Which version?

[Squigzee]

I've never played PZ before. Should I start with the latest version of the unstable branch, or should I start with the stable version? I've seen that B42 seems to add some significant changes (I think?) so I'm unsure with myself. Anyone have any thoughts on which I should start out on? Thanks!

[Shurenai]

Start with B42. It'll be awhile before you can survive long enough for the 'unstableness' of the unstable to really matter. And there's no sense learning the old way when the new is already available; You'd just be learning stuff you have to unlearn.

[NecromancerPig]

My honest advice is to steer clear of b42 until the most immediate issues with 42.12 are patched, it's a ♥♥♥♥-show out there atm.

[franplants]

So one vote for B41 and one vote for B42 haha

I just bought the game and am curious to hear more thoughts about this - although I'll probably also just try a little bit of both to see which one I enjoy better.

[Koška]

If you are alone B42 and just ignore unstableness ... if friends are availible your only choice is B41 rn, and with devs progress ... MP B42 will be in 3 years

[franplants]

Originally posted by Koška:

If you are alone B42 and just ignore unstableness ... if friends are availible your only choice is B41 rn, and with devs progress ... MP B42 will be in 3 years

Just playing solo for now! Thanks for your advice!

[MagikarpMagi]

41 is probably better to start with. After a bit of vanilla 41, it's easily (and vastly) moddable.
42 is also good, but you may not have an appreciation for the changes until after you play 41 for a bit.

[Shurenai]

Originally posted by MagikarpMagi:

41 is probably better to start with. After a bit of vanilla 41, it's easily (and vastly) moddable.
42 is also good, but you may not have an appreciation for the changes until after you play 41 for a bit.

Conversely, Getting accustomed to b41 means the b42 changes may not be to your liking. While if you start with b42, they're just the norm.

If you pick b41, And end up disliking b42, You're liable to just end up stuck on b41 forever; Because if b42 is already less to your taste than 41, then the path of the game going forward into 43, 44, etc, isn't likely to vibe with you either.

Short of wanting to play multiplayer, it's probably for the best to just hop in on 42. IMO, of course.

[Death]

Shurenai makes a good point. You likely won't survive long enough for the issues in 42 to be any kind of problem and also it would be good to just get used to what the new build is bringing. Also, yeah if you're playing solo anyway, then why not just dive into 42? For what it's worth I play 42 exclusively myself.

[Squigzee]

What kind of issues are there that exist in 42?

[Bob]

Originally posted by Squig:

I've never played PZ before. Should I start with the latest version of the unstable branch, or should I start with the stable version? I've seen that B42 seems to add some significant changes (I think?) so I'm unsure with myself. Anyone have any thoughts on which I should start out on? Thanks! :Hearthian_Smile:

Build 41

[BitterSwede]

I would say start on B42.
Most resources out there are focused on B42. It changes quite rapidly, having 12 major updates in just 10 months, but those updates are rarely as completely game changing as the switch from 41 to 42 is.

New players often need assistance, and the vast majority of assistance available is focused around 42. Most modders exclusively make mods for 42 now. The default when anyone asks about anything in any of the forums (be it here, the TIS forum, the Discords or whatever) is to answer based on 42, unless you specifically tell them it is for 41.

Yes, 41 is much more stable, with no gameplay changes at all happening, and it has multiplayer. But for a new player, I would say 42 is the easiest place to start.

[Shurenai]

Originally posted by Squig:

What kind of issues are there that exist in 42?

The biggest concern with b42 at the moment is long term save stability. It's very possible that a new update bricks your save at the moment. But, As I said in my original post, For a new player that's not really a worry; Chances are, you're going to die quickly. That's just the kind of game PZ is.

It's going to be awhile before you survive more than a day or two. Awhile more before you survive more than a week. A while more before you can survive a month.

So, Long term save stability, talking hundreds of hours/ingame months and years paying the same character/save, That isn't something you really need to worry about. And by the time it is a concern for you, it's more than likely that b42 will be more stable, or possibly have even moved from the unstable branch to be the official stable version.


There's other concerns too, like with default sandbox balance changes. The most recent of which is the change to generator fuel balancing; Existing saves were left with 1.0 fuel consumption, While the change to generators made it so the sandbox default should be more like 0.1... A patch won't change the sandbox settings of an existing world, though.

But again, This concern isn't particularly large for you as a new player- As odds are that you're going to be starting new saves fairly regularly.


In essence, most of the real concerns regarding stability in b42 are things that a new player just really doesn't need to concern themselves over.

Edit: And for the record, I recommend that you make presets for your favorite sandbox setup, character build, etc, and actually start a new save every time you die. There is a "new character" button that appears when you die that lets you continue in a save, but that has several detrimental effects that can actually make it harder and harder to begin with a new character; It's a good option for longer term saves where you want to reclaim what you had, but, for a new player since you likely didn't have much anyway, wont know where you are even, etc, just starting a fresh save each time will give you the best opportunity to do better.

[Limp Bisquick]

B41 for playing, b42 for testing new things and giving feedback. b42 unstable -bugs all over the place, even basic movement and actions have bugs. not balanced, can crash and even experience corrupt save files.

B42.. There's nothing to actually learn cause things will continue to change. They still plan to bring on more changes to things like guns. It's not like you have to learn/unlearn new entire complex systems or anything. So the idea that you get some sort of advantage/convenience playing it early is a weird take and not true IMO.

People played on b41 for years and plenty still stick to it. They have to wait several years for stable updates and often times many just want a change. So people hype up the b42.

[Jackpot]

Personally I say go B41.

Has multiplayer so you can also just play with others who can help and teach you.

More stable and also won’t have random game update that might brick your save, more so if use mods but still, unstable for a reason.

Far more simplified, less skills so you can pick up on essentials.


But regardless of version, do recommend tinkering with Sandbox settings, and go in with mindset that yknow, you’ll die. And that’s fine.

[AJABOOBOO]

mods on build 42 are broke atm. latest patch broke things and the next patch will do the same in all likelihood
build 41 will allow you to mod the game a bit for ease of use, QoL etc.