Skip to main content

Kenshi Character Presets Full May 2026

Let's break down every major preset in the vanilla game. We have ranked them from "Survival Nightmare" to "Easy Mode."

After reviewing the full list of Kenshi character presets, one truth remains: How you play matters more than how you start.

A "Noble" can die of starvation in the desert within 10 minutes. A "Rock Bottom" amputee can become the Emperor of the Ashlands in 100 hours.

Use this guide to pick the preset that matches your desired pain tolerance. If you want easy base building, pick Freedom Seekers. If you want god-tier combat early, pick Cannibal Hunters. If you want to cry, pick Wandering Trader.

Now, get out there. The Beak Things are hungry, and so are you.

Don't forget to save often. Kenshi saves no one.

Do you have a favorite underdog preset? Did we miss the "Slave" start? Let us know in the comments, and check back next week for our guide on "Kenshi Best Base Locations for Every Preset."

, character presets are saved as files, which store all the slider settings, skin tones, and hairstyles you’ve configured for a character. How to Use and Manage Presets You can find the standard character design options on the Character Design page at the start of a new game or by visiting a Plastic Surgeon

: To save a design, type a name in the character's name field and click the [ Export ] : To load a design, click [ Import ]

and select the desired file. Note that face types sometimes do not save correctly in the .bod2 file and may need to be manually re-selected after importing. File Location kenshi character presets full

: By default, presets are stored in your Kenshi directory at: ..\Kenshi\data\character\bodies\export Kenshi Wiki Available Customization Options

The game features a deep slider-based system for multiple races, including Greenlanders, Scorchlanders, Shek, Hivers, and Skeletons. Steam Community Body Sliders

: Manage chest broadness, shoulder width, arm bulk, hand size, neck length, and head size. Lower Body

: Adjust overall height, posture (from hunchback to upright), frame bulk (fat/musculature), leg length, and hip size. Unique Features

: Female characters include specific sliders for breast size and shape. Hair & Face

: Players can choose from approximately 40 hair types and several face types, with adjustable hue, saturation, and brightness for hair color. Enhancing Presets with Mods

If you are looking for more variety than the vanilla options provide, many players use mods found on the Steam Workshop Nexus Mods Character Customization | Kenshi Wiki | Fandom

Finding the perfect look in Kenshi’s brutal, post-apocalyptic world can be a challenge. While the base game offers deep slider-based customization, many players seek character presets to bypass the "potato-face" look and dive straight into the action. How to Use Character Presets in Kenshi

Kenshi saves custom character looks as .bod2 files. You can easily share these files or download them from the community. Let's break down every major preset in the vanilla game

Importing a Preset: On the character creation screen, click the "Import" button. You must browse to the folder where your .bod2 files are stored—typically Kenshi\data\character\bodies\export.

Exporting Your Creation: Once you’ve perfected a character, use the "Export" button to save their physical data as a .bod2 file for future playthroughs or to share with others.

Applying Changes Mid-Game: If you’ve already started your journey, you can change your appearance (including importing presets) by visiting a Plastic Surgeon. These are commonly found in Thieves Guilds or bars in major cities for a small fee. Essential Mods for Better Presets

Because the vanilla character editor has limitations—especially regarding face types and skin tones—most "full" presets require specific mods to look as intended. The Ultimate Kenshi Character Creation Guide

One of the most interesting "features" of character presets is that they aren't just for visuals—they reflect the world's brutal environment through a system of visual character development.

As your character progresses, their physical appearance changes dynamically to reflect their stats and history. For example:

Muscularity: Characters with high Strength will physically bulk up, while those who are starving will look visibly emaciated.

Body Type Changes: Factors like Athletics and Swimming also influence muscle tone and definition.

Survival Scars: Characters can lose limbs in combat, which are then replaced by robotic prosthetics, permanently altering their "preset" look. Key Preset & Customization Features Do you have a favorite underdog preset

In-Depth Sliders: You can independently adjust chest broadness, shoulder width, arm bulk, hand size, neck length, and even posture, which ranges from "hunchback" to "English gentleman".

Character Sharing: You can export and import character presets as small files, allowing you to share your unique creations with other players or save them for future playthroughs.

Modded Expansion: The community has created massive preset overhauls like Radiant Better Faces & Eyes

, which adds 101 reworked faces and custom textures for unique recruits like and .

Plastic Surgeons: If you're unhappy with your look later, you can find "Plastic Surgeons" in bars across the world to completely re-open the character creation menu for a small fee. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

The Ultimate Kenshi Character Creation Guide - Steam Community

Feature Title: Character Preset System (Full) Game: Kenshi Target Audience: All players (casual roleplayers, modders, speedrunners, hardcore ironman)

Notable for the Hive Prince preset having +1 starting in Leadership and Science, despite Hivers rarely being scholars in lore.

In the brutal, unforgiving world of Kenshi, your first decision isn't just about stats or weapons—it is about identity. Before you are enslaved, eaten by Beak Things, or bleed out in the desert, you must create your avatar. While many new players rush past the character creation screen, veterans know that the Kenshi character presets full library is the secret doorway to deep roleplaying and mechanical advantage.

But what does a "full preset" actually mean? It means moving beyond the generic "Greenlander male" or "Scorchlander female." It means unlocking the hidden sliders, understanding racial bone structures, and importing community-made masterpieces.

This article is your complete encyclopedia for everything regarding Kenshi character presets full coverage, including how to unlock hidden faces, install modded presets, and even create your own.


  "version": "1.0",
  "name": "Shek_Berserker_V2",
  "race": "Shek",
  "gender": "Male",
  "sliders": 
    "head_shape": 0.72,
    "jaw_width": 0.85,
    "horn_style": "broken_left",
    "skin_color": 0.12,
    "scars": "heavy_chest"
    // ... all 50+ appearance parameters
  ,
  "tags": ["combat", "tribal", "player_squad"]
Back to top