gems.
Factory Operative	Building	Zombies	500 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie works better under the punishing conditions of conveyor production.
Master Stonemason	Building	Zombies	500 red tech points	Building mastery +1	The zombie learned to control the force of its strikes. +4 [orange talent] when working with marble.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Talent level +1
Fireman	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	The dancing flame fascinates you. You know how to increase productivity, and smelt more ore per load.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Fireman	Talent level +1
Blacksmith	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	You enjoy working with red-hot iron. Hammering relaxes you. When the work is done, you always find time to make some extra nails.
Heat Handler	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	You can judge the temperature of metal by sight, rather than touch. +2 [red talent] when working with iron.
Engineer	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Blacksmith	You understand complex mechanisms. Sometimes you craft extra mechanical items.
Gear Master	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Heat Handler	As a child, you loved playing with gears. Now you craft extras just for fun.
Deep Pockets	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Engineer, Gear Master	One day, they may prove too deep even for you. Increases inventory size.
Miner	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	You're a true miner. You sometimes get extra ore when mining. You might even find a gem... or not.
Gold Digger	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Miner	The guy selling the shovels is the only one making a profit. Gold starts appearing when sifting sand.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Gold Digger	Talent level +1
Iron Will	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	Mom always said insanity was for losers. Insanity can no longer rise above 70%.
Tempering Expert	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	After ruining plenty of workpieces, you finally mastered the secrets of proper tempering. +2[red talent] when working with steel.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Sword Master	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	You skill with a blade makes you better at crafting them. Your swords are simply better.
War Engineer	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Sword Master	You grin when your towers and barricade spikes bring pain to the enemy. Zombies don't feel pain, but they do suffer extra damage.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	War Engineer	Talent level +1
War Supplier	Smithing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Smithing mastery +1	You like your towers and barricades strong! No surprise they're more durable.
Smithing mastery +1	Smithing	Zombies	50 red tech points	—	Talent level +1
Smithing mastery +12 levels like this, each at this cost.	Smithing	Zombies	100 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Smithing mastery +12 levels like this, each at this cost.	Smithing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Smithing mastery +22 levels like this, each at this cost.	Smithing	Zombies	500 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	Talent level +2
Zombie Miner	Smithing	Zombies	100 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie works better in the poisonous fumes of the mine — unlike you.
Puff Master	Smithing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie puts what remains of its lungs to good use. +3 [red talent] when working with glass.
Novice Blacksmith	Smithing	Zombies	100 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie figured out which end of the hammer to hold. +2 [red talent] when working with bronze.
Advanced Blacksmith	Smithing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie stopped hammering its own fingers. +4 [red talent] when working with iron.
Master Blacksmith	Smithing	Zombies	500 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie figured out heat control. +6 [red talent] when working with steel.
Factory Operative	Smithing	Zombies	500 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie works better under the punishing conditions of conveyor production.
Impaler	Smithing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie gets that the sharp end points toward the enemy: higher spear damage.
Blindseye	Smithing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie learned to draw the bow, rather than just throwing arrows by hand: higher bow damage.
Tin Can	Smithing	Zombies	400 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie sees that armor is for wearing, not rattling around in a bag: higher defense.
Undead Resilience	Smithing	Zombies	400 red tech points	Smithing mastery +1	The zombie remembered it's already dead, and stopped noticing minor wounds: higher health.
Farming mastery +1	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Talent level +1
Master Forager	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	You love nature, and nature loves you back. You can gather more resources.
Farming mastery +1	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Master Forager	Talent level +1
Green Thumb	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	You learned to plant seeds pointy side up. +2 [green talent] when planting and harvesting crops.
Farmer	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Green Thumb	You're not afraid of getting your hands dirty. You can pick better seeds and harvest bigger crops.
Compost Chemist	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Green Thumb	You overcame your disgust, and mastered the finer points of fermentation: yields more fertilizer.
Farming mastery +1	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farmer, Compost Chemist	Talent level +1
Farmer II	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	You aren’t afraid of getting the rest of your body dirty either. Your harvests are even better.
Seed Master	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	Farming isn't about crops, it's about seeds. You obtain more seeds.
Farming mastery +1	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	Talent level +1
Cook	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	It’s not haute cuisine, but there’s plenty of it. You create extra portions of basic dishes.
Heat Saver	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Cook	You learned to put a lid on the pot so firewood isn't burned for nothing: consume less fuel when cooking.
Farming mastery +1	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Heat Saver	Talent level +1
Cook II	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	How dare you cook so well? You create extra portions of complex dishes.
Fisherman	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	You know how to handle your fishing rod. Now it’s stronger than ever.
