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  '''This guide is up-to-date with {{InlineVer|0.E-4942-gc8ac471}} as of Aug 19, 2020'''
  '''This guide is up-to-date with {{InlineVer|0.F}} as of Nov 15, 2020'''
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The first day is always the most difficult.  Especially if you're new to the Cataclysm. This guide is intended to help newer players develop the proper equipment and skills for their situations, learning all the basics that's necessary to their journey into the Cataclysm.
The first day is always the most difficult, especially if you're new to the Cataclysm. This guide is intended to help newer players get the proper equipment and skills for their situation, learning all the basics that are necessary for their journey into the Cataclysm.


==Notes==
==Notes==
This guide assumes that you're playing the game with mostly default settings for consistency, i.e., evacuee scenario, default world values, [[NPC]]s and Survivor [[professions|profession]].
This guide assumes generally default settings (evacuee scenario, default world values, [[NPC]]s, and Survivor [[professions|profession]]). The Survivor profession is recommended, as it starts with basic tools.
Starting with the survivor profession is highly recommended as this starts you out with some basic tools.


We suppose that you have no starting skills spend in survival, fabrication and cooking.
This guide also assumes that you have no starting skills spent in survival, fabrication, or food handling.


==Basic movement==
==Basic movement==
See [[controls]]
See [[controls]].


==Arriving==
==Arriving==
Blink. Look around the room. You're alive and breathing, you'd be surprised how long you can keep that up given patience, knowledge, and as always, a tad of luck on your side.
Blink. Look around. Unlike most people in Cataclysm, you're alive and breathing, and with patience, knowledge, and luck, you may be able to stay that way. Thankfully, you don't have to face the apocalypse completely alone—another survivor has made it to the shelter.
And just like you, another survivor is right next to you, watching you.


Your first concern upon starting should be to take a peek out of the various curtains surrounding the room by {{k|e}}xamining them. If you see anything that looks like it could pose a threat to your welfare make sure not to alert its attention. Some of the most common early-game dangers are deadly animals, such as a [[Wolf (monster)|wolf]], [[black bear]], [[moose]] or [[giant wasp]]. These animals have been the cause of deaths of many early survivors who went outside their shelter door ignoring the repeated warnings of the safe-mode.
To get an idea of your surroundings, peek out of the various curtains surrounding the room by {{k|e}}xamining them from a neighboring tile. Try not to alert anything that looks potentially threatening. Some common early-game dangers include animals such as the [[Wolf (monster)|wolf]], [[black bear]], [[moose]], or [[giant wasp]]. Take care, many short-lived survivors have died by exiting the shelter ill-prepared, underestimating wildlife, and ignoring [[safemode]] warnings.


Making sure that your starting shelter is safe is the key for your survival, Now let's take care of your initial needs, on your right side of the screen is located your status bar, showing your health, mood <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">:)</span></span>, Focus and etc. It's mid-spring and you don't really need to wear winter clothes, they'll make fell warm and you'll be penalized, let's start by {{k|d}}ropring them from your inventory, select both winter boots and winder coat and drop them now we can start doing things.
Ensuring the safety of your shelter is key to surviving. Let's take care of your primary needs. On the right side of the screen is your status bar, showing your health, [[morale|mood]] <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">:)</span></span>, [[Focus]], and more. The game begins in mid-spring, and the weather is currently comfortable (probably). Let's check your inventory. By opening your {{k|i}}nventory, you can see what you're currently carrying: the survivor starts with a fully charged [[cell phone|cellphone]], one [[matchbook]], a [[pocket knife]], and a plastic bottle of [[clean water]].


If it is safe to do, tear down one of the curtains so we can start using these materials to craft our first items. First it's time to craft a [[Makeshift sling]] because it's a good way to storage things whit you, and it'll be very useful later on. Just open the craft menu with {{k|&}} them use {{k|Tab}} to navigate around the tabs until you reach the menu ARMOR and select makeshift sling, just make sure be on a brighter area and close to the sheet that you teared from the window. After completed, open your {{k|i}}nventory and wear this makeshift sling. Keep in mind if it's safe you can open all these windows by trying to move in the direction of the window and your character will raise the curtains letting the light in, since you need to be in a bright area to craft things this is a good option.
If it is safe to do so, you can open all these curtains by pressing in the direction of each window. Your character will raise the curtains, letting the light in. A well-lit area (i.e. tile) is needed for crafting, so this is a good thing to do now. Time to take a basic look around your shelter.
Now time to you take a basic look around your shelter.


===The Shelter===
===The Shelter===
This is where you start, one of the many government evac shelters.
This is where you start, one of the many government evac shelters.
Notice that you can see things when you approach these lockers and cupboards and you can check them by pressing {{k|e}}, There you can found some useful things for your survival like the wrappers of [[protein ration]], bottle of clear water, folded [[emergency blanket]]s, [[emergency jacket]]s, [[flashlight]]s, batteries, [[lighter]]s and few plastic & paper junk.
Notice that you can see things when you approach the lockers and cupboards. You can check them by pressing {{k|e}}. There, you can find some useful things for your survival like the wrappers of [[protein ration]]s, more bottles of clean water, folded [[emergency blanket]]s, [[emergency jacket]]s, [[flashlight]]s, batteries, [[lighter]]s, some plastic & paper junk, and, if you’re really lucky, a [[gas mask]], too.
These blankets and jackets are useful [[clothing]]s when it's cold, they provide an excellent warmth but it's very encumbering, encumbrance is a debuff and can potentially drop your fighting/dodging effectiveness, so just {{k|w}}ear it if you really need. In case if you want to use it, pick up the folded emergency blanket, them open the {{k|i}}nventory select the folded emergency blanket and hit enter and them {{k|a}}ctivate it to unpack it, it can be more useful at night when the temperature lower a lot.
These blankets are useful [[clothing]] when it's really cold. They provide excellent warmth, but it's very encumbering. Encumbrance is a debuff and can potentially drop your fighting/dodging effectiveness, so {{k|w}}ear them only if it’s snowing. However, you likely should {{k|w}}ear an emergency jacket now. It gives moderate encumbrance but also keeps you dry when it rains. Plus, it gives extra protection and just a little warmth without dropping your efficiency.


Notice that your shelter has a console and a door that wont lead to outside, this door blocks a stair to the roof and this door is also locked, right now it'll be impossible to open it without destroying it but trying to break it with your bare hands is not recommended, it'll hurt you. Remember that window that you teared the curtains from? Go there and {{k|g}}rab that stout branch and wield it, it's not an effective weapon but can do the job for now. Aproach the door and {{k|s}}mash it until it breaks completely. Whitout the door in your way is time to take a look in the roof, do it by standing on the ladder and pressing {{k|<}} to go up.
Notice that your shelter has a console and a door that doesn't lead to the outside. This door blocks a stair to the roof. This door is also locked. Right now, it's impossible to open it without destroying it, but trying to break it with your bare hands is not recommended. Without something heavy, it'll take too much time and stamina. Check one of the windows and tear down its curtains. Then {{k|g}}rab the stout branch and wield it. It's not very effective as a weapon but can do the job for now. Approach the door and {{k|s}}mash it until it breaks completely (the NPC can hear it and check on what's happening, but don't worry about it). With the door out of your way, it's time to look at the roof. Do so by standing on the ladder and pressing {{k|<}} to go up.


