New Silent Running Game and Finding Wrecks and Fragments
Jacke
Calgary Join Date: 2017-03-20 Member: 229061Members
Calgary Join Date: 2017-03-20 Member: 229061Members
With the Silent Running Release this week, I've started a new game on the Experimental Branch. I figure I can stand any sort of problem from test code updates and in turn get advantage of changes sooner than on Stable.
I've played a few hours, have my first single-corridor base under my Lifepod, started on my Centre Base, and have gotten up to the Seaglide. 2 frags away from having the Mobile Vehicle Bay and being able to turn out a Seamoth. No chargers yet.
My opinion on the changes, then a question about finding wrecks and fragments.
First off, what's good:
1. The new item 3D models and icons.
I'd been worried that with so many silvery shaded icons, couldn't tell them apart. But the ones I've got so far, Quartz, Silver, and Lead, are easily distinguished. Not checked out a lot of the new 3D models (not dropped a lot of items) but there are new ones and they look good.
2. The new Outcropping 3D models.
Only seen Limestone and Sandstone so far, but these are very easy to tell apart now. Also, there appears to be more Sandstone Outcroppings.
3. Change of Computer Chip Blueprint
Was "Silver + Quartz + 2 x Table Coral"
Now "Gold + Copper Wire + 2 x Table Coral", effectively "Gold + 2 x Copper + 2 x Table Coral"
4. Relative Needs of Materials.
I'd almost say with the changes to Outcroppings, this almost wasn't necessary. But that alone would have made Silver more plentiful while making Gold even more overabundant.
The formula change has now really made Copper the pacing element instead of Silver. As far as I can tell, besides making 2 Silver into a Wiring Kit, the only other use for Silver is 2 Silver for the Still Suit. Copper shouldn't be a problem as there's a lot of Limestone Outcroppings. Will just have to store the excess Titanium and Lead for use later.
As I've not gotten to the Cyclops, I haven't been able to check out its changes personally.
Finding Wrecks and Fragments
Next up, I should do a run either North or South to pick up more Copper and get a Diamond for a Laser Cutter. I like to have a Cutter before I get seriously into exploring wrecks. Already have checked out the one near Lifepod 17.
And this leads into the later early game hurdle of finding all the wrecks and thus the fragments I need to keep building newer toys.
In every game I've played, I eventually have resorted to checking out the Wiki or my own notes to find those wreck locations. Even using the Signals to check out the abandoned Lifepods isn't enough. And I know the centre of the map really well. I can find the sweet spot I use for a Centre Base without using the F1 location. But sweeping for wrecks seems to take forever, what with needing light and running underwater. I could use the Seaglide, but even with its better power consumption, I qualm a bit at using so many batteries before I even have a charger.
So I was wonder what others do at this point in their games? How do they go about finding all the needed fragments and other things to advance their game.
I've played a few hours, have my first single-corridor base under my Lifepod, started on my Centre Base, and have gotten up to the Seaglide. 2 frags away from having the Mobile Vehicle Bay and being able to turn out a Seamoth. No chargers yet.
My opinion on the changes, then a question about finding wrecks and fragments.
First off, what's good:
1. The new item 3D models and icons.
I'd been worried that with so many silvery shaded icons, couldn't tell them apart. But the ones I've got so far, Quartz, Silver, and Lead, are easily distinguished. Not checked out a lot of the new 3D models (not dropped a lot of items) but there are new ones and they look good.
2. The new Outcropping 3D models.
Only seen Limestone and Sandstone so far, but these are very easy to tell apart now. Also, there appears to be more Sandstone Outcroppings.
3. Change of Computer Chip Blueprint
Was "Silver + Quartz + 2 x Table Coral"
Now "Gold + Copper Wire + 2 x Table Coral", effectively "Gold + 2 x Copper + 2 x Table Coral"
4. Relative Needs of Materials.
I'd almost say with the changes to Outcroppings, this almost wasn't necessary. But that alone would have made Silver more plentiful while making Gold even more overabundant.
The formula change has now really made Copper the pacing element instead of Silver. As far as I can tell, besides making 2 Silver into a Wiring Kit, the only other use for Silver is 2 Silver for the Still Suit. Copper shouldn't be a problem as there's a lot of Limestone Outcroppings. Will just have to store the excess Titanium and Lead for use later.
As I've not gotten to the Cyclops, I haven't been able to check out its changes personally.
Finding Wrecks and Fragments
Next up, I should do a run either North or South to pick up more Copper and get a Diamond for a Laser Cutter. I like to have a Cutter before I get seriously into exploring wrecks. Already have checked out the one near Lifepod 17.
And this leads into the later early game hurdle of finding all the wrecks and thus the fragments I need to keep building newer toys.
In every game I've played, I eventually have resorted to checking out the Wiki or my own notes to find those wreck locations. Even using the Signals to check out the abandoned Lifepods isn't enough. And I know the centre of the map really well. I can find the sweet spot I use for a Centre Base without using the F1 location. But sweeping for wrecks seems to take forever, what with needing light and running underwater. I could use the Seaglide, but even with its better power consumption, I qualm a bit at using so many batteries before I even have a charger.
