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submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by Zombiepirate@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world

I've been hooked on Caves of Qud lately, and I wanted to move off of the default starter character builds. Here's one that I've been having fun with lately; It gets me into tinkering pretty quickly, and getting two extra random mutations makes it a really different run every time.

I'm wondering what people here like to use.

Arconaut
Mutated Human

Attributes
Strength: 16
Agility: 18
Toughness: 18
Intelligence: 20
Willpower: 16
Ego: 16

Mutations
Unstable Genome x2
Night Vision
Wings
Psychometry
Cold-Blooded (Disadvantage)

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[-] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

FYI a guy made a doom mod for yall. I love dwarf fortress and this same guy modded his project for DF and its how I found out about it.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

That looks incredible! Thanks for sharing.

[-] orangeyouglad@lemmy.today 21 points 2 days ago

I don't know where to start with this game. Admittedly I also have a problem that my brain is tired after work and I don't want to figure out complex games sometimes.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

I found that the best way to start was to play a few runs as the Marsh Taur preset. They have pretty good survivability, and you can explore the world and try to learn the basics. You'll die a lot, but you'll also learn what kills you. After a few times of doing that (and trying a few different presets), I did a little bit of cheating to revert my save by closing after I died before returning to the menu. I got to about level 25 that way, and I learned a whole lot. I could continue, but I think it's more interesting as a traditional roguelike. Now I'm back to starting new characters when I die, but with a lot more context.

Some people play on RPG mode and that's a perfectly valid way to go too. I believe you revert to the last village you were in if you die.

It's a really deep simulation so it does take a while to learn, but once it clicks you're in for a great time.

[-] kmartburrito@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

I'm totally the same. I feel like I don't know where to go except wander around the first few screens. I've never felt more like a monkey fucking a football. I'm sure this is a fantastic game, but I'm struggling with it. I'll try the advice of the person that replied to you also.

[-] Kirp123@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

The game is pretty hand-off an can leave you feeling lost at the start.

The game is procedurally generated but there are some things that are always there no matter what.

Try talking to all the NPCs in settlements. They are all either merchants or quest givers. NPCs can be very varied in what they are. They can be your run of the mill humanoids but they can also be monsters, trees, plants, robots and a lot of other things. The quest giver NPCs offer two types of quests, procedural generated quests where the quest, quest target and rewards are basically random and fixed quests. Fixed quests usually are very similar between runs but they can also have some random parts.

Settlements are also procedural and fixed. The fixed settlements will show as a landmark on the world map while the procedural ones won't. Settlements can also stretch across multiple screens so don't be afraid to look around.

The main quest line is a great introduction to the game and will offer you but early, mid game and late game goals. I suggest you start with the recommended village instead of a random one. The mayor gives you a quest to kill a creature that is like a few screens North of the village. There is also a tinker that gives you a quest and a merchant. Once you finish the tinker's quest the plot proceeds from there.

Otherwise just explore, look for cool things and have fun

[-] Sanctus@anarchist.nexus 3 points 1 day ago

I like to play an Esper, and trap my mind in an Astral Tabby. But I dont usually play the normal mode I usually play the RPG mode and the town mod is a must so I can make my own town.

[-] Anachu@leminal.space 4 points 1 day ago

I feel like doing an esper run is a fun experience, but after a while the constantly appearing esper hunters get tiring to deal with. They even spawn in certain end/mid game story areas that you'd think should be peaceful...

I've had a lot of fun with true kin. though whatever I play, I find I end up leaning a lot into tinkering/crafting.

[-] Sanctus@anarchist.nexus 4 points 1 day ago

When you are a god of an esper and like 40 dudes spawn every 1.5 screens.

[-] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I haven't played an esper yet, maybe I'll give that a go today.

It does mean that you can't benefit from rapid advancement, right?

[-] Anachu@leminal.space 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

if I remember correctly you can't use it on your psychic traits, yeah. But since they all level up as your ego gets higher, it's not too big of a loss.

They might've patched it, but there's a way to save scum with precognition to farm ego I believe. Since there's a chance to absorb ego from esper hunters, you get just enough psychic glimmer to have them start spawning but very weak, run around the salt dunes until one spawns, then use precognition and kill them, going back in time if you don't absorb their ego, and repeat. Don't abuse the power too much though...

[-] RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Whichever build doesn't die in the first 10 minutes lol

[-] BlueOysterCultist@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

Any tips on dealing with those eels that duplicate on death? I think I need frost gtrnades to kill them at once but those little bastards basically stopped my game

Idk where to get frost grenades or how to better kill them at thr same time as a melee guy

[-] SteveGoob@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

If you have a gun that shoots out multiple shots, it's possible to get them both low and then line up a shot with both of them and have them both die on the same turn to different bullets. Kinda involved, but it's the next best option of you dont have good grenades, normality, or really high quickness.

Or you can do my favorite: proselytize one and then kill the other. Congrats, now you have two allies!

[-] Holytimes@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Level 10 regeneration.

Lose your head? Just grow a new one!

[-] Anachu@leminal.space 2 points 1 day ago

normality gas grenades are my go-to, but honestly if they're too troublesome I try to just avoid/ignore them

[-] AstralPath@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago

Have you been to the Stilt yet? Lots of merchants there including grenadiers.

[-] BlueOysterCultist@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago

That place is a maze lol

I think I learned that I couldn’t recognize the grenades until recently, I basically stopped playing I was so annoyed by that enemy

[-] AstralPath@lemmy.ca 2 points 22 hours ago

The Stiltgrounds occupy one full parasang. If you didn't know, a parasang is a 3x3 grid of zones. The stilt itself is at the center, and the merchant bazaar occupies the eight zones around it. You can follow the road to stay on track as well so you don't get lost.

this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2026
102 points (100.0% liked)

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