# 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:** 898

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**Author:** ![SpadeDraco](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/spadedraco/32/564_2.png) [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17942 "2017-09-27T19:24:54Z")

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What’s a challenging, but not overwhelming setting for NPC spawns? I’m going to be doing a challenge run where I basically max out all of the spawn rate settings, but after some testing I’ve found 100% NPC spawn rate to be more annoying than difficult. They just run up to me and ask how I’m doing every time I take 5 steps.

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**Author:** ![COS\_Cecillian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/cos_cecillian/32/485_2.png) [@COS\_Cecillian](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/COS_Cecillian)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17943 "2017-09-27T19:27:00Z")

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I just learned that installing CBMs now requires a boatload of painkillers. How does this new system work exactly? I gave myself some codeine and aspirin, but the percentage of the threshold needed is rising very slowly, and I don’t exactly want to overload myself on drugs. In addition, what does the “maximum effect” mean? Does it mean that I have to wait the given amount of time for my consumed painkillers to be most effective? Sorry if I come across as whiny, I’m quite behind on recent times.

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**Author:** ![SpadeDraco](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/spadedraco/32/564_2.png) [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17944 "2017-09-27T19:32:14Z")

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> [@COS\_Cecillian](#):
>
> Sorry if I come across as whiny.

You’re not whiny, it’s just horribly implemented. (Seriously, I could swallow these “realism” changes if they weren’t all so bloody obtuse)

Take 3 codeines or 3 Poppy Painkillers and wait an hour. That should do the trick.

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**Author:** ![COS\_Cecillian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/cos_cecillian/32/485_2.png) [@COS\_Cecillian](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/COS_Cecillian)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17945 "2017-09-27T19:37:16Z")

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Thank you. And good, I was also just about to test waiting for a bit to see the painkillers to take effect.

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**Author:** ![COS\_Cecillian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/cos_cecillian/32/485_2.png) [@COS\_Cecillian](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/COS_Cecillian)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17946 "2017-09-27T19:58:09Z")

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Did mounted weapons receive a huge nerf or something? Both my cheap turrets (avalanche and rotary) are completely worthless, considered how it takes an insanely long time to reload their tiny mag sizes. Is there a way to have a faster feed system, or is it meant to be this way? I just don’t understand why reloading something like the avalanche turret takes a whopping 2 minutes.

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**Author:** ![DeWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@DeWolf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DeWolf)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17947 "2017-09-27T20:18:58Z")

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> [@COS\_Cecillian](#):
>
> Did mounted weapons receive a huge nerf or something? Both my cheap turrets (avalanche and rotary) are completely worthless, considered how it takes an insanely long time to reload their tiny mag sizes. Is there a way to have a faster feed system, or is it meant to be this way? I just don’t understand why reloading something like the avalanche turret takes a whopping 2 minutes.

If you are playing with the blaze mod that came with cataclysm unfortunately the experimental have not been too kind to it. I would recommend looking though that post and finding the sort of makeshift fixes for it.

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**Author:** ![Squaggly\_Maggleton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/squaggly_maggleton/32/11995_2.png) [@Squaggly\_Maggleton](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Squaggly_Maggleton)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17948 "2017-09-27T21:30:54Z")

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> [@deoxy](#):
>
> Currently, plants don’t grow (unless you plant them).

Huh… I coulda sworn that I read that bushes can regrow somewhere, but I just checked again and it’s nowhere to be found. My bad all.

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**Author:** ![Sneaky\_Potato](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sneaky_potato/32/6599_2.png) [@Sneaky\_Potato](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sneaky_Potato)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17949 "2017-09-27T21:52:03Z")

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> [@SpadeDraco](#):
>
> [quote=“COS\_Cecillian, post:17943, topic:42”]Sorry if I come across as whiny.

You’re not whiny, it’s just horribly implemented. (Seriously, I could swallow these “realism” changes if they weren’t all so bloody obtuse)

Take 3 codeines or 3 Poppy Painkillers and wait an hour. That should do the trick.[/quote]

Are you trying to kill him?

Take 2 codeine pills or 2 poppy painkillers and wait HALF AN OUR then five minutes and skip turns until you reach 10% painkillers in your character sheet. If you take 3 you can get your heart stopped and also if you wait an hour the effect would wear off too soon.

Im one of the few who thinks bionic instalation is somewhat balanced, with minimal flaws.

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**Author:** ![SpadeDraco](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/spadedraco/32/564_2.png) [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17950 "2017-09-27T23:51:03Z")

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> [@Sneaky Potato](#):
>
> Are you trying to kill him?

It won’t kill anybody. I just hopped on my current character tested it. 3 codeine achievied the maximum painkiller effect after 1 hour and 10 minutes. It did not kill me. IKD what you’re talking about. Maybe oxycodone? That shit will kill you.

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**Author:** ![NuG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/nug/32/7057_2.png) [@NuG](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/NuG)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17951 "2017-09-27T23:52:43Z")

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Yeah I pop 2 poppy or 2 codeine + 1 aspirin or tramadol, wait 5 minutes then wait 30 minutes. I used to just take 2 and no aspirin or tramadol, but I’m not sure why the last time it wasn’t enough.

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**Author:** ![stone94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@stone94](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/stone94)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17952 "2017-09-28T01:19:41Z")

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Hey guys so ive been using the traits weak scent and light step and raiding towns only at night and not making any noise, yet the zombies still beeline straight too me, am i doing something wrong or is somethimg fishy going on. Really struggling with those early game raids havent played since 0.C, im playing an experimental from this week.

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**Author:** ![SpadeDraco](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/spadedraco/32/564_2.png) [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17953 "2017-09-28T01:27:26Z")

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> [@stone94](#):
>
> Hey guys so ive been using the traits weak scent and light step and raiding towns only at night and not making any noise, yet the zombies still beeline straight too me, am i doing something wrong or is somethimg fishy going on. Really struggling with those early game raids havent played since 0.C, im playing an experimental from this week.

Shady Zombies and Feral Hunters have perfect nightvision so watch out for them. Most other zombies have a vision range of 4 tiles at night. Keep in mind that prying doors and moving furniture makes a decent amount of noise.

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**Author:** ![pisskop](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/pisskop/32/1327_2.png) [@pisskop](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/pisskop)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17954 "2017-09-28T01:41:52Z")

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They can smell the fuck out of you too.

Not as bad as it was, with zeds pathing over 20 tiles to you via smell at one point, but they can trace you a far ways. Use fires to destroy your scent. Duck inside houses, use an oven for a fireplace, and continue on. Or torch the house, but the noise will attract any wanderer spawns in the area.

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**Author:** ![deoxy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@deoxy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/deoxy)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17955 "2017-09-28T02:57:20Z")

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> [@SpadeDraco](#):
>
> [quote=“stone94, post:17952, topic:42”]Hey guys so ive been using the traits weak scent and light step and raiding towns only at night and not making any noise, yet the zombies still beeline straight too me, am i doing something wrong or is somethimg fishy going on. Really struggling with those early game raids havent played since 0.C, im playing an experimental from this week.

Shady Zombies and Feral Hunters have perfect nightvision so watch out for them. Most other zombies have a vision range of 4 tiles at night. Keep in mind that prying doors and moving furniture makes a decent amount of noise.[/quote]

Yeah, the shady zombie thing is REALLY crappy - they used to have poor vision all the time, which made sense, but since they added perfect night vision to them as well as invisible at night, night raiding in the early game is pretty much dead, at least with an upped spawn setting, even a little.

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**Author:** ![hobophobic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/hobophobic/32/11698_2.png) [@hobophobic](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/hobophobic)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17956 "2017-09-28T03:12:29Z")

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How exactly does the Time Dilation CBM work? What kind of situations is it good for?

How would one go about jacking up heavier vehicles? The bottlejack is the best I can find and it’s not even close to lifting my mobile base.

What do you guys think is the best power charging CBM?

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**Author:** ![\_k1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/_k1/32/1335_2.png) [@\_k1](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/_k1)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17957 "2017-09-28T03:21:25Z")

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1. Haven’t had enough chance to successfully install one.
2. A telescopic cantilever installed on a shopping cart.
3. Join torch rocket CBM.

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**Author:** ![DeWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@DeWolf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DeWolf)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17958 "2017-09-28T04:11:10Z")

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[quote=“hobophobic, post:17956, topic:42”]How exactly does the Time Dilation CBM work? What kind of situations is it good for?

How would one go about jacking up heavier vehicles? The bottlejack is the best I can find and it’s not even close to lifting my mobile base.

What do you guys think is the best power charging CBM?[/quote]

1. It drains all your power with how much power determining essentially how long time will freeze for you (when you have like 20000 power you can freeze time from your point of you for I think an hour)

2. Telescopic cantilever or for even heavier vehicles the boom crane on a frame.

3. That depends. Joint torsion recharges 1 charge per step, solar panels charge some hundred or so power per 10 minutes I think in clear or sunny weather, ethanol burner gives power whenever you drink booze by about 400 or so, metabolic interchange drains hunger fast but charges batteries fairly quickly (good for using something like hydraulic muscles for extended periods if you have a pile of food on you), battery system 100 batteries for 100 batteries, internal furnance lets you eat anything burnable for a near instant potentially fairly large (potentially over 1000)power gain, internal microreactor expensive to power and without the advanced version very large amount of radiation but can very quickly fill extremely large power banks, then the last one I can think of and the one I really like to use when roaming in my mobile miniature dwarf fortress is the cable charger system which you can plug in right before you sleep and gain a rather high amount of power in your sleep where you would otherwise not be getting any power.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sneaky\_Potato](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.cataclysmdda.org/sneaky_potato/32/6599_2.png) [@Sneaky\_Potato](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Sneaky_Potato)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17959 "2017-09-28T13:41:21Z")

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I found a time dilation cbm but i don’t have first aid kits i will install it asap, also what about that “warning” about friction making you a mashed potato _gulp_.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DeWolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@DeWolf](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/DeWolf)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17960 "2017-09-28T14:01:16Z")

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> [@Sneaky Potato](#):
>
> I found a time dilation cbm but i don’t have first aid kits i will install it asap, also what about that “warning” about friction making you a mashed potato _gulp_.

It shouldn’t kill you, unless you are pretty dang close to death I think about 5hp or less.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stone94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@stone94](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/stone94)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/17961 "2017-09-28T16:09:33Z")

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> [@deoxy](#):
>
> [quote=“SpadeDraco, post:17953, topic:42”][quote=“stone94, post:17952, topic:42”]Hey guys so ive been using the traits weak scent and light step and raiding towns only at night and not making any noise, yet the zombies still beeline straight too me, am i doing something wrong or is somethimg fishy going on. Really struggling with those early game raids havent played since 0.C, im playing an experimental from this week.

Shady Zombies and Feral Hunters have perfect nightvision so watch out for them. Most other zombies have a vision range of 4 tiles at night. Keep in mind that prying doors and moving furniture makes a decent amount of noise.[/quote]

Yeah, the shady zombie thing is REALLY crappy - they used to have poor vision all the time, which made sense, but since they added perfect night vision to them as well as invisible at night, night raiding in the early game is pretty much dead, at least with an upped spawn setting, even a little.[/quote]  
holy hell, looks like im gonna have to change up my strategy then, hopefully i can find a place outside of town, last time i made a wilderness shelter i got raped by a bear, after killing the bear i got hit by a moose. died.

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