Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead – Easiest starting scenarios

Summary

• Unique starting scenarios set the tone for new characters, offering varying levels of security, resources, and roleplay potential.

• NPCs at starting locations can provide cover and help deal with early game threats, making survival easier.

• Different starting scenarios offer different challenges and opportunities, from well-stocked cabins to vandalized shelters.

Released in 2013, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead (CDDA) is a community-developed, open-source survival horror. Players are given complete freedom in a modern world ravaged by every imaginable apocalypse, from triffids and zombies to interdimensional monstrosities. Explore the world, fight the devils or cower in a bunker; the choice is in the hands of the players. Survival is the only goal, and death is the only certainty.

Selected during character creation, starting scenarios increase the excitement and role-play value of new characters, placing players in unique and often dangerous locations. Most characters will die, but for those who win, a new legacy is born!

This article only contains starter scenarios that do not require achievements to unlock.

8

Wilderness

Totally lost

• Start Location: A selection of remote locations

In the midst of disaster, this character fled civilization and sought safety in the wilderness. Players start in one of a handful of remote locations with minimal items. From the moment they spawn, the pressure is on to find a lootable civilization before they succumb to starvation, dehydration or damage.

While this launch isn't dangerous by default, the exposed nature of these remote locations can put players in immediate and potentially fatal danger should they be unlucky with world generation. Playing in campsites or campsites can pose a particular threat, as zombies can roam in and around these places. Players playing in these locations should find a weapon quickly!

7

Squatter

A dilapidated shelter

• Starting point: Vandalized evacuation shelter

While trying to escape the chaos, this character finds an evacuation shelter. Unfortunately, disaster or the vandals got to it first, smashing windows, smashing furniture and ransacking it. This building will provide little protection or resources, so it's best to move on. If not for better protection, then for food, water and medical supplies, as this building has been robbed of them.

This scenario gives players a more challenging version of the evacuation start, where the evacuation shelter has been looted. There's no starter food, water or medical items here – just the broken remains of what could have been a great early game base. The NPCs are also gone, leaving the players to brave the Cataclysm alone.

6

Experiment

Finally free

• Start location: In the wilderness

In this unusual starting scenario, players play as a genetic test subject who has escaped his limits when disaster strikes. By default, this start doesn't put players in any immediate danger unless they're particularly unlucky with world generation. Playing in the wilderness without any starting resources or shelter, players will want to start exploring quickly before hunger and thirst set in.

The property of this scenario is that it allows players to choose some minor genetic mutations during character creation. From long, claw-like nails that deal slashing damage to spines that cover the character and deal contact damage, these mutations can significantly change the early game experience.

5

Safe place

Security, for now…

• Start Location: One of a number of secure, remote buildings

When disaster struck, this character found a safe place to escape civilization and the apocalyptic monstrosities that now inhabit it. This is one of the more varied starting scenarios, as players can spawn in a variety of buildings, each with different amounts and types of resources and base building suitability.

An LMOE (Last Man On Earth) shelter gives players instant access to many resources, from food and water to weapons and books. It is also highly defensible due to its remote and underground location. However, industrial offices are far from ideal starting places, with little or no food or water and large rooms, making it almost impossible to fortify.

4

Last flight

A Helicopter And Nothing More

• Starting point Next to a bridge

Seeing the chaos of Cataclysm, this character took to the skies, hoping their flying skills would bring them to safety. Unfortunately, their fuel reserves ran out, forcing them to land on a bridge. Along with minimal starting items, players begin with helicopter piloting skills, a skill as practical as it is niche, though it does help flesh out the starting story. The character's helicopter can also be found nearby in working order but without fuel.

Like many starting scenarios, the player is not intentionally placed in immediate danger. However, it is recommended that players do not cross the bridge as it is common for zombie hordes to roam the bridge entrances.

3

In the Middle of Nowhere

It is (mostly) safe

• Starting Location: A selection of rural buildings

When disaster struck, this character fled the chaos and got lost in the wilderness as he sought safety. After reaching a remote building where they can take shelter, players must quickly find food and water. Depending on the play area, players must also fight zombies and wild people occupying these buildings, either unarmed or with a makeshift weapon.

While most of these buildings make for high-quality bases in the short term, looting opportunities can be scarce if they grow in truly remote areas, exacerbating the resource shortage. It is recommended that players instead raid these buildings before moving on to more built-up locations where they can obtain a steady supply of resources.

2

Friends till the end

Preppers were right

• Start location: Remote cabin

In this scenario, the player starts outside his friend's remote cabin with basic clothing and a few items. The plan was to meet at their friend's cabin if the world collapsed, and that's exactly what this character has done. As you'd expect from preppers, the cabin is well stocked with food and helpful survival items, serving as a perfect starting base for new characters. With well maintained and easily reinforced rooms, players can expect to feel a rare sense of ease and safety within the cabin walls.

This scenario creates an NPC in the cabin that players can automatically recruit after talking to them. A wooden ax is also found in the cabin, which serves as a great early game weapon.

1

Evacuated

The standard experience

• Starting point: Well-maintained evacuation shelter

Players begin in the relative safety of an evacuation shelter after escaping the worst of the chaos. Few survivors have or will reach this building, meaning players can find plenty of protein rations and safe drinking water here. Evacuation shelters also provide good short-term protection, with large basements where players can hide from apocalyptic horrors.

All starter shelters start with an NPC inside. Not only does this give the building a built-in guard, but those lucky enough to recruit NPCs can sit back and let their friend deal with almost any early game threat. Players can also lure nearby enemies to this neutral NPC, providing risk-free kills.