# 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:** 244

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bahihs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@bahihs](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/bahihs)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4862 "2014-10-20T21:48:42Z")

</div>

Another question, can pipe bombs get me into a bunker? Or is there no way in except ID cards?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HunterAlpha1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@HunterAlpha1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HunterAlpha1)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4863 "2014-10-20T21:56:16Z")

</div>

[quote=“bahihs, post:4862, topic:42”]Another question, can pipe bombs get me into a bunker? Or is there no way in except ID cards?[/quote]You need something a little more potent than a pipe bomb, and IIRC even a regular grenade isn’t enough anymore, you need dynamite, C4, LAW rocket, etc.

---

<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:** [October 20, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4864 "2014-10-20T21:58:30Z")

</div>

> [@HunterAlpha1](#):
>
> [quote=“bahihs, post:4862, topic:42”]Another question, can pipe bombs get me into a bunker? Or is there no way in except ID cards?[/quote]You need something a little more potent than a pipe bomb, and IIRC even a regular grenade isn’t enough anymore, you need dynamite, C4, LAW rocket, etc.

Save the explosives for the underground. Front door has some “incentive” to use a key.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TheFlame52](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/theflame52/32/247_2.png) [@TheFlame52](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheFlame52)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4865 "2014-10-20T21:58:51Z")

</div>

[quote=“Raskulle, post:4861, topic:42”]How do I use a rechargeable battery mod?  
What is the recharging station that it mentions?[/quote]  
You can craft a recharging station that you can install in a trunk or something in a vehicle. When you (a)ctivate the battery mod, you can apply it to an electronic device. You can charge it from the vehicle’s power banks, instead of supplying it with batteries.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HunterAlpha1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@HunterAlpha1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HunterAlpha1)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4866 "2014-10-20T22:02:40Z")

</div>

[quote=“TheFlame52, post:4865, topic:42”][quote=“Raskulle, post:4861, topic:42”]How do I use a rechargeable battery mod?  
What is the recharging station that it mentions?[/quote]  
You can craft a recharging station that you can install in a trunk or something in a vehicle. When you (a)ctivate the battery mod, you can apply it to an electronic device. You can charge it from the vehicle’s power banks, instead of supplying it with batteries.[/quote]Keep in mind though that it CANNOT be removed, so you can never again use regular batteries with the device, so MAKE SURE you want to do this!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JonnyBlack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@JonnyBlack](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/JonnyBlack)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 10:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4867 "2014-10-20T22:06:25Z")

</div>

I’ve finally managed to kind of get acquainted with the game. Except for a run in with a Jabberwocky while walking down a road and a couple of infected bites where I couldn’t find disinfectant in time, I’ve been doing well. Raiding towns at night and retreating to where my stuff is seems to be a viable strategy. One thing keeps bothering me though, I keep being too cold to sleep. I would think that being wrapped up in a trench coat, a winter jacket, a sweater, and wearing a blanket I’d be able to pull it off, but it’s just not working out. I get a little bit of sleep, then wake up freezing. It hasn’t really affected me too badly, I can usually get enough sleep to keep off the tired effect, but not always.

Also… I recently spawned in a shelter and the bottom of it, instead of having three or four items like I usually find, was just stuffed with crap. I had to go back up the stairs twice just carrying water, food, tools, and books. I boarded up the windows, and am working on finding a large amount of nails so I can board up the doors on three sides. I keep reading that I shouldn’t be staying near a swamp and I’m right next to one, but I’m also next to a river and there’s a big town within a short distance, all of which makes this seem like a pretty good spot. I wandered into the swamp just a bit, and all I’ve found out there are bullfrogs and stuff, nothing weird although I didn’t go far as I DESPISE sink holes and have fallen into a couple on other characters. Also, those swamps held giant mosquito, giant dragonflies, and some other stuff I didn’t want to fight with. What’s the reason for avoiding swamps?

---

<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:** [October 20, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4868 "2014-10-20T22:16:34Z")

</div>

> [@JonnyBlack](#):
>
> What’s the reason for avoiding swamps?

> [@Answered and then asked](#):
>
> I DESPISE sink holes and have fallen into a couple on other characters. Also, those swamps held giant mosquito, giant dragonflies, and some other stuff I didn’t want to fight with.

Pretty much that. shrug

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 20, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4869 "2014-10-20T22:45:01Z")

</div>

Giant bugs don’t spawn anymore in swamps. Since like, forever. And I’ve driven trucks through swamps before.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Daidalon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/77aa72/32.png) [@Daidalon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Daidalon)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4870 "2014-10-20T23:18:59Z")

</div>

> [@FunsizeNinja123](#):
>
> Giant bugs don’t spawn anymore in swamps. Since like, forever. And I’ve driven trucks through swamps before.

Its mostly just hundreds of frogs nowadays.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HunterAlpha1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@HunterAlpha1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HunterAlpha1)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4871 "2014-10-21T00:28:17Z")

</div>

[quote=“JonnyBlack, post:4867, topic:42”]I’ve finally managed to kind of get acquainted with the game. Except for a run in with a Jabberwocky while walking down a road and a couple of infected bites where I couldn’t find disinfectant in time, I’ve been doing well. Raiding towns at night and retreating to where my stuff is seems to be a viable strategy. One thing keeps bothering me though, I keep being too cold to sleep. I would think that being wrapped up in a trench coat, a winter jacket, a sweater, and wearing a blanket I’d be able to pull it off, but it’s just not working out. I get a little bit of sleep, then wake up freezing. It hasn’t really affected me too badly, I can usually get enough sleep to keep off the tired effect, but not always.

Also… I recently spawned in a shelter and the bottom of it, instead of having three or four items like I usually find, was just stuffed with crap. I had to go back up the stairs twice just carrying water, food, tools, and books. I boarded up the windows, and am working on finding a large amount of nails so I can board up the doors on three sides. I keep reading that I shouldn’t be staying near a swamp and I’m right next to one, but I’m also next to a river and there’s a big town within a short distance, all of which makes this seem like a pretty good spot. I wandered into the swamp just a bit, and all I’ve found out there are bullfrogs and stuff, nothing weird although I didn’t go far as I DESPISE sink holes and have fallen into a couple on other characters. Also, those swamps held giant mosquito, giant dragonflies, and some other stuff I didn’t want to fight with. What’s the reason for avoiding swamps?[/quote]Try taking the blanket off and dropping it on your bed and then sleeping.

Swamps used to spawn hordes, and I do mean HORDES of big bad nasties, so many that even late game characters couldn’t handle them.  
Gratefully they spawn a more reasonable amount of critters now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zioko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zioko/32/307_2.png) [@Zioko](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zioko)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4872 "2014-10-21T02:52:40Z")

</div>

Ahem. Heh. Quick question- How the fuck do I drive more effectively?

I always seem to crash into something and can never find how to just go STRAIGHT.  
Any tips would be appreciated, as well as a way to build a good bike or something for quiet looting.

Also- I love the medical mutation path. Only negative trait has been Lightweight- which doesn’t affect me. I have several great mutations, about to reach my threshold too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Solusphere](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/solusphere/32/66_2.png) [@Solusphere](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Solusphere)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4873 "2014-10-21T03:08:25Z")

</div>

Assuming you’re not just losing control due to low driving skill…

Once you’ve set a desired speed, you can use numpad 5 or the period key in order to just wait a turn, which makes the vehicle coast at the set speed for a turn (assuming you have cruise control turned on, otherwise it will gradually slow down.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 21, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4874 "2014-10-21T03:10:47Z")

</div>

You’ll fumble with controls and randomly change direction until you get 4 driving. You can find a book to get it to 3, but there’s no good way of getting driving from 3 to 4, only actually driving and that levels up the skill very slowly.

Try to make thin vehicles at first. You don’t need walls if you never sleep in your car and always keep it away from danger.

Good bike should be thin and rather light (no armor). It can be long. Don’t add more wheels than it needs - when acceleration starts to go down when you add wheels, remove some of them. Heavy bikes can still work, but try to use that weight for useful stuff, like cargo carriers.

In case you also want generic “how to car?” info, wiki has some: [http://www.wiki.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?title=Making\_a\_Supercar:\_Guide](http://www.wiki.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?title=Making_a_Supercar:_Guide)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zioko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zioko/32/307_2.png) [@Zioko](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zioko)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4875 "2014-10-21T03:33:39Z")

</div>

[quote=“Coolthulhu, post:4874, topic:42”]You’ll fumble with controls and randomly change direction until you get 4 driving. You can find a book to get it to 3, but there’s no good way of getting driving from 3 to 4, only actually driving and that levels up the skill very slowly.

Try to make thin vehicles at first. You don’t need walls if you never sleep in your car and always keep it away from danger.

Good bike should be thin and rather light (no armor). It can be long. Don’t add more wheels than it needs - when acceleration starts to go down when you add wheels, remove some of them. Heavy bikes can still work, but try to use that weight for useful stuff, like cargo carriers.

In case you also want generic “how to car?” info, wiki has some: [http://www.wiki.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?title=Making\_a\_Supercar:\_Guide[/quote]](http://www.wiki.cataclysmdda.com/index.php?title=Making_a_Supercar:_Guide%5B/quote%5D)  
Thanks for the help! A question, though, steel or extra light frames? Also, will using such a small vehicle cause things like shrubs to hurt it?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 21, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4876 "2014-10-21T03:39:01Z")

</div>

Yes, shrubs will hurt. Shrubs are quite tough.  
Extra light frames are good, but you can use foldable frames/handles - they’re even lighter (and less resistant). They won’t be foldable, though (it’s mostly just a name at this point). If you expect to ram stuff, use a heavier frame on the front. You probably won’t need to, because bikes accelerate very slowly, but brake well.

---

<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:** [October 21, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4877 "2014-10-21T04:20:35Z")

</div>

In order to fold your vehicle _everything_ needs to have the FOLDABLE tag. So they’re a bit restricted.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jarlaxle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jarlaxle](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Jarlaxle)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 4:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4878 "2014-10-21T04:41:14Z")

</div>

> [@HunterAlpha1](#):
>
> [quote=“Jarlaxle, post:4845, topic:42”]Is there a reason my freshly made pickaxe has a 0 next to it?[/quote]Did you accidentally try to reload it?

This make me feel stupid to type but I did try to reload it after I seen the 0. I am now sad.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HunterAlpha1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@HunterAlpha1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HunterAlpha1)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 5:18am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4879 "2014-10-21T05:18:30Z")

</div>

> [@Jarlaxle](#):
>
> [quote=“HunterAlpha1, post:4859, topic:42”][quote=“Jarlaxle, post:4845, topic:42”]Is there a reason my freshly made pickaxe has a 0 next to it?[/quote]Did you accidentally try to reload it?

This make me feel stupid to type but I did try to reload it after I seen the 0. I am now sad.[/quote]Oh so the zero was there before you tried to reload it? In that I have no clue what happened. Try to use it, see what happens.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zioko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zioko/32/307_2.png) [@Zioko](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zioko)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:33am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4880 "2014-10-21T06:33:40Z")

</div>

As a sort of extra thing to my last post- I can’t figure out, for the life of me, how to start a new vehicle. By that, I mean how the fuck do I weld these frames together? I made a folding bicycle- but it was a crafted item. How do I make a vehicle from scratch, or can I?

---

<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:** [October 21, 2014, 6:34am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4881 "2014-10-21T06:34:57Z")

</div>

> [@Zioko](#):
>
> As a sort of extra thing to my last post- I can’t figure out, for the life of me, how to start a new vehicle. By that, I mean how the fuck do I weld these frames together? I made a folding bicycle- but it was a crafted item. How do I make a vehicle from scratch, or can I?

Get a frame and open the (\*)construction menu. Should be an option to start vehicle construction there.

[Previous page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=243)

[Next page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=245)