===The Roof===
===The Roof===
Here is the roof, notice that you're very high from the ground level, so don't try jumping from the corners of your shelter, you can even break a limb doing it.
Here is the roof. Notice that you're very high from the ground level, so don't try jumping from the corners of your shelter. You can easily break a limb doing it.


We are here for other purpose can you notice that solar panel, it has something that is really useful for you and unfortunately you cant just deconstruct it without the right tools so let's take it by the brute force, so smash the solar panel in pieces, it's likely to break with a single blow, keep mind that smashing furnitures is the worse way to obtain it's resources since it destroy some of them in the process, but we don't have a choice right now. {{k|e}}xamine what is left of solar panel and collect all the scrap metals and lumps of steel your next task is going to require them.
We are here for other purposes. Notice that solar panel? It has something that is really useful for you, but unfortunately you can't just deconstruct it without the right tools. Let's take it by brute force. Smash the solar panel in pieces. A single blow will likely break it. Bear in mind that smashing such "furniture" is usually the worst way to obtain its resources, as smashing destroys some components in the process; however, we don't have a choice right now. {{k|e}}xamine what is left of the solar panel and collect all the scrap metal and lumps of steel. Your next task will require them.


Ignore what else is left there since we'll have to come back here later, go back to the shelter. To do it is almost the same thing, stand on the ladder and this time press {{k|>}} to go down.
Ignore the other remains of the solar panel, we'll have to come back here later, and go back inside. Doing so is almost the same thing as ascending to the roof; stand on the ladder and this time press {{k|>}} to go down.


===The Basement===
===The Basement===
Now it's time to enter the basement of your shelter and take a look on it. Do so by standing on the stairs and using {{k|>}} to go down. It's widely known that these shelters were poorly supplied but indeed it keep a extreme useful items. The basement is usually composed of 4 rooms, the main one where the stairs are, 2 bathrooms and a hallway that covers the stairs.
Now it's time to enter the shelter's basement and take a look around. Do so by standing on the stairs and using {{k|>}} to go down. It's widely known that these shelters were poorly supplied, but it does have a few extremely useful items. The basement is usually composed of 4 rooms: the main room containing the stairs, 2 bathrooms, and a hallway that covers the stairs.


The bathroom is where the important items are, they can be in both or in just one room, but there is a guarantee of:
The bathroom is where the important items are. The items can be in both rooms or in just one, but there is a guarantee of:
[[First aid kit]]s, this item can save your life, this item contain lot of medical supplies and you can access them by activating it, useful to all kinds of damage caused to the player. Keep this item in a safe place.


[[Soap]] bars, useful items to clean [[filthy]] clothing, since you can always loot the clothes from killed zombies (wearing filthy clothes lowers [[morale]], and slightly increases [[infection]] risk). Gallon jugs of bleach and of ammonia too, as bleach can be used in early game to craft some bleached bandages.
* [[First aid kit]] boxes: This box can save your life. It contains a lot of medical supplies useful for mending all kinds of damage to the player. Keep one, or its contents, close by.


Several amount of [[Paper]], Just useless paper right now.
* [[Soap]] bars: Useful to clean [[filthy]] clothing. You can always loot the clothes from killed zombies, but wearing their filthy garments lowers [[morale]], and slightly increases [[infection]] risk.  


Now that you've salvaged the useful things out of basement, it's time to prepare yourself for the days ahead and in the same way that you get on basement you can leave too, stand in the stairs and use {{k|<}} to go up.
* Gallon jugs of [[bleach]] and of [[ammonia]] are also here. Bleach can be used in the early game to craft sterile, bleached bandages.
 
* Several pieces of [[paper]]: Useless right now. No need to carry them as plenty of paper is around, and it will be some time before you are able to use them for crafting.
 
Now that you've salvaged the useful things from the basement, it's time to prepare yourself for the days ahead. You can leave the basement the same way you came in, by standing on the stairs and using {{k|<}} to go up.


===Improving===
===Improving===
Back in here we're about to do some serious crafting now. First we need to replace this stout branch although it can work as a weapon, we still need a reliable weapon to be able to put up a fight, as there *will* be times when your survivor has no options except to fight. During a fight with a zombie if you get grabbed by them not only is your move speed reduced, but you can get badly bitten, and being badly bitten is effectively death in the next hours without a disinfectant.
Back on the main floor, we're about to do some serious crafting. First, we need to replace this stout branch. Although it can work as a weapon, we should settle on a more reliable weapon, as there <i>will</i> be times when your survivor has no choice but to fight. During a fight with a zombie, if it grabs you, not only is your move speed reduced, but you can get badly bitten, and being badly bitten will kill you within hours if you lack a disinfectant or antibiotics.


Before starting, take everything useful and bring it to the cupboard or try keeping the items at least 4 tiles close to you. Then check if you can craft a [[cudgel]] {{k|&}}. Keep in mind that if you craft too close to the cupboard your character will automatically craft it on that tile and leaving the item after completing there too, you can {{k|e}}xamine the cupboard to pick it back when finished. Cudgel is a strong early game melee weapon, this weapon can occasionally attack quick, stun enemies and block incoming attacks. And with a good knowledge in fighting you can take on even armored zombies with this in a pinch.
Before starting, bring everything useful to a cupboard, or try keeping the items at least 4 tiles close to you, all within a brightly lit area. Then check if you can craft a [[cudgel]] {{k|&}}. Open the craft menu with {{k|&}} key, and then use {{k|Tab}} to navigate around the tabs until you reach the menu WEAPON. Select cudgel with {{k|Enter}}. Beware that, if you craft too close to the cupboard, your character will automatically craft it on that tile and leave the item there after completing it. You can {{k|e}}xamine the cupboard to pick it back when finished. Cudgel is a strong early-game melee weapon. This weapon can occasionally attack quickly, stun enemies, and block incoming attacks. With a good knowledge in fighting, you can even take on armored zombies with this in a pinch.
   
   
Your next step is craft the tools that you'll be using a lot, first lets do the [[makeshift hammer]], to craft this you'll be using that chunks of steel that you obtained from the solar panel, but you'll still need a different item too, a short string, this item can be obtained by disassembling a long string into short ones. to disassemble an item you have two methods, you can pick it up {{k|G}} and them examine your item in the {{k|i}}nventory and them {{k|d}}isassembly it, or move into the same tile where the long string is and press {{k|B}} and choose the long string to be disassembled. Now check if it's possible to craft {{k|&}} the makeshift hammer, it's located on the tab Others (If you need help in finding an item to craft use {{k|f}} or {{k|F}} to search for it), if not possible yet to craft check what items is still needed, if for some reason it's planks, you can take the ones from the door that you recently destroyed.
Your next step is to craft some tools that you'll be using a lot, starting with the [[makeshift hammer]]. To craft this, you'll be using those chunks of steel that you obtained from the solar panel. However, you'll also need a different item: a short string. This can be obtained by disassembling a long string into short ones. To disassemble an item, you have two methods: you can pick it up {{k|G}} and then examine the item in the {{k|i}}nventory and then {{k|d}}isassemble it; or move into the same tile where the long string is and press {{k|B}} and choose the long string to be disassembled. Now, check if it's possible to craft {{k|&}} the makeshift hammer. It's located on the tab Others. If you need help in finding an item to craft, use {{k|f}} or {{k|F}} to search for it. If you cannot craft the makeshift hammer, check what items are still needed. If you're missing planks, you can take the ones from the door you recently destroyed.


