GUIDE / SKILLS & GENES

Skills & Genes Guide

Browse all Skills, EX Skills, Genes, Buffs, and Debuffs in Mesozoic Dawn with detailed effects, level parameters, and counter relationships.

🏷️

The Tag displayed next to each effect name is the game's internal unique identifier used in MOD configuration. Tags are never translated.

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Gene Learning Mechanics

Beyond inheritance, creatures can also automatically learn new genes over time through survival. Here is the complete gene learning mechanics explained.

πŸ“Š Experience Accumulation

The server checks for gene learning every 60 seconds. When the "Allow Gene Learning" rule is enabled, characters accumulate 60/35 β‰ˆ 1.71 learning experience per minute. Once experience reaches 50 points, a gene learning event triggers and experience resets. Under normal conditions, a new gene can be learned approximately every 30 minutes.

πŸ”’ Learning Cap

Gene learning is capped by two limits: the server rule "Max Learned Genes" (default 1, set to 0 for unlimited) and the character's innate gene slot limit. The effective cap is the lower of the two values. Once the learned gene count reaches the cap, no further gene learning will trigger. Note: Genes added via GM commands bypass this limit.

🎲 Random Selection

When learning triggers, the system randomly selects a gene from the gene pool. Each eligible gene has a 10% (1/10) chance of being selected. If the character does not yet have the gene, it is added; if already owned, its level increases by 1 (capped at max level). The selection skips ineligible genes (see Exclusions below) and stops once a gene is successfully added.

🚫 Exclusion Rules

The following genes cannot be obtained through learning: Fatal and Berserk (Crazy). Additionally, only passive gene (GENE) type effects can be obtained through learning β€” Skills and EX Skills cannot be learned this way. If the character already has a same-type gene (same category), that gene will also be skipped (same-type mutual exclusion).

⬆️ Upgrade Mechanics

Gene learning distinguishes between "new acquisition" and "upgrade". For new genes, the system pulls the gene from the gene pool, sets it to level 1, and adds it to the character's gene slots. For existing genes, if the current level has not reached max level, the level increases by 1. The system sends a notification to the player, distinguishing between a new gene acquired and a gene level upgrade.

βš”οΈ Kill Rewards

Killing another player has a chance to randomly increase the proficiency of one mastered skill (requires the "Allow Proficiency from Kills" rule enabled). When killing an Alpha creature, there is also a chance to directly obtain a high-level gene, with a server-wide broadcast announcing the kill.

βš™οΈ Related Server Rules

The following server rules control various aspects of gene learning and can be adjusted in server configuration:

Rule Description
Allow Gene Learning (ALLOW_LEARN_GENE) Controls whether the gene learning feature is enabled. When disabled, characters cannot learn new genes through experience over time. Default: off.
Max Learned Genes (MAX_LEARN_GENE_COUNT) Maximum number of genes a character can acquire through learning. Default 1, set to 0 for unlimited (still capped by the innate gene slot limit of the character). Sub-rule of "Allow Gene Learning".
Allow Skill Proficiency (ALLOW_GENE_SKILLFUL) Controls whether the gene and skill proficiency system is enabled. When enabled, skills and genes accumulate proficiency through use and automatically level up.
Allow Proficiency from Kills (ALLOW_KILL_SKILLFUL) When killing another player, randomly increases the proficiency of one mastered skill.
βš”οΈ

Skills

Combat skills that trigger on hit, applying effects to enemy targets. 15 total.

15

Blindness

Tag: Blindness
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Loss of vision effect

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 30% 0 1s
Lv2 40% 0 2s
Lv3 50% 0 3s
Lv4 60% 0 4s
Lv5 70% 0 5s

Bleeding

Tag: Bleed
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Deals continuous damage equal to 2% of Attack Power per second

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 50% 2% 4s
Lv2 55% 4% 6s
Lv3 60% 6% 8s
Lv4 65% 8% 10s
Lv5 70% 10% 12s

Fracture

Tag: Bone
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces movement speed by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 30% 10% 5s
Lv2 40% 20% 10s
Lv3 50% 30% 15s
Lv4 60% 40% 20s
Lv5 70% 50% 25s

Venom

Tag: Venom
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Deals continuous damage equal to 1% of Max Health per second

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 30% 1% 2s
Lv2 40% 1% 4s
Lv3 50% 1% 6s

Dizziness

Tag: Dizzy
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Immobilized effect

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 30% 0 1s
Lv2 35% 0 2s
Lv3 40% 0 3s
Lv4 45% 0 4s
Lv5 50% 0 5s

