# 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:** 216

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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:** [August 25, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4302 "2014-08-25T23:25:35Z")

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> [@Catfoodbob](#):
>
> I found this humming pin thingy which is actually pretty awesome because it heals you for more than it actually decays your body but it also has this secondary effect of the sky starts to dim and it makes it pretty much night for a short period of time, does this artifact affect other creatures

Night-gen artifacts reduce local light, so yeah, it affects everyone around.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/1X/21b5d044e8473b25d0bf905d60477e25f6fbe0cf.png) [@system](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4303 "2014-08-26T04:06:44Z")

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Hi dads,

I’m playing the most recent experimental build of DDA. I’m following [this](http://pastebin.com/hLCRtJ6p) 4chan new player guide. However I’m stuck at the point where it tells me to use a rock and a pipe to craft a makeshift crowbar. I get the error “You can’t see to craft!”. However, I’m in the evacuation shelter and it’s not dark.

![](http://puu.sh/b8aYB/d7c0fb45af.png)

Also, is there a resource explaining the UI? It’s not very self-evident.

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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:** [August 26, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4304 "2014-08-26T04:14:01Z")

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You’re in the middle of a Thunder Storm (note the weather to the right of the temperature reading), which reduces the light level to Dark (which makes it too dark to craft). Try standing by the computer console; that gives off some light which you can use to craft/read by.

Also, if you’re far-sighted, make sure you’re wearing Reading Glasses.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/1X/21b5d044e8473b25d0bf905d60477e25f6fbe0cf.png) [@system](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4305 "2014-08-26T04:33:49Z")

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Thanks for the quick response. It worked! How do I keep track of light level?

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**Author:** ![Nathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nathan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Nathan)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4306 "2014-08-26T04:48:49Z")

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[quote=“DG123, post:4259, topic:42”]Ah ok.

Also regarding the experimental… why the heck has it respawned items when I transferred my save to it? Broken windows are still broken, stuff lies where I left it. But some things like food and one of those hand presses, and ammonia etc have respawned in houses I already looted before switching to the experimental.

I’m not sure what the game reset and what it didn’t.

Also… where do I get pipes from other than breaking lockers?[/quote]

disassembling display cases, lockers, some other furniture, and bikes will have pipes used in their construction as well.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/1X/21b5d044e8473b25d0bf905d60477e25f6fbe0cf.png) [@system](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 4:54am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4307 "2014-08-26T04:54:14Z")

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Why do I keep missing? I was missing before I was injured. I don’t think I’m encumbered.

![](http://puu.sh/b8dt2/208868775a.png)  
 ![](http://puu.sh/b8dwI/4cc0de0d24.png)

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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:** [August 26, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4308 "2014-08-26T05:07:57Z")

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Light Level: You can find a light level indicator on the crafting screen; it’s in the upper right-hand corner. You can craft in Shady or Brightly Lit conditions. Generally, though, you can just rely on common sense; if you’re underground or it’s night, you’ll need a light source of some kind (unless you acquire one of the high-end Night Vision traits, but outside of a lucky find, you probably won’t get those for a while; the base Night Vision trait won’t cut it).

Regarding your current situation, there’s two things to keep in mind. First off, krecks are evasive little bastards, and thus naturally hard to hit. Looks like you caught a bit of bad luck in that regard, but on the bright side, that also means there’s probably some lootable bodies right outside your shelter (of course, you might also have a Mi-go outside your shelter too, which… well, let’s hope that’s not the case). Second, a switchblade takes a -2 penalty to-hit, which means it’s actually pretty darn inaccurate as far as weaponry goes. Try using your makeshift crowbar as a weapon here instead; it gains a +2 bonus to-hit, and might enable you to land a few blows. Alternately, you might try your hand (no pun intended) at unarmed combat here, since it seems you’ve got some unarmed combat skill.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/1X/21b5d044e8473b25d0bf905d60477e25f6fbe0cf.png) [@system](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 5:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4309 "2014-08-26T05:29:20Z")

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Thanks. The crowbar worked. Where’d you learn these things? The wiki isn’t a very good resource.

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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:** [August 26, 2014, 5:45am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4310 "2014-08-26T05:45:08Z")

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Trial-and-error. Mostly error. 😛

Regarding weapons, simply enter your inventory (“i” key) and select a weapon (or any item, really) to bring up its stats. It’ll give you details regarding its damage output, accuracy, armor-piercing, time-per-swing, so forth.

The wiki, by the way, was out of date before the latest stable version came out, and has only gotten moreso as things have changed in the recent experimentals. It’s good for getting a basic gist of the mechanics, but don’t take it as gospel.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/cataclysmdda/original/1X/21b5d044e8473b25d0bf905d60477e25f6fbe0cf.png) [@system](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 6:27am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4311 "2014-08-26T06:27:07Z")

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You must have a lot of patience. I get frustrated when I can’t figure something out.