And the the final tool to craft for the time being is the [[screwdriver]], this one can use either chunks of steel or scraps of metal to build this tool, when you start the craft you'll be prompted to choose what material you want to use, it's recommended that you choose the scraps of metal since it's easy to obtain than chunks of steel. Together this tools give the necessary qualities to deconstruct furnitures, hammering two from makeshift hammer and screw driving one from the screwdriver, try it by using the construction menu {{k|*}} to deconstruct a bench and a locker (Deconstruct furniture), so for now on keep these tools with you.
The next tools to craft for the time being are the [[screwdriver]] and [[makeshift crowbar]]. The screwdriver can be made with either chunks of steel or scraps of metal. When you start the craft, you'll be prompted to choose what material you want to use. It's recommended that you choose the scraps of metal since they're easier to obtain than chunks of steel. For the makeshift crowbar, you’ll need one pipe to craft it. To obtain pipes, choose one of the lockers and smash it. With luck, you will get a pipe from the first. If not, keep smashing the rest of the lockers until you get one. Together, these tools give the necessary qualities to deconstruct furniture: prying one from the makeshift crowbar, and screw driving one from the screwdriver. Try them out by using the construction menu {{k|*}} to deconstruct a bench and a locker (Deconstruct furniture). From now on, keep these tools with you.
 
===Wielding note===
As you progress through the game, you’ll notice that you cannot carry everything you find - either it’s too long, too heavy, or occupies too much space.
 
If you try to carry the makeshift crowbar and the cudgel, neither of them will fit inside the [[messenger bag]] (where you store your items) due to their length. For now, you can only carry one at time. You can keep holding the crowbar to do the next tasks.


===Upgrading===
===Upgrading===
Keep deconstructing some benches for recourses until you notice that you level up the construction skill, You can check your character stats, temperature and skills by pressing {{k|@}}, there you can navigate using {{k|Tab}} and the up and down arrow keys, fell free to navigate there to familiarize yourself with this menu.
Your earlier crafting should have leveled your fabrication skill to one. If it hasn't, deconstruct benches until this is achieved. Remember that you must be in a lighter area to perform this task. Thus, if necessary, you can {{k|G}}rab things and move them around to where you can deconstruct them. You can also check your character's stats, temperature, and skills by pressing {{k|@}}. There you can navigate using {{k|Tab}} and the up and down arrow keys. Feel free to navigate here to familiarize yourself with this menu.


Now we're going to focus on raising your survival skill close to two. To this we're going to harvest food outside in the forest. And before leaving note that in your status that at that moment you must already be hungry and maybe thirsty, and for you to survive this you must know how to prepare your food and clean water. By now it's possible that you have some fresh water in some plastic bottles around your shelter or in your dropped winder coat, find up one and drink it by using {{k|E}}, keeping yourself hydrated prevent you from losing speed by thirsty. And about your hunger you can wait for now, don't eat that protein rations right now, it'll drop the mood of your character, and it slight affect how fast you can learn new skills.
Now we're going to focus on raising your survival skill above one. To begin this, we're going to harvest food outside in the forest. Before leaving, note that in your status you're probably already hungry and maybe even thirsty. For you to survive, you must know how to prepare food and clean water. You may have some fresh water in some plastic bottles around your shelter or on your person. Find one and drink it by using {{k|E}}. Keeping yourself hydrated prevents you from losing speed from becoming thirsty. As for hunger, you can wait. Don't eat the protein rations right now. It'll drop your character's mood, and mood slightly affects how fast you can learn new skills.


==Beyond the Shelter==
==Beyond the Shelter==
To collect food on outside is going to request that you get ready to go a little far from your shelter. Then open your {{k|m}}map and look for a nearby forest (marked by dark green F on the map).
Foraging outdoors will require some preparation to venture a little way from your shelter. First, drop the crowbar and wield the cudgel.  Then open your {{k|m}}map and look for a nearby forest (marked by dark green F on the map).


Explaining the map quick <span style="background:black"><span style="color:white">@</span></span> is where you're, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">F</span></span> is forest, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:cyan">F</span></span> is Swamp, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:blue">R</span></span> is river an these <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green"><</span></span> and <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">></span></span> marks are houses of a city and you should avoid getting close of it for now, it's full of zombies. You can navigate on the map to know what each character in your map mean.
Explaining the map quick: <span style="background:black"><span style="color:white">@</span></span> is where you are, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">F</span></span> is forest, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:cyan">F</span></span> is swamp, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:blue">R</span></span> is river.  These marks, <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green"><</span></span> and <span style="background:black"><span style="color:green">></span></span>, are city houses.  Avoid approaching these for now; zombies infest cities. You can navigate on the map to familiarize yourself with the meaning of each character on the map.


===Leaving the Shelter===
===Leaving the Shelter===
Although the forest is not a very hostile place for the character, it is still a dangerous place, and can hide some strong enemies, so if you are [[Mi-go|hearing speech]] from somewhere, don't go there! If you see cobwebs stay away, same goes for some wild animals that stay in the forest, avoid fights with the animals at all costs, if you get hurt there's a chance to you bleed and it's really not so good for you on early game. If the safe-mode warning appears, see what can be with the {{k|V}} and react accordingly, if necessary to run, press {{k|"}} and keep your distance from danger, running cost stamina, so plan your scape route before running around, it's better run between the woods until he just lost your sight instead running on a open field and be chased to death, ({{k|'}} can be used to ignore the enemy that you've seen to start moving again), so when safe switch back to walk {{k|"}} and you should consider too waiting until you catch your breath. But if you unfortunately get caught, just press in the direction of the enemy to attack him, and good luck. (If the battle was unavoidable and you're bleeding, Drop your weapon wait for a while and your character will put some pressure on the wound trying to reduce the bleed.)
Although the forest is not a very hostile place, dangers do lurk here, including some strong enemies.  If you are [[Mi-go|hearing voices]] from somewhere, avoid! If you see cobwebs, stay away.  Certain forest fauna should be avoided.  Fighting the wildlife right now is not worthwhile, for you can find things without risking injury.  Some creatures can make you bleed, slowly draining your HP. If the safe-mode warning appears, see what is triggering it with the {{k|V}} and react accordingly.  If you must run, press {{k|"}} and keep your distance from danger. Running costs stamina, so plan your escape route before running around.  It's better to run between the woods until the creature loses sight of you than running through a open field, only to be chased until it catches and kills you.  {{k|'}} can be used to ignore the enemy that you've seen to start moving again.  When the coast is clear, consider waiting until you catch your breath.  Switch back to walk {{k|"}} when you're ready to move on. If you get caught, just press in the direction of the enemy to attack him, and good luck. (If a battle was unavoidable and you're bleeding, {{k|D}}rop your weapon wait for a while. Your character will put some pressure on the wound trying to reduce the bleed.)


