# 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:** 276

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5502 "2014-11-26T16:04:52Z")

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that needs a book? i thought its auto learned.  
ill look through my books.

edit: the lab journal herrera has it.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5503 "2014-11-27T06:21:02Z")

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Few questions: How does the drawing of bows work nowadays? I remember it being strength capped and was glad about the removal but what does having low str do now? Increase draw time? If yes, does archery skill shorten the draw time?

Also how do I build my own railgun? …Just out of interest of course.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 6:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5504 "2014-11-27T06:57:44Z")

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> [@Rookie](#):
>
> Few questions: How does the drawing of bows work nowadays? I remember it being strength capped and was glad about the removal but what does having low str do now? Increase draw time? If yes, does archery skill shorten the draw time?

I told you in some other thread:  
You lose 2 tiles of range per missing strength point. You can’t use the bow below half the requirement.  
That’s all. No other effect.

Yes, archery skill decreases draw time, because drawing counts as reloading. 7.5% per point, up to 75%. Then flat -20 per str point, lower cap of 25, finally penalties for hand encumbrance.  
Archery also decreases time to fire: 220 - 25 per skill level, capped at 20.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 7:34am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5505 "2014-11-27T07:34:15Z")

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Noice.  
So how much range do I lose for using a reflex recurve bow with 7 str? Does the item desc. already take my weakness into account? It says I have 18 range with it.

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**Author:** ![Closet\_Pankin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/closet_pankin/32/376_2.png) [@Closet\_Pankin](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Closet_Pankin)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 7:58am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5506 "2014-11-27T07:58:04Z")

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[quote=“Rookie, post:5505, topic:42”]Noice.  
So how much range do I lose for using a reflex recurve bow with 7 str? Does the item desc. already take my weakness into account? It says I have 18 range with it.[/quote]

A lot. You would barely be able to use it.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 8:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5507 "2014-11-27T08:20:42Z")

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Hmmm. Not really. I am using it quite effectively at the moment. Only fires a little shorter than the longbow I used before o0 I am one shotting (headshots) regular Zs that are 4-5 tiles away and I can shoot quite fast.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 9:22am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5508 "2014-11-27T09:22:28Z")

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[quote=“Rookie, post:5505, topic:42”]Noice.  
So how much range do I lose for using a reflex recurve bow with 7 str? Does the item desc. already take my weakness into account? It says I have 18 range with it.[/quote]

Reflex recurve is the most str-intensive bow: 12 str. You should lose 10 range. It has 18 base range, so you should have 8 range before ammo.  
Compound and short bow want 8 str, all other bows 10.

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**Author:** ![SteelBlueWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7993a0/32.png) [@SteelBlueWolf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SteelBlueWolf)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 10:47am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5509 "2014-11-27T10:47:34Z")

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Do all labs have finales? I’ve only ever gotten to a lab finale once and that was in 0.A.

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**Author:** ![fish\_have\_fingers\_no](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/fish_have_fingers_no/32/360_2.png) [@fish\_have\_fingers\_no](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/fish_have_fingers_no)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5510 "2014-11-27T14:41:10Z")

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So I downloaded the latest experimental a couple of days ago and got a good character going. However, the Recoil on any weapon I try to use is absurd, 285 on a Glock 19, 795 on a RM228 short shotgun, 450 on an AR-15 and so on. The Recoil indicator on the HUD is always red, no matter what. Dispersion is quite high too. I have 3 in marksman skills, my arm encumbrance is at 1. Any reason for this? Hidden disease or the like?

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5511 "2014-11-27T14:43:52Z")

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the numbers got rescaled since the aiming got added. I asume to have finer effects of aiming.  
the recoil always beeing red… idk but perhaps it got red before at a certain number now the numbers got scaled up but the indicator hasn t been ajusted(.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5512 "2014-11-27T15:37:15Z")

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> [@SteelBlueWolf](#):
>
> Do all labs have finales? I’ve only ever gotten to a lab finale once and that was in 0.A.

yes, just keep going down until you run out of stairs and wander around until you find it

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5513 "2014-11-27T18:34:46Z")

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[quote=“Coolthulhu, post:5508, topic:42”][quote=“Rookie, post:5505, topic:42”]Noice.  
So how much range do I lose for using a reflex recurve bow with 7 str? Does the item desc. already take my weakness into account? It says I have 18 range with it.[/quote]

Reflex recurve is the most str-intensive bow: 12 str. You should lose 10 range. It has 18 base range, so you should have 8 range before ammo.  
Compound and short bow want 8 str, all other bows 10.[/quote]

Right, just came home and checked. 8 base range and 16 with the 8 range from the heavy wooden arrows.

