# 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:** 38

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Iosyn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/iosyn/32/35_2.png) [@Iosyn](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Iosyn)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/741 "2013-05-10T20:21:15Z")

</div>

> [@i2amroy](#):
>
> [quote=“Caconym, post:738, topic:42”]In the git version I noticed office buildings with elevators with busted consoles is there a way to get them working as there is a garage with a bunch of cars and garage doors that have busted consoles, behind the doors is more elevator which I assume is how you would get the cars out without having to dismantle the cars and slowly move all the parts to put together into a death mobile.

IIRC then they purposely made it that way so you couldn’t get the cars our easily.

And as for the broken elevators in the hazardous waste sarcophaguses, I believe those are there for if the creator ever gets around to expanding them, but right now they just wanted to get the building in the game before the .5 release.[/quote]  
Yes. Unfortunately there’s no way to repair broken consoles as of yet, but still having a broken elevator in is still a nice touch.  
Can you pry open the doors and use the maintenance ladders? \>.\>

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![prytoclasm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@prytoclasm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/prytoclasm)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/742 "2013-05-10T21:32:57Z")

</div>

> [@Iosyn](#):
>
> Awesome. Something else I can disassemble for batteries and scrap electronics.

For batteries: Save all your tin cans and aluminum cans, find some ammonia (or lemons) and some scrap metal (plenty by ‘destroying’ the right stuff). You get a lot of batteries out of that. (requires some electronics and mechanics skills)

For scrap electronics: disassemble everything ‘technical’ you can find. Remember: you need only ONE hot plate, only ONE flash/fleshlight, only ONE of almost everything. I even disassembled and re-assembled all my scoldering irons, just for the batteries and some skill, though it takes up a lot of time. 😉 But time worth spent, when you got nothing else to do and acid rain outside.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rookrune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Rookrune](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Rookrune)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/743 "2013-05-11T03:07:11Z")

</div>

Question: I’v always been told never drink from a untrusted source of water without boiling it first. What I wanna know is are there any Trusted sources, and what they are?  
also, anyway to make boiling water faster? one chug at a time is a real grind fest.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drake1storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@drake1storm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/drake1storm)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/744 "2013-05-11T03:40:53Z")

</div>

If you are willing to wait a day or two, I can give it a go at making multiple versions of the boil water recipe.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Weyrling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7bcc69/32.png) [@Weyrling](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Weyrling)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/745 "2013-05-11T03:47:43Z")

</div>

[quote=“Rookrune, post:743, topic:42”]Question: I’v always been told never drink from a untrusted source of water without boiling it first. What I wanna know is are there any Trusted sources, and what they are?  
also, anyway to make boiling water faster? one chug at a time is a real grind fest.[/quote]  
As far as I know the only trusted source of water is the bottled stuff.

I haven’t played the stable 0.4 release in awhile, but I know there’s a “repeat last crafting recipe” command in the git version, I usually stand next to a water source and fill up a few gallon jugs with just a couple dozen keys, it’s still “one chug at a time” but it removes 3 or 4 keys from the command which is pretty useful.

> If you are willing to wait a day or two, I can give it a go at making multiple versions of the boil water recipe.

This would be even more useful, good idea.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drake1storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@drake1storm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/drake1storm)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/746 "2013-05-11T04:02:33Z")

</div>

[quote=“Weyrling, post:745, topic:42”][quote=“Rookrune, post:743, topic:42”]Question: I’v always been told never drink from a untrusted source of water without boiling it first. What I wanna know is are there any Trusted sources, and what they are?  
also, anyway to make boiling water faster? one chug at a time is a real grind fest.[/quote]  
As far as I know the only trusted source of water is the bottled stuff.

I haven’t played the stable 0.4 release in awhile, but I know there’s a “repeat last crafting recipe” command in the git version, I usually stand next to a water source and fill up a few gallon jugs with just a couple dozen keys, it’s still “one chug at a time” but it removes 3 or 4 keys from the command which is pretty useful.

> If you are willing to wait a day or two, I can give it a go at making multiple versions of the boil water recipe.

This would be even more useful, good idea.[/quote]

Alright, guess that means I’m doing it. Do you know the amount of water you can hold in a gallon jug?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Weyrling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7bcc69/32.png) [@Weyrling](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Weyrling)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/747 "2013-05-11T04:29:01Z")

</div>

> [@drake1storm](#):
>
> Alright, guess that means I’m doing it. Do you know the amount of water you can hold in a gallon jug?

A steel jerrycan holds 100 units, a plastic jerrycan holds 40 units, a gallon jug holds 10 units, a canteen holds 6 units, a plastic bottle holds 2 units.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mrnocamera](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mrnocamera/32/61_2.png) [@Mrnocamera](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Mrnocamera)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 6:24am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/748 "2013-05-11T06:24:38Z")

</div>

> [@Rookrune](#):
>
> Question: I’v always been told never drink from a untrusted source of water without boiling it first. What I wanna know is are there any Trusted sources, and what they are?

I think the streams in a LMOE shelter are safe.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![halberdsturgeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@halberdsturgeon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/halberdsturgeon)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/749 "2013-05-11T07:08:39Z")

</div>

They aren’t.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![warppooted](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/warppooted/32/905_2.png) [@warppooted](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/warppooted)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/750 "2013-05-11T07:16:36Z")

</div>

Is the rainwater you collect from funnels safe?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mrnocamera](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/mrnocamera/32/61_2.png) [@Mrnocamera](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Mrnocamera)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 7:23am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/751 "2013-05-11T07:23:44Z")

</div>

No, you have to boil/use a water purifier.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dasaru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@Dasaru](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dasaru)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/752 "2013-05-11T21:04:03Z")

</div>

Hey guys. New to the forums and new to the game. And let me tell you, this game is really addictive. Man I love ascii games (I’ve played Vulture’s Eye - an interface for nethack).

Anyways, I have a few questions. I’ve only read from page 40+, so I apologize if I asked a question already answered:

1. Do Refrigerators preserve food longer? If so, how much longer and can I craft them?
2. Do ovens or sinks do anything useful? I remember reading something about burning your house down if you try to cook in ovens lol.
3. From watching a stream, someone refered a closed window as “closing the drapes”. I think they said it cuts off line of sight. Is this true? And if so, what’s the point of boarding up / duct taping windows?
4. What’s the difference between smashing and disassembling furniture?
5. I heard that crowbars make no noise. Is this true? Every time I open a door with one, it says I hear a crunch sound. Would picklock tools be better to use?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drake1storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@drake1storm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/drake1storm)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/753 "2013-05-11T21:11:05Z")

</div>

Ok, here is a quick and dirty version of the mod. This will require you to change the source code, unless you know of some place where I can upload the exe for you guys (note, you will still have to replace your recipe.json in your data folder).

place in iuse.cpp just under water\_clean declaration:

[code]DRINK(“water\_cleanx2”,“clean water”, 90, 50, c\_ltcyan, “bottle\_plastic”,  
// QUE NUT SPO STM HTH ADD CHG FUN use\_func addiction type  
50, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0,&iuse::none, ADD\_NULL, “  
Fresh, clean water. Truly the best thing to quench your thirst.”, 0);

DRINK(“water\_cleanx6”,“clean water”, 90, 50, c\_ltcyan, “bottle\_plastic”,  
// QUE NUT SPO STM HTH ADD CHG FUN use\_func addiction type  
50, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 6, 0,&iuse::none, ADD\_NULL, “  
Fresh, clean water. Truly the best thing to quench your thirst.”, 0);

DRINK(“water\_cleanx10”,“clean water”, 90, 50, c\_ltcyan, “bottle\_plastic”,  
// QUE NUT SPO STM HTH ADD CHG FUN use\_func addiction type  
50, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 0,&iuse::none, ADD\_NULL, “  
Fresh, clean water. Truly the best thing to quench your thirst.”, 0);

DRINK(“water\_cleanx40”,“clean water”, 90, 50, c\_ltcyan, “bottle\_plastic”,  
// QUE NUT SPO STM HTH ADD CHG FUN use\_func addiction type  
50, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 40, 0,&iuse::none, ADD\_NULL, “  
Fresh, clean water. Truly the best thing to quench your thirst.”, 0);

DRINK(“water\_cleanx100”,“clean water”, 90, 50, c\_ltcyan, “bottle\_plastic”,  
// QUE NUT SPO STM HTH ADD CHG FUN use\_func addiction type  
50, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 100, 0,&iuse::none, ADD\_NULL, “  
Fresh, clean water. Truly the best thing to quench your thirst.”, 0);[/code]

Place this anywhere in your recipe.json:

[code]{  
“result”: “water\_cleanx2”,  
“category”: “CC\_DRINK”,  
“skill\_pri”: “cooking”,  
“difficulty”: 0,  
“time”: 1000,  
“reversible”: false,  
“autolearn”: true,  
“tools”: [  
[  
[“hotplate”, 6],  
[“toolset”, 1],  
[“fire”, -1]  
],  
[  
[“pan”, -1],  
[“pot”, -1],  
[“rock\_pot”, -1]  
]  
],  
“components”: [  
[  
[“water”, 2]  
]  
]  
},

```
	{
        "result": "water_cleanx6",
        "category": "CC_DRINK",
        "skill_pri": "cooking",
        "difficulty": 0,
        "time": 6000,
        "reversible": false,
        "autolearn": true,
        "tools": [
                     [
                         ["hotplate", 18],
                         ["toolset", 1],
                         ["fire", -1]
                     ],
                     [
                         ["pan", -1],
                         ["pot", -1],
                         ["rock_pot", -1]
                     ]
                 ],
        "components": [
                          [
                              ["water", 6]
                          ]
                      ]
    },
	
	{
        "result": "water_cleanx10",
        "category": "CC_DRINK",
        "skill_pri": "cooking",
        "difficulty": 0,
        "time": 10000,
        "reversible": false,
        "autolearn": true,
        "tools": [
                     [
                         ["toolset", 1],
                         ["fire", -1]
                     ],
                     [
                         ["pan", -1],
                         ["pot", -1],
                         ["rock_pot", -1]
                     ]
                 ],
        "components": [
                          [
                              ["water", 10]
                          ]
                      ]
    },
	
	{
        "result": "water_cleanx40",
        "category": "CC_DRINK",
        "skill_pri": "cooking",
        "difficulty": 0,
        "time": 40000,
        "reversible": false,
        "autolearn": true,
        "tools": [
                     [
                         ["toolset", 1],
                         ["fire", -1]
                     ],
                     [
                         ["pan", -1],
                         ["pot", -1],
                         ["rock_pot", -1]
                     ]
                 ],
        "components": [
                          [
                              ["water", 40]
                          ]
                      ]
    },
	
	{
        "result": "water_cleanx100",
        "category": "CC_DRINK",
        "skill_pri": "cooking",
        "difficulty": 0,
        "time": 100000,
        "reversible": false,
        "autolearn": true,
        "tools": [
                     [
                         ["toolset", 1],
                         ["fire", -1]
                     ],
                     [
                         ["pan", -1],
                         ["pot", -1],
                         ["rock_pot", -1]
                     ]
                 ],
        "components": [
                          [
                              ["water", 100]
                          ]
                      ]
    },[/code]

```

Note, this will create different water objects. They will have the exact same function, but will not, at least with this quick and dirty fix, be inter-mixable.

Second Note, I’m surprised that they tied the “put in container” query to liquids. It made this take only 5 minutes compared to the half an hour it would have taken. Thank you cataclysm devs :).

Third note, interesting outcome of this is, if you use the right recipe for your container, you will be able to put the water directly back into the container that held the dirty water, without requiring an intermediate container like you used to need.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Iosyn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/iosyn/32/35_2.png) [@Iosyn](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Iosyn)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/754 "2013-05-11T21:13:31Z")

</div>

[quote=“Dasaru, post:752, topic:42”]Hey guys. New to the forums and new to the game. And let me tell you, this game is really addictive. Man I love ascii games (I’ve played Vulture’s Eye - an interface for nethack).

Anyways, I have a few questions. I’ve only read from page 40+, so I apologize if I asked a question already answered:

1. Do Refrigerators preserve food longer? If so, how much longer and can I craft them?
2. Do ovens or sinks do anything useful? I remember reading something about burning your house down if you try to cook in ovens lol.
3. From watching a stream, someone refered a closed window as “closing the drapes”. I think they said it cuts off line of sight. Is this true? And if so, what’s the point of boarding up / duct taping windows?
4. What’s the difference between smashing and disassembling furniture?
5. I heard that crowbars make no noise. Is this true? Every time I open a door with one, it says I hear a crunch sound. Would picklock tools be better to use?[/quote]  
Yo, welcome.

1. The refridgerators, they do nothing! D:
2. No, although make sure to (e)xamine ovens and cupboards in kitchens, because you can’t see any items in them with V. If you want water you need to go check the bathroom toilet.  
3)duct taping is for windows that have no curtains, i.e windows in shops. boarding up stops zombies breaking through them easily-- and yes, closing the curtains, duct taping or boarding them up does break line of sight. It does NOT interrupt scent trails or sound however, so if you used that window to jump into your safehouse then closed the curtains with a zombie nearby following your stink you might have an unexpected night visitor. Also if zombies had line of sight when you jump through and close them, they’ll still come running for ya. Nice way to escape from hulks or brutes if needed though.
3. Smashing tends to yield less resources-- and create things like splintered wood which have no other use except for cooking fires. disassembling stuff requires tools and takes longer, however. i.e you don’t want to disassemble a window while on the run. You’d smash it, even though it does make a lot of sound.
4. Smashing open a door or window creates a lot of noise, using a crowbar to pry open a door makes relatively little, if anything at all. Picklock kits are good, however if you fail you can damage it, iirc. Also I think they need quite a high dex, so take off those gloves.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![i2amroy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/i2amroy/32/909_2.png) [@i2amroy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/i2amroy)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/755 "2013-05-11T21:42:20Z")

</div>

> [@Iosyn](#):
>
> [quote=“Dasaru, post:752, topic:42”]3. From watching a stream, someone refered a closed window as “closing the drapes”. I think they said it cuts off line of sight. Is this true? And if so, what’s the point of boarding up / duct taping windows?

3)duct taping is for windows that have no curtains, i.e windows in shops. boarding up stops zombies breaking through them easily-- and yes, closing the curtains, duct taping or boarding them up does break line of sight. It does NOT interrupt scent trails or sound however, so if you used that window to jump into your safehouse then closed the curtains with a zombie nearby following your stink you might have an unexpected night visitor. Also if zombies had line of sight when you jump through and close them, they’ll still come running for ya. Nice way to escape from hulks or brutes if needed though.[/quote]  
Duct taping and boarding do also reduce the amount of scent that will leak out through the windows though (unlike closed curtains), so if you plan to stay anywhere for very long it’s a good idea to do it to prevent the spread of your scent slightly. And just in case it wasn’t clear you can close the curtains by ordering the (c)lose command on a window that is already closed.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kilozombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@kilozombie](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kilozombie)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/756 "2013-05-11T21:56:16Z")

</div>

I’ve found that metal kegs are the best for storing water. They’re rare but (IIRC) hold 2x the amount of a steel jerrycan in normal liquid, and at least 10x that amount in alcohol.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Miloch](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/miloch/32/1339_2.png) [@Miloch](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Miloch)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/757 "2013-05-12T03:05:30Z")

</div>

How do combat knife and butcher knife compare for butchering?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drake1storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@drake1storm](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/drake1storm)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/758 "2013-05-12T03:07:04Z")

</div>

> [@Miloch](#):
>
> How do combat knife and butcher knife compare for butchering?

They all call the same function, and are thus equally effective.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Miloch](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/miloch/32/1339_2.png) [@Miloch](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Miloch)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/759 "2013-05-12T05:01:45Z")

</div>

How does one compare weapons?  
For Example:  
Baseball Bat  
Bash: 28 Cut: 0 To-Hit Bonus: +3  
Moves per attack: 133  
+Weak Block

Nail Bat  
Bash: 28 Cut: 6 To-Hit Bonus: +3  
Moves per attack: 133  
+Weak Block

Crowbar  
Bash: 16 Cut: 3 To-Hit Bonus: +2  
Moves per attack: 99

Combat Knife  
Bash: 2 Cut: 22 To-Hit Bonus: -2  
Moves per attack: 77

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![i2amroy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/i2amroy/32/909_2.png) [@i2amroy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/i2amroy)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 5:26am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/760 "2013-05-12T05:26:08Z")

</div>

> [@drake1storm](#):
>
> [quote=“Miloch, post:757, topic:42”]How do combat knife and butcher knife compare for butchering?

They all call the same function, and are thus equally effective.[/quote]  
True, but for the wrong reason. Said function is called by all tools, but returns a value that is modified by the tool’s weight, volume, and cutting damage. Both combat knives and butcher knives both return very low values (negative ones in fact) and are thus automatically raised to the same value. Edit: This is only true under certain circumstances, see my post below for more info!

@Miloch:  
Bash and Cut are damage types; Higher is better  
Moves per attack is how long it takes you to swing; lower is better.  
To-hit bonus is fairly self explanatory; higher is better.  
In this case “+Weak Block” means the weapon has the ability to block small amounts of damage, with your ability to block determined by your skill in the weapon.

In this case I would say that unless you are highly skilled in cutting weapons you go with the nail bat.

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