New to State of Decay 2? Get essential beginner tips on pausing, morale, surveying sites, outposts, influence, weapon repair, standing, scavenging, plague hearts, and finding assault rifles.
Hey there, survivor! State of Decay 2 can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but don't worry, I've got your back. Let's break down some key things that'll make your early days in the apocalypse much smoother.
Pausing the Game
This one's a bit hidden, but crucial. To actually pause the game like a normal person, you need to go into your Settings, then Multiplayer, and set it to 'Offline'. Boom, pause button works!
Don't Sweat Morale Too Much (Early On)
Your survivors might have demands – a Watchtower here, a Garden there. It's tempting to build whatever they want, but honestly, it's not that efficient early on. Focus on building what *you* need to progress. You'll have plenty of time to cater to their whims later. Trying to keep everyone happy right away is a losing battle.
Survey Sites Like a Pro
When you're looking for specific resources, don't just wander aimlessly. Head out from your base in every direction and survey the nearest sites. This way, you'll know exactly where to go when you need, say, a rucksack of meds or ammo. You'll still need to hit up a few spots, but at least you'll be targeted.
Smart Outpost Choices
Early in the game, those resource bonuses from outposts aren't a huge deal since you'll be scavenging constantly anyway. Instead, think strategically. Prioritize outposts in key locations, or ones that give you vital services like Electricity or Water. This saves you precious base building space. Plus, claimed outposts let you access your Supply Locker anywhere, which is a massive time-saver.
Gaining Influence - The Easy Way
Influence is your bread and butter for trading, using the radio, and claiming new spots. The absolute best way to earn it? Bring resources back to your community. You get the resources *and* the Influence. Killing special zombies helps too, but clearing out Plague Hearts and Infestations is where the real Influence gains are.
Keep Those Weapons Repaired!
The game doesn't exactly shout about this: to repair your weapons, you need a Workshop. Once built, access your Supply Locker, find the weapon you want to fix, and check the bottom of the screen for the button prompt to repair it. Don't let your favorite boomstick fall apart!
Building Standing for Leadership
Want a specific survivor to become the Leader? You need to build their 'Standing'. Doing tasks like killing zombies, clearing infestations, and bringing back resources all contribute. A neat trick: collect Rucksacks in your car's trunk, bring them back to base, and have your aspiring leader carry them inside. It's a quick way to boost their Standing.
Efficient Scavenging Runs
You'll be scavenging a LOT. Make it easier by bringing a follower. While they fight, you can loot. Just remember they can get tired or injured, so keep an eye on them. You can also recruit random survivors you meet or even spend 100 Influence at an Enclave to get a temporary helper. And definitely use your car's trunk – it holds way more Rucksacks (up to 6 in a big vehicle) than a survivor can carry (just 1).
Taking Down Plague Hearts
These are your main targets. The quickest and safest way to deal with them? Explosives! Craft a bunch at your Workshop and just chuck 'em. Once the Plague Heart is gone, all those nasty Plague Zombies around it will die too. If you've got two followers with you (one of yours, one recruited), you can really speed things up.
Where to Find Assault Rifles
Keep an eye out for locations with names like
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