Now leave the shelter to the forest that you want to harvest.
Now leave the shelter in direction of the forest that you want to harvest for food.


===Harvesting===
===Harvesting===
Keep your eye open using {{k|V}} constantly when in open field, it'll make your status bar show off all items visible on your line of sight you may have to press {{k|Tab}} to switch from mobs list to item list, if you find dead human bodies on your way you can check the corpse if it has some useful items with it.
Keep your eye open using {{k|V}} constantly when in open field.  It'll make your status bar show all items visible in your line of sight.  You may have to press {{k|Tab}} to switch from mobs list to item list.  If you find human corpses on your way, you can check them for useful items.  Don't eat human remains if you lack the [[cannibal]] or [[psychopath]] traits.  Doing so will give you long-lasting morale penalties.  You might even become so depressed you can't craft anymore (-100 morale).


On the forest start checking {{k|e}} the bushes if you're lucky it'll drop random things, ranging from food to crafting materials or junk. So collect what is useful including ten or so fiddleheads and keep checking the bushes until you reach your volume capacity. This task can take some minutes to be completed, but it's really required for your survival. When done go back to shelter and {{k|D}}rop your loot in somewhere.
In the forest start checking {{k|e}} the bushes.  If you're lucky, you’ll find random things ranging from food, to crafting materials, to junk. Collect what is useful, including ten or so fiddleheads (harvested from ferns), and keep checking the bushes until you reach your volume capacity. This task can take some time, but the skill you learn and the things you find can be very helpful for survival. When done, return to your shelter and {{k|D}}rop your loot somewhere.


Your next and final travel is to get water, and we're about to store a good amount of it, so you'll not be needing to travel for water every time, go again to the roof and deconstruct the standing tank. Use the construction menu {{k|*}} to deconstruct the tank. After finished you'll get four [[metal tank (60L)]] and a water faucet, and this tank you'll be very useful to store water, to easily bring them all back to the shelter you can haul {{k|/}} them, when you start hauling move to the stair and go down there, the items will come with you.
Your next and final task is to get water, and we're about to store a good amount of it so that you won't need to travel for water all the time.  Bringing the crowbar with you, go to the roof and deconstruct the standing tank. Use the construction menu {{k|*}} to deconstruct the tank. Upon finishing, you'll get four [[metal tank (60L)]] and a water faucet.  This tank is very useful for storing water.  To easily bring them all back inside, you can haul {{k|\}} them.  When you start hauling, move to the stairwell and go down there; the items will come with you.


Now with that metal tank (60L) that you get from the standing tank, wield one of them, since the tank is too heavy I recommend you drop everything you have with you but your clothes and go to the nearest water source that you have, can be the water in the swamp (Carefull that the swamp water can be salt sometimes) or a small pond in the forest (ponds are very common in forest), or a river. When near the source of water {{k|e}}xamine it and pour it in the container. Absolutely don't drink this water in this way, it must be cooked first or you can get poisoned.
Now, with these metal tanks (60L), wield one of them.  Since the tank is too heavy, I recommend you drop everything you have on you but your clothes and go to the nearest water source that you have.  It can be the water in the swamp (beware that swamp water can sometimes be salty), or a small pond in the forest (ponds are very common in forest), or a river. When near the source of water {{k|e}}xamine it and pour it in the container. Don't drink this water yet! The water must be boiled or purified, or else it'll sicken you.  Safe water is called 'clean water', while the 'water' we just gathered is impure.


Filling the tank is going to make it extreme heavy, so while you walk back to the shelter you'll lose much stamina, if necessary wait while to not hurt yourself doing it (Never let your stamina hit the last bar <span style="background:black"><span style="color:gray">Stam : <span style="color:red">;<span style="color:white">.... </span></span></span></span>). And if you find something dangerous just {{k|d}}rop the tank and run. When inside the shelter drop this tank somewhere, time to go back to the crafting.
Filling the tank is going to make it extremely heavy, so while you lumber back to the shelter, you'll lose a lot of stamina.  If necessary, wait a while so as not to overexert yourselfNever let your stamina hit the last bar <span style="background:black"><span style="color:gray">Stam : <span style="color:red">;<span style="color:white">.... </span></span></span></span>. If you encounter something dangerous, just {{k|d}}rop the tank and run. Once inside the shelter, drop this tank somewhere.  It's crafting time again.


===Cooking===
===Cooking===
Let's prepare the place for you start cooking. You don't want to set your shelter on fire so craft {{k|&}} one Brazier. Brazier requires a Metal sheet and this can be obtained by deconstructing a locker, after finishing {{k|a}}ctivate to place it next to the water tank. Brazier is a place where you can set fire and it wont spread around, so it's safe to cook anything on it. Now separate your planks to burn it, four should be enough, you can use the advanced inventory management {{k|/}} to precisely choose what you want to move out from a pile of objects, move it next to the brazier and use the construction menu {{k|*}} to mark an area of firewood source. With it when the fire is about to run out you'll automatically place another to keep the fire going unless if you're not using the fire for anything else.
Let's prepare the place for you to start cooking. You don't want to set your shelter on fire, so craft {{k|&}} a brazier. Brazier requires a metal sheet.  This can be obtained by deconstructing a locker.  After finishing, {{k|a}}ctivate to place it next to the water tank. A brazier is a place where you can set a controlled, non-spreading fire, so it's safe to cook anything on it. Now, separate your planks to burn them.  Four should suffice.  You can use the [[Advanced Inventory management]] screen {{k|/}} to precisely choose what you want to move out from a pile of objects.  Move it next to the brazier and use the construction menu {{k|*}} to mark an area of firewood source. With it in place, when the fire is about to die out, you'll automatically place another plank to keep the fire going, provided you're using the fire, such as for crafting.


Now last step before you start cooking is to bring another one of that metal tank (60L) and place it right with the other water tank.
The last step before you start cooking is to bring another one of those metal tanks (60L) and place it right with the other water tank.


With everything in place lets start by {{k|e}}xaminating the brazier to start the {{k|f}}ire, you'll need to have the matchbook with you. Open the craft menu {{k|&}} go to the tab food and lets start by doing a multiple clean water, to craft multiple times a item select it on the list and press {{k|b}}atch, so do 20x clear water, this is sure to raise your cooking level to one. After completing it pour {{k|c}} everything into one of your metal tanks. Now use {{k|E}} to consume the clean water until you get slaked. Now you need to take care of your hunger, open the crafting menu again and boil all the eggs that you collected, doesn't matter if you use normal water to boil the egg, so use normal water, same to cook the fiddleheads. Eat the cooked fiddle heads until you get satisfied, do go eating until you get full, while it's not dangerous it slight drop your speed when you're full.
With everything in place, you'll need the matchbook to begin.  Commence {{k|e}}xaminating the brazier to start the {{k|f}}ire. Open the craft menu {{k|&}}, go to the food tab, and start by doing multiple clean water.  To craft an item multiple times, select it on the list and press {{k|b}}atch.  Do 20x clean water.  This is sure to raise your cooking level to one. After completing it, pour {{k|c}} everything into one of your metal tanks. Now use {{k|E}} to consume the clean water until slaked. Now you need to take care of your hunger.  Open the crafting menu again and boil all the eggs that you collected.  It doesn't matter if you use untreated water to boil the egg, so use normal water, and do the same to cook the fiddleheads. Eat the cooked fiddleheads until you're satisfied.  Beware of eating until you get full in the field; while it's not dangerous, being completely full slightly drops your speed.  If you haven't gathered enough food from the forest, eat some of the protein rations from the shelter.  Always be sure to eat whenever you're 'Very Hungry'.