Fish Filleter	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Fisherman	There’s no such thing as a small fish... you just need to cut it right. You get more fillets.
Master Brewer	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Farming mastery +1	You mastered the proper balance of hops and honey. +2[green talent] when brewing beer and mead.
Brewer	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Master Brewer	Brewing beer isn’t an addiction. You just make more of it.
Grape Master	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Brewer	Sometimes the grapes whisper to you: "Make me into wine." Better seeds make higher yields.
Wine Master	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Grape Master	You enjoy alcohol — especially wine! You make more and better wine.
Sommelier	Farming	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Grape Master	You've come to appreciate the wonders that come of a sealed barrel and a little patience. +3 [green talent] when making wine.
Novice Fisherman	Farming	Zombies	200 green tech points	—	The zombie learned that bobbers float and sinkers sink: higher chance to catch common fish.
Veteran Fisherman	Farming	Zombies	500 green tech points	—	The zombie learned to set the hook in time: higher chance to catch rare fish.
Presser	Farming	Zombies	200 green tech points	—	The zombie learned not to spill juice all over the floor. +4 [green talent] when pressing juice.
Brewer	Farming	Zombies	200 green tech points	—	The zombie learned to brew hops and honey without adding its own secret ingredients. +3 [green talent] at the brewery.
Winemaker	Farming	Zombies	500 green tech points	—	The zombie has learned the winemaking process. +5 [green talent] when making wine.
Fertilizer Expert	Farming	Zombies	200 green tech points	—	The zombie knows how to tell the different fertilizers apart. +3 [blue talent] when making fertilizer.
Preserver	Farming	Zombies	500 green tech points	—	The zombie learned to seal jars before their contents come alive. +4 [green talent] when making canned goods.
Miller	Farming	Zombies	100 green tech points	—	The zombie pours wheat between the millstones instead of all over the floor: yields more flour.
Farmer I	Farming	Zombies	100 green tech points	—	The zombie produces better seeds and bigger crops.
Farmer II	Farming	Zombies	500 green tech points	—	The zombie produces even better seeds and bigger crops.
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Talent level +1
Priest	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	People believe in your words. Ceremonies grant extra faith.
Cardinal	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	The church isn't just a triumph of the spirit. It's also a collection of buildings and properties. You've learned to manage them, so ceremonies give you extra money.
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Priest, Cardinal	Talent level +1
Performer	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	Successful ceremonies grant extra [Faith] and [silver].
Paper maker	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	You create more paper and newspapers.
Scribe	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Paper maker	The quill is mightier than the shovel. Sometimes. +4 [yellow talent] when working at the Writing Desk.
Like a King	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Scribe	Write everything faster: books, stories, newspapers...
Sermon writer	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Scribe	Holy words are easier when someone else does the hard thinking. Writing sermons becomes an easier task.
Good press	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Like a King	Ink stains wash off. Reputations don't. +4 [yellow talent] when working at the Printing Press.
Voice of Faith	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Sermon writer	A good sermon can save a soul. Or at least keep it awake. +4 [yellow talent] when writing sermons.
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Good press, Voice of Faith	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Good fellow	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	The more friends you have, the more brains you need. Increase your zombie limit without receiving a PR penalty.
Happy supplier	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Good fellow	Happy customers are good customers. Town orders give more [happiness].
Talented jeweler	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	Gold is surprisingly cooperative when it knows who's in charge. +4 [red talent] when working at the Jewelry Table.
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Talented jeweler	Talent level +1
Goldsmith	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Book writing mastery +1	Diamonds may last forever. Your patience doesn't. Crafting jewelry requires less [Energy].
Telling tales	Book writing	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Every good story starts with a little exaggeration. Creating stories becomes easier.
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Zombies	25 blue tech points	—	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Zombies	100 red tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +1	Book writing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +1
Book writing mastery +2	Book writing	Zombies	200 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +2
Book writing mastery +2	Book writing	Zombies	500 red tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Talent level +2
Novice Musician	Book writing	Zombies	10 blue tech points	—	At least the rats seem to enjoy it. Slightly increases [church quality] when assigned to the choir or organ.
Skilled Musician	Book writing	Zombies	25 blue tech points	Novice Musician	Not bad for someone without a pulse. Increases [church quality] when assigned to the choir or organ.
Maestro	Book writing	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Skilled Musician	Even the angels are taking notes. Greatly increases [church quality] when assigned to the choir or organ.
Dead Shakespeare	Book writing	Zombies	25 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Every zombie has a story. Most end in tragedy. The zombie writes better stories.
