# Help with scenario starts

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644>\
**Category:** The Toolbox\
**Created:** [April 12, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644 "2019-04-12T02:06:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Heartwawy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ce73a5/32.png) [@Heartwawy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Heartwawy)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644/1 "2019-04-12T02:06:10Z")

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I’m trying to add the surface of the new research lab as a choice in the chargen location select for casual gameplay. I’m adding the ID code lab\_surface\_big to the locations list, but it won’t work. Where should I look?

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**Author:** ![mlangsdorf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mlangsdorf/32/2462_2.png) [@mlangsdorf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/mlangsdorf)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644/2 "2019-04-12T03:35:50Z")

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You need to add it to data/json/starting\_locations.json first, and then add the ident from starting\_locations.json to the scenario.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Heartwawy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ce73a5/32.png) [@Heartwawy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Heartwawy)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644/3 "2019-04-12T03:57:36Z")

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It says that it is unable to generate a valid starting location. I am making sure that I am using the ident “lab\_surface\_brick\_basementD1\_hidden\_lab\_stairs\_north” for the starting location.json (as target) and the scenarios.json (as a valid location). Please advise.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mlangsdorf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mlangsdorf/32/2462_2.png) [@mlangsdorf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/mlangsdorf)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 10:45am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/help-with-scenario-starts/19644/4 "2019-04-12T10:45:47Z")

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You’re referencing the rotated tile name, you need the base id instead.

The following JSON worked for me.

In start\_locations.json:

```auto
  {
    "type": "start_location",
    "ident": "research_lab",
    "name": "Research lab shelter",
    "target": "lab_surface_brick_basementD1_hidden_lab_stairs"
  },

```

in scenarios/scenarios.json:

```auto
  {
    "type": "scenario",
    "ident": "evacuee",
    "name": "Evacuee",
    "points": 0,
    "description": "You have survived the initial wave of panic, and have achieved (relative) safety in one of the many government evac shelters.",
    "allowed_locs": ["shelter", "shelter_1", "shelter_2", "research_lab"],
    "start_name": "Evac Shelter",
    "flags": ["CITY_START"]
  },

```

I’ll add some information about this to the guide for 1st time contributors.