For last craft {{k|&}} a makeshift pot, this tool has two food cooking quality and will allow you to do cooked wild vegetables, them cook all of them since this food has a duration of two days and low calories, so you can eat them just fine later on. Fell free to extinguish the fire if you want, just check it and choose to do it (It's required that you have anything in inventory to bash the fire to stop it).
Finally, craft {{k|&}} a makeshift pot.  This tool has Rank 2 food cooking quality and will allow you to cook any wild vegetables you may have.  Cook any you have since they spoil in two days. Feel free to extinguish the fire if you want, just check it and choose to do it (doing so requires an item in your inventory to beat the fire into ash).


==Preparing for the night==
==Preparing for the night==
It's probably already getting late by now and have you ever considered where you're going to sleep? the floor or the bench can work, but why not a bed, they're comfy and really help the character to sleep more easy, and you can do it. Makeshift beds requires a good amount of materials but it's easy to do. But first you need fabrication skill two.
You’re getting tired and it's probably already getting late by now. Have you considered where you're going to sleep? The floor or a bench <i>can</i> work, but why not a bed? Beds are comfy and really help the character to sleep more easily, and you can make one. Makeshift beds can be built through the construction menu {{k|*}}. Though they require a good amount of materials, they're easily obtained. But first you need fabrication skill two. If you haven't reached this level, just look in the crafting menu {{k|&}} for something that you can build which requires fabrication skill of one. For example, [[wooden frame|wooden frames]]. Crafting items that require your current skill level will slowly train you to the next level. Do this until you reach level 2.
 
It may be very late in the day by the time you reach fabrication two. If it’s too dark inside, don't worry; you can still start a fire (in the brazier, else it will burn the place down) and use it to keep doing your tasks. You can also use the console's light; it's weak but does the job. Hurry up and finish the bed. To make the bed, you'll need four planks, six nails, and two sheets. Remember that you can get sheets by tearing them from the windows. If possible, construct the bed near the NPC. If he's awake, he can protect you.
 
===Have time left?===
If you did this tutorial and it’s still bright outside, or the next day, and you want to do more things, note that weariness from a lack of sleep can slow down your tasks. Getting a good night's sleep will reset your weariness.


Let's start by crafting things that may be useful in the future, like a washboard. The washboard is used to clean filthy clothes, and you can find lot of theses with the zombies. So open the craft menu {{k|&}} and start doing a washboard. Keep in mind that doing the washboard alone wont raise your fabrication skill so much, but you still need to reach the level two, so you can craft other things that requires fabrication one or just make some wooden frames, they use lot of resources but can be disassembled later to recover, so make 3 of them at once (you may have to disassembly extra benches for this task). Since you don't waste resources doing this task and them disassembling it, you can safely raise your construction skill without wasting materials, so after constructing them drop your wood frame on floor together with the others frames and press {{k|B}} to open the butchery menu and choose to disassemble everything once, keep doing this process until you level up.
Let's do some sewing. For this we’ll need some materials, such as rags, thread, and plant fibers if you found any in the forest. First, you need to craft {{k|&}} the necessary tool for sewing. A [[wooden needle]] is enough, but if you have spare bones, you can make a [[bone needle]], which offers better sewing quality. Now, go ahead and tear more curtains and take 4 sheets with you. After that, drop them and press {{k|B}} to open the butchering/disassembly menu, and cut all the curtains. You must have a knife in your inventory to do it. While disassembly can save some of the materials, a single sheet takes one hour to disassemble, so proceed to cut it all outright.


By the time you reach fabrication two it's very likely to be already night, or too dark inside, but don't worry you can lite up some fire and use it to keep doing your tasks, or you can use the light of the console, it's weak but does the job, so hurry up and finish the bed, to do the bed you'll need four planks, six nails and two sheets (Remember that you can get sheets from tearing them from the windows). If possible construct the bed near to the NPC, so if he's awake he can protect you if something happens near there.
Next, check if you have the all the necessary materials. Rags you'll have from the sheets, and either plant fiber or thread. If you didn't find any thread, disassemble a long string into short string, and then disassemble the short string into thread.
 
The first thing we’re about to sew is a blanket. This prevents you from losing temperature while you sleep and increases the chance to successfully fall asleep. The blanket requires 60 rags and 20 threads/plant fibers, and it takes about an hour complete. It’s guaranteed to raise your sewing skill, and like any craft, you just have to open the craft menu {{k|&}} to start working on it.


===Insomnia===
===Insomnia===
It is already dark, but you are not tired. Trying to sleep while not being tired can be difficult, much more if you have the insomnia attribute, so what to do?
It is already dark, but you are not tired. Trying to [[sleep]] while not being [[fatigue|tired]] can be difficult, much more so if you have the [[insomniac]] trait. So what to do?
There are alternatives:
 
You have some choices:
 
Organize your shelter. After you have finished everything during your first day, your shelter can be a mess. Organize your items. Separate them according to their type. Then you will know where they are in the future.
 
Read a book. Reading books can consume a lot of time, enough to tire you out, and still benefit you. Each first aid kit comes with an Instruction Booklet. Reading this book increases your first aid skill, which is very useful. You still need light to read; you can use the fire or the terminal for reading light. To read a book, you must have it with you or just be near it and press {{k|R}}.


Organize your shelter. After you have finished everything you can to spend the day your shelter can be a mess. Organize your items, separate them according to their type, then you will know where they will be in the future.
Craft things. Not the best of the options, but if you want, you can craft stuff using the console's light. You can slowly gain some skills if you choose the right crafts.


Read a book. Reading books can consume a lot of time, enough to tire you out and still give you some benefit. And it's sure to have a instruction book inside the first aid kit. Reading this book increase your first aid skills, which is very useful, you still need light to read, check if you have a candle to burn, you can also use the fire or the terminal for this too.
Sew some more. Try making a turban. A turban can give some warmth to your head during the morning. You can train your skill or make some clothes to wear.


Craft things. Not the best of the options but if you want you can craft stuffs using the light provided from the console, you can slowly gain some skills if you choose the right crafts.
Ultimately, you <i>can</i> go outside to harvest food during the night. It's not recommended, as you are less likely to see dangerous monsters coming, but it'll provide you some more food and can increase your survival skill.