Exhaustion

Tag: Exhaust
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces damage by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 30% 10% 10s
Lv2 40% 15% 15s
Lv3 50% 20% 20s
Lv4 60% 25% 25s
Lv5 70% 30% 30s

Weakness

Tag: Weak
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Toughness Level effect by +1

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 20% +1 10s
Lv2 40% +2 20s
Lv3 60% +3 30s
Lv4 80% +4 40s
Lv5 100% +5 50s

Heart Failure

Tag: HeartFailure
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Health regeneration speed by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 10% 10% 3s
Lv2 20% 20% 6s
Lv3 30% 30% 9s
Lv4 40% 40% 12s
Lv5 50% 50% 15s

Gastric Failure

Tag: StomachFailure
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces energy supply efficiency by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 10% 10% 20s
Lv2 20% 20% 40s
Lv3 30% 30% 60s
Lv4 40% 40% 80s
Lv5 50% 50% 100s

Lung Failure

Tag: LungFailure
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Oxygen recovery speed by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 10% 10% 10s
Lv2 20% 20% 20s
Lv3 30% 30% 30s
Lv4 40% 40% 40s
Lv5 50% 50% 50s

Scars

Tag: Scars
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces max Health by +20

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 60% +20 15s
Lv2 65% +30 20s
Lv3 70% +40 25s
Lv4 75% +50 30s
Lv5 80% +60 35s

Confusion

Tag: Chaos
Max Level 3

Character suffers sensory confusion, unable to control direction accurately

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 0 5s
Lv2 100% 0 10s
Lv3 100% 0 15s

Berserk

Tag: Crazy
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Increases damage by 1% Lose Toughness effect Body functions out of control

Stackable
Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 1% 1h
Lv2 100% 2% 2h
Lv3 100% 3% 3h

Sterilization

Tag: Anus
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces reproduction by 1%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 10% 1% 1s
Lv2 20% 2% 1s
Lv3 30% 3% 1s
Lv4 40% 4% 1s
Lv5 50% 5% 1s
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EX Skills

Powerful special skills that consume EX energy. 13 total.

13

Counter-shock

Tag: AntiShock
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces damage taken by 30% and stuns the opponent

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 30% 40s
Lv2 100% 40% 50s
Lv3 100% 50% 60s

Armor Break

Tag: BreakDefend
Max Level 3

Increases Attack Penetration by +1 on the next attack

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% +1 1 60s
Lv2 100% +2 2 60s
Lv3 100% +3 3 60s

Critical Hit

Tag: Excitement
Max Level 3

Increases damage by 50% on the next attack

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% 50% 1 30s
Lv2 100% 75% 2 40s
Lv3 100% 100% 3 50s

Fatal

Tag: Fatal
Max Level 3

On the next attack, deals a finishing blow if target Health is below 5%

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% 5% 1 30s
Lv2 100% 10% 2 40s
Lv3 100% 15% 3 50s

Pack Hunting

Tag: GroupsHunt
Max Level 3

Increases damage of nearby teammates of the same species by 10%

πŸ“ Range: 10
Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 10% 30s
Lv2 100% 15% 40s
Lv3 100% 20% 50s

Hyperplasia

Tag: Hyperplasia
Max Level 3

Instantly restores the defense value of 30%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 30% 30s
Lv2 100% 40% 30s
Lv3 100% 50% 30s

Life Drain

Tag: LifeDrain
Max Level 3

On the next attack, lifesteals target Health equal to 40% of damage dealt

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% 40% 1 30s
Lv2 100% 50% 2 40s
Lv3 100% 60% 3 50s

Precision

Tag: PrecisionHit
Max Level 3

Increases trigger probability of all skills by 30%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 30% 30s
Lv2 100% 40% 40s
Lv3 100% 50% 50s

Intimidation

Tag: Pressure
Max Level 3

Applies a negative effect to the target on the next attack

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% 0 1 30s
Lv2 100% 0 2 40s
Lv3 100% 0 3 50s

Reflect Damage

Tag: Retaliation
Max Level 3

Reflects 30% of damage received back to the target

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 30% 30s
Lv2 100% 40% 40s
Lv3 100% 50% 50s

Extreme Stamina

Tag: Stamina
Max Level 3

Instantly restores 30% Attack Stamina

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% 30% 30s
Lv2 100% 40% 30s
Lv3 100% 50% 30s

Laceration

Tag: Tear
Max Level 3

Increases damage by 25% each time the same target is attacked

Level Probability Effect Uses Duration
Lv1 100% 25% 2 50s
Lv2 100% 40% 3 50s
Lv3 100% 60% 3 50s

Unity

Tag: Unite
Max Level 3

Increases Toughness Level of nearby teammates of the same category by +1

πŸ“ Range: 10
Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 100% +1 30s
Lv2 100% +2 40s
Lv3 100% +3 50s
🧬

Genes

Permanent passive abilities that can be passed down to offspring. 15 total.

