# 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:** 191

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**Author:** ![Bonevomit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bonevomit](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Bonevomit)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3801 "2014-07-05T23:25:20Z")

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I want a turret to kill enemies that get into my base, and I got one, but… I don’t know how safe it is to load it with ammo. I set it up without ammo, and it’s not shooting me and is friendly, but I don’t know how much computer skill you need to set it up and be sure not to be shot.

I have 3, is that enough?

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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:** [July 5, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3802 "2014-07-05T23:39:14Z")

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You need 5 I think…

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 1:53am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3803 "2014-07-06T01:53:54Z")

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[quote=“Bonevomit, post:3801, topic:42”]I want a turret to kill enemies that get into my base, and I got one, but… I don’t know how safe it is to load it with ammo. I set it up without ammo, and it’s not shooting me and is friendly, but I don’t know how much computer skill you need to set it up and be sure not to be shot.

I have 3, is that enough?[/quote]

Computer skill check, yeah. 6+ is guaranteed; 5 is usually sufficient.

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**Author:** ![Vanigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Vanigo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Vanigo)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:02am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3804 "2014-07-06T02:02:58Z")

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Is there a reason wristwatch alarms are so unreliable? I mean, is it a bug, or are some clocks supposed to work badly? I just set my alarm for eight hours and it went off in four.

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**Author:** ![vache](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ea666f/32.png) [@vache](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/vache)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 8:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3805 "2014-07-06T08:24:01Z")

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Does placing turrets properly give computer skill?

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**Author:** ![Suburban\_Rhythm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/suburban_rhythm/32/172_2.png) [@Suburban\_Rhythm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Suburban_Rhythm)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3806 "2014-07-06T13:10:48Z")

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Where can I find the changelogs for the latest experimentals? I remember it used to be easy to find on the github but maybe I’m looking in the wrong place

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**Author:** ![Sanarr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Sanarr](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sanarr)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3807 "2014-07-06T14:15:19Z")

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I’m looking for ‘what’s updated’ here.

> **[CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA](https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/commits/master)**
>
> Cataclysm - Dark Days Ahead. A turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. - CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA

BTW, I saw that there were many commits regarding missions. It is about NPC’s missions (and their improvements) or… something else?

P.S. Yaaay! 100 post )

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3808 "2014-07-06T18:06:38Z")

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[quote=“Sanarr, post:3807, topic:42”]I’m looking for ‘what’s updated’ here.

> **[CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA](https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/commits/master)**
>
> Cataclysm - Dark Days Ahead. A turn-based survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. - CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA

BTW, I saw that there were many commits regarding missions. It is about NPC’s missions (and their improvements) or… something else?

P.S. Yaaay! 100 post )[/quote]

Yep, Acidia’s been improving NPCs. [The Shipper](https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/pull/8150) is being queued for merge-test at the moment. 😉

Congrats. Here’s your mininuke–activate BEFORE giving to whoever asks you for gear–and if you find any lighters, save 'em for Ms. Sanchez. You can’t eat them.

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**Author:** ![userpay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/userpay/32/1128_2.png) [@userpay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/userpay)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3809 "2014-07-06T21:34:49Z")

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Okay so I’m curious, how does having multiple engine types (mostly electric motors but there is a gas using one) work? I was hoping to potentially use the gas motor exclusively for charging the batteries rather than moving about but I don’t see a way of doing that aside from possibly attaching a ton of alternators and/or removing the gas engine when I don’t want to use it.

Suggestions?

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**Author:** ![stk2008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@stk2008](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/stk2008)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3810 "2014-07-06T21:38:29Z")

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[quote=“userpay, post:3809, topic:42”]Okay so I’m curious, how does having multiple engine types (mostly electric motors but there is a gas using one) work? I was hoping to potentially use the gas motor exclusively for charging the batteries rather than moving about but I don’t see a way of doing that aside from possibly attaching a ton of alternators and/or removing the gas engine when I don’t want to use it.

Suggestions?[/quote]

shame we cant choose what engine drives the vehicle when building the car.

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**Author:** ![userpay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/userpay/32/1128_2.png) [@userpay](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/userpay)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3811 "2014-07-06T21:47:34Z")

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Actually, as long as the car isn’t moving even if its on, the electric motors won’t use energy right?

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**Author:** ![Zarthull](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zarthull/32/18_2.png) [@Zarthull](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zarthull)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:43am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3812 "2014-07-09T04:43:13Z")

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How do you view and unarmed combat fighting style? I know you use to be able to view it in your inventory when the styles active to find out its moves and unarmed skill to use them, but I don’t know how to do that anymore.

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**Author:** ![AseaHeru](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aseaheru/32/8_2.png) [@AseaHeru](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/AseaHeru)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3813 "2014-07-09T04:59:47Z")

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- 

(key between 9 and =)

When in doubt, check key bindings. (Use ? to get there)

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**Author:** ![Weyrling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7bcc69/32.png) [@Weyrling](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Weyrling)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3814 "2014-07-09T05:26:14Z")

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[quote=“AseaHeru, post:3813, topic:42”]-

(key between 9 and =)

When in doubt, check key bindings. (Use ? to get there)[/quote]  
I thought it was ‘\_’, not ‘-’.  
From what I recall ‘-’ is to ‘repeat last crafting action’.

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**Author:** ![Nioca](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/nioca/32/331_2.png) [@Nioca](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Nioca)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3815 "2014-07-09T20:51:35Z")

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Is there a way to install interior running lights into a car?

I ask, because I’ve got an ambulance I’m slowly converting into a mobile base. I’ve installed a kitchen unit I salvaged from a wrecked RV (along with some water tanks), but hit a slight snag when I attempted to boil some water… at 10:00 PM. I’d rather like to craft from the safety of my ambulance, but without a light source, I can’t do it. I’d much rather like to avoid lighting a flare in the bed (that seems like a rather bad idea), and I don’t want to burn through batteries using a flashlight or my light amp goggles. Is there a way to install running lights in a car? Or am I just going to have to pack the back end full of atomic nightlights (once I find them)?

(Hey, there’s a thought. Atomic running lights.)

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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:** [July 9, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3816 "2014-07-09T21:01:47Z")

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Lighting a flare doesn’t do anything else than give you light, so you don’t have to worry about that. If you’re completely encased by boards, then you can use your flashlight or craft a lightstrip.

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**Author:** ![HunterAlpha1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@HunterAlpha1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HunterAlpha1)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 9:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3817 "2014-07-09T21:06:36Z")

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Install a floodlight inside the back of the ambulance. As Ninja said, if you’re surrounded by boards you have nothing to worry about.

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3818 "2014-07-09T21:29:20Z")

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[quote=“AseaHeru, post:3813, topic:42”]-

(key between 9 and =)

When in doubt, check key bindings. (Use ? to get there)[/quote]

And BevapDin recently wrote up the code to make “?” in the style-picker menu give the style description and moveset. Go, BevapDin!

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**Author:** ![AseaHeru](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aseaheru/32/8_2.png) [@AseaHeru](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/AseaHeru)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3819 "2014-07-09T23:30:52Z")

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Yah, it is \_, my bad.

Why was that changed? What s the help menu now?

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**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/3820 "2014-07-10T00:01:25Z")

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[quote=“AseaHeru, post:3819, topic:42”]Yah, it is \_, my bad.

Why was that changed? What s the help menu now?[/quote]

Help menu remains ? at the main screen. Within the Style Picker, it’s ? so people can get information about their styles.

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