Taking scrap vehicles back to Stronghold

[EbonHawk]

I'm trying to figure out this game mechanic and what's the best option. I keep seeing those tougher-than-usual vehicles that have a gear symbol over them when they're driving around and I come across one, and Chum says "There's a big heap o' scrap just gettin' away!"..

So, I cracked several open and there was a much greater number of lootable scrap lying around, maybe a dozen pieces vs just 2 or 3 like normal. But each one was like 5 or 6 scrap units. Still adds up, I guess, but I was