ladyterukiSo far it's not going great XD
My first official character was turned into flesh ribbons by zombies. The second one was... well, in a way I got extra lucky because there was only a 7% chance for me to get that result XD
That's too bad because the second character found a golf bag within five minutes, with 4 golf clubs in it !
And the golf bag was purple !
I really thought things were going my way, instead I exhausted all my good luck on a bag XD
Ok, file this under lesson learned, but the warehouse full of food ? The game starts on July 9th and when I got to the warehouse the next day (at the expense of other early game choices...), 99% of the food there was already rotten.
I will no longer focus my energy on that damn warehouse, I think XD
I will no longer focus my energy on that damn warehouse, I think XD
By the way, THIS is precisely what I love about survival games. You die and die and die, until you find something that works. And every choice no matter how small matters.
For instance I chose to drive as fast as possible to the food warehouse and crashed my vehicle into a tree by not taking sharp enough of a turn... well now either I find another one (except this one could really carry a lot of stuff in the back) or I learn mechanics to fix it up, otherwise this is going to doom me.
There is no way this damaged vehicle doesn't refuse to start at the worst possible moment, for instance (I'm gonna stay away from busy cities until I have a better solution, trust me). Considering my chosen base spot is a little bit in the middle of nowhere, I absolutely need a functioning vehicle for my loot runs, so this is absolutely devastating. ONE MEASLY TREE ! God I love survival games.
This week it was the birthday of my oldest friend (sorry, I mean I've known him the longest, not that he's particularly old XD ), and I was talking about both ARK and Project Zomboid, and he said : "Oh, you like survival games* ? I've been playing a game you might like"
* I am worried I haven't been annoying enough about survival games if he has to ask
And he recommends... this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Obscur:_Expedition_33
Which is very much not a survival game.
(you'll also notice its tragic lack of dinosaurs)
My character arrived in the middle of the night on Day 2 at the base spot. She was exhausted but I took the time to open each room to make sure there was no Zed anywhere, spent some extra time putting all the food away in the freezer, washed her clothes & her face, and went to bed around 1am. We'll sort the rest later.
Alarm clock rings at 5:40am to not miss the Life & Living TV show (it levels up some skills !), she watches TV with a bowl of cereal then goes out...
...only to find this :
I think the Zed splattered in the middle of the road was actually something I ran into with the van last night XD I never switch on the headlights if I can avoid it, so it's very possible I didn't notice it at the time.
I'm afraid of unpausing XD
Ok I got 4 of them. I take breaks because that sh*t is bad for my anxiety XD
...The next 3 got me. Well. That was to be expected...
Casually browsing mods like I'm window shopping : "Hm, maybe... definitely yes for later... absolutely mark it as a must have... haha nope..." like I haven't been playing that game for only a month XD
But the odds are, if there's a mod that improves even marginally the UI, I'm going to subscribe to it sooner or later XD
O_o
Look what is parked in the back of my (currently) favorite base spot in a new save !!! And I made it here on July 9th !
I just HAVE to survive in this run :P Sure, there's only one gas pump working, but I get to drive AN AMBULANCE !!!
Look what is parked in the back of my (currently) favorite base spot in a new save !!! And I made it here on July 9th !
I just HAVE to survive in this run :P Sure, there's only one gas pump working, but I get to drive AN AMBULANCE !!!
THE KEYS ARE ON THE IGNITION ! What are the odds of me being that lucky *and* lasting in this save ?
Aaaand there's a large trauma bag to replace my small backpack ! On top of some medical supplies, of course...
I can't believe my luck.
I can't believe my luck.
The basement door is locked this time, so I'm going to have to find some welding stuff to force it open and who knows what's down there, but other than that no Zed in sight. This looks like the best possible start I could hope for. I'm going to gently log off and step away from the computer, because at 4am there are SO MANY WAYS I could mess it up XD
On my way to the base, I drove past Ovo Farms and it looked like they had AT LEAST a truck parked in the front. They've had a trailer parked near the house in the back a couple of times too, so I like my odds. Either way, tomorrow I go get me some fresh eggs first thing, and load up on fridges from the farm to store them, and I'll be set for food for a solid two weeks.
I like that there's a plan, now :) I have the beginning down to a science...
...
...when I don't mess it up.
I like that there's a plan, now :) I have the beginning down to a science...
...
...when I don't mess it up.
You know the fun thing about this whole falling in live with Project Zomboid thing ? Supposedly the building mechanics are pretty deep, but I haven't built a single thing yet (other than relocating furniture). Normally that's the reason I stick with a game no matter how anxious it makes me BECAUSE of the building gameplay. It certainly was a huge part of why I stuck with ARK in the beginning (that and prehistoric creatures, obviously). But here that's not even what keeps me hooked !
...Don't get me wrong. I *will* build at some point. But probably not for dozens of hours because that's such a long term goal (and I still die so easily).
It's fascinating how I shouldn't like this game and yet am completely in love with it. Haven't built a thing. Tragic lack of dinosaurs. Full of anxiety. And yet here I am !
It's so interesting I could talk about it for hours. But I will spare you.
I do have to say, I hate the UI though. The fact that I can't display my health AND my skills at the same time, for instance. How the minimap is so vital but always in the way somehow. How you have to hover everything to know essential data instead of, like, having an optional column in inventories for weight or durability. How you can't filter foods by status (it's so needlessly slow to select each rotten or stale item).
Some of this might be settings I haven't found yet. The rest MUST be mods.
Some of this might be settings I haven't found yet. The rest MUST be mods.
Nevermind Ovo Farms' parking lot, there's a trailer parked on the lawn right in front of the laundromat across the street XD
Ok that's just not fair, I just found my THIRD generator in the wild (...in the garage at the back of Ovo Farms). This run is going waaaaay too well.
I'm going to die horribly, aren't I ?
I'm going to die horribly, aren't I ?
This should not be happening ON DAY 5 ! Three fully functional generators with a tank full...
Things are going to become tragic soon, I can feel it.
Things are going to become tragic soon, I can feel it.
Note that my kitchen is also packed with fridges already, also on Day 5. Like, ok they're not all full at the moment (and those that are actually have it all in the freezer), but still.
I am the queen of preppers XD
I am the queen of preppers XD
Well, we all knew this was gonna happen.
I got bit while on a trip to Rosewood's book store.
9 days.
I got bit while on a trip to Rosewood's book store.
9 days.
Sure, because God knows there isn't a lot to deal with already, we have to mod stuff like that on top of it XD
(this is a community of masochists and I feel at home)
"I'm not going to download mods just yet, I'm just favoriting them for later"
There is no way this ends with 712 pages of favorited mods, right ? RIGHT ?
I love reading mod descriptions because it teaches me so much about the game. For instance I have been dutifully collecting napkins in every of my saves, thinking "that has to be useful at some point" (we have established I'm of the Just In Case school of thought, yes ?), and I just learned that there's a mod that gives them a use.
Alrighty then XD
Alrighty then XD
No but let's stop for a minute to consider this : Project Zomboid has SO MUCH STUFF GOING ON, and so many items, that this game can afford to have items that have no use. Just for immersion and messing with new players, I guess XD
*cough ARK could never cough*
*cough ARK could never cough*
As a noob in this game, I do wish sometimes it could be easier to see what an item is useful for when I loot it. Sometimes it's very hard to decide what to leave behind without that information !
But that's probably something I won't need as much in the long run.
But that's probably something I won't need as much in the long run.
(who are we kidding, I'm a loot goblin : it's hard to leave stuff behind ANYWAY)
In my second to last save, I died horribly because I absolutely wanted to take back a certain number of wooden sticks and handles back to my truck.
Do I have use for wooden sticks and handles at the moment ? Absolutely not.
Was I going to leave the 3 wooden sticks and 2 handles in the garage where I found them ? Also absolutely not.
Do I have use for wooden sticks and handles at the moment ? Absolutely not.
Was I going to leave the 3 wooden sticks and 2 handles in the garage where I found them ? Also absolutely not.
I am constantly overburdened in this game. I think the first mod I'll install, if I find it, is a mod that allows me to carry 5 bags at the same time and still be able to hop over a tall fence XD
Oh sh*t there's been a game update earlier today ! I was wondering why my game was taking so long to launch... there's a new game version on the 42 unstable branch XD
(I have played no other)
(I have played no other)
I have issues with the PZ wiki, honestly. As a new player it oftentimes isn't helpful at all.
Like, I'm trying to see how food illness works, to see if it's worth taking the Weak Stomach trait.
No problem, I'll just check the "Weak Stomach" page :
https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Weak_Stomach
Uh oh, it doesn't say what it makes me more prone to, and instead advises to check the "Health" page. Fine, I'll do that.
Uh oh, it doesn't say. There's only a table for the DURATION of food illness, not the causes.
Fine, let's try something else and look at the page for "Cooking" :
https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Cooking
Nope, nothing.
Maybe over at "Sick" ?
Still no luck. It mentions food poisoning, but not the causes.
So what's a noob supposed to do ?
And look, eventually I'll find out. Either by playing and dying to food sickness, which will inform what not to do for next time, or by accidentally finding that information when I no longer look for it, for instance when I'll be browsing mods or watching gameplay videos.
But isn't that what a videogame's wiki is supposed to be for ?
But isn't that what a videogame's wiki is supposed to be for ?
VERY surprised that noone has attempted to implement dinosaurs. Yet ?
Being chased by Raptors in the streets of Muldraugh would be pretty funny ! Or raising a herd of Trikes for their meat, based on the code of B42's animals...
Am I the only one who can picture this ?
We all knew that would happen, there it is : I'm using my first Project Zomboid mod ever.
For now it's just a very simple mod that allows me to have additional icons for when I write something on my map. But we all know this is the beginning of a modlist that's going to grow exponentially over time :P
For now it's just a very simple mod that allows me to have additional icons for when I write something on my map. But we all know this is the beginning of a modlist that's going to grow exponentially over time :P
Me : "Ow my back 😣 I'm in so much pain on top of everything else... I think I'll go lie down in the bedroom for a bit. As long as I make sure I don't fall asleep at 8pm !!"
Youtube : "Ok how about a great guide to optimize your odds of eventually building a base in Project Zomboid ?"
Me : "Noooo ! Now I want to go back to the computer and play, it involves sitting ! 😭 "
I don't think there's a way for me to come out on the other side of today without frustration.
And pain. So much f*cking pain.
And yeah, I said "odds". Because it is far from being a given, even for experienced players. In other games I have to worry about design and maybe resources, but PZ's crafting system adds a lot of complexity...
Ultimate Project Zomboid Base Building Guide
New character.
I choose to start in Riverside, and luck out by spawning in the trailer park.
I cross the road to get to the Lectrolux parking lot.
I try the first parked truck I see. It's unlocked.
I check the trunk & glove box. I find the key.
I put the key in the ignition. Half a tank of fuel.
I check the trunk's capacity. 115 units, one of the best I could hope for.
I drive the truck across the road to the gas station, and finish filling the tank.
I grab some food at the gas station's store -
I choose to start in Riverside, and luck out by spawning in the trailer park.
I cross the road to get to the Lectrolux parking lot.
I try the first parked truck I see. It's unlocked.
I check the trunk & glove box. I find the key.
I put the key in the ignition. Half a tank of fuel.
I check the trunk's capacity. 115 units, one of the best I could hope for.
I drive the truck across the road to the gas station, and finish filling the tank.
I grab some food at the gas station's store -
- and find, not one, but two gas cans.
I fill the gas cans too.
I dismantle the two-compartment freezer in the front of the store and load the truck.
At that point all Zeds have stayed out of my way, so I look for one on purpose to kill them, turn their shirt into rags... and find a watch on them. I wear the watch.
It's not even noon.
I get behind the wheel and start driving south.
So far, everything that could go well has gone fantastic. It's my best start in days !
..A feeling of dread starts crawling in my guts.
And yet, not one issue on the road.
I avoid a group of Zomboids that was in the middle of the road like it's nothing.
The truck doesn't kiss a single tree even in sharp turns.
I make excellent time and arrive in Echo Creek in the middle of the afternoon.
I pass Ovo Farms and notice a pickup truck in the parking lot, make a mental note to go check for keys tomorrow.
I snack on some of the Riverside's store food before crossing the bridge.
I pull into the Echo Creek gas station...
...and there it is. The base spot I have so meticulously planned for, the one I have decided to live in because it has access to two gas pumps, a diner's full kitchen, a garage and direct access to a river...
...has two signs in the front that says "out of gas", as well as a horde of 15-ish Zeds waiting for me.
I KNEW IT WAS GOING TOO WELL !
Obviously the underground dynamics in Project Zomboid are recent (they introduced it in December with the Build 42), plus I haven't explored Louisville yet, but I wonder if there'd be a way to have a sewer system.
Sure all the water down there would be tainted by default, but I think it'd be very fun to try and establish a base there !
Sure all the water down there would be tainted by default, but I think it'd be very fun to try and establish a base there !
Aw man, I think I just had my saddest #ProjectZomboid story so far...
Rainie had rolled a bad seed. She started (as I almost always do) in Riverside, but in the suburbs, not the trailer park. She walked aaaaaall the way to Lectrolux, because that factory has a huge parking lot where there's bound to be a utility truck I can get... except this time, there wasn't. Well the parking had tons of them, just, zero keys anywhere, and Rainie didn't know how to lockpick, sooo...
It took so long to test each truck, and to clear the nearby factory just in case one of the desks or lockers had a key, that Day 1 was coming to an end and she had already ran out of food and gotten stranded.
But she perservered (aka I decided not to do a little quit-a-rooney and start over with another character XD ). As the night was getting really dark, she walked to the diner, made sure no Zed was hidden in the toilets (you laugh now...), and slept on its kitchen floor, poor thing.
But she perservered (aka I decided not to do a little quit-a-rooney and start over with another character XD ). As the night was getting really dark, she walked to the diner, made sure no Zed was hidden in the toilets (you laugh now...), and slept on its kitchen floor, poor thing.
Next day, bright and early and with neck pain to wake up the dead (maybe even the half dead), Rainie got back up and I decided she'd go take a look in the damn trailer park. On the way there, there was a truck in the parking lot of the auto shop ! WITH KEYS ! Not as good as the Lectrolux ones, but hey, better than walking all the way to the other side of the map.
She packed up what little she had gathered, made a pit stop at the gas station, and started to drive.
She packed up what little she had gathered, made a pit stop at the gas station, and started to drive.
So far, the "spawn in Riverside, get a Lectrolux truck, fill the tank and drive south" has been, I don't want to say a dummy-proof plan, but pretty good overall. When things go well, I can cross Kentucky before the end of Day 1 and have a functional truck for my adventures in Echo Creek, where the car situation tends to suuuuuuuck imho.
This is probably one of the worst instances of this plan backfiring, aside from, you know, the deaths for sleeping in the factory's break room.
Don't judge.
This is probably one of the worst instances of this plan backfiring, aside from, you know, the deaths for sleeping in the factory's break room.
Don't judge.
Look, I HAD TO LEARN. If you're exhausted, you don't take a nap, you sit down and you wait it out. Growing pains (very painful).
So anyway, Rainie didn't roll very lucky, but things were looking up. The truck was in bad shape, on top of having less storage than the Lectrolux ones (when I tell you they're my go-to XD ), but the engine was functional and the wheels had tires. All three of them, ahem.
So of course that's the run where I hit every single lamppost on the way, for some reason.
So anyway, Rainie didn't roll very lucky, but things were looking up. The truck was in bad shape, on top of having less storage than the Lectrolux ones (when I tell you they're my go-to XD ), but the engine was functional and the wheels had tires. All three of them, ahem.
So of course that's the run where I hit every single lamppost on the way, for some reason.
CharlieThere is NOT a sewer system, though I agree as that would make an awesome and terrifying addition.
Also as I'm sure you've read, Louisville can be quite the challenge to just get into. Many of my deaths have been because I'm in that city and stop because I find something that I think I need, only to get swarmed by a horde that seemingly comes out from nowhere.
@cdp1337 : oh man, I'm months away at least from even trying to approach Louisville XD I die in Rosewood, to get you an idea of how bad I am at this ! And the worst part is ? I'm in BUILDER MODE for now...
@ladyteruki Before you even consider approaching, you need a car in good working order and a gun, (ideally a shotgun), with plenty of ammo.
I've done it with melee, but it takes absolutely FOREVER.
Also you can work your way up; if you start in Rosewood make your way up to West Point and setup shop there to rest, have a forward operating base, and to loot up the local areas.
Then work your way up the road towards Louisville; there's a small section of houses in a quiet spot between the road and river that you can set up another forward operating base and rest zone.
Once you have a safe spot in that little residential area, you can start inching your way to the barracades. Take out as many zombies as you're comfortable with then retreat back to your nearby house to rest and eat. Rinse and repeat until you can move the barracades out of the road without much resistance.
@cdp1337 : thanks for the tips ! It's not going to happen in the near future (for now I try to survive in low pop areas and struggle badly enough XD ), but I appreciate the advice. I do like spawning in West Point, but usually don't last long there ; but the layout of this area is nice and I'm beginning to know it well.
At the moment I try to establish camp/base in one of the smaller locations (typically Echo Creek, but when I'm bored of always dying there, I go to Ekron or Fallas Lake) -
At the moment I try to establish camp/base in one of the smaller locations (typically Echo Creek, but when I'm bored of always dying there, I go to Ekron or Fallas Lake) -
@cdp1337 : - and I've cleared half of the Echo Creek gun range thingy once. So I like my odds of getting enough guns/ammos there. But it's true I tend to prefer melee so far, too.
@ladyteruki Another thing I like to do when I'm being lazy in a run through, is pick 'Custom' for the difficulty, base it off the builder, and give yourself 30 free skill points or so. That way you can pick all the nice traits to make the game easier, without worrying about having to take debuffs.
Je ne suis pas goth@ladyteruki « y v'nait du pays où habite la pluie,
Où quand y'a du soleil c'est un mauvais présage
C'est qu'y va pleuvoir, c'est qu'y va faire gris
Il était ch'timi jusqu'au bout des nuages »
Où quand y'a du soleil c'est un mauvais présage
C'est qu'y va pleuvoir, c'est qu'y va faire gris
Il était ch'timi jusqu'au bout des nuages »
@jenesuispasgoth : wow what a mood.
@ladyteruki it's a really nice song by Renaud (when he had already stopped being a rebel but was not completely lost to alcohol and tobacco yet).
@jenesuispasgoth : I find that people like Renaud (or Brassens, and to a large extent Cabrel) are most enjoyed in written form. That's typically why.
@ladyteruki I think especially in the case of Renaud, his songs can be incredible pieces of music when sung by others.
@jenesuispasgoth : what a great backhanded compliment XD