# 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:** 236

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**Author:** ![ekcolocke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ekcolocke](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ekcolocke)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4702 "2014-10-03T23:16:29Z")

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Hi guys, I’m playing the latest experimental and molotovs aren’t exploding when thrown. Yes I do activate them before throwing and no they aren’t going out before I throw them. I’ve thrown about 10 molotovs and none have exploded, even when they have hit the zombie. Is this just because my throwing skill is really bad or is this a bug?

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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:** [October 3, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4703 "2014-10-03T23:51:35Z")

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> [@ekcolocke](#):
>
> Hi guys, I’m playing the latest experimental and molotovs aren’t exploding when thrown. Yes I do activate them before throwing and no they aren’t going out before I throw them. I’ve thrown about 10 molotovs and none have exploded, even when they have hit the zombie. Is this just because my throwing skill is really bad or is this a bug?

Just tested and they seemed to be working fine: threw 5, all went off, whether they hit the zed or not.

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**Author:** ![deadmerits](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/deadmerits/32/19_2.png) [@deadmerits](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/deadmerits)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4704 "2014-10-04T02:40:44Z")

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Do we need a certain strength for eggs to splat when you throw them?

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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:** [October 4, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4705 "2014-10-04T16:50:50Z")

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Guys so I heard about “hanging” solar panels with the experimental Z level mod. Is this possible? Am playing with z levels on right now and I would love to be able to do this.

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**Author:** ![Alistaire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e95f7d/32.png) [@Alistaire](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Alistaire)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 5:55pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4706 "2014-10-04T17:55:46Z")

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Does the Atomic Coffee Maker have any negative things about it? Does it irradiate you or something?

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**Author:** ![Jarlaxle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jarlaxle](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Jarlaxle)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4707 "2014-10-04T18:12:53Z")

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Does the ambush scenario affect item spawn rates? It’s set a year after the initial cataclysm so it would make sense if it did.  
I know all the usual perishable food is rotten but it seems like ammo, soldering irons (took nine in game days to find one and I was getting desperate) etc. are REALLY rare now. Not complaining as the increased difficulty has more than made up for my initial fear of an overpowered start (using hardened survivor as hardened scavenger took to many points).

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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:** [October 4, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4708 "2014-10-04T21:09:58Z")

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> [@deadmerits](#):
>
> Do we need a certain strength for eggs to splat when you throw them?

I think it is mostly random.

> [@kingorkami](#):
>
> Guys so I heard about “hanging” solar panels with the experimental Z level mod. Is this possible? Am playing with z levels on right now and I would love to be able to do this.

AFIK things in different Z levels exist in different “realities”, other than falling or using stairs, theres no way to interact between them.

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**Author:** ![sagethor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sagethor/32/347_2.png) [@sagethor](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/sagethor)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4709 "2014-10-04T21:50:48Z")

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Has anyone ever had the Time Dialation CBM work? It seems to just drain all of your power and damage you generally, with none of its listed usefulness.

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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:** [October 4, 2014, 10:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4710 "2014-10-04T22:09:56Z")

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> [@Alistaire](#):
>
> Does the Atomic Coffee Maker have any negative things about it? Does it irradiate you or something?

no but atomic coffee maker allow you to create atomic coffee and it give you some radiation but its still safe to drink it because you get so many energy and radiation will fade away before you will need another sip of coffee

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**Author:** ![Coolthulhu](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/coolthulhu/32/2446_2.png) [@Coolthulhu](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Coolthulhu)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4711 "2014-10-05T02:32:54Z")

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Atomic coffee is also heavily unhealthy, so take your vitamins/breed your leukocytes after drinking it.  
It also can’t use coffee syrup in the recipe, so it’s a bit more expensive to produce it (about 4 times more).

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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:** [October 5, 2014, 7:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4712 "2014-10-05T07:29:05Z")

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The atomic coffee maker can boil an infinite amount of water, making it a very nice item for an early game character, if you’ve got some spare volume.

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**Author:** ![digitCruncher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@digitCruncher](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/digitCruncher)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 8:37am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4713 "2014-10-05T08:37:54Z")

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These sorts of games lead to the most absurd questions … but…

How do I use a pillow?

Presumably if I use it correctly, it will make sleeping a little easier. Do I have to build something with it with the ‘\*’ menu? Do I need it in my inventory when I sleep? Do I need to drop it on the tile I am sleeping on? Or do pillows really not do anything?

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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:** [October 5, 2014, 8:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4714 "2014-10-05T08:41:28Z")

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You just drop it where you sleep.

A blanket’s better though, as far as I can tell.

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**Author:** ![Jarlaxle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jarlaxle](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Jarlaxle)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4715 "2014-10-05T13:57:16Z")

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[quote=“ChristopherWalken, post:4714, topic:42”]You just drop it where you sleep.

A blanket’s better though, as far as I can tell.[/quote]

Why not both?

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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:** [October 5, 2014, 2:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4716 "2014-10-05T14:35:49Z")

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[quote=“Jarlaxle, post:4715, topic:42”][quote=“ChristopherWalken, post:4714, topic:42”]You just drop it where you sleep.

A blanket’s better though, as far as I can tell.[/quote]

Why not both?[/quote]

Waste of volume.

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**Author:** ![Jarlaxle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jarlaxle](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Jarlaxle)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4717 "2014-10-05T21:58:26Z")

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[quote=“ChristopherWalken, post:4716, topic:42”][quote=“Jarlaxle, post:4715, topic:42”][quote=“ChristopherWalken, post:4714, topic:42”]You just drop it where you sleep.

A blanket’s better though, as far as I can tell.[/quote]

Why not both?[/quote]

Waste of volume.[/quote]

Ah, sorry I am more of a base guy as opposed to a nomad. Any characters I have that make it out of the first season are usually shacked up in a fire station or basement with plenty of stuff to eat. So usually I have a blanket and a nice fluffy pillow in a huge bed.

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**Author:** ![ekcolocke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ekcolocke](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ekcolocke)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4718 "2014-10-06T00:17:28Z")

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Hi guys, I’m struggling with construction. I need to train it to three and don’t have a book for it, and disassembling the structures close-to have given me a message that they are too simple to train my construction skill above 1. What is a good way to raise your construction skill - would it be easier to just go book hunting?

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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:** [October 6, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4719 "2014-10-06T00:24:01Z")

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> [@ekcolocke](#):
>
> Hi guys, I’m struggling with construction. I need to train it to three and don’t have a book for it, and disassembling the structures close-to have given me a message that they are too simple to train my construction skill above 1. What is a good way to raise your construction skill - would it be easier to just go book hunting?

Eh, I just cheat myself a 20 in construction. I mean, it’s not that hard to put more boards on a boarded up window to make it stronger.

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**Author:** ![ekcolocke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ekcolocke](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/ekcolocke)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4720 "2014-10-06T00:31:01Z")

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> [@FunsizeNinja123](#):
>
> [quote=“ekcolocke, post:4718, topic:42”]Hi guys, I’m struggling with construction. I need to train it to three and don’t have a book for it, and disassembling the structures close-to have given me a message that they are too simple to train my construction skill above 1. What is a good way to raise your construction skill - would it be easier to just go book hunting?

Eh, I just cheat myself a 20 in construction. I mean, it’s not that hard to put more boards on a boarded up window to make it stronger.[/quote]

I don’t want to cheat. Boarding up windows doesn’t train construction past 1 it seems also.

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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:** [October 6, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4721 "2014-10-06T00:32:54Z")

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> [@ekcolocke](#):
>
> [quote=“FunsizeNinja123, post:4719, topic:42”][quote=“ekcolocke, post:4718, topic:42”]Hi guys, I’m struggling with construction. I need to train it to three and don’t have a book for it, and disassembling the structures close-to have given me a message that they are too simple to train my construction skill above 1. What is a good way to raise your construction skill - would it be easier to just go book hunting?

Eh, I just cheat myself a 20 in construction. I mean, it’s not that hard to put more boards on a boarded up window to make it stronger.[/quote]

I don’t want to cheat. Boarding up windows doesn’t train construction past 1 it seems also.[/quote]

Then I’ll leave you to book hunting. Good luck.

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