# Tips, Tricks, and Newb Questions!

**URL:** <https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42>\
**Category:** The Bunker\
**Created:** [January 3, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42 "2013-01-03T03:04:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 136

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**Author:** ![ChristopherWalken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@ChristopherWalken](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ChristopherWalken)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2701 "2014-03-23T20:33:04Z")

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How long does it take for an intestinal worm to go away?  
Or what do I need to take to get rid of it?

I caught one before I noticed they had been added and now I have to spend most of the day finding and cooking stuff just to feed it.

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**Author:** ![i2amroy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/i2amroy/32/909_2.png) [@i2amroy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/i2amroy)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2702 "2014-03-23T20:46:37Z")

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I think there is some anti-parasite medicine you can find in pharmacies. That said it’s permanent unless treated.

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**Author:** ![Tawarochir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Tawarochir](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tawarochir)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2703 "2014-03-23T23:18:34Z")

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> [@i2amroy](#):
>
> Zombies spawn more densely the closer you get to the town “center”, which is tied to the exact same thing that determines where stores spawn. You can go for the stores if you want, but that’s going to be the same location where you start finding hulks and brutes in the city.

Actually, I prefer playing on classic zombies, but enough kids and tough zombies will still spell doom.

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**Author:** ![jokermatt999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9bcb4/32.png) [@jokermatt999](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jokermatt999)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 5:25am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2704 "2014-03-24T05:25:48Z")

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How reliable is farming as a food source? I’ve mostly been critter hunting and jerking the meat, but I’d like to expand my food sources. Is there any reliable way to get seeds? I heard a “farmer” profession mentioned, but I couldn’t find it. How long does it take to grow into harvesting? I’ve heard about a season, but does that change if I do 90 day seasons?

Also, vehicles: I’m working on a small mobile base, 3x4 native with just all the essentials. How would the different sizes of wheels work on there. Engines? I don’t plan to be too mobile, but I want it to be moveable. Also, I’ve heard there used to be issues with crafting not seeing the items in containers. Is this still a problem, and if so, what’s the best solution for vehicle based crafting?

Finally, just one random question: how long do plutonium cells/atomic battery mods last? Infinite, years, seasons, weeks?

Edit: and I thought of yet another question: what all can the pda do? I know it has a flashlight app and a vehicle tracking one, but are there more hidden functions?  
I’ve looked into all these on the wiki and even poked around a bit in the code, but couldn’t find more info.

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**Author:** ![ChristopherWalken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@ChristopherWalken](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ChristopherWalken)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2705 "2014-03-24T08:01:24Z")

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Well I turned a semi into an electric vehicle and with one engine its top speed is 16.

So you’re going to want multiple engines if you go electric.

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**Author:** ![Dzlan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/dzlan/32/82_2.png) [@Dzlan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dzlan)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:09am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2706 "2014-03-24T08:09:22Z")

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Somethings not right there, my friend.  
I turned a flatbed into an electric and could go to almost 200k/hour.  
With 2 large electric motors, I could go to almost 400.

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**Author:** ![ChristopherWalken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@ChristopherWalken](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ChristopherWalken)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:14am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2707 "2014-03-24T08:14:40Z")

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Well it’s given top speed is around 60 (I think, I don’t have that save on the PC I’m on now) but anything above 20-ish starts damaging the engine.

Maybe my driving skill is a bit too low but as far as I remember 3 should be enough. It’s also a standard electric motor, haven’t found a large yet.

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**Author:** ![Dzlan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/dzlan/32/82_2.png) [@Dzlan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dzlan)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2708 "2014-03-24T08:20:35Z")

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I have never found a standard, but I don’t check vehicles anymore. Still on my first char since starting 0.A stable and he’s basically invincible. And ever since I found out about Welding Rigs in this game, I just spend weeks in game stripping the frames from vehicles and sheet metal to build up my vehicle from scratch.  
Currently, I regret making it this big, it’s stupid to control the turning.

Also my turn for a question, : P Does the position I place my wheels (Particularly on a longer vehicle) determine the turning at all?

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**Author:** ![Williham](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/williham/32/845_2.png) [@Williham](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Williham)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2709 "2014-03-24T08:23:39Z")

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[quote=“jokermatt999, post:2704, topic:42”]How reliable is farming as a food source? I’ve mostly been critter hunting and jerking the meat, but I’d like to expand my food sources. Is there any reliable way to get seeds? I heard a “farmer” profession mentioned, but I couldn’t find it. How long does it take to grow into harvesting? I’ve heard about a season, but does that change if I do 90 day seasons?

Also, vehicles: I’m working on a small mobile base, 3x4 native with just all the essentials. How would the different sizes of wheels work on there. Engines? I don’t plan to be too mobile, but I want it to be moveable. Also, I’ve heard there used to be issues with crafting not seeing the items in containers. Is this still a problem, and if so, what’s the best solution for vehicle based crafting?

Finally, just one random question: how long do plutonium cells/atomic battery mods last? Infinite, years, seasons, weeks?

Edit: and I thought of yet another question: what all can the pda do? I know it has a flashlight app and a vehicle tracking one, but are there more hidden functions?  
I’ve looked into all these on the wiki and even poked around a bit in the code, but couldn’t find more info.[/quote]

Farming as a food source works well, but you require a rather robust area of farm land if you’re going to subsist on it is your primary food source.

Seeds can typically be found in farms, and also occasionally grocery stores. What you probably really want are the wheat seeds, as they will allow you to make flour, which means pasta and bread.

An unfertilized plant takes 3 half-seasons to grow from seed to harvest, irrespective of season length. I.e., if season length is 90, a plant takes 90/2 \* 3 days, i.e. 135 in-game days to grow. Crafting plant food and fertilizing your crop will cut this down by 20 %.

Atomic battery mods last for quite a bit longer than normal batteries, making the item chargeable with plutonium cells instead of batteries. Typically, whatever lasted a week before now lasts a season, whatever lasted a season lasts a year, and whatever lasted a year lasts forever.

At present, those are all the functions of the PDA.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jokermatt999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9bcb4/32.png) [@jokermatt999](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jokermatt999)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 8:46am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2710 "2014-03-24T08:46:10Z")

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Thanks for all the info!

As for the electric flatbed, engines have some variances, but does that also include power? That might be part of it. Also, the other poster mentioned “large electric engines” specifically, so if you’re using just a regular one, it might be a bit underpowered. But I have no clue, my vehicle experience so far has consisted of crashing into stuff.

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**Author:** ![dovla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@dovla](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/dovla)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 9:58am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2711 "2014-03-24T09:58:55Z")

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Are power armors climate controlled? I tried diving into an ice lab with Internal CC bionic and a full winter survivor suit but couldn’t make it past level 4 due to cold. Mind you, this was in the winter so I guess it was even colder than usual down there. I’ve found a basic suit, trying to find a helmet for it and make a run then. Also, PA interface bionics MK I and MK II, are they for basic / heavy respectively?

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**Author:** ![Catfoodbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee59a6/32.png) [@Catfoodbob](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Catfoodbob)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 10:12am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2712 "2014-03-24T10:12:45Z")

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By the way, How do the Spawn rate scaling factors work?  
Are they just flat multipliers, increase by a flat rate every time, or something else…  
this is the one in the world gen

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**Author:** ![Williham](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/williham/32/845_2.png) [@Williham](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Williham)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 10:34am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2713 "2014-03-24T10:34:05Z")

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> [@dovla](#):
>
> Are power armors climate controlled? I tried diving into an ice lab with Internal CC bionic and a full winter survivor suit but couldn’t make it past level 4 due to cold. Mind you, this was in the winter so I guess it was even colder than usual down there. I’ve found a basic suit, trying to find a helmet for it and make a run then. Also, PA interface bionics MK I and MK II, are they for basic / heavy respectively?

Power Armor should be climate controlled, yes.

The difference between the two power armor interface bionics is energy efficiency, and nothing else. (The Mk. II is also rarer and harder to build, of course.)

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**Author:** ![jimboblordofeskimos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/jimboblordofeskimos/32/2_2.png) [@jimboblordofeskimos](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jimboblordofeskimos)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2714 "2014-03-24T17:02:10Z")

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[quote=“ChristopherWalken, post:2707, topic:42”]Well it’s given top speed is around 60 (I think, I don’t have that save on the PC I’m on now) but anything above 20-ish starts damaging the engine.

Maybe my driving skill is a bit too low but as far as I remember 3 should be enough. It’s also a standard electric motor, haven’t found a large yet.[/quote]

Standard electric motor is for a golf cart sized vehicle, they only use 1 power a tick. Large electric motors are for car sized stuff and are pretty powerful, they use 3 power a tick and are exponentially faster. Driving skill doesnt effect your top speed, just not having your car swerve because it wants to. Check out some solar/electric cars, they will have a large elec motor in them.

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**Author:** ![MassiveEffectz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/massiveeffectz/32/33_2.png) [@MassiveEffectz](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MassiveEffectz)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2715 "2014-03-24T17:10:57Z")

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[quote=“Dzlan, post:2708, topic:42”]I have never found a standard, but I don’t check vehicles anymore. Still on my first char since starting 0.A stable and he’s basically invincible. And ever since I found out about Welding Rigs in this game, I just spend weeks in game stripping the frames from vehicles and sheet metal to build up my vehicle from scratch.  
Currently, I regret making it this big, it’s stupid to control the turning.

Also my turn for a question, : P Does the position I place my wheels (Particularly on a longer vehicle) determine the turning at all?[/quote]

Not really. First The HANDLE part allows you to build a “front End” that can turn. Think motorcycle. It DOSE increase turning efficency ( NON Graphical) with long vehicles. So now i can turn semi-trucks around the streets.  
Second There is a thing called " K Mass" which i believe has to do with the center of mass. You have to have wheels ON or 2 around the center in order to have “enough” wheels and not “lack”

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**Author:** ![Dzlan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/dzlan/32/82_2.png) [@Dzlan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dzlan)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2716 "2014-03-24T22:36:15Z")

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> [@MassiveEffectz](#):
>
> Not really. First The HANDLE part allows you to build a “front End” that can turn. Think motorcycle. It DOSE increase turning efficency ( NON Graphical) with long vehicles. So now i can turn semi-trucks around the streets.

Sorry, that part confuses me. Handle part?

Anyway, the annoying thing is, the vehicle I have made, when turning, the back slams into obstacles and it makes driving at any speed in the city near impossible.  
The vehicle size is 17 by 7.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fish](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/fish/32/249_2.png) [@Fish](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Fish)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2717 "2014-03-24T23:17:37Z")

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I think he means the controls (regular controls or the “handle” option for motorcycles).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dzlan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/dzlan/32/82_2.png) [@Dzlan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dzlan)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2718 "2014-03-24T23:33:16Z")

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So what do I do with these handles? Just add them somewhere on my vehicle? And they improve turning?

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**Author:** ![secretfire](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/secretfire/32/2984_2.png) [@secretfire](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/secretfire)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 12:58am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2719 "2014-03-25T00:58:59Z")

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Size of cities. Is that the -max size- or the average size, or the size of all cities?

I’d like to see some super large cities, on occasion, some towns, and some countryside on occasion. If I set city size to something larger, will I get that? What happens?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dovla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@dovla](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/dovla)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2720 "2014-03-25T01:11:09Z")

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[quote=“Dzlan, post:2716, topic:42”]Anyway, the annoying thing is, the vehicle I have made, when turning, the back slams into obstacles and it makes driving at any speed in the city near impossible.  
The vehicle size is 17 by 7.[/quote]  
That’s a semi +2 in width and +7 in length (regular semi is 10 by 5). I don’t think you can realistically expect to navigate that thing through the town, unless you plan to armor it heavily and just bounce other vehicles out of the way. But then there are wreckage piles.

Bottom line, park outside the town, use collapsible bicycle for quick raids.

I really wish there was a way to tow a second (smaller) vehicle like a golf cart or something that you could detach for inner city excursions. Bicycle’s basket is a tad too small for this purpose, really.

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