I know I’ve asked a lot of questions. I have another one though. Probably many more, actually. Is it a bug that I can’t build a door with a regular hammer? It says a tool of at least 2 hammering is necessary, when the hammer has 3.

![](http://puu.sh/b8ho5/2a96d32701.png)  
 ![](http://puu.sh/b8hN1/bd0da8cd68.png)

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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:** [August 26, 2014, 6:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4312 "2014-08-26T06:41:22Z")

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Possibly a bug, but by the looks you also lack the 2 construction required as well?

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**Author:** ![Snaaty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Snaaty](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Snaaty)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 7:44am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4313 "2014-08-26T07:44:44Z")

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Hey guys,

I just recently started a game as a “razor boy”, everything is awesome, I am easily chopping zombies to death with my superior Dragon Style fighting technique.

One question though: Is the “Razor finger tips” mutation working? I deal extreme amounts of damage, but that isn’t it, neccessarily.  
Also, does it also add the bonus, if I attack with a weapon? (like, offhand or something)

I am also really curious how the game checks if you are wearing something that covers your fingertips. Is there a hidden tag only for this bionic?

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**Author:** ![The\_Lone\_Badger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/the_lone_badger/32/8063_2.png) [@The\_Lone\_Badger](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/The_Lone_Badger)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 9:18am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4314 "2014-08-26T09:18:31Z")

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> [@Snaaty](#):
>
> I am also really curious how the game checks if you are wearing something that covers your fingertips. Is there a hidden tag only for this bionic?

At a guess it checks what you’re wearing on your hands, then checks their Coverage. 50% coverage = fingertips exposed. 100% coverage = fingertips covered.

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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:** [August 26, 2014, 1:24pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4315 "2014-08-26T13:24:00Z")

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Raephex, krecks have a high dodge and are hard to hit earlygame. i would try throwing random items at it if you cant hit itt in mele, or just die and start a new char cause thats just unfortunate early on to run into skelly dogs or krecks

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**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4316 "2014-08-26T13:44:14Z")

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> [@Snaaty](#):
>
> Also, does it also add the bonus, if I attack with a weapon? (like, offhand or something)

I was wondering about this…

Also whether it works with adamantium claws and/or any actual mutations giving you biological claws since using as many as possible at once is the next logical step.

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**Author:** ![kingorkami](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/kingorkami/32/242_2.png) [@kingorkami](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kingorkami)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4317 "2014-08-26T15:44:58Z")

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Guys do flaming weapons (Rising Sun, Firebrand) do any kind of extra damage? I don’t notice much of a difference between on and off mode.

Granted, I two-shot any zombie on a bad day, so I can’t exactly study the number of hits it takes.

EDIT: Is there a reason why I should turn the PBA mask on? I use it when bloaters or smokers appear, and it works very well that way. I just dont notice any difference between on and off.

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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:** [August 27, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4318 "2014-08-27T01:19:48Z")

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Fingertip razors are a bionic; the mutation analogue is Long Fingernails. Both check if you’re wearing gloves, IIRC. Bionics that require activation only work when active, and in those contexts I think they ignore gloves. Long Talons block most gloves and should be unavailable when wearing OVERSIZE gloves, but I haven’t checked that in a while.

Flaming swords do additional cutting damage when lit. It’s fairly minor but might come in handy.

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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:** [August 27, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4319 "2014-08-27T02:45:38Z")

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[quote=“KA101, post:4318, topic:42”]Flaming swords do additional cutting damage when lit. It’s fairly minor but might come in handy.[/quote]Also, they can set things on fire. Which is useful.

…when you’re not the thing being lit up.

…although come to think of it, I haven’t seen any NPCs with a flaming melee weapon in a while. A flamethrower, yes, but not flaming knives/swords/bowling pins or what-have-you.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KA101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@KA101](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/KA101)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4320 "2014-08-27T03:58:45Z")

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[quote=“Nioca, post:4319, topic:42”][quote=“KA101, post:4318, topic:42”]Flaming swords do additional cutting damage when lit. It’s fairly minor but might come in handy.[/quote]Also, they can set things on fire. Which is useful.

…when you’re not the thing being lit up.

…although come to think of it, I haven’t seen any NPCs with a flaming melee weapon in a while. A flamethrower, yes, but not flaming knives/swords/bowling pins or what-have-you.[/quote]

Because they aren’t good with activating/deactivating items, so the lit ones never happen.

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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:** [August 27, 2014, 12:31pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4321 "2014-08-27T12:31:00Z")

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its better to make rising sun or wait until i find CVD machine in lab and turn katana in diamond katana?

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