And ultimately you can go outside to harvest food during the night, it's not recommended, but it'll provide you more food and can increase your survival skill.
If you do have the insomniac trait, you'll have a low chance of falling to sleep even when tired, requiring to you do something else until you get very tired. However, you can simply try your luck and attempt to sleep anyway.


If you really do have the trait insomnia you'll have a very high chance of failing to sleep even when tired, requiring to you do something else around until you get very tired to sleep without any trouble.
Before sleeping, you should consider drinking more water and eating some of those protein rations. Since you’re going to sleep, the morale loss here is not going to affect you negatively by the time you wake up. To sleep, just go on your bed and press {{k|$}}. When you sleep, your body temperature falls, and together with the night being colder, it’s a perfect recipe to make you chilly. If you get chilly, there's a chance of getting sick. If you didn't get the chance to make a blanket, don't worry. You can still prevent this by taking two the emergency blankets and {{k|D}}ropping them on the bed after unfolding them. That'll keep your temperature up while you sleep. Sleeping heals some of your health and restores your focus, things that you'll need in the morning. You can check your body temperature by pressing {{k|+}}. Here, you can see the armors and clothes that your character is wearing, what your body temperature is, and lot of other stats. Feel free to familiarize yourself with this menu.


To sleep just go on your bed and press {{k|$}}, but while you sleep there's a higher chance to the weather get cold, and if you get chilly there's a chance of getting sick, to prevent this take all the emergency jackets, blankets and your winter coat and drop it all on the bed, that'll keep your temperature while you sleep. Sleeping heal some of health and restore your focus, things that you'll need on next day ahead. You can check your body temperature by pressing {{k|+}} here you can see the armors and clothes that your character is wearing and what temperature is your body, and lot of others stats, fell free to navigate around this menu too.
===The cellphone===
Want to wake up early? Keep a wristwatch or your cellphone with you. When you try to sleep, it’ll ask if you want to set an alarm. It’s very useful if you want to wake up at a certain time or simply don't want to wake up at noon.


==Conclusion==
==Conclusion==
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But that is only a fraction of what is still ahead in this post-apocalyptic world, so [[Beyond the first day|why stop here]]?
But that is only a fraction of what is still ahead in this post-apocalyptic world, so [[Beyond the first day|why stop here]]?


In the next guide you will learn how to fight efficiently against the most natural enemies of this world, zombies, as this will be essential for your survival in addition to helping you to obtain extra resources in the cities.
In the next guide you will learn how to fight efficiently against the most common enemies of this world, zombies, as this will be essential for your survival, in addition to helping you to obtain extra resources in the cities.


{{Guides}}
{{Guides}}


[[category:guides]]
[[category:guides]]

Latest revision as of 07:36, 9 March 2023

This guide is up-to-date with 0.F (Frank) as of Nov 15, 2020

The first day is always the most difficult, especially if you're new to the Cataclysm. This guide is intended to help newer players get the proper equipment and skills for their situation, learning all the basics that are necessary for their journey into the Cataclysm.

Notes

This guide assumes generally default settings (evacuee scenario, default world values, NPCs, and Survivor profession). The Survivor profession is recommended, as it starts with basic tools.

This guide also assumes that you have no starting skills spent in survival, fabrication, or food handling.

Basic movement

See controls.

Arriving

Blink. Look around. Unlike most people in Cataclysm, you're alive and breathing, and with patience, knowledge, and luck, you may be able to stay that way. Thankfully, you don't have to face the apocalypse completely alone—another survivor has made it to the shelter.

To get an idea of your surroundings, peek out of the various curtains surrounding the room by examining them from a neighboring tile. Try not to alert anything that looks potentially threatening. Some common early-game dangers include animals such as the wolf, black bear, moose, or giant wasp. Take care, many short-lived survivors have died by exiting the shelter ill-prepared, underestimating wildlife, and ignoring safemode warnings.

Ensuring the safety of your shelter is key to surviving. Let's take care of your primary needs. On the right side of the screen is your status bar, showing your health, mood :), Focus, and more. The game begins in mid-spring, and the weather is currently comfortable (probably). Let's check your inventory. By opening your inventory, you can see what you're currently carrying: the survivor starts with a fully charged cellphone, one matchbook, a pocket knife, and a plastic bottle of clean water.

If it is safe to do so, you can open all these curtains by pressing in the direction of each window. Your character will raise the curtains, letting the light in. A well-lit area (i.e. tile) is needed for crafting, so this is a good thing to do now. Time to take a basic look around your shelter.

The Shelter

This is where you start, one of the many government evac shelters. Notice that you can see things when you approach the lockers and cupboards. You can check them by pressing e. There, you can find some useful things for your survival like the wrappers of protein rations, more bottles of clean water, folded emergency blankets, emergency jackets, flashlights, batteries, lighters, some plastic & paper junk, and, if you’re really lucky, a gas mask, too. These blankets are useful clothing when it's really cold. They provide excellent warmth, but it's very encumbering. Encumbrance is a debuff and can potentially drop your fighting/dodging effectiveness, so wear them only if it’s snowing. However, you likely should wear an emergency jacket now. It gives moderate encumbrance but also keeps you dry when it rains. Plus, it gives extra protection and just a little warmth without dropping your efficiency.

Notice that your shelter has a console and a door that doesn't lead to the outside. This door blocks a stair to the roof. This door is also locked. Right now, it's impossible to open it without destroying it, but trying to break it with your bare hands is not recommended. Without something heavy, it'll take too much time and stamina. Check one of the windows and tear down its curtains. Then grab the stout branch and wield it. It's not very effective as a weapon but can do the job for now. Approach the door and smash it until it breaks completely (the NPC can hear it and check on what's happening, but don't worry about it). With the door out of your way, it's time to look at the roof. Do so by standing on the ladder and pressing < to go up.

The Roof

Here is the roof. Notice that you're very high from the ground level, so don't try jumping from the corners of your shelter. You can easily break a limb doing it.

We are here for other purposes. Notice that solar panel? It has something that is really useful for you, but unfortunately you can't just deconstruct it without the right tools. Let's take it by brute force. Smash the solar panel in pieces. A single blow will likely break it. Bear in mind that smashing such "furniture" is usually the worst way to obtain its resources, as smashing destroys some components in the process; however, we don't have a choice right now. examine what is left of the solar panel and collect all the scrap metal and lumps of steel. Your next task will require them.

Ignore the other remains of the solar panel, we'll have to come back here later, and go back inside. Doing so is almost the same thing as ascending to the roof; stand on the ladder and this time press > to go down.

The Basement

Now it's time to enter the shelter's basement and take a look around. Do so by standing on the stairs and using > to go down. It's widely known that these shelters were poorly supplied, but it does have a few extremely useful items. The basement is usually composed of 4 rooms: the main room containing the stairs, 2 bathrooms, and a hallway that covers the stairs.

The bathroom is where the important items are. The items can be in both rooms or in just one, but there is a guarantee of:

  • First aid kit boxes: This box can save your life. It contains a lot of medical supplies useful for mending all kinds of damage to the player. Keep one, or its contents, close by.
  • Soap bars: Useful to clean filthy clothing. You can always loot the clothes from killed zombies, but wearing their filthy garments lowers morale, and slightly increases infection risk.
  • Gallon jugs of bleach and of ammonia are also here. Bleach can be used in the early game to craft sterile, bleached bandages.
  • Several pieces of paper: Useless right now. No need to carry them as plenty of paper is around, and it will be some time before you are able to use them for crafting.

Now that you've salvaged the useful things from the basement, it's time to prepare yourself for the days ahead. You can leave the basement the same way you came in, by standing on the stairs and using < to go up.

Improving

Back on the main floor, we're about to do some serious crafting. First, we need to replace this stout branch. Although it can work as a weapon, we should settle on a more reliable weapon, as there will be times when your survivor has no choice but to fight. During a fight with a zombie, if it grabs you, not only is your move speed reduced, but you can get badly bitten, and being badly bitten will kill you within hours if you lack a disinfectant or antibiotics.

Before starting, bring everything useful to a cupboard, or try keeping the items at least 4 tiles close to you, all within a brightly lit area. Then check if you can craft a cudgel &. Open the craft menu with & key, and then use Tab to navigate around the tabs until you reach the menu WEAPON. Select cudgel with Enter. Beware that, if you craft too close to the cupboard, your character will automatically craft it on that tile and leave the item there after completing it. You can examine the cupboard to pick it back when finished. Cudgel is a strong early-game melee weapon. This weapon can occasionally attack quickly, stun enemies, and block incoming attacks. With a good knowledge in fighting, you can even take on armored zombies with this in a pinch.

Your next step is to craft some tools that you'll be using a lot, starting with the makeshift hammer. To craft this, you'll be using those chunks of steel that you obtained from the solar panel. However, you'll also need a different item: a short string. This can be obtained by disassembling a long string into short ones. To disassemble an item, you have two methods: you can pick it up G and then examine the item in the inventory and then disassemble it; or move into the same tile where the long string is and press B and choose the long string to be disassembled. Now, check if it's possible to craft & the makeshift hammer. It's located on the tab Others. If you need help in finding an item to craft, use f or F to search for it. If you cannot craft the makeshift hammer, check what items are still needed. If you're missing planks, you can take the ones from the door you recently destroyed.

The next tools to craft for the time being are the screwdriver and makeshift crowbar. The screwdriver can be made with either chunks of steel or scraps of metal. When you start the craft, you'll be prompted to choose what material you want to use. It's recommended that you choose the scraps of metal since they're easier to obtain than chunks of steel. For the makeshift crowbar, you’ll need one pipe to craft it. To obtain pipes, choose one of the lockers and smash it. With luck, you will get a pipe from the first. If not, keep smashing the rest of the lockers until you get one. Together, these tools give the necessary qualities to deconstruct furniture: prying one from the makeshift crowbar, and screw driving one from the screwdriver. Try them out by using the construction menu * to deconstruct a bench and a locker (Deconstruct furniture). From now on, keep these tools with you.

Wielding note

As you progress through the game, you’ll notice that you cannot carry everything you find - either it’s too long, too heavy, or occupies too much space.

If you try to carry the makeshift crowbar and the cudgel, neither of them will fit inside the messenger bag (where you store your items) due to their length. For now, you can only carry one at time. You can keep holding the crowbar to do the next tasks.

Upgrading

Your earlier crafting should have leveled your fabrication skill to one. If it hasn't, deconstruct benches until this is achieved. Remember that you must be in a lighter area to perform this task. Thus, if necessary, you can Grab things and move them around to where you can deconstruct them. You can also check your character's stats, temperature, and skills by pressing @. There you can navigate using Tab and the up and down arrow keys. Feel free to navigate here to familiarize yourself with this menu.

Now we're going to focus on raising your survival skill above one. To begin this, we're going to harvest food outside in the forest. Before leaving, note that in your status you're probably already hungry and maybe even thirsty. For you to survive, you must know how to prepare food and clean water. You may have some fresh water in some plastic bottles around your shelter or on your person. Find one and drink it by using E. Keeping yourself hydrated prevents you from losing speed from becoming thirsty. As for hunger, you can wait. Don't eat the protein rations right now. It'll drop your character's mood, and mood slightly affects how fast you can learn new skills.

Beyond the Shelter

Foraging outdoors will require some preparation to venture a little way from your shelter. First, drop the crowbar and wield the cudgel. Then open your mmap and look for a nearby forest (marked by dark green F on the map).

Explaining the map quick: @ is where you are, F is forest, F is swamp, R is river. These marks, < and >, are city houses. Avoid approaching these for now; zombies infest cities. You can navigate on the map to familiarize yourself with the meaning of each character on the map.

Leaving the Shelter

Although the forest is not a very hostile place, dangers do lurk here, including some strong enemies. If you are hearing voices from somewhere, avoid! If you see cobwebs, stay away. Certain forest fauna should be avoided. Fighting the wildlife right now is not worthwhile, for you can find things without risking injury. Some creatures can make you bleed, slowly draining your HP. If the safe-mode warning appears, see what is triggering it with the V and react accordingly. If you must run, press " and keep your distance from danger. Running costs stamina, so plan your escape route before running around. It's better to run between the woods until the creature loses sight of you than running through a open field, only to be chased until it catches and kills you. ' can be used to ignore the enemy that you've seen to start moving again. When the coast is clear, consider waiting until you catch your breath. Switch back to walk " when you're ready to move on. If you get caught, just press in the direction of the enemy to attack him, and good luck. (If a battle was unavoidable and you're bleeding, Drop your weapon wait for a while. Your character will put some pressure on the wound trying to reduce the bleed.)

Now leave the shelter in direction of the forest that you want to harvest for food.

Harvesting

Keep your eye open using V constantly when in open field. It'll make your status bar show all items visible in your line of sight. You may have to press Tab to switch from mobs list to item list. If you find human corpses on your way, you can check them for useful items. Don't eat human remains if you lack the cannibal or psychopath traits. Doing so will give you long-lasting morale penalties. You might even become so depressed you can't craft anymore (-100 morale).

In the forest start checking e the bushes. If you're lucky, you’ll find random things ranging from food, to crafting materials, to junk. Collect what is useful, including ten or so fiddleheads (harvested from ferns), and keep checking the bushes until you reach your volume capacity. This task can take some time, but the skill you learn and the things you find can be very helpful for survival. When done, return to your shelter and Drop your loot somewhere.

Your next and final task is to get water, and we're about to store a good amount of it so that you won't need to travel for water all the time. Bringing the crowbar with you, go to the roof and deconstruct the standing tank. Use the construction menu * to deconstruct the tank. Upon finishing, you'll get four metal tank (60L) and a water faucet. This tank is very useful for storing water. To easily bring them all back inside, you can haul \ them. When you start hauling, move to the stairwell and go down there; the items will come with you.

Now, with these metal tanks (60L), wield one of them. Since the tank is too heavy, I recommend you drop everything you have on you but your clothes and go to the nearest water source that you have. It can be the water in the swamp (beware that swamp water can sometimes be salty), or a small pond in the forest (ponds are very common in forest), or a river. When near the source of water examine it and pour it in the container. Don't drink this water yet! The water must be boiled or purified, or else it'll sicken you. Safe water is called 'clean water', while the 'water' we just gathered is impure.

Filling the tank is going to make it extremely heavy, so while you lumber back to the shelter, you'll lose a lot of stamina. If necessary, wait a while so as not to overexert yourself. Never let your stamina hit the last bar Stam : ;.... . If you encounter something dangerous, just drop the tank and run. Once inside the shelter, drop this tank somewhere. It's crafting time again.

Cooking

Let's prepare the place for you to start cooking. You don't want to set your shelter on fire, so craft & a brazier. Brazier requires a metal sheet. This can be obtained by deconstructing a locker. After finishing, activate to place it next to the water tank. A brazier is a place where you can set a controlled, non-spreading fire, so it's safe to cook anything on it. Now, separate your planks to burn them. Four should suffice. You can use the Advanced Inventory management screen / to precisely choose what you want to move out from a pile of objects. Move it next to the brazier and use the construction menu * to mark an area of firewood source. With it in place, when the fire is about to die out, you'll automatically place another plank to keep the fire going, provided you're using the fire, such as for crafting.

The last step before you start cooking is to bring another one of those metal tanks (60L) and place it right with the other water tank.

With everything in place, you'll need the matchbook to begin. Commence examinating the brazier to start the fire. Open the craft menu &, go to the food tab, and start by doing multiple clean water. To craft an item multiple times, select it on the list and press batch. Do 20x clean water. This is sure to raise your cooking level to one. After completing it, pour c everything into one of your metal tanks. Now use E to consume the clean water until slaked. Now you need to take care of your hunger. Open the crafting menu again and boil all the eggs that you collected. It doesn't matter if you use untreated water to boil the egg, so use normal water, and do the same to cook the fiddleheads. Eat the cooked fiddleheads until you're satisfied. Beware of eating until you get full in the field; while it's not dangerous, being completely full slightly drops your speed. If you haven't gathered enough food from the forest, eat some of the protein rations from the shelter. Always be sure to eat whenever you're 'Very Hungry'.

Finally, craft & a makeshift pot. This tool has Rank 2 food cooking quality and will allow you to cook any wild vegetables you may have. Cook any you have since they spoil in two days. Feel free to extinguish the fire if you want, just check it and choose to do it (doing so requires an item in your inventory to beat the fire into ash).

Preparing for the night

You’re getting tired and it's probably already getting late by now. Have you considered where you're going to sleep? The floor or a bench can work, but why not a bed? Beds are comfy and really help the character to sleep more easily, and you can make one. Makeshift beds can be built through the construction menu *. Though they require a good amount of materials, they're easily obtained. But first you need fabrication skill two. If you haven't reached this level, just look in the crafting menu & for something that you can build which requires fabrication skill of one. For example, wooden frames. Crafting items that require your current skill level will slowly train you to the next level. Do this until you reach level 2.

It may be very late in the day by the time you reach fabrication two. If it’s too dark inside, don't worry; you can still start a fire (in the brazier, else it will burn the place down) and use it to keep doing your tasks. You can also use the console's light; it's weak but does the job. Hurry up and finish the bed. To make the bed, you'll need four planks, six nails, and two sheets. Remember that you can get sheets by tearing them from the windows. If possible, construct the bed near the NPC. If he's awake, he can protect you.

Have time left?

If you did this tutorial and it’s still bright outside, or the next day, and you want to do more things, note that weariness from a lack of sleep can slow down your tasks. Getting a good night's sleep will reset your weariness.

Let's do some sewing. For this we’ll need some materials, such as rags, thread, and plant fibers if you found any in the forest. First, you need to craft & the necessary tool for sewing. A wooden needle is enough, but if you have spare bones, you can make a bone needle, which offers better sewing quality. Now, go ahead and tear more curtains and take 4 sheets with you. After that, drop them and press B to open the butchering/disassembly menu, and cut all the curtains. You must have a knife in your inventory to do it. While disassembly can save some of the materials, a single sheet takes one hour to disassemble, so proceed to cut it all outright.

Next, check if you have the all the necessary materials. Rags you'll have from the sheets, and either plant fiber or thread. If you didn't find any thread, disassemble a long string into short string, and then disassemble the short string into thread.

The first thing we’re about to sew is a blanket. This prevents you from losing temperature while you sleep and increases the chance to successfully fall asleep. The blanket requires 60 rags and 20 threads/plant fibers, and it takes about an hour complete. It’s guaranteed to raise your sewing skill, and like any craft, you just have to open the craft menu & to start working on it.

Insomnia

It is already dark, but you are not tired. Trying to sleep while not being tired can be difficult, much more so if you have the insomniac trait. So what to do?

You have some choices:

Organize your shelter. After you have finished everything during your first day, your shelter can be a mess. Organize your items. Separate them according to their type. Then you will know where they are in the future.

Read a book. Reading books can consume a lot of time, enough to tire you out, and still benefit you. Each first aid kit comes with an Instruction Booklet. Reading this book increases your first aid skill, which is very useful. You still need light to read; you can use the fire or the terminal for reading light. To read a book, you must have it with you or just be near it and press R.

Craft things. Not the best of the options, but if you want, you can craft stuff using the console's light. You can slowly gain some skills if you choose the right crafts.

Sew some more. Try making a turban. A turban can give some warmth to your head during the morning. You can train your skill or make some clothes to wear.

Ultimately, you can go outside to harvest food during the night. It's not recommended, as you are less likely to see dangerous monsters coming, but it'll provide you some more food and can increase your survival skill.

If you do have the insomniac trait, you'll have a low chance of falling to sleep even when tired, requiring to you do something else until you get very tired. However, you can simply try your luck and attempt to sleep anyway.

Before sleeping, you should consider drinking more water and eating some of those protein rations. Since you’re going to sleep, the morale loss here is not going to affect you negatively by the time you wake up. To sleep, just go on your bed and press $. When you sleep, your body temperature falls, and together with the night being colder, it’s a perfect recipe to make you chilly. If you get chilly, there's a chance of getting sick. If you didn't get the chance to make a blanket, don't worry. You can still prevent this by taking two the emergency blankets and Dropping them on the bed after unfolding them. That'll keep your temperature up while you sleep. Sleeping heals some of your health and restores your focus, things that you'll need in the morning. You can check your body temperature by pressing +. Here, you can see the armors and clothes that your character is wearing, what your body temperature is, and lot of other stats. Feel free to familiarize yourself with this menu.

The cellphone

Want to wake up early? Keep a wristwatch or your cellphone with you. When you try to sleep, it’ll ask if you want to set an alarm. It’s very useful if you want to wake up at a certain time or simply don't want to wake up at noon.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have finished this little tutorial with the basics for your survival. You know how to create things, how to interact with your environment, how to eat and sleep. But that is only a fraction of what is still ahead in this post-apocalyptic world, so why stop here?

In the next guide you will learn how to fight efficiently against the most common enemies of this world, zombies, as this will be essential for your survival, in addition to helping you to obtain extra resources in the cities.