# 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:** 910
### Author:  [@NuG](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/NuG)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18182 "2017-10-23T17:09:45Z")
I guess I thought stuff was deteriorating because I would butcher everything in a pile and come back later to it being damaged, and thought it was from that, but I guess it’s just damaged from use from the dead. Good to know as I’ve been keeping all my stuff in piles on piles of piles.
does anyone know anything about this error? [https://imgur.com/a/q0Nzc](https://imgur.com/a/q0Nzc)
I can just ignore and continue fine, so no big deal if I just have to keep doing that.
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### Author:  [@\_Rogue](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/_Rogue)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18183 "2017-10-24T01:54:25Z")
What are the alternatives to butchering zombie corpses?
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### Author:  [@TheKobold](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/TheKobold)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 2:04am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18184 "2017-10-24T02:04:02Z")
Smashing them. Get a big enough and hot enough fire and you can burn them.
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### Author:  [@deoxy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/deoxy)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18185 "2017-10-24T02:38:51Z")
> [@TheKobold](#):
>
> Smashing them. Get a big enough and hot enough fire and you can burn them.
You can also run over them a few times, though that’s basically a more fun version of smashing.
Last time I tried it, it also worked to drop them in lava (instantly gone… just like everything else).
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### Author:  [@Tamior](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tamior)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 9:50am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18186 "2017-10-24T09:50:12Z")
How good is fast learner trait?
Is optimist comparable to it due to simply keeping your focus higher?
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### Author:  [@Coolthulhu](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Coolthulhu)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18187 "2017-10-24T12:44:31Z")
[quote=“Tamior, post:18186, topic:42”]How good is fast learner trait?
Is optimist comparable to it due to simply keeping your focus higher?[/quote]
Fast learner is much better if you keep the focus low with constant training. It’s effectively +15 focus at all times, even if your morale is negative six gorillion.
Optimist is better for long craft grind and book learning.
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### Author:  [@Rot](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Rot)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18188 "2017-10-24T13:28:33Z")
So fast learner is best used when training melee combat with a constant onslaught of enemies? Nice to know.
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### Author:  [@Dishonored\_Archer](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Dishonored_Archer)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18189 "2017-10-24T15:35:08Z")
Where are the best places to find strong painkillers such as morphine or oxycodone? checked my local hospital but nada.
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### Author:  [@Rot](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Rot)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18190 "2017-10-24T15:45:10Z")
The hospital should have its drugs behind a small barred off room. If it’s not there I suggest checking pharmacies, clinics, or ambulances.
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### Author:  [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18191 "2017-10-24T17:49:49Z")
[quote=“Tamior, post:18186, topic:42”]How good is fast learner trait?
Is optimist comparable to it due to simply keeping your focus higher?[/quote]
Spiritual\Gourmand are better than both of them. You can get spiritual + fast reader for the same point investment and speed read holy books for absurd morale gains. Gourmand lets you spam morale raising consumables forever.
Fast learner is useless. Between books and NPCs you can train all of your skills to around 12 without any sort of traditional grinding. And once you get past 10 in a skill the +15 focus becomes negligible.
Optimist is an enhancing trait. Combine it with another morale trait for best effects.
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### Author:  [@Tamior](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tamior)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18192 "2017-10-24T20:28:47Z")
While we are at the subject of traits — is “weak scent” of any practical use?
Are there any dangerous mobs than use scent to find you?
P.S.
To give a little more context: I’m currently shifting to multiply pool system characters from playing single pool previously.
Right now I stat as sheltered bionic survivor in 0.01 item spawn world.
So it goes something like:
12 str
9 dex
8 int
9 perc (for extra night vision range)
no skills
full 12 negative traits
quick 3 pts
fleet-footed 2 pts
Parkour Expert 2 pts
night vision 2 pts
take up 9 pts total, I need one more for profession, so I still have 2 left for positive traits.
What would be the most reasonable suggestion here?
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### Author:  [@deoxy](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/deoxy)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18193 "2017-10-24T22:59:19Z")
[quote=“Tamior, post:18192, topic:42”]While we are at the subject of traits — is “weak scent” of any practical use?
Are there any dangerous mobs than use scent to find you?[/quote]
Essentially all zombies use scent, but they it’s third in the list (sight, sound, scent), so as long as there’s noise grabbing their attention somewhere, you’re good.
That said, when you’re sleeping and it’s quiet, scent can be what draws almost any zombie to you (including the nasty ones, like predators), so it does matter.
But then, if you only sleep somewhere with reasonable precautions (close all the doors and windows, sleep in the middle of the room, etc), it should be TOO big a deal the majority of the time.
TLDR: it can matter a lot very occasionally, but usually, it’s no big deal.
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### Author:  [@Adragis029](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Adragis029)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18194 "2017-10-24T23:12:01Z")
[quote=“deoxy, post:18193, topic:42”][quote=“Tamior, post:18192, topic:42”]While we are at the subject of traits — is “weak scent” of any practical use?
Are there any dangerous mobs than use scent to find you?[/quote]
Essentially all zombies use scent, but they it’s third in the list (sight, sound, scent), so as long as there’s noise grabbing their attention somewhere, you’re good.
That said, when you’re sleeping and it’s quiet, scent can be what draws almost any zombie to you (including the nasty ones, like predators), so it does matter.
But then, if you only sleep somewhere with reasonable precautions (close all the doors and windows, sleep in the middle of the room, etc), it should be TOO big a deal the majority of the time.
TLDR: it can matter a lot very occasionally, but usually, it’s no big deal.[/quote]
Sleeping by somewhere incredibly noisy with earplugs etc. is a good way for a safe night’s sleep. Zombies flock to the noise but none of them notice you.
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### Author:  [@SpadeDraco](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/SpadeDraco)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18195 "2017-10-24T23:14:09Z")
[quote=“Tamior, post:18192, topic:42”]While we are at the subject of traits — is “weak scent” of any practical use?
Are there any dangerous mobs than use scent to find you?
-Snip-
What would be the most reasonable suggestion here?[/quote]
Shady zombies occasionally use a combination of long range night vision and scent to track you over long distances. That’s it for the most part. As long as you don’t use the exact same routes through town each time you raid you should be fine. For your last trait I’d recommend Indefatigable.
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### Author:  [@Tamior](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tamior)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18196 "2017-10-24T23:23:04Z")
As far as I can tell LMOE shelter is pretty much 100% safe to sleep no-matter-what, isn’t it?
So scent is a non-issue in that regard?
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### Author:  [@Adragis029](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Adragis029)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18197 "2017-10-24T23:25:27Z")
If you’re underground and there’s no zombies underground with you, you’re 100% safe.
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### Author:  [@pisskop](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/pisskop)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18198 "2017-10-24T23:37:50Z")
not entirely true, if zlevels are on.
zeds absolutely can track you or otherwise even wander down stairs and sniff you out.
LMOEs usually dont spawn by zeds, not even wandering hordes, though. and metal doors are safe from any nonhulk zed anyway.
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### Author:  [@kuros](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/kuros)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18199 "2017-10-25T04:41:43Z")
I spawned in a LMOE next to a 4-building town (3 houses, 1 office) with only 5 or 6 zombies near it. The only other things on the revealed map are a Strange Temple and a giant beehive, both of which I’m pretty sure I should avoid. There’s a long road and four or five vehicles, one of which has 4 intact wheels. So, I guess I’m going to start looking into the vehicle design part of the game.
My questions:
1. I have electronics 0 and mechanics 0 (ironically, this is the first build I’ve played without mechanics, as I decided I needed combat skills more). What’s the Electronics and Mechanics equivalent of leveling Survival by foraging through the underbrush? Something that won’t feel TOO grindy? Presumably, I’ll figure out how to build a makeshift welder without needing a book recipe. I’m not 100% certain, but I am hoping the broken consoles in the offices will yield enough copper wire to make enough heating elements to make…and so on down the line until i get to a wrench.
2. Is there any way to park a vehicle inside another vehicle? Or make a trailer hitch sort of thing? I’m thinking about turning one of the swivel chairs into a rolling gas tank to make siphoning easier, and I’d like to keep the sucker after I’m done. I haven’t tried, but it seems like you can’t siphon gas from one car directly to another very easily.
3. This road is guaranteed to lead somewhere, right?
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### Author:  [@Rot](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Rot)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2017, 8:57am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18200 "2017-10-25T08:57:29Z")
[quote=“kuros, post:18199, topic:42”]I spawned in a LMOE next to a 4-building town (3 houses, 1 office) with only 5 or 6 zombies near it. The only other things on the revealed map are a Strange Temple and a giant beehive, both of which I’m pretty sure I should avoid. There’s a long road and four or five vehicles, one of which has 4 intact wheels. So, I guess I’m going to start looking into the vehicle design part of the game.
My questions:
1. I have electronics 0 and mechanics 0 (ironically, this is the first build I’ve played without mechanics, as I decided I needed combat skills more). What’s the Electronics and Mechanics equivalent of leveling Survival by foraging through the underbrush? Something that won’t feel TOO grindy? Presumably, I’ll figure out how to build a makeshift welder without needing a book recipe. I’m not 100% certain, but I am hoping the broken consoles in the offices will yield enough copper wire to make enough heating elements to make…and so on down the line until i get to a wrench.
2. Is there any way to park a vehicle inside another vehicle? Or make a trailer hitch sort of thing? I’m thinking about turning one of the swivel chairs into a rolling gas tank to make siphoning easier, and I’d like to keep the sucker after I’m done. I haven’t tried, but it seems like you can’t siphon gas from one car directly to another very easily.
3. This road is guaranteed to lead somewhere, right?[/quote]
Dry soldering stuff together, or start removing batteries and other parts. I recommend just packing up as much food/water as you can and just walk to another town.
I’m assuming you could just weld a car to another car and make some combination car, but I doubt it. Either way, no I don’t think it’s possible.
Not super guaranteed, but you might get lucky and land in a large town or just have a large amount of wilderness. Either way, it sohuld be survivable.
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### Author:  [@Tamior](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/u/Tamior)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2017, 11:40am UTC](https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/tips-tricks-and-newb-questions/42/18201 "2017-10-25T11:40:37Z")
Just to double-check:
Now that crossbows are under rifles for use, is the reload speed effected by rifle skill as well?
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