Why is a reflex recurve bow craftable but no reflex bow or recurve bow or composite bow?

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5514 "2014-11-27T20:48:27Z")

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> [@Rookie](#):
>
> Why is a reflex recurve bow craftable but no reflex bow or recurve bow or composite bow?

Because those are made in factories and such.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5515 "2014-11-27T20:52:56Z")

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i bet its just cause nobody added the recepy.

a recurve bow should be easier to craft then a refflex-recurve bow which is basicly an upgraded version.

and a composite bow is a traditional bow made from horn, wood, and sinew laminated together(which should by all means be handcraftable)

do not confuse this with a compound bow.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5516 "2014-11-27T21:10:33Z")

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Yup Ninja, Vulnus is right, that’s why I am asking. I checked google and the bows I mentioned don’t look as or more difficult than the reflex recurve bow so I wondered. I know that it is unreasonable to make the compound bow craftable with all those rolls and plastic stuff.

Where do I find a recipe for a rail gun?

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5517 "2014-11-27T21:17:35Z")

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Theres no findable recepy for a rail gun.

You can find the Weapon that heckler und Koch made (i think).And its ammo too

Your Survivor will also come up with a recepy for crafting a handmade 1 shot ferromagnetic rifle at lvl 8 electronic that is suposed to work on the principle of a rail gun.

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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:** [November 27, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5518 "2014-11-27T21:37:32Z")

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[quote=“Valpo, post:5517, topic:42”]Theres no findable recepy for a rail gun.

You can find the Weapon that heckler und Koch made (i think).And its ammo too

Your Survivor will also come up with a recepy for crafting a handmade 1 shot ferromagnetic rifle at lvl 8 electronic that is suposed to work on the principle of a rail gun.[/quote]  
I was talking about the homemade one. I have electronics at 8 and still no recipe ☹ mechanics is at 6 and fabrication at 9.  
oh and I found the HK railgun in a cave with a rat king. As well as 20 rails but I want my own one

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**Author:** ![qurvax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@qurvax](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/qurvax)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5519 "2014-11-27T21:39:53Z")

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Just got back into CDDA after a couple of months 🙂  
So, how do i kill Z-dancers? Feed one two 9mm from a carabine, two shoots from a shotgun and finally tried to cut it up with my catana. The thing seemingly hadn’t noticed any of my hard work, and stayed at “lightly injured” no matter what.

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**Author:** ![Valpo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/valpo/32/341_2.png) [@Valpo](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Valpo)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5520 "2014-11-27T21:40:11Z")

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[quote=“Rookie, post:5518, topic:42”]I was talking about the homemade one. I have electronics at 8 and still no recipe ☹ mechanics is at 6 and fabrication at 9.  
oh and I found the HK railgun in a cave with a rat king. As well as 20 rails but I want my own one[/quote]

Your probably lack something i forgot to mention … like rifle skill or something… lemme check .

edit:i looked it up and you need electronics 9 and mechanic 6.  
my memory say electronic 8 but quick check ingame says 9.

[quote=“qurvax, post:5519, topic:42”]Just got back into CDDA after a couple of months 🙂  
So, how do i kill Z-dancers? Feed one two 9mm from a carabine, two shoots from a shotgun and finally tried to cut it up with my catana. The thing seemingly hadn’t noticed any of my hard work, and stayed at “lightly injured” no matter what.[/quote]

a direct hit with a mininuke should kill it.

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**Author:** ![Hibou](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/hibou/32/1330_2.png) [@Hibou](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Hibou)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/5521 "2014-11-27T23:06:43Z")

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[quote=“qurvax, post:5519, topic:42”]Just got back into CDDA after a couple of months 🙂  
So, how do i kill Z-dancers? Feed one two 9mm from a carabine, two shoots from a shotgun and finally tried to cut it up with my catana. The thing seemingly hadn’t noticed any of my hard work, and stayed at “lightly injured” no matter what.[/quote]  
I recommend just staying away from those types of zombies. They are likely to cause dwarf fortress tier amounts of fun.

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