# How do you play the game? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Bunker\ **Created:** [October 13, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937 "2020-10-13T15:54:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1

**Author:** ![Zan-Zun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zan-zun/32/10126_2.png) [@Zan-Zun](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zan-Zun)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/1 "2020-10-13T15:54:26Z")

Hello fellow survivors! I played C and some early D back in the days, when the world was not actually infected 🙂 and didn’t even know of the debug menu. When I recently came back to CDDA and wanted to see the newest developments, I had a really hard time keeping up with all the changes. From small things like the pointy stick to whole scenarios, I didn’t get anywhere and was mostly struggling with the mechanics. What frustrates me the most atm, is the conflicting and often completely missing documentation. So right now, I am using the debug menu regularly, because otherwise, I’m not going anywhere, as I have to try out every little thing before actually being able to “really” do it (rogue like FTW!). So how do you play the game? I’m really curious! May your days be calm and unbloody. Zan-Zun Ps: Does YouTube count as documentation nowadays? 😉 Pps: Mall cop was my absolute favourite as I always liked the mall scenes in Z-movies. When all the stupid consumers turn into equally stupid Zs 🤣 EDIT (I just have to add this) One thing that did not change, is the awesome community around this game 😁 ---

**Author:** ![Nonesuch](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/nonesuch/32/8516_2.png) [@Nonesuch](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Nonesuch)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/2 "2020-10-13T18:11:17Z")

I usually play high-powered characters. Not talking stats in all 20s, but definitely characters with a minor leg up (like a Rougelike Classes Knight). I like the Evac Shelter start, it allows a faction camp to get going immediately and the sooner you can get NPCs to handle hunting and gathering the better - it frees you to do other, more interesting things like looting, construction, etc etc etc. I might try a fire station start, just to see how it goes. ---

**Author:** ![Turn478](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Turn478](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Turn478)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/3 "2020-10-13T18:13:15Z")

I play using static bases more then I did in 0.C and 0.D. I like the mall start too a lot, otherwise I usually use evac or a left behind start. Mall start can be found in the large buildings scenario if you’re having problems finding it. You’ll pick the mall using the / key to choose location on the last screen. It’s hard to keep up with the documentation but you can see the official change logs for each stable version. [https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/blob/6d30e210733f775a1d4be3a20598e5043b92c37e/data/changelog.txt](https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/blob/6d30e210733f775a1d4be3a20598e5043b92c37e/data/changelog.txt) there’s also a weekly change log on the subreddit, but it is dense to go back through for changes. There is also a video [https://youtu.be/jenRi8q5c-Y](https://youtu.be/jenRi8q5c-Y) where Murder Unicorn covers the major changes between 0.D and 0.E. ---

**Author:** ![Zan-Zun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zan-zun/32/10126_2.png) [@Zan-Zun](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zan-Zun)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/4 "2020-10-13T20:45:32Z")

Wow that’s super interesting! I never bothered using NPCs and was always lone-wolfing. That opens up a whole new dimension in the game. Thanks! I also found out that the stats, esp. early “first aid”, is super important now. ---

**Author:** ![Zan-Zun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zan-zun/32/10126_2.png) [@Zan-Zun](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zan-Zun)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/5 "2020-10-13T20:50:52Z")

Super helpful! I mostly went with _Vormithrax_ YT-wise and your link sounds like exactly the information I needed. Will definately watch it! I started reading through the change-logs, but that turned out to be just too tideous. And it’s a game in the end 🙂 Also very interesting playstyle. I never really settled and always just built the bare minimum shelter. I like to roam about and explore the world. I might try setting up a proper base (maybe with some NPCs help (wink at @Nonesuch) and then go from there. Do you use vehicles a lot? ---

**Author:** ![Turn478](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Turn478](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Turn478)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/6 "2020-10-13T22:42:04Z")

It gives you an excuse to make all sorts of vehicles. Scout vehicles and long distance etc. ---