15

Amphibious

Tag: Amphibious
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Increases Toughness Level by +1 and turning ability by 30% while swimming

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” +1 Permanent
Lv2 β€” +2 Permanent
Lv3 β€” +3 Permanent

Stimulated

Tag: Anger
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Increases Excitement by 1% per second during combat

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 50% 1% Permanent
Lv2 60% 2% Permanent
Lv3 70% 3% Permanent

Calcification

Tag: Calcify
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Fracture effect by 40% and Fracture duration by 0.1s

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% 10%
Lv2 β€” 60% 20%
Lv3 β€” 80% 30%

Consumption

Tag: Consume
Max Level 3

Accelerates food and water consumption by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Digestion

Tag: Digest
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces food and water consumption by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Fearless

Tag: Fearless
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces the effect of Slams by 40%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 60% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 80% Permanent

Hardened

Tag: Harden
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Attack Penetration by +1

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” +1 Permanent
Lv2 β€” +2 Permanent
Lv3 β€” +3 Permanent

Heart Rate

Tag: HeartRate
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Increases Health regeneration speed by 5%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 5% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 20% Permanent

Keratinized

Tag: Horny
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Bleed effect by 40% and Bleed duration by 0.1s

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% 10%
Lv2 β€” 60% 20%
Lv3 β€” 80% 30%

Metabolism

Tag: Metabolism
Max Level 3

Increases growth and development speed by 10%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Senses

Tag: Senses
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Stun duration by 40%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 60% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 80% Permanent

Serum

Tag: Serum
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Venom effect by 40% and Venom duration by 0.1s

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% 10%
Lv2 β€” 60% 20%
Lv3 β€” 80% 30%

Superior Breeding

Tag: Sire
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Increases egg development speed by 2%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 2% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 4% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 6% Permanent

Vision

Tag: Vision
Max Level 3 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Blindness duration by 40%

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 40% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 60% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 80% Permanent

Hydrophilic

Tag: Water
Max Level 5 🧬 Inheritable

Reduces Toughness Level penalty by +1 while swimming

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” +1 Permanent
Lv2 β€” +2 Permanent
Lv3 β€” +3 Permanent
Lv4 β€” +4 Permanent
Lv5 β€” +5 Permanent
🟒

BUFF (Environmental)

Positive effects from environment or status. 1 total.

2

Comfort

Tag: Comfortable
Max Level 3

Increases 10% energy output, oxygen output, organ recovery, growth speed, egg development, health recovery, and defense recovery

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Habitat

Tag: Habitat
Max Level 3

Inside a captured habitat: growth, egg development and egg growth +15%; toughness +1 When brooding inside: brooding reinforcement level cap +1 (up to 4th boost), eggs resist cold weakening +2Β°C

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 15% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 25% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 35% Permanent
πŸ”΄

DEBUFF (Environmental)

Negative effects from the environment. 5 total.

5

Arid

Tag: Arid
Max Level 3

Arid environment, increases 10% water consumption

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Heatstroke

Tag: Heatstroke
Max Level 3

Increases 10% food, water, and energy consumption; decreases {0} organ recovery, growth speed, egg development, health recovery, and defense recovery

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Humid

Tag: Humid
Max Level 3

Humid environment, decreases 10% lung efficiency (oxygen output)

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Hypothermia

Tag: Hypothermia
Max Level 3

Increases 10% food, water, and energy consumption; decreases {0} organ recovery, growth speed, egg development, health recovery, and defense recovery

Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 10% Permanent
Lv2 β€” 20% Permanent
Lv3 β€” 30% Permanent

Stress

Tag: Nervous
Max Level 5

Increases food and water consumption by 0.5 Cannot develop, lay eggs, or evolve

Cannot develop, lay eggs, or evolve while stressed
Level Probability Effect Duration
Lv1 β€” 0.5 30s
Lv2 β€” 1 60s
Lv3 β€” 1.5 90s
Lv4 β€” 2 180s
Lv5 β€” 2.5 300s