Welcome to Caves of Qud! This guide is designed to help newcomers, especially those who haven’t played a roguelike game before, navigate the early stages of this unique and complex world. We’ll avoid major spoilers, as discovering the game’s secrets is part of the fun. Instead, we’ll focus on essential mechanics, tips, and tricks to improve your survival rate in Qud.
Which Gameplay Mode Should I Play?
Qud offers multiple gameplay modes. For a beginner, the default “Classic” mode is recommended. It provides a balanced experience with permadeath and a challenging but fair difficulty curve.
Character Creation
Choosing Your Species and Class
Caves of Qud offers a variety of species and classes, each with unique starting abilities and playstyles. Two main options are:
- True Kin: Humans who embrace technology and cybernetics. They start with higher attributes and access to powerful implants, making them durable and versatile.
- Mutants: Humans blessed (or cursed) with mutations. They possess unique abilities that can be both beneficial and detrimental.
How Much Should I Put Into Each Stat?
When creating your character, focus on these key attributes:
- Strength: Determines your melee damage and carrying capacity.
- Agility: Affects your chance to hit in melee and ranged combat, as well as your dodge chance.
- Toughness: Influences your hit points and resistance to status effects.
- Willpower: Affects your mental resistance and ability to use mental mutations.
- Intelligence: Determines your learning rate and ability to understand complex systems.
A balanced approach is generally recommended for beginners.
Starting the Game
Initial Village Quest
When you start the game, you’ll begin in a village. Talk to the villagers to receive quests. Completing these quests provides experience, reputation, and valuable starting gear.
Alternate Village Start Quests
Look for quests near the village you start in. These quests are crucial for early-game progression.
Combat Basics
Understanding AV and DV
Armor Value (AV) and Dodge Value (DV) are crucial defensive stats:
- AV (Armor Value): Reduces the amount of damage you take from physical attacks.
- DV (Dodge Value): Represents your chance to avoid an attack entirely.
Balancing AV and DV is essential for survival. High AV protects against consistent damage, while high DV helps you avoid critical hits.
Should I Focus on AV or DV?
The answer depends on your playstyle and build. True Kin often benefit from high AV due to their access to armor, while mutants might prioritize DV to compensate for their frailty.
Averaging AV/DV
It’s important to consider that AV/DV is checked against each individual attack. Therefore, having some of both is better than solely focusing on one.
Intermediate Movement Strategies
- Diagonal Movement: Moving diagonally can sometimes allow you to avoid enemy attacks or reach cover faster.
- Using Terrain: Utilize obstacles like walls and rocks to break line of sight and create tactical advantages.
User Interface (UI) Tips
Using Backspace
The backspace key allows you to skip your turn, which can be useful for waiting for enemies to approach or recovering from status effects.
Inventory Management
Leaving Items on the Ground
You can leave items on the ground and return to them later. This is useful for storing excess gear or heavy objects that you can’t carry. However, be aware that items can be stolen by other creatures.
Interactions and Social Mechanics
I Hit Someone by Accident, Will They Calm Down?
If you accidentally attack a friendly NPC, they might become hostile. You can try to calm them down by using the “Appease” action, but success is not guaranteed. Your reputation with their faction will be damaged.
Advanced Tips and Mechanics
The Reality Bubble
The Reality Bubble is a mechanic that simulates the game world around you. Only the areas within your vicinity are fully simulated, while distant areas are simplified. This helps to improve performance.
Miscellaneous
Tinkering
Tinkering allows you to modify and improve existing items. Experiment with different components to discover new recipes and enhance your gear. Alternative village tinkers offer unique recipes not found elsewhere.
Appendix
Danger Tier Image
Understanding the danger levels of different zones is crucial for survival. Be cautious when venturing into unknown areas.
Danger levels in Caves of Qud, depicting varying threat levels in different zones.
Conclusion
Caves of Qud is a challenging but rewarding game. By understanding the basics outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to explore the depths of Qud and uncover its many secrets. Good luck, and may your adventures be filled with both peril and triumph!