**Author:** ![Tazeell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/tazeell/32/4576_2.png) [@Tazeell](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tazeell)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 7:17am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/7 "2020-10-14T07:17:19Z")

I like my runs leaning towards a bit unpredictable. I play a lot of genetic chaos mutants and style my runs based around what I get. All the changes is the world don’t seem to have changed my odd ball roulette wheel of a playstyle very much though the game sure is fancier and more polished now. Gotta say the game does seem a lot easier than I remember though I was a weirdo that made one armed character starts so maybe my reference difficulty is a bit off. Having two arms probably makes things a fair bit easier than what I used to play sometimes. ---

**Author:** ![Sediment](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sediment/32/6534_2.png) [@Sediment](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sediment)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 10:54am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/8 "2020-10-14T10:54:49Z")

I tend to go low tech. Generally my chars will go with wagons & draft animals to pull it or at least a non-deathmobile, something not bristling with weapons. They don’t shun post industrial tech, I still make solar chargers to power tools, just I seem to enjoy the low tech, egrarian type of play. Another favorite is island hopping. Making a base on an island, a farm on another island if the first isn’t big enough then boats to scout/raid the coastline & haul back my spoils. ---

**Author:** ![Rot](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/rot/32/454_2.png) [@Rot](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Rot)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/9 "2020-10-14T15:26:00Z")

I usually play challenge runs, my go-to was the lab start since I could start on mutations immediately and I usually have no trouble escaping the labs. But on my most recent run I started out as a Really Bad Day shower victim, and it was… Very interesting. I progressed on the character to a point where I’m a super survivor, tons of bionics, chimera mutant with a death mobile security van and 11+ in all combat related stats with 20+ in all stats. Starting from the bottom was really fun, but I’m equally enjoying the fun I’m having rampaging across the land as some superhuman. Here are the posts where I documented the most of the run: > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2489): > > Been a while since I went into the game, so I decided to deviate from my usual lab test subject start, as it’s not really “really bad day” but it gave the same amount of points and was way more predictable than the aforementioned start. But hey, I was bored so I picked shower victim and really bad day. My first try was a bust, the town was way too small and absolutely filled with the dead, so I gave up. My second try, however, was an astounding success. I spawned in, grabbed a cast iron pan, c… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2491): > > Quite a jump from last time I posted. I cleared out most of a city with a trusty fire axe and leather touring suit. Upgraded everything to survivor gear soon after I finished decking out my security truck, which curiously was completely fine, and even was welded onto orichalcum frames. Made the two all-in-one welder/forge plus kitchen/kitchen buddy/chemical station and used cargo spaces for storgage. Added a large battery array from an electric car, around 6 solar panels, two extra tanks for cle… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2497): > > I’ve been making amazing progress. My main two goals are to find a niten book so I can finally use my katana well, and find RM13 Combat Armor so I can tackle some end-game areas much more comfortably. In hindsight I should’ve taken the martial art at chargen but I didn’t imagine having THIS much trouble with it. In any case, I raided a whole bunch of labs, a research facility, did quests for the cleansing flame and hub scientist area, along with mutating completely to the chimera tree. I had so… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2503): > > Just finished up my lab exploration, the zombie wrestler down there really helped when it came to training my dodge to 15. It was pretty easy, just train dodge until my focus was down to 20-ish and run up the elevator, take a nap in my car, get focus to 100 and repeat. The 15 dodge will be super useful, since with modifiers my dodge is somewhere around 22, which is great, since I literally have no armor on whatsoever because if I did i’d overheat and die since it’s summer. Case in point… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2548): > > I agree with the crafting help, only problem is my vehicle is pretty cramped considering it’s just a decked out security van. Having an NPC help me make food and install bionics for me would help, but that means I’ll have to sacrifice a bed spot for a seat, and turn a cargo space into a bed spot. Dunno if it’s worth it, considering I have a year’s supply of smoked/dehydrated beef and raisins. Spaghetti takes forever to make though, so who knows. I’m kind of on a mad max road trip right now, l… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2557): > > Been a long time since I last played, tried to port my old character to the new builds but due to conflicting mods, it wasn’t possible. So I decided to just re-create my old character via debug menu, complete with all skills, the current inventory, bionics, mutations and stats. Lemme tell ya, this character was extensive and super decked out. It took around 2-3 hours from world-gen start to finish. Had to debug in a auto-doc to get all my bionics in. So, i’m pretty happy and content - except … > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2558): > > Little update on the last post. Went and cleared out a goblin outpost, pretty easy, got a lot of amazing weapons and I decided to run with the pike for a bit to test it out, and it was really fun to play with. The outpost had a lot of cool magiclysm items like a heat cube, enchanted tailorers kit or that spider box that generates thread. I dunno how it works, but it also has an endless flask and i’m hoping to fill it with alcohol, tea, or clean water. I went to a nearby rural house to grab a … > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2567): > > Little update with my run so far. I found a sports car with a pristine engine and instead of yanking it out to replace a swat vehicle or security van’s diesel engine with a V12 gasoline one, I decided i’d go for a sorta mad max in style type deal. So I ended up repairing the car fully, replacing a seat with a bed and welding armor plating to the car with the plating that I found from an APC nearby. Slapped four solar panels, two storage battery packs, a recharging station, a large electric mot… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2584): > > Just updated my game, unfortunately I’ve had some issues with the game, specifically my character and artifacts. Apparently my super awesome artifact knife that had clairvoyance literally doesn’t work anymore, and I’ve been looking for a solution but I might just have to do some fiddling with the files, which i’m not really in the mood to do just blind. It gives me all the benefits and negatives, just clairvoyance is annoyingly broken for some reason. Also i’m forced to live with bionic slots… > [@What's happening in YOUR randomly generated apocalypse? Part 2!](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/whats-happening-in-your-randomly-generated-apocalypse-part-2/14511/2593): > > I’ve been getting bored with melee, so I started trying to use primarily guns for the first time. Mind you, I’ve been playing since version 0.A (circa 2014-2015) so that says something when I seriously say “I’m primarily using guns only.” Managed to nab a whole bunch of 5.56 from a military bunker raid, like around 10k rounds of military grade 5.56. I’ve been trying to burn through these but it’s proving more difficult than I thought (Since i’m naturally stingy with resources, I can’t put turre… ---

