Probably Stolen Starting Scenarios & Traits: Demo Limits

How many starting scenarios are in the Demo?

The official Steam Demo description explicitly lists three starting scenarios plus hardcore mode under Demo Content. Its broader marketing section names additional professions. That general description does not override the Demo-specific content limit.

Our 049-Rev5-L extraction contains thirteen scenario definitions. A name and equipment description in the files do not prove that the selection menu enables that scenario. Keep the earlier Playtest, current Demo and full release separate when comparing advice; see the version comparison.

How do the documented starting resources differ?

This is a comparison of definitions found in the game files, not a list of currently selectable Demo starts. Each row summarizes its documented resources or costs. Starting cash amounts, item quantities and unlock requirements are omitted where they have not been established.

English name	Chinese name	Resources or costs listed in the definition
Apprentice	学徒	More starting cash, storage and everyday stock.
Junker	废料客	Scavenging tools, a furnace and Scavenger reputation.
Water Merchant	水商	A water manual, testing and treatment supplies, and containers.
Fence	销赃人	Smuggling storage and contraband; better Black Market standing, worse Security standing and higher rent.
Hydroponic Farmer	水培农场主	Hydroponic equipment, seeds and supplies; higher rent.
Chemist	化学家	A chemistry manual and laboratory equipment.
Organ Dealer	器官贩子	A named definition exists; no starting-benefit rows were recovered.
Pharmacist	药商	Drug-trading and first-aid manuals, plus medical stock.
Street Food Vendor	街头小吃摊贩	A cooking manual, a stove and ingredients.
Moonshiner	私酒贩子	A moonshine manual and starter brewing kit.
Gunsmith	枪械匠	A Class 1 weapon permit, firearms, modifications and ammunition.
Rock Bottom	一贫如洗	The benefit field lists no starting advantages.
Rat Wrangler	养鼠人	An animal cage, rats and food.

How should you choose a first start?

Check which starts your current menu offers, then compare cash flexibility, equipment you need to learn and extra rent. Our recommendation is to choose a trade you want to understand rather than rank a start by the apparent value of its free machinery. Equipment is not cash, and its value does not guarantee a sale before rent is due.

Read the beginner guide for the basic operating decisions. If Water Merchant is available, the official Demo description confirms that it begins with testing and purification equipment; the water guide explains those tools. This is a way to choose a learning route, not a tested power ranking.

Which traits change early-game trade-offs?

These examples have both current-build trait definitions and supporting values in the extraction. Point values retain the signs in the configuration. Check your own selection menu for availability, conflicts and the applied effects in your particular run.

Trait	Configured points	Documented effect	Trade-off to consider
Savings	1	Adds 150 starting Credits	Extra working cash does not guarantee later profit
Bad Lease	-1	Raises starting rent by 40 Credits	Increases early cash pressure
Vigilant	2	Prevents nighttime robbery	Addresses a loss risk rather than increasing sales
Diplomatic	2	Adds 33% to reputation generated by trade	Does not state that every reputation source is boosted
Intimidating	2	Reduces available evidence generated by crimes by 33%	Less evidence is not immunity from enforcement
Well Connected	2	Adds 15 starting reputation with all factions	Does not establish that every reward unlocks immediately

The trade-off column is our interpretation of those documented effects. It is not a measurement of profit or a strength rating.

Why is there no S/A/B tier ranking yet?

Relative strength depends on the build, trait combination, execution and goal being compared. We have not tested these routes under matched conditions for cash flow, risk and completion time. More starting gear or a higher configuration value is not sufficient evidence for a tier placement.

The mechanics source is the official NewGame text and StartingPerk definitions from our locally installed Demo build 25382790, extracted on September 29, 2026. The Steam page linked above independently confirms the Demo start count and Water Merchant equipment.