# 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:** 69

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sheb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@Sheb](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sheb)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1361 "2013-08-20T18:31:30Z")

</div>

According to a comment in the wiki, [HARDTOSHOOT] only works if dispersion \>=4. Now, every single ammo type safe for 00 shots, .22 rat-shot and birdshot got an accuracy over 4. That would explain why I was able to shoot squeleton and SPOILER without problems.

---

<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:** [August 20, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1362 "2013-08-20T18:42:27Z")

</div>

A note about HARDTOSHOOT in the current dev version. It’s been changed from functioning on a dispersion \<= 4 basis to instead function on an ammo flag. This means that things that are “SHOT” type ammo will get around that check for HARDTOSHOOT. Also the new check is based on dispersion rather then a flat 75%, so high accuracy weapons/ammo will have a much better chance of hitting skeletons, while low ones will have an even worse chance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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 20, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1363 "2013-08-20T20:25:12Z")

</div>

I always thought the bullet went though them. Them being skellytons, which are skinny to say the least.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1364 "2013-08-20T20:27:30Z")

</div>

> [@i2amroy](#):
>
> A note about HARDTOSHOOT in the current dev version. It’s been changed from functioning on a dispersion \<= 4 basis to instead function on an ammo flag. This means that things that are “SHOT” type ammo will get around that check for HARDTOSHOOT. Also the new check is based on dispersion rather then a flat 75%, so high accuracy weapons/ammo will have a much better chance of hitting skeletons, while low ones will have an even worse chance.

Hm.

So… to summarise that would mean… shotguns will hit them without the ridiculous penalty and very accurate rifles should also be fine? (Although they still have super high cutting resistance, so use armour piercing rounds?)

---

<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:** [August 20, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1365 "2013-08-20T20:54:03Z")

</div>

> [@DG123](#):
>
> So… to summarise that would mean… shotguns will hit them without the ridiculous penalty and very accurate rifles should also be fine? (Although they still have super high cutting resistance, so use armour piercing rounds?)

Shotgun shot. Shotgun slugs will still go right through them. And it’s not necessarily that accurate rifles are that much better, the absolute “best chance” to hit them is a 50/50, though that’s still 25% better then before.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1366 "2013-08-20T22:27:44Z")

</div>

Hm, so 00 shot from a Saiga is probably my best bet then…

How about rapid fire bursts? I’m not sure how those affect the accuracy.

Also, I just tried out the version of DDA downloadable as SDL…

0.6 I think this one is. Is the screen really meant to be that small? I hope the new upcoming version has fixed this because it’s ridiculous.

---

<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:** [August 20, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1367 "2013-08-20T23:38:14Z")

</div>

> [@DG123](#):
>
> 0.6 I think this one is. Is the screen really meant to be that small? I hope the new upcoming version has fixed this because it’s ridiculous.

If you are on windows then you need to manually increase the game’s size with the viewport width/height options.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 11:55pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1368 "2013-08-20T23:55:08Z")

</div>

Can’t see any such option in version 0.6…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Candlebury](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/john_candlebury/32/6437_2.png) [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1369 "2013-08-20T23:57:50Z")

</div>

Its on options \>interface under view \>port width/height

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1370 "2013-08-21T00:32:09Z")

</div>

Aha, I found it. I didn’t realise the options menu had additional screens accessible through using TAB.

Now, I assume there’s no way of making each tile display larger, right?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Candlebury](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/john_candlebury/32/6437_2.png) [@John\_Candlebury](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/John_Candlebury)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1371 "2013-08-21T00:38:17Z")

</div>

Yes, you can change tile size under: yourcataclysmfolder/data/FONTDATA just open the file with Wordpad or another text editor and change the numbers. The first number is X and the other Y

Edit: Forgot to add the fact that the default font doesn’t scale very nicely.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1372 "2013-08-21T12:46:56Z")

</div>

Well, solved that problem.

Now I have a new one.

I just tried out DDA… and almost immediately found a suit of light power armour.

But I can’t wear anything with it, so what the hell is the point in having it? I can’t carry anything more than 16 volume total? Can I use a backpack with it at least?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarkB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/markb/32/152_2.png) [@MarkB](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MarkB)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1373 "2013-08-21T13:11:16Z")

</div>

[quote=“DG123, post:1372, topic:42”]Well, solved that problem.

Now I have a new one.

I just tried out DDA… and almost immediately found a suit of light power armour.

But I can’t wear anything with it, so what the hell is the point in having it? I can’t carry anything more than 16 volume total? Can I use a backpack with it at least?[/quote]

For storage that integrates into your power armour, you’ll need to find a Power Armour Hauling Frame. However, you can wear some storage items on top of it.

You’ll also need a suitable power source in order to move comfortably in it - Power Armour works off a UPS by default, but you can find or craft a Power Armour interface CBM that lets you power it from your bionics.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1374 "2013-08-21T14:46:43Z")

</div>

As to the moving comfortably part, what penalties exactly do you get for using it unpowered?

Also, how do I raise the chance of installing bionics successfully, and is there a limit on how many I can install? For some weird reason I found a huge stockpile of them in a sewage plant.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarkB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/markb/32/152_2.png) [@MarkB](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MarkB)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1375 "2013-08-21T16:28:54Z")

</div>

> [@DG123](#):
>
> As to the moving comfortably part, what penalties exactly do you get for using it unpowered?

Unpowered, it has high encumbrance (3, I think, for light, and 5 for basic) and its warmth value can make it too hot in summer.

Powered, the encombrance drops (to 1 for basic power armour, and I think the same for light armour but I haven’t found one of those), and they regulate their internal climate to keep you Comfortable.

> Also, how do I raise the chance of installing bionics successfully, and is there a limit on how many I can install? For some weird reason I found a huge stockpile of them in a sewage plant.

The formula for installation chances is fairly complex, and I believe it’s been updated recently, but basically you want to improve Electronics primarily and also First Aid and Mechanics. Your level of Intelligence is also a factor.

You can install as many different bionics as you like, but the only one you can install multiple duplicates of is Power Storage. Also, if you have a lot of active bionics installed, the user interface can run out of letters to activate them. If that happens, you may need to edit your save file to manually reassign them.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1376 "2013-08-21T16:45:53Z")

</div>

Ok.

So… for now my main problem is finding some disinfectant before my strength hits 0 again. Yes I have been save scumming.

I assume there’s no way to disinfect a wound without heading into town on an item hunt…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarkB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/markb/32/152_2.png) [@MarkB](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/MarkB)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1377 "2013-08-21T16:52:55Z")

</div>

[quote=“DG123, post:1376, topic:42”]Ok.

So… for now my main problem is finding some disinfectant before my strength hits 0 again. Yes I have been save scumming.

I assume there’s no way to disinfect a wound without heading into town on an item hunt…[/quote]

There are two options for healing a Deep Wound. The easier one is to treat it medically using disinfectant or a first aid kit.

The other option is to cauterise the wound, which prevents infection but gets you a lot of pain. You can do this by activating either a soldering iron or any bladed weapon, such as a pocket knife (I think the idea with the knife blade is that you heat it with a lighter and then apply it to the wound).

EDIT: Option 3 is to let the infection set in, and then cure it with antibiotics.

---

<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:** [August 21, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1378 "2013-08-21T16:56:18Z")

</div>

I cauterize every time. Sooper simple. Only gives about 15-20 pain which a pair of aspirin can keep down. Even in combat it’s viable.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1379 "2013-08-21T17:34:15Z")

</div>

[quote=“MarkB, post:1377, topic:42”]The other option is to cauterise the wound, which prevents infection but gets you a lot of pain. You can do this by activating either a soldering iron or any bladed weapon, such as a pocket knife (I think the idea with the knife blade is that you heat it with a lighter and then apply it to the wound).

EDIT: Option 3 is to let the infection set in, and then cure it with antibiotics.[/quote]

How do you actually TELL when you’ve reached option 3 time? I don’t know how to tell if I have an infection or just a painful wound. Is it when your strength plummets?

Anyway I’ll give the knife a try. You just activate the knife itself with “a”?

Edit: Well, the knife does indeed give the cauterise option… but it says I don’t have a bite to treat. I found “infected wound” on my status screen. So this means what, disinfectant won’t work?

I need antibiotics? I can’t find a damn pharmacy anywhere.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DG123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/54ee81/32.png) [@DG123](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DG123)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1380 "2013-08-21T18:01:01Z")

</div>

Welp. I’m screwed. This map sucks. No pharmacies. There’s a military bunker that doesn’t have much in it. Lots of power armour but no UPSes, no guns, no antibiotics…

[Previous page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=68)

[Next page](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42.md?page=70)