Starting Archetypes

New to I Hate This Place? Learn about starting archetypes to help you choose your first character and begin your adventure. Get tips and advice for beginners.

Welcome to I Hate This Place! It can be a bit overwhelming when you first boot up the game and see all the different characters you can play as. Don't worry, I'm here to help you figure out which one might be the best fit for you to start with. Think of these as your 'starting archetypes' – they're not rigid classes, but more like general playstyles to get you going.

We'll go over a few common ones that new players often gravitate towards. Remember, you can always switch characters later, so don't stress too much about making the 'perfect' choice right off the bat. It's more about finding what clicks with you as you learn the ropes.

The Resourceful Scavenger

This archetype is all about making do with what you find. You'll be spending a lot of your time searching through abandoned buildings, derelict cars, and general junk piles for useful items. Think of yourself as a survivalist who thrives on finding that one perfect piece of scrap to craft into something essential.

• Focus: Crafting, resource management, survival.
• Strengths: Can often get by with less starting gear, excellent at improvising solutions, good at setting up base defenses.
• Playstyle: Cautious, methodical, always looking for the next piece of loot. You'll want to prioritize finding workbenches and learning new crafting recipes.
• Potential Pitfall: Can sometimes feel underpowered early on if you don't find good resources quickly. Combat might be a bit more challenging until you craft better gear.

The Bold Explorer

If you love seeing what's over the next hill or delving into the darkest corners of the map, this one's for you. The Bold Explorer is less about hunkering down and more about pushing outwards, discovering new locations, and taking on whatever challenges lie beyond the safety of your starting area.

• Strengths: High mobility, good at navigating the map, often finds unique points of interest or rare loot first.
• Focus: Map knowledge, exploration, risk-taking.
• Playstyle: Adventurous, often on the move. You'll want to get comfortable with the map and learn enemy patrol routes to avoid unnecessary fights while you cover ground.
• Potential Pitfall: Can be vulnerable if they wander too far without adequate supplies or defensive gear. Combat encounters can be more frequent and dangerous.

The Steadfast Defender

This archetype is for players who prefer a more defensive approach. You'll focus on establishing a secure base, fortifying it, and luring enemies into traps or ambushes. It's about creating a safe haven and controlling the flow of combat.

• Strengths: Excellent at base building and defense, can often handle multiple threats simultaneously from a prepared position.
• Focus: Base security, trap setting, strategic defense.
• Playstyle: Patient, strategic, and territorial. You'll want to find a good defensible location early and invest heavily in walls, traps, and turrets.
• Potential Pitfall: Can be slow to expand or react to threats outside their immediate area. Might struggle if their base is overrun or if they are forced into open combat far from their defenses.

No matter which archetype you lean towards, remember that flexibility is key in I Hate This Place. You might start as a Scavenger but find yourself needing to explore more, or a Defender might need to venture out for rare resources. Experiment, have fun, and don't be afraid to adapt!