# 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:** 67

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**Author:** ![JohnnyB715](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JohnnyB715](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/JohnnyB715)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1321 "2013-08-19T01:16:09Z")

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I have a question. I’m on the most recent stable build on the front page, and i’ve installed two different engines on my vehicle (one gas and one electric) and i have solar panels and batteries fully charged, but I don’t understand how to tell me vehicle to start using the electric engine after my gas engines run out of gas… they just won’t move or switch engines to the electric. Is there a way to get it to start using the electric when out of gas? or do i just remove my gas engine and put it back on so my electric takes priority?

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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:** [August 19, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1322 "2013-08-19T01:19:40Z")

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> [@JohnnyB715](#):
>
> I have a question. I’m on the most recent stable build on the front page, and i’ve installed two different engines on my vehicle (one gas and one electric) and i have solar panels and batteries fully charged, but I don’t understand how to tell me vehicle to start using the electric engine after my gas engines run out of gas… they just won’t move or switch engines to the electric. Is there a way to get it to start using the electric when out of gas? or do i just remove my gas engine and put it back on so my electric takes priority?

That’s one of the biggest problems with vehicles: there’s no transmission or clutch, so either all run or none do. I’d remove the gas engine in this case.

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**Author:** ![JohnnyB715](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JohnnyB715](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/JohnnyB715)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1323 "2013-08-19T01:22:30Z")

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Alright i guess that kinda works, I always wanted it to be a hybrid or something but i guess it works the same way, I was lucky enough to find an integrated tool set bionic on my android character so welding at least isn’t a huge issue.

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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:** [August 19, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1324 "2013-08-19T01:29:50Z")

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Yeah. Integrated Toolset is one of the best finds you can have, and starting with it would be pretty nice.

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**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:** [August 19, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1325 "2013-08-19T13:12:26Z")

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> [@KA101](#):
>
> That would probably be a Fungal Portal then. Had a purple character alternating away in the middle?

Ah yes.

Fungal portals? Well, fuck.  
Is nowhere safe? ;\_;  
oh, who am I kidding. If my save file hadn’t gone up and corrupted itself while I was constructing DeathSpike MkII with extra spike plating and a 6L Engine…

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**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1326 "2013-08-19T20:43:52Z")

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> [@Mrnocamera](#):
>
> No, you have to boil/use a water purifier.

I’m having trouble with this. I’m using an earlier version of the game. Not DDA. I have a hotplate, I have water in plastic bottles, I have lighters, frying pans etc.

I cannot see an option to boil/purity water anywhere. Is it a recent addition in the DDA versions or what?

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**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:** [August 19, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1327 "2013-08-19T20:45:53Z")

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Um, most of the advice we are giving here won’t apply to pre DDA versions. Something like 50% of the stuff in DDA isn’t in the old versions (and more new stuff is being added every day!).

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**Author:** ![kilozombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@kilozombie](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kilozombie)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1328 "2013-08-19T20:49:48Z")

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Yeah. I respect that you want the tileset, but DDA’s support isn’t long from now; and we have squashed basically 80% of every bug in Whales’ version. That’s not to say we don’t have our own share of bugs, but it is a completely different experience.

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**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:** [August 19, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1329 "2013-08-19T20:53:54Z")

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Fun \> Tilesets.

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**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1330 "2013-08-19T21:06:11Z")

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So purifying water IS a new feature? Hmm.

I imagine so is finding cars? Because in this version I can build one but I can’t find them anywhere to take parts from.

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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:** [August 19, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1331 "2013-08-19T21:07:09Z")

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[quote=“DG123, post:1330, topic:42”]So purifying water IS a new feature? Hmm.

I imagine so is finding cars? Because in this version I can build one but I can’t find them anywhere to take parts from.[/quote]  
Erm… yes.

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**Author:** ![kilozombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@kilozombie](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kilozombie)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1332 "2013-08-19T21:08:52Z")

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Cars only spawned in parking lots. Literally nowhere else. Garages and farms didn’t exist, nor did cabins or FEMA camps or public works.

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**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:** [August 19, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1333 "2013-08-19T21:11:01Z")

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[quote=“DG123, post:1330, topic:42”]So purifying water IS a new feature? Hmm.

I imagine so is finding cars? Because in this version I can build one but I can’t find them anywhere to take parts from.[/quote]

Yeah, there’s cars everywhere now.

Some of them are just shells (good to strip for wheels/steel frames etc) while some are almost complete. of course, 90% of them are badly damaged, or have something wrong with them. It’s pretty common to find fully-charged solar cars… with a busted engine.

Check the basement beneath office towers. Parking lots and public works are a great source too.

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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:** [August 19, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1334 "2013-08-19T21:15:12Z")

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[quote=“Iosyn, post:1333, topic:42”]Yeah, there’s cars everywhere now.

Some of them are just shells (good to strip for wheels/steel frames etc) while some are almost complete. of course, 90% of them are badly damaged, or have something wrong with them. It’s pretty common to find fully-charged solar cars… with a busted engine.

Check the basement beneath office towers. Parking lots and public works are a great source too.

Can you open the office garage doors?

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**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1335 "2013-08-19T21:15:32Z")

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I am definitely looking forward to having a vehicle…

Am I right in saying you can effectively set one up to guard your ass with robot turrets when you go hunting for stuff in shops?

What worries me is… I don’t know if this is completely different in DDA, but at the moment I can’t see how it’s possible to have a viable electronics/mechanics expert who is actually good at combat.

Don’t you need a ridiculously high intelligence level to do some of the crafting? And if you do that how the hell do you have a high enough strength and other stats to be ok at fighting?

Take 12 points in bad traits and no good ones?

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**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:** [August 19, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1336 "2013-08-19T21:21:40Z")

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Yeah, if you can find or make any turrets. as for the electro/mech thing, very much yes. Throwing, melee or ranged, take ya pick. As to crafting, it really depends what you want to craft. most people take 14 int to be able to read robots for fun and profit.

As for the door thing… I’m afraid I died before I could find out. I’ll check later. If not you can still harvest parts from whatever is down there 😛

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**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1337 "2013-08-19T21:31:08Z")

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What I’m wondering is what to go without in order to get the 14 intelligence points.

Looks like I’d end up without any fast running perks, and that is worrying…

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**Author:** ![Sirquote](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sirquote/32/887_2.png) [@Sirquote](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sirquote)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1338 "2013-08-19T22:07:11Z")

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[quote=“DG123, post:1337, topic:42”]What I’m wondering is what to go without in order to get the 14 intelligence points.

Looks like I’d end up without any fast running perks, and that is worrying…[/quote]

I find many of the negative traits not so negative at all.

Glass Jaw - Unless you are strictly melee char you probably don’t want this.  
Poor Hearing - You still hear everything you need, you sleep better too.  
Heavy Sleeper - Nice, long, uninterrupted sleep.  
Truth Teller - Hardly ever need to lie to an NPC.  
Ugly - Unless I plan to use mutagens I have this off.

I also usually choose one more to give my character a story,  
lots of points there.

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<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:** [August 20, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1339 "2013-08-20T03:20:14Z")

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> [@Iosyn](#):
>
> [quote=“KA101, post:1320, topic:42”]That would probably be a Fungal Portal then. Had a purple character alternating away in the middle?

Ah yes.

Fungal portals? Well, fuck.  
Is nowhere safe? ;\_;  
oh, who am I kidding. If my save file hadn’t gone up and corrupted itself while I was constructing DeathSpike MkII with extra spike plating and a 6L Engine…[/quote]

Quick clarification: they don’t spawn fungaloids. I call them that to distinguish them from the crappier Portal Ins, which ony have a ring of rubble around them. Sorry.

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**Author:** ![HeadWar](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/headwar/32/2685_2.png) [@HeadWar](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/HeadWar)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:12am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1340 "2013-08-20T08:12:37Z")

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[quote=“Sirquote, post:1338, topic:42”]I also usually choose one more to give my character a story,  
lots of points there.[/quote]  
Min-maxing for RP reasons? That’s a new one. 😉

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