So I was wonder what others do at this point in their games? How do they go about finding all the needed fragments and other things to advance their game.
Comments
Like, if you swim up and look at the Aurora compared to where you are, you'll have a general understanding of which Kelp Forest you're near, and which wreck is in it. The wrecks where you're aligned with the engine side (Basically, the southern kelp forests - unless they've been relocated, again, since the Silent Running update.) has battery chargers in it, and the caves there often have an abundance of silver - and sometimes mesmers. There's also a kelp forest that is almost devoid of hostile life, at the cost of also being devoid of silver. Not that silver's as vital as it was before, as the Computer Chip recipe's changed.
I've played and replayed the game enough that I can't really offer an unbiased opinion on what to do at this point in the game really, other than sweeping out over the map and periodically checking the surface to see where you are in relation to the Aurora.
I make a note where I find something based on my distance and heading to the two markers. Like 2103 NE, 459 SW. I find using the F1 to be a bit cheaty and un-immersive.
Along with checking out the first few Lifepods, the wreck out west near #17, and scouting out the wrecks near the end of the Aurora (with a bit of help from the Wiki and a map) has set me up, along with a dive down to the Abandoned Base in the Jelly Shroom Caves. Just under 13 hours in and I've got the Seamoth, both chargers, the MPR, the Moonpool, both the Stasis Rifle and the Propulsion Gun, and some frags from the rest, as well as all the materials assembled for the Cyclops just waiting for me to get the 3rd frag for the Engines as well as 3 for the Bridge and Hull. Have a better idea where to go looking for wrecks in the future.
After reflection, I'm thinking you're right.
Copper is now the definite pacing item. Gold isn't in excess much (but likely will be later, considering how many Outcroppings have Gold) and except for 2 Silver for a Stillsuit in the future, I can preassemble Silver into Wiring Kits. When I do Outcropping swims, I'm looking for Limestone to get Copper. Last run I even dumped Lead and Titanium in the field as I've got a full Floating Locker of Lead for the future and a Floor Locker+ worth of Titanium stockpiled.
And there's a lot more Sandstone now. And Limestone and Sandstone Outcroppings are noticeably different even from a distance. I also noted Sandstone Outcroppings on the Volcano Isle for the first time. But it's going to be Copper that will be tightest in the future, though because of how common Limestone is, I don't think it'll be as bad as Silver was.
I do wonder how it would have worked out with the previous Computer Chip Blueprint and with the updated Outcroppings.
Interesting idea. Similar to LORAN but working on range and bearing instead of time and phase difference.
I don't find using the F1 location cheaty and un-immersive. Considering how small the area is, dead reckoning on the PDA should be able to give you that information accurately and would be a vital survival tool. Withholding that sort of info for gameplay purposes would feel wrong to me.
From there it's filler until I want to head for the lava zone. I spend my time hunting down the Harder fragments to find. Check out the jellyshroom caves, and hit the other big wrecks as I need to.
Last game I left off grinding to upgrade my prawn suits depth upgrades, then silent running came out so I figured I should start over. I've been getting by without the Cyclops for awhile so I do t think that will affect me.
http://subnautica.wikia.com/wiki/Debug_Console_Commands
http://subnautica.wikia.com/wiki/Spawnable_items
Well said. I compleatly agree with the pointless recipe change.
Yeah, I know that NOW. Just dont ask me how long it took me to figure that out first time I played. Let's just say "longer than it should have" and leave it at that. Lol
I'm pretty sure that since they don't show up in my blueprints at all I'll have to console them in. I just hate using the console at all. I'm weak willed and dont trust me at all. I'm afraid I'll start spawning in food and drink from laziness if I use it just once.
More sandstone/silver would have been nice yeah... Gold comes out in soooo many different places that I just don't bother with it except to bring back for my Stalkers to play with since they hoard it just like metal scrap. Silver on the other hand only comes from Sandstone, and only in a select few places (One less place now that it got taken out of the Grassy Plateaus)
Having Gold be used in another recipe was nice sure, but that doesn't really do much to help Silver's situation much. I'd say sticking Silver into one of the other outcropping types (Which one I don't know. Basalt? Shale?) with the current low'ish drop rate, but then boost Sandstone's drop rate to heavily favor Silver over Gold.
IMO, the rocks that the Sea Treaders kick up should be different kinds of rocks. It could kick up a Limestone deposit, or a Sandstone, Shale, or Basalt - but not always the same kind. That way you can still aim to get Copper, Silver, and so on from the path if braving the Dunes for its limestone isn't your cup of tea.
If they've seeded Limestone into the Mountains, that's great. I'd been asking about that for a long time since the abundance of Basalt wasn't exactly a good reason to brave that place. Have you checked the Northeastern Mountains (north of the Aurora and Koosh Zone) or just the island itself?
Also, there's no reason to go into the dunes now. Dang, I LIKED the dunes.
Have I mentioned that the Bonesharks CONSTANTLY Attack you now with the "Silent Running" update.
< grumble..., grumble..., grumble... >