It's...gone. It's all gone

Just a simple idea I think could be cool. Basically, add a negative starting trait that gives you a major morale penalty at the start of the game that gradually diminishes over the course of a week or two, representing a combination of survivor’s guilt and the loss of friends, loved ones, porn collections etc. as a result of the cataclysm. It always struck me as odd that a new survivor could wake up in a shelter hours after the collapse of civilization and death of everyone they know, drink a can of coke and be feeling pretty good about things in general. This would, I think, help with those that like to roleplay in their games, while also presenting a challenge in the early game. It could potentially be called Lost it All or Recent Tragedy, and i’d say it should only grant a single point due to it’s impermanent status.

I thought that when the game starts it’s a few days since you first holed up in the shelter and you explore the cataclysm after your supplies run out?

Anyways it’s a nice thought, but since it’s already a week or so since shit hit the fan, maybe a not-too-major morale penalty?

Also another nice thought in the same vein: what about PTSD? Something something random chance of triggering low morale due to seeing something reminiscent of a family member/friend/colleague/pet? Not really much gameplay-wise but adds flavor into the game a bit

Actually, Cataclysm canonically begins exactly 8 hours after the shit hit the fan, or so TVtropes tells me. I’m assuming that’s based on a post by Whales/Kevin somewhere.

I feel it should absolutely be a major morale penalty if there’s any penalty at all, because everyone you knew and loved is dead. That’s why i’m proposing it be an optional pick and not a standard part of the game start.

[quote=“Solusphere, post:3, topic:7530”]Actually, Cataclysm canonically begins exactly 8 hours after the shit hit the fan, or so TVtropes tells me. I’m assuming that’s based on a post by Whales/Kevin somewhere.

I feel it should absolutely be a major morale penalty if there’s any penalty at all, because everyone you knew and loved is dead. That’s why i’m proposing it be an optional pick and not a standard part of the game start.[/quote]

TVTropes, like our own wiki, is outdated. DDA’s Cataclysm hit on Saturday and the game starts five days later, on the vernal equinox. (Wiki has some interesting holidays for it: Int’l Storytelling day makes sense, but the Day of Happiness seems amusing.)

Incidentally, this would place DDA in 2042; 2048 would be an option too because leap year doesn’t move the equinox.

As for the OP, a random morale-shifter trait (that starts with a penalty) could be implemented w/o difficulty, but IME depression/PTSD don’t work quite that easily.

Bang on. It also makes sense that a fresh survivor will receive harsher morale penalties for everything until they toughen up, with some exceptions.

Holy hell Ribble try not to post on topics older than a month please
I mean if this was D&D I’d love to have ya as a necromancer but it’s just getting everything disorganized y’know

I don’t understand man. What’s the difference between making a thread on this subject and reviving this still very relevant discussion? It’s not like i’m breaking the thread link everytime i post.

When a thread has become irrelevant, or 2000 pages long, i get it no necromancy. This is harmless.

For what it’s worth, i have already necroed every single thread i could contribute to in this forum. No more :slight_smile: