what are some traits a good protagonist should have?

I don't think a good protagonist needs a certain set of specific traits to be a good character.

It doesn't matter what traits the character has. They just need to be well rounded, well written, and relatable.

If you're stuck on your character's personality, sometimes it's helpful to type in "character traits" into google. Usually you can find a list of different traits (both good and bad as characters need both), which can really help you get an idea of who you want your character to be.

All that a protagonist (and all characters, really) needs is a character arc. They have to be realistic and act how real people would act. They can't be a stereotype, a Mary Sue, or stay completely the same over the course of the novel. They have to change, for better or worse. Nothing is worse than reading about a character who remains the same for two hundred pages.

There's really not a trait that all protagonists should have. They don't even have to be likable. One of my favorite characters ever is Walt from Breaking Bad. He was an *******, yeah, and I HATED him by the end of the series, but it was fascinating to watch him delve from harmless family man to full-on drug lord who killed others, kidnapped his own daughter, grappled for a kitchen knife with his wife, threatened innocent people, lied, stole, and more.

There's no real set of traits all protagonists should have- there are interesting protagonists of all sorts of personalities and traits around.

As a general rule, they tend to be likeable or on the "good" side, but even this isn't always true. The only real rule is that they have to be interesting enough that you care about what happens to them.

The biggest mistake people make is the "Mary Sue", whose protagonists are so good that they are just boring. E.g. they are just so powerful nobody can actually fight them.

Make them extremely likeable and have a good background story of the character. Personally, I prefer good protagonists with attractive appearances.

I love how although everyone gives brilliant advice, nobody actually answers your question...so I will.

Trustworthy

Smart

Sarcastic

Blunt

Funny

Good listener

Cunning

Mysterious

Loyal

Good leadership

Adventurous

Witty

Quick temper/ patient

I don't think a good protagonist

what you need is for them to be likable and relatable, how you make them like that should be up to you