# 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:** 571
### Author:  [@Azrad](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Azrad)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11402 "2015-11-08T15:45:40Z")
> [@Rot](#):
>
> [quote=“Catfoodbob, post:11400, topic:42”]how do you get the recipe for dynamite
You can get it from a book called “Advanced Physical Chemistry”
Pretty sure there’sothers, but that’s the one off the top of my head.
Easily found in labs, just gotta look around a bit.[/quote]
It might also be in the alternate version of the AAA Guide.
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11403 "2015-11-08T16:06:50Z")
Hmm. Odd question. Can anyone point me to where the source assigns a faction to the random mugger NPCs? :V
---
### Author:  [@Coolthulhu](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Coolthulhu)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11404 "2015-11-08T16:15:04Z")
> [@Random\_dragon](#):
>
> Hmm. Odd question. Can anyone point me to where the source assigns a faction to the random mugger NPCs? :V
npc::pick\_talk\_topic
```auto
if (personality.aggression > 0) {
if (op_of_u.fear * 2 < personality.bravery && personality.altruism < 0)
return "TALK_MUG";
```
So, it doesn’t assign factions to muggers, but mugging to aggressive and selfish NPCs.
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11405 "2015-11-08T16:24:46Z")
Ah, I see. I’m guessing if they’d been assigned the bandit faction, they’d attack of sight, so it makes sense. ;w;
---
### Author:  [@Dampe](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dampe)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11406 "2015-11-08T19:14:17Z")
How do I properly install a headlight?
They’re always facing off at an angle! D:
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11407 "2015-11-08T19:17:18Z")
[quote=“Dampe, post:11406, topic:42”]How do I properly install a headlight?
They’re always facing off at an angle! D:[/quote]
After it officially installs, it asks you to choose facing direction. Then you get zoomed over to the square it’s installed at, and can move a selector around with the movement keys. Move around a bit to describe the desired angle you want the light to face, then hit enter. o3o
---
### Author:  [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11408 "2015-11-08T19:18:59Z")
Is there a way either in mapgen or npc.json to make sure custom npcs don’t wander from their spawn zones?
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11409 "2015-11-08T19:44:04Z")
> [@Noctifer](#):
>
> Is there a way either in mapgen or npc.json to make sure custom npcs don’t wander from their spawn zones?
If a monster blunders into their line of sight, they’ll go nuts anyway, so careful map design is your main weapon. To keep them from wandering off of their own accord though…it seems attitude of 0 should ensure they stand around.
---
### Author:  [@Zireael](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Zireael)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11410 "2015-11-08T20:09:59Z")
Any way to change character sex after game starts? Or should I just pretend it is the correct one?
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11411 "2015-11-08T20:10:58Z")
> [@Zireael](#):
>
> Any way to change character sex after game starts? Or should I just pretend it is the correct one?
Save editing might be an option, lemme check.
EDIT: Yeah. Go to your save folder, look for what should be the only .SAV (not .GSAV) file in there. Open the file with Notepad, Wordpad, whatever and search for the word “male” and you’ll find a true/false setting in the player data.
---
### Author:  [@Dampe](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dampe)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11412 "2015-11-08T20:31:55Z")
How do I plant, farm, grow things, etc?
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11413 "2015-11-08T20:41:17Z")
> [@Dampe](#):
>
> How do I plant, farm, grow things, etc?
Start with seeds and a shovel or hoe. Dig up mounts of dirt, then examine them. Unless the season is too cold for farming, you’ll be prompted to plant.
---
### Author:  [@Noctifer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Noctifer)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11414 "2015-11-08T20:45:14Z")
On the overmap\_terrain.json, how does the mondensity affect monster spawns?
---
### Author:  [@Pyrite](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Pyrite)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11415 "2015-11-08T21:59:39Z")
> [@Random\_dragon](#):
>
> Start with seeds and a shovel or hoe. Dig up mounts of dirt, then examine them. Unless the season is too cold for farming, you’ll be prompted to plant.
I’m playing a 91 day season game, and I’m about halfway through spring with no ability to plant. When should I expect to be able to start planting?
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 10:05pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11416 "2015-11-08T22:05:44Z")
Not sure, but if it doesn’t warm up by the end of the season, summer at least better be warm enough. .\_.
---
### Author:  [@Taraq](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Taraq)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11417 "2015-11-08T22:35:11Z")
Did butchering for CBMs get a serious nerf? Or is that just my survival skill? I was getting stuff from ~90% of shockers, the 10% being those that only gave broken bionics, but now I’m getting stuff from maybe 1/5.
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11418 "2015-11-09T01:01:51Z")
What is the best combination of parts to build a “generator”?
-What kind of alternator should I use?
-What kind of engine should I use?
-Does frame matter?
---
### Author:  [@Azrad](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Azrad)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11419 "2015-11-09T01:20:02Z")
A series of solar panels and storage batteries should work well enough. Enough solar panels and you’re not gonna worry about losing energy anytime soon. As I recall gasoline and diesel engines produce noise even if you’re just using them as generators.
---
### Author:  [@Random\_dragon](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Random_dragon)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11420 "2015-11-09T01:51:45Z")
You can also build a stationary bike, never tried it myself. :V
---
### Author:  [@Eric](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/11421 "2015-11-09T01:53:03Z")
> [@Random\_dragon](#):
>
> You can also build a stationary bike, never tried it myself. :V
I’m actually interested in trying that now…
[Previous page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=570)
[Next page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=572)