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    Caves of qud tips

    Here are some essential tips for beginners in Caves of Qud to help you navigate the game's complexities and enhance your early gameplay experience:

    1. Start in Joppa

    • Why Joppa?: Joppa is a consistent starting location with familiar NPCs and quests. This makes it easier to learn the game mechanics and gather resources. Speak to various residents to take on quests and trade for supplies.

    2. Character Creation Tips

    • Intelligence: Aim for at least 19 Intelligence during character creation to maximize your Wayfaring skill, which helps with navigation and reduces the chance of getting lost.

    • Choose Your Caste Wisely: Starting as a True Kin can be beneficial due to their higher base stats and straightforward cybernetics. Alternatively, a Mutant offers unique abilities but may require more management.

    3. Resource Management

    • Water is Critical: Always keep at least 150 drams of water on hand. Water is essential for survival, especially when traveling on the world map.

    • Loot Efficiently: Focus on collecting small, valuable items (e.g., artifacts) that offer good weight-to-value ratios. Items with yellow prices in trade screens have fixed values, making them good targets for trading.

    4. Combat Strategy

    • Avoid Unnecessary Fights: Don’t try to kill everything you encounter. Assess situations before engaging, and have an escape plan ready if things go south.

    • Utilize Ranged Weapons: Early on, having a ranged weapon is advantageous. It allows you to engage enemies from a distance, reducing the risk of taking damage.

    5. Exploration Tips

    • Auto-Explore: Use the auto-explore feature (NumPad 0) to uncover areas without manually searching every nook and cranny. This will help you discover lore and loot efficiently.

    • Static Settlements: Visit static settlements for useful merchants and resources. The Six Day Stilt is particularly rich in merchants and can provide valuable items.

    6. Quests and Progression

    • Complete Early Quests: Engage in quests offered by NPCs in Joppa, such as those from Argyve and Mehmet. These will help you gain experience and gather useful items.

    • Power Level with Books: Collect books during your exploration; they can be exchanged for experience points at certain locations, helping you level up quickly.

    7. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

    • Know Your Map: The game world increases in difficulty as you move eastward. Stick to easier areas like the Salt Marshes before venturing into more dangerous regions.

    • Use Cover Wisely: When ambushing or escaping, use terrain features to your advantage to break line of sight with enemies.

    8. Experiment and Learn

    • Try Different Builds: Don’t hesitate to experiment with various character builds and playstyles. The game encourages exploration and creativity in how you tackle challenges.

    • Take Your Time: There’s no rush in Caves of Qud; taking your time to explore can lead to better rewards and understanding of the game mechanics.

    By following these tips, you'll be better prepared to face the challenges of Caves of Qud, allowing you to enjoy its rich world while minimizing early frustrations. Happy adventuring!