**Author:** ![Zan-Zun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zan-zun/32/10126_2.png) [@Zan-Zun](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zan-Zun)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/10 "2020-10-14T18:47:19Z")

Wait what? Islands and boats?! Oh my do have to check that out now 🙂 ---

**Author:** ![Sediment](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sediment/32/6534_2.png) [@Sediment](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sediment)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/11 "2020-10-14T22:23:47Z")

Yep, you can build boats & amphibious vehicles now. The island prison and lighthouse starts get you out in the water from the start but you can always stumble onto a large lake, build a boat & go from there. Some islands even have a cabin, smoke shack & boathouse built in, so, instant base. 😁 ---

**Author:** ![DesLandysh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@DesLandysh](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DesLandysh)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/12 "2020-10-17T13:22:32Z")

I never use debug menu too. And I feel free with one pool stat 12-11-8-9. It’s decrease some challenge at start. And all happening later is your own badluck and your bad choices. Even in a desert with city=0 and distance=8… Nude&Afraid at Somewhere of Nothing it’s not too hard to play. Somewhere of Nothing is my fave start, and Landscape Designer, Woodcutter, Technomancer, Medieval Peasant (not scenario) are pretty awesome to start. ---

**Author:** ![spicyshadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@spicyshadow](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/spicyshadow)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 1:27pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/how-do-you-play-the-game/24937/13 "2020-10-17T13:27:40Z")

Thinking about trying a boatman playstyle. Since you can now go under bridges this opens up a whole new playstyle and mode of travel that I haven’t seen anyone talk about yet. But it might be by far the safest way to get around and relatively fast to (no obstacles or distractions in the way).