Ghostwriter	Book writing	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Nobody remembers the author anyway. +4 [yellow talent] when writing stories.
Dead pen	Book writing	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Writer's block isn't a problem if you don't have a brain. +4 [yellow talent] when working at the Writing Desk.
Dead printer	Book writing	Zombies	25 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	The zombie produces more paper and newspapers.
Dead tree society	Book writing	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Dead tree, dead worker — a perfect match. +4 [yellow talent] when crafting paper.
Dead press	Book writing	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Extra! Extra! Nobody's actually alive to read it. +4 [yellow talent] when working at the Printing Press.
Dead King	Book writing	Zombies	25 blue tech points	Book writing mastery +1	The zombie writes everything faster: books, stories, and newspapers.
Dead jeweler	Book writing	Zombies	200 red tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Diamonds are forever. So is this employee. The zombie creates jewelry faster.
Corpse jeweler	Book writing	Zombies	500 red tech points	Book writing mastery +1	Zombie make a pretty! +4 [red talent] when working at the Jewelry Table.
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Talent level +1
Researcher	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	Curiosity is surprisingly good exercise for the mind. Research items faster and with less [Energy].
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Researcher	Talent level +1
Scientist	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	You go deeper and explore the essence of things. Studying items may uncover stories or yield extra points.
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +1
Cube distillations	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	The laws of alchemy are more like suggestions. Receive more items from the Distillation Cube.
Formula one	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Cube distillations	Precision is optional. Results are not. +4 [blue talent] when working at the Formulation Bench.
Alchemist	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Formula one	If it smells disturbing, then you're on the right track. Sometimes alchemy yields more items.
Son of a butcher	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	You've been seeing things since childhood. Autopsies require less [Energy] and cause less [Insanity].
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Son of a butcher	Talent level +1
Treasure Hunter	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	People keep their savings in the strangest places. Organs occasionally contain [silver] during an autopsy.
Surgeon	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	The dead don't sue, but it's still good to be careful. Perform better autopsies.
Expert anatomist	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Surgeon	You know exactly where everything used to be. +4 [blue talent] when working at an Autopsy Table.
Monument builder	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1	Every masterpiece needs a lasting audience. +4 [orange talent] when crafting gravestones and grave fences.
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Monument builder	Talent level +1
Grave Builder	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Monument builder	Craft and install gravestones and grave fences faster, with less [Energy], and less [Insanity].
Cremator	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	Anatomy mastery +1, Grave Builder	The hottest job in town. Receive more rewards for cremating corpses.
Lust and Envy	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Do things look a little strange, or does the red just make everything seem more sinister?
Gluttony and Pride	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Sometimes things aren't what they seem... or is that just an illusion?
Wraith and Sloth	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	Calm can be deadly... or are the cobwebs putting gloomy thoughts into your head again?
Marauder	Anatomy	Keeper	1 inspiration point	—	The best loot is the loot someone else was carrying. Receive more rewards after battles.
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Zombies	25 blue tech points	—	Talent level +1
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +1
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Zombies	100 red tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +1
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +1
Anatomy mastery +1	Anatomy	Zombies	200 red tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +1
Anatomy mastery +2	Anatomy	Zombies	200 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +2
Anatomy mastery +2	Anatomy	Zombies	500 red tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Talent level +2
Dead distiller	Anatomy	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Even the cube seems impressed. The zombie gets more items from the Distillation Cube.
Holy corpse	Anatomy	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Even the church can't complain about free labor. +4 [blue talent] when crafting church supplies.
Rotten distiller	Anatomy	Zombies	200 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	+4 [blue talent] when working at the Distillation Cube.
Dead alchemist	Anatomy	Zombies	50 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Sometimes recipes give a little extra. Don't ask how. The zombie sometimes gets more items from the Formulation Bench.
Zombie alchemist	Anatomy	Zombies	100 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	Some ingredients are fresher than others. +4 [blue talent] when crafting potions.
Mad necrochemist	Anatomy	Zombies	200 blue tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	If it's bubbling, don't stand too close. +4 [blue talent] when working at the Formulation Bench.
Dead grave builder	Anatomy	Zombies	200 red tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	A beautiful grave is your last chance to make a good first impression. The zombie crafts gravestones and fences more quickly.
Grave architect	Anatomy	Zombies	500 red tech points	Anatomy mastery +1	+4 [orange talent] when crafting gravestones and grave fences.

Notes

Cost is in inspiration points for the Keeper and in tech points for zombies.
Requires lists the levels and perks that must all be learned first.
A row that says “2 levels like this” stands for two levels with the same name, cost and effect. Both have to be bought.
The inspiration goals are where the points come from.

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