# 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:** 148

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**Author:** ![John\_Candlebury](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/john_candlebury/32/6437_2.png) [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2941 "2014-04-15T11:16:48Z")

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If I am playing with some starting melee skill I make a homewrecker, if no I usually make a nailboard and some throwing spikes.

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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:** [April 15, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2942 "2014-04-15T13:42:55Z")

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If I take tailoring, I make a backpack, trenchcoat, makeshift knife, 1x nail board and a few makeshift crowbars for general melee use. After I kill a few zs I make a leather helm and gauntlets as well.

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**Author:** ![Homebound](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/homebound/32/29_2.png) [@Homebound](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Homebound)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 10:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2943 "2014-04-16T22:32:49Z")

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What are some viable places to use as a safehouse?

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**Author:** ![FunsizeNinja123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/funsizeninja123/32/118_2.png) [@FunsizeNinja123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/FunsizeNinja123)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2944 "2014-04-16T22:37:23Z")

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Public works, sewer treatment plants, garages, fire stations, a lone gas station in the middle of no where, LMOEs, and a few more I can’t remember.

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**Author:** ![Homebound](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/homebound/32/29_2.png) [@Homebound](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Homebound)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2945 "2014-04-16T22:49:54Z")

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I’ll probably scout around some more then, because this particular area is kinda shit.

 ![](http://i.imgur.com/ygZXsCk.png)

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**Author:** ![FunsizeNinja123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/funsizeninja123/32/118_2.png) [@FunsizeNinja123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/FunsizeNinja123)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2946 "2014-04-16T23:01:45Z")

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Or the Evac shelter. The shelter is really modular for a base.

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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:** [April 16, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2947 "2014-04-16T23:43:57Z")

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[quote=“Homebound, post:2945, topic:42”]I’ll probably scout around some more then, because this particular area is kinda shit.

 ![](http://i.imgur.com/ygZXsCk.png)

Depends on if you are playing dynamic or static spawn, if its static, id go for one of the houses on the outskirts, preferably with a 1 basement with beds or a bedroom without windows. Dynamic, probably the starting shelter, just far enough away to cut down on the wanderers but close enough for easy access. If its static, that does look like a fairly poor town, not so bad if its dynamic, its small enough you would be able to clear it with a bit of work, make a decent base of operations.

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**Author:** ![HorrorNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dbc845/32.png) [@HorrorNerd](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HorrorNerd)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2948 "2014-04-17T02:37:50Z")

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How do you guys deal with First Zombies. These guys are the bane of my existence. Arrows bounce off them and melee works, but they bounce around and lunge making kiting them through doors and windows a pain.

Most of my deaths come from these guys for some reason.

Also is there a way to quiet the shopping cart? I love using it but it attracts z’s at night lol

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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:** [April 17, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2949 "2014-04-17T02:50:19Z")

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[quote=“HorrorNerd, post:2948, topic:42”]How do you guys deal with First Zombies. These guys are the bane of my existence. Arrows bounce off them and melee works, but they bounce around and lunge making kiting them through doors and windows a pain.

Most of my deaths come from these guys for some reason.

Also is there a way to quiet the shopping cart? I love using it but it attracts z’s at night lol[/quote]

Two by sword is a pretty decent devencive weapon against them early on, it takes care of em easly… though later on i find myself using a metal weapon and switching to a plastic bottle of orange juice to beat a shocker to death 😛

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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:** [April 17, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2950 "2014-04-17T04:23:14Z")

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[quote=“HorrorNerd, post:2948, topic:42”]How do you guys deal with First Zombies. These guys are the bane of my existence. Arrows bounce off them and melee works, but they bounce around and lunge making kiting them through doors and windows a pain.

Most of my deaths come from these guys for some reason.

Also is there a way to quiet the shopping cart? I love using it but it attracts z’s at night lol[/quote]

12-14 str, 9+ dex. 1 tile wide windows.  
High str is the easiest way ive found of learning to conquer this game.

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**Author:** ![Arek\_PL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b77776/32.png) [@Arek\_PL](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Arek_PL)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:50am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2951 "2014-04-17T10:50:41Z")

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[quote=“HorrorNerd, post:2948, topic:42”]How do you guys deal with First Zombies. These guys are the bane of my existence. Arrows bounce off them and melee works, but they bounce around and lunge making kiting them through doors and windows a pain.

Most of my deaths come from these guys for some reason.

Also is there a way to quiet the shopping cart? I love using it but it attracts z’s at night lol[/quote]

i use crowbar to fight zombies. single zombie is easy to beat, just wait until it reach your mele range do 1 atack and move back 1 title, repeat until zombie die. you can do this with shopping cart what give you 2 attack.

For shopping cart i have no idea, in stable these carts are quiet (maybe no sound), in experimental they do some sound but its still safe to walk around.

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**Author:** ![Mcrone](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mcrone/32/116_2.png) [@Mcrone](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Mcrone)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2952 "2014-04-18T00:39:49Z")

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I was wondering how do you get stuff like the serums? I looked on the wiki( have not played this game in a long time) and it didn’t say anything. I went through a lab and didn’t find any(although i didn’t look long. Any advice on how to find them, or if you need to craft them, what levels do you need?

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**Author:** ![John\_Candlebury](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/john_candlebury/32/6437_2.png) [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 2:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2953 "2014-04-18T14:11:23Z")

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Labs are filled with serums. Just make sure to search each room thoroughly, the type of room that contains serums is the one with rows of counters.

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**Author:** ![Blackopsman9999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@Blackopsman9999](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Blackopsman9999)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2954 "2014-04-18T14:29:16Z")

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First floor of a cold lab… Has serums alright XD  
I ended up with almost 3 of every type of serum by the time the 10 encumbrance and turret doors got to me.

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**Author:** ![Hibou](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/hibou/32/1330_2.png) [@Hibou](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Hibou)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2955 "2014-04-18T15:38:24Z")

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> [@Mcrone](#):
>
> I was wondering how do you get stuff like the serums? I looked on the wiki( have not played this game in a long time) and it didn’t say anything. I went through a lab and didn’t find any(although i didn’t look long. Any advice on how to find them, or if you need to craft them, what levels do you need?

You need some of the lab journals that you can find in the labs, and a little over level 10 cooking.

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**Author:** ![Sep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Sep](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sep)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2956 "2014-04-18T16:31:35Z")

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> [@HorrorNerd](#):
>
> How do you guys deal with First Zombies.

i let them approach, hit them once or twice or thrice, then move away another space. if you “pull” them like that you will get hit a lot less than if you just stand there … and that means fewer bite-wounds too.

instead of just waiting for the z’s to catch up i use my matches to light up convenient bushes in the “pull-zones” too. these fires burn a long time and if you can pull a zombie over them without getting hit it adds some free damage for you also.

if you’re just getting swamped, try getting them to come to you in smaller numbers by getting their attention one-by-one or so using archery/pebbles. you just need to break one fridge to get the parts you need.

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**Author:** ![Funk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d07c76/32.png) [@Funk](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Funk)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2957 "2014-04-19T16:59:05Z")

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Use shutter doors in the place of wind shields, they use common sheet metal unlike windows that are fragile and need the less common glass.  
Second you can move thru them, unlike wind shields and simply close them once your in side and keep both the zombies and the light in.

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**Author:** ![HorrorNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dbc845/32.png) [@HorrorNerd](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HorrorNerd)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2958 "2014-04-21T20:38:20Z")

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What are some good storage clothing options starting out with 1 in tailoring skill? I usually make a backpack, two pouches, hoodie, cargo pant. and then I make a bline for the nearest grocery store to get a shopping cart(when one spawns, been unlucky the past few times)

Are those the best clothing options to begin with ?

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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:** [April 21, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2959 "2014-04-21T21:09:14Z")

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Well, my preferred day 1 storage loudout is:  
backpack, cargo pants, trenchcoat.  
Mark a house as ‘stuff dump’ and dump all the useful crap/guns/food/etc there, you are probably going to hang around your starting area for a fair while anyway. IMO keeping your enc low and just dumping stuff on a regular basis is a better idea than trying for massive storage early on.

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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:** [April 21, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/2960 "2014-04-21T21:23:04Z")

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On day 1, I usually go for a hoodie, cargo pants, and a backpack. I also usually load down with a pouch. However, if I find a leather jacket, army jacket, or the like, I switch the hoodie for it, if I find army pants, I switch those with the cargos, and if I get a leather backpack, I swap the backpack for it. If I get ahold of a military rucksack somehow, I get on a less encumbering shirt and wear the sack.

Of course, after running across some dead military squads, I generally end up with +200 storage, although by that point I have a lot of heavy stuff and the storage is nearly moot. Still handy to have some form of external vehicle storage, like a shopping cart.

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