# 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:** 89

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**Author:** ![jimboblordofeskimos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/jimboblordofeskimos/32/2_2.png) [@jimboblordofeskimos](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jimboblordofeskimos)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1761 "2013-11-09T19:52:41Z")

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> [@Turtlicious](#):
>
> I’ve read the book and it say I’ve learned all I can from them, but that there are still recipes unlearned. I assumed there was a different thing then just reading them to learn the recipes.

For some books you need a higher skill than the book has to learn the recipe. Extra battery mod in ‘Whats a Transistor’ is like this, it needs 4 or 5 skill to learn, but its only a 3 skill book.

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**Author:** ![anon388770](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9a140/32.png) [@anon388770](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/anon388770)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1762 "2013-11-09T19:53:15Z")

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You can dissassemble various electronics to get one. I think that you can craft them with enough electronics skill, too.

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**Author:** ![Turtlicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Turtlicious](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Turtlicious)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1763 "2013-11-09T23:07:50Z")

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How do you grind Mechanics? (Like what’s the best thing to craft to get up to 2 mechanics.)

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**Author:** ![AseaHeru](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aseaheru/32/8_2.png) [@AseaHeru](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/AseaHeru)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1764 "2013-11-09T23:16:51Z")

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Take apart cars.

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**Author:** ![Nemonole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nemonole](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Nemonole)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1765 "2013-11-09T23:17:31Z")

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> [@AseaHeru](#):
>
> Take apart cars.

Except you need 2 mechanics to do that.

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**Author:** ![AseaHeru](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aseaheru/32/8_2.png) [@AseaHeru](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/AseaHeru)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1766 "2013-11-10T00:00:38Z")

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Really? Try crowbars than.

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**Author:** ![Taraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Taraq](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Taraq)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1767 "2013-11-10T01:09:01Z")

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Is there any way to deal with special zombies in the very early game well? I’m trying to start off, but if I go anywhere near a town I get destroyed by a brute or something.

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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 10, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1768 "2013-11-10T01:18:56Z")

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Run when you see a brute.

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**Author:** ![UberZacht](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/uberzacht/32/111_2.png) [@UberZacht](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/UberZacht)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1769 "2013-11-10T01:49:53Z")

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> [@Taraq](#):
>
> Is there any way to deal with special zombies in the very early game well? I’m trying to start off, but if I go anywhere near a town I get destroyed by a brute or something.

Brutes a no-go. Hide around corners for shockers, and be prepared to take a bit of damage for melee. Spitters shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Kite Grabbers. If you see shriekers, take them out fast or run. And in general, just kite zeds through houses, and use open windows as a choke point.

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**Author:** ![Taraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Taraq](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Taraq)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1770 "2013-11-10T03:38:24Z")

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> [@FunsizeNinja123](#):
>
> Run when you see a brute.

The issue here is that I can’t run fast enough/don’t see the brute until it’s too late.

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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 10, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1771 "2013-11-10T03:40:44Z")

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You know that what you wear will show you down, right? Wearing 2 rucksacks and two backpacks while fighting zombies will surely be a quick road to death. Press + to see your clothes layering and encumbrance. For just encumbrance, just press @

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**Author:** ![jimboblordofeskimos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/jimboblordofeskimos/32/2_2.png) [@jimboblordofeskimos](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jimboblordofeskimos)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1772 "2013-11-10T05:36:39Z")

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Brutes do run faster than a default char. Only ever fight them melee at windows and preferably deal with them by gunshot to the face.  
Hulks are even worse 🙂

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**Author:** ![Aluminumfoil](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/aluminumfoil/32/5163_2.png) [@Aluminumfoil](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Aluminumfoil)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 8:04am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1773 "2013-11-10T08:04:31Z")

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If your character has a well-rounded stat profile (at least 8 in everything), you should be pretty good at throwing. Look into producing a half dozen Wood Javelins before you venture into town. You can even practice with them by throwing them at the square in front of you to level up your throwing high enough to make sure you hit (2 or 3 should be plenty). If you run into a hulk or other speedy zombie, retreat until you find a bush or a window that you can hide behind, then pelt him with javelins as he starts to get close (6 squares or so). If it’s not enough to kill him by the time he reaches you, finish him off with melee while he’s hung up on terrain. By this point you’re in a house and should be able to lose the rest of the swarm by running through it and leaving by a window or door on the opposite side. Depending on whether you’re feeling vindictive or practical, you can then decide whether to burn the house down with the swarm inside, or leave it for future looting or fortification.

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**Author:** ![Taraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Taraq](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Taraq)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1774 "2013-11-10T15:48:35Z")

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Is there any way in the stable release to heal a broken leg?

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**Author:** ![EkarusRyndren](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/ekarusryndren/32/80_2.png) [@EkarusRyndren](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/EkarusRyndren)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1775 "2013-11-10T15:52:34Z")

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> [@Taraq](#):
>
> Is there any way in the stable release to heal a broken leg?

Either clear out a hospital and hack the Mr Stemcell, like a boss

Or just make a leg splint. (I think it takes some sticks and string, should be able to craft it by default)

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**Author:** ![Taraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Taraq](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Taraq)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1776 "2013-11-12T01:41:07Z")

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I’ve just found a

Anomaly. I got a moving crescent, and the wiki isn’t very clear on what’s supposed to happen. It has two uses, but the passive effects don’t occur and my character is randomly shifted upwards every few turns… What does it do?  
EDIT \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Fungal infection from teleport sickness, my arms exploded.

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**Author:** ![jimboblordofeskimos](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/jimboblordofeskimos/32/2_2.png) [@jimboblordofeskimos](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/jimboblordofeskimos)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1777 "2013-11-12T04:21:04Z")

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Looks like it randomly causes you to teleport, be careful, that can cause fungal sickness \>\<.

Seldom do I seem to find artifacts that are worth taking.

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**Author:** ![EkarusRyndren](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/ekarusryndren/32/80_2.png) [@EkarusRyndren](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/EkarusRyndren)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1778 "2013-11-12T05:11:43Z")

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remember kids, even if you think you’re alone, even if you just debug TP’d long range to the exact same spot you were in a second ago to clear the monsters from the area…

There is a Cougar waiting to fuck up you day when you want to pick up that pile of crap outside to clean things up. There is no room in the apocalypse for tidiness.

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**Author:** ![Paquito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d9b06d/32.png) [@Paquito](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Paquito)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1779 "2013-11-12T15:47:55Z")

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How do you drag items? I read somewhere that you use the / menu, but that menu is a bit confusing.

Also, the OP’s author update it to link to specific posts here that answer questions that have been asked? 🙂

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**Author:** ![Medicine](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/medicine/32/211_2.png) [@Medicine](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Medicine)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/1780 "2013-11-12T16:38:45Z")

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[quote=“Paquito, post:1779, topic:42”]How do you drag items? I read somewhere that you use the / menu, but that menu is a bit confusing.

Also, the OP’s author update it to link to specific posts here that answer questions that have been asked? :)[/quote]

Shift-G, then the direction of the object you want to drag (as long as it’s furniture, or a vehicle. Don’t believe you can drag anything else.)

If you want to move an item that’s too heavy to lift (e.g. a corpse blocking a door) then yeah, use the ‘/’ menu. One pane is the tile you want to move items from, the other is the one you want to move items to. Switch between panes with tab.

So, if the corpse is 1 tile North of you, set one pane to “8” (you will see the corpse show up) and then set the other to whatever tile you want it moved to (perhaps your dead-zombie locker). This is also useful for moving large quantities of items from a locker into a shopping cart, etc.

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