# 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:** 247

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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 25, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4922 "2014-10-25T18:02:43Z")

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Do SWAT armor still drop? In the last couple of experimental versions I have been going out of my way to murder as many police zeds as possible and have yet to find a SWAT armor.

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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 25, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4923 "2014-10-25T19:32:02Z")

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Moving from the Announcements thread:

[quote=“Elidor VON”]Noticed just now that discription of “Thick Tail” mutation has been changed to “You have a long, thick, lizardlike tail. It helps you balance a bit but also makes a servicable whip.” I decided to check MUTATIONS screen and found that this mutation now is activatable. There wasn’t proper opportunity to use it, so i don’t really know what my new thik tail do, but it’s still very awesome.

Well now, after attack of enraged mооse, I know what thick tail do. It periodically whipping the enemy. To obvious as for me.

P.S. Please forgive me for my english. I’m from Ukraine 🙂[/quote]

One other change is that like other whip-capable tails, the Thick Tail is active. You can activate it to manually hold your tail at the ready, fatiguing yourself and giving up the Dodge bonus in exchange for bypassing the one\_in(3) part of the whip check.

(So you can potentially whip 'em good every turn!)

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**Author:** ![Logrin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/logrin/32/209_2.png) [@Logrin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Logrin)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4924 "2014-10-25T21:14:48Z")

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This is great, because as we all know when a good time turns around you must whip it. You will never live it down unless you whip it. No one gets away until they whip it.

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**Author:** ![lordmoneyofman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/lordmoneyofman/32/366_2.png) [@lordmoneyofman](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/lordmoneyofman)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4925 "2014-10-25T21:50:43Z")

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Is there currently a way to use the USB drives? I’ve got a dozen of them, some with HackPro, some with medical software and some with misc. software. I couldn’t find this info anywhere.

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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 25, 2014, 10:01pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4926 "2014-10-25T22:01:26Z")

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> [@lordmoneyofman](#):
>
> Is there currently a way to use the USB drives? I’ve got a dozen of them, some with HackPro, some with medical software and some with misc. software. I couldn’t find this info anywhere.

hackpro is component of control laptop

usb drivers are used in some missions if you play without any npc its just free ram

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**Author:** ![Zireael](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/zireael/32/956_2.png) [@Zireael](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zireael)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2014, 10:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4927 "2014-10-26T10:01:29Z")

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I found an E-ink tablet, what does it do?

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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 26, 2014, 10:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4928 "2014-10-26T10:24:07Z")

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> [@Zireael](#):
>
> I found an E-ink tablet, what does it do?

you can load SD cards into it

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**Author:** ![Thwap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4af34b/32.png) [@Thwap](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Thwap)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4929 "2014-10-26T20:30:57Z")

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I have a power armor interface mk2 installed, plenty of bionic power, and it does drain when I activate, but the heavy power armor itself isn’t powering on. :\<

EDIT: Oh okay I see it’s offsetting drain. The documentation could be a little clearer. lol

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**Author:** ![Cyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@Cyan](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Cyan)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2014, 11:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4930 "2014-10-26T23:09:13Z")

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So I got two questions:

1. How do you deal with blobs? Some small blobs/ larger blobs followed me to one of my bases, a evac shelter, and though I ignored them and went to sleep, I’am pretty sure they will be there as a welcoming committee, in the morning. I’am thinking of running around them, so they cluster and pack up, and then using a Molotov cocktail, but I really don’t know what else to do.

2. How do you deal with slime pits? I spawned near a city which has a slime pit, and it annoys me, since I don’t exactly want to move to find another city, to set up shop and start looting.

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**Author:** ![IcedPee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/icedpee/32/259_2.png) [@IcedPee](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/IcedPee)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4931 "2014-10-27T00:01:56Z")

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[quote=“Cyan, post:4930, topic:42”]So I got two questions:

1. How do you deal with blobs? Some small blobs/ larger blobs followed me to one of my bases, a evac shelter, and though I ignored them and went to sleep, I’am pretty sure they will be there as a welcoming committee, in the morning. I’am thinking of running around them, so they cluster and pack up, and then using a Molotov cocktail, but I really don’t know what else to do.

2. How do you deal with slime pits? I spawned near a city which has a slime pit, and it annoys me, since I don’t exactly want to move to find another city, to set up shop and start looting.[/quote]

3. Kill them all

4. Kill them all.

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**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 27, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4932 "2014-10-27T14:53:54Z")

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How do you build a rope and pulley system so that it raises a palisade gate? I can’t seem to get it to work.

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**Author:** ![Blaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Blaze](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Blaze)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4933 "2014-10-27T16:00:40Z")

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The rope and pulley needs to be adjacent to a palisade wall but cannot touch the gate itself.

```auto
|
_+++

| = rope and pulley
_ = wall
+ = gate
```

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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:** [October 27, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4934 "2014-10-27T16:35:43Z")

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And make sure you install a rope & pulley system on both sides of the wall.

edit by kevingranade: rape jokes are not ok.

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**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 27, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4935 "2014-10-27T17:12:44Z")

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> [@HunterAlpha1](#):
>
> And make sure you install a rOpe & pulley system on both sides of the wall.

D’oh! Well, I’ll remember that next time I fortify a cathedral.

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**Author:** ![Logrin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/logrin/32/209_2.png) [@Logrin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Logrin)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2014, 6:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4936 "2014-10-27T18:37:45Z")

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That reminds me–am I the only one that upgrades to an atomic vibrator?

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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 27, 2014, 10:07pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4937 "2014-10-27T22:07:25Z")

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> [@Logrin](#):
>
> That reminds me–am I the only one that upgrades to an atomic vibrator?

Nope. You even used my color. 😉 Now if only Rivtech’s consumer products division would catch up.

As for the folks making “jokes”, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make the forum less safe for survivors. Thanks.

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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 28, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4938 "2014-10-28T00:09:36Z")

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> [@KA101](#):
>
> As for the folks making “jokes”, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make the forum less safe for survivors. Thanks.

I’m afraid most people here don’t speak EMPOWERMENT and won’t understand this usage of “survivor”.

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**Author:** ![Goombah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Goombah](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Goombah)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4939 "2014-10-28T00:22:31Z")

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> [@KA101](#):
>
> [quote=“Logrin, post:4936, topic:42”]That reminds me–am I the only one that upgrades to an atomic vibrator?

Nope. You even used my color. 😉 Now if only Rivtech’s consumer products division would catch up.

As for the folks making “jokes”, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make the forum less safe for survivors. Thanks.[/quote]

Thanks for that.

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**Author:** ![Goombah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Goombah](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Goombah)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4940 "2014-10-28T00:23:54Z")

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Incidentally, what should I know about playing a Slime Mutant? 🙂

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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 28, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/4941 "2014-10-28T01:22:20Z")

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> [@Goombah](#):
>
> Incidentally, what should I know about playing a Slime Mutant? 🙂

Post-thresh, they get slower and better DX at the expense of ST. You might consider going ranged.

You’ll eventually get some ability to slip through bars (w/o gear) and radically extend your IN and PE, albeit the IN is very vulnerable to damage and the PE has a nasty transition stage. (Never use your last slime mutagen once post-thresh. You may need it if you get stuck halfway through–you’ll know it if it happens, though.)

And then Omnicellular is currently the closest to breeding you can get in DDA. I’ve not had the time to update that with the AI guidance we’ve got for some of the critters in-game.

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