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Build Optimization
Schedule I

Build Optimization

Master Schedule I build optimization with our guide. Learn character customization, early game choices, equipment purchasing, and efficient planting strategies for maximum in-game success.

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Master Schedule I build optimization with our guide. Learn character customization, early game choices, equipment purchasing, and efficient planting strategies for maximum in-game success.

This guide covers the initial stages of Schedule I, focusing on how to optimize your character's build and progression from the very start.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Character Customization: Upon starting, you'll customize your character. This choice is permanent for your save file, but appearance can be changed later via game files or in shops like the barbershop, clothing shop, and tattoo parlor in the full release.
  2. 2
    Starting the Game: After character creation, you spawn near a bus station. You'll receive the 'Getting Started' quest, prompting you to check your phone for a message from 'Unknown'. This leads to meeting 'Uncle Nelson' at a payphone, who asks you to retrieve his stash near the skatepark. You'll find $375 there.
  3. 3
    Renting a Motel Room: Speak to the motel manager, Donna. The quest changes to 'Rent a motel room'. After dialogue, you can pickpocket Donna to reclaim the $75 needed for the room, providing an early cash boost. Enter room 1 to complete the quest.
  4. 4
    Buying Equipment: The 'Gearing Up' questline begins. Go to the hardware store (marked by a yellow star on the map or by following directions). You'll need to deposit cash at an ATM and then purchase a grow tent, soil bag, and watering can. It's recommended to also buy 'Plant Trimmers', 'Packaging Station', and 10 'Baggies'. A trash grabber and 'Trash bag' are optional but useful for recycling and managing space. If you tell Dan at the hardware store you're a drug dealer, he may gift you 'Speed Grow', which speeds up plant growth.
  5. 5
    Planting Your First Seeds: Return to your motel room, place the grow tent, and fill it with soil. Talk to Uncle Nelson again, then message Albert Hoover to order seeds. 'OG Kush' is the recommended basic seed. After receiving the seed from a 'dead drop', sow it in the grow tent. Water the plant using the watering can (fill it at the sink). Sleeping after watering helps plants grow faster and conserves water.
  6. 6
    Harvesting and Packaging: Once the plant is fully grown, use the 'Plant Trimmers' to harvest the buds. Place the 'Packaging Station' in your room. Interact with it to package the buds into baggies. You can also unpack weed if needed. Jars can also be purchased at the hardware store for storage.
Tips
  • Speed-runners can open the motel room door and step inside immediately to progress the quest quickly.
  • Depositing all cash at the ATM is safer, as you won't lose it if caught by police or if you die.
  • When buying items from the hardware store, use the 'MAX' button for ATMs and hold Shift when grabbing items from storage to collect entire stacks.
  • If you tell Dan at the hardware store you are a drug dealer, he may give you 'Speed Grow' for faster plant growth.
  • Sleeping after watering plants helps them grow faster and prevents water waste.
  • 'OG Kush' is recommended for its ease of use and cost-effectiveness in creating better products later on.
  • 'Dead drops' with items inside are highlighted on the map.

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