Getting Started
Before diving into the gameplay, it’s essential to understand the basics of Don't Starve Together. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Choosing Your Character
One of the first decisions you will make is selecting a character. Each character has unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Here are a few popular choices for beginners:
- Wilson: The default character, he can grow a beard, which provides warmth in winter.
- Willow: She has a lighter that allows her to start fires easily, and she’s immune to fire damage.
- Wendy: She can summon her ghost sister, Abigail, who fights for her and is incredibly useful in combat.
- WX-78: A robot that can be upgraded by eating gears, making him stronger and faster.
As a beginner, you might want to start with Wilson or Willow due to their straightforward abilities.
2. Understanding the Game Mechanics
Before exploring the wilderness, familiarize yourself with the game's mechanics:
- Day and Night Cycle: Each day lasts approximately 8 minutes, while night lasts 2 minutes. Nighttime is dangerous as monsters come out. You must build a fire to stay safe.
- Sanity: Your character's mental health is critical. If it drops too low, you’ll start hallucinating and attracting monsters. Keep your sanity up by eating cooked food, staying near other players, and avoiding the dark.
- Health: Your health is also crucial. It can be affected by hunger, monsters, and environmental hazards. Healing items and food can restore health.
Survival Basics
Surviving in DST requires resource management and strategic planning. Here are some essential tips for beginners:
1. Gather Resources
At the start of the game, focus on gathering basic resources:
- Food: Collect berries, carrots, and seeds. You can also hunt animals like rabbits and birds.
- Wood: Chop down trees for wood, which is vital for building structures and making tools.
- Grass and Twigs: These are essential for crafting items and building your camp.
Make sure to collect enough resources to last through the first night.
2. Build a Fire
Building a fire is critical for survival, especially at night. There are different types of fires you can create:
- Campfire: The most basic fire, providing light and warmth. Just gather some logs and use your lighter or a tool to ignite it.
- Fire Pit: A more permanent solution that requires stone and logs to build. It can be used multiple times and doesn’t require fuel after the initial build.
Always keep your fire well-fed with logs or grass to prevent it from going out.
3. Create Tools
Crafting tools will significantly improve your survival chances. Basic tools to consider include:
- Axe: Used for chopping down trees faster, yielding more wood.
- Pickaxe: Essential for mining rocks and gathering minerals.
- Shovel: Allows you to dig up plants, bushes, and even move structures.
- Spear: A basic weapon for defending against hostile creatures.
To craft tools, open your crafting menu and combine resources based on the recipe.
Establishing a Base
Once you have gathered enough resources and gained experience, it’s time to establish a base. Here’s how to do it:
1. Finding a Suitable Location
Choose a location that offers adequate resources and safety. Consider these factors:
- Proximity to Resources: Stay near trees, bushes, and rocks for easy access.
- Safety from Monsters: Avoid areas known for monster spawns, like graveyards or swamps.
- Accessibility to Water: Being near a water source is advantageous for farming.
2. Constructing Essential Structures
Once you have a location, start building essential structures:
- Campfire/Fire Pit: As mentioned, this is crucial for survival.
- Chest: Store your excess items to keep your inventory organized.
- Science Machine: Unlocks advanced crafting recipes, allowing you to create better tools and structures.
- Alchemical Engine: Further upgrades your crafting capabilities.
Teamwork and Communication
Since Don't Starve Together is a multiplayer game, effective teamwork can significantly enhance your chances of survival. Here are some strategies:
1. Share Resources
Don’t hoard resources; instead, share them with your teammates. For example, if one player is great at gathering food while another excels in crafting tools, divide the responsibilities accordingly.
2. Use Voice Chat or Text Chat
Communicate effectively with your team. Whether you’re planning an attack on a monster or coordinating resource gathering, clear communication is key to successful teamwork.
3. Revive Fallen Teammates
If a teammate dies, they can be revived using a Meat Effigy or a Telltale Heart. Keep an eye on your teammates’ health and sanity to prevent deaths.
Advanced Survival Strategies
Once you've mastered the basics, consider these advanced strategies:
1. Farming
Farming is an efficient way to gather food. Build a farm plot and plant seeds. Different crops yield different benefits, so experiment with various plant combinations.
2. Explore the World
As you gain confidence, start exploring beyond your base. Discover new biomes, gather unique resources, and loot valuable items. Beware of the dangers that lurk in unexplored areas.
3. Prepare for Seasonal Changes
The game features seasons that can dramatically affect gameplay. Be prepared for:
- Winter: Build warm clothing and stock up on food.
- Spring: Rain can ruin food supplies; consider building a roof or shelter.
- Summer: Heat can cause health issues. Make sure to stay cool and avoid overheating.
Conclusion
Don't Starve Together can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for beginners. By understanding the game mechanics, gathering resources, establishing a base, and working as a team, you’ll increase your chances of survival. Remember to communicate with your teammates, adapt to seasonal changes, and explore the vast world filled with secrets and threats. With practice, you’ll become adept at thriving in the wild, turning what began as a struggle for survival into a successful and enjoyable journey in the world of Don't Starve Together. Happy surviving!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Don't Starve Together' and how is it different from the original game?
'Don't Starve Together' is a multiplayer expansion of the original 'Don't Starve' game, allowing players to collaborate or compete in surviving in a challenging environment. Unlike the single-player version, it introduces new mechanics for multiplayer interactions, such as sharing resources and dealing with other players.
What are some essential survival tips for beginners in 'Don't Starve Together'?
Some essential tips include gathering resources immediately, establishing a base near food sources, crafting tools early on, and not straying too far from your base at night. Always keep an eye on your hunger, health, and sanity levels.
How do I effectively manage hunger in the game?
Hunger can be managed by foraging for food, hunting animals, and farming. Cooked foods provide more nourishment than raw ones, so always cook your food before consuming it. Learn to plant crops and gather berries for a steady food supply.
What characters are best for beginners?
Characters like Wilson, who grows a beard for extra warmth and can craft items faster, and Willow, who has a lighter and is resistant to fire damage, are great choices for beginners. Their abilities are easier to manage while learning the game.
How do I build a base in 'Don't Starve Together'?
To build a base, find a safe area with ample resources nearby, such as trees and food. Start by crafting a campfire or fire pit, then create storage and farming plots to store food and resources. Plan your layout to ensure easy access to resources and safety from threats.
What are the dangers I should be aware of at night?
At night, darkness is your greatest enemy. If you are not near a light source, shadow creatures will attack you. Always carry a torch or build a campfire to stay safe during the night.
How can I increase my sanity in the game?
To increase sanity, you can eat cooked meals, craft and wear sanity-boosting items like a top hat, and sleep in a bedroll or tent. Staying near friendly characters and avoiding horror elements also helps maintain your sanity.
What resources should I prioritize in the early game?
In the early game, prioritize collecting grass, twigs, and flint. These resources are essential for crafting tools and building a campfire to help you survive the first few nights.
How do I work with other players to survive?
Communication is key when playing with others. Share resources, assign roles (like one person focuses on gathering food while another collects wood), and help each other with crafting and building. Teamwork can significantly increase your chances of survival.
What should I do if I die in the game?
If you die, you can respawn at a touchstone if you have activated one, or you can be resurrected by other players with items like a Meat Effigy or a Telltale Heart. Try to retrieve your items quickly to regain your lost resources.
