what do the gold stars mean next to stats?

[sunbro1991]

i assumed it was the stats that those particular characters are best at but just wanna be sure

[Bike Knight]

Those stars are called talents, they positively affect stat growth rates by changing the spread of level up rolls.
A single star raises the minimum roll you could receive by 1, two stars would raise the minimum by 2, and three stars would raise the minimum by 2 as well as raising the maximum by 1.
Say a merc of yours with 0 stars in Melee Skill leveled up, they could roll anywhere from the base +1-3 MSkl. If they had 1 star they could roll 2-3 MSkl, if they had 2 stars they would always roll 3 MSkl, and with 3 stars they could roll 3-4 MSkl.

[Ozymandias]

Bike Knight is correct. It is also here in the wiki:

https://battlebrothers.fandom.com/wiki/Talents

[sunbro1991]

ahh nice, thanks guys, that explains why rangers and poachers always have at least 2 stars next to ranged damage. thanks again

[gyozo]

Why is this nowhere explained in the game?

[Heron]

Originally posted by sunbro1991:

rangers and poachers always have at least 2 stars next to ranged damage

If only that were true. xD

Only bros you start with have fixed stars. When you hire a poacher in a town, ranged stars are not guaranteed. They'll have higher ranged skill at level 1 ("base stats") than most other backgrounds however.

[A5G_Reaper]

I know it's spooky month, but do you have to resort to necromancy

[Malarky]

Originally posted by A5G_Reaper:

I know it's spooky month, but do you have to resort to necromancy

Yes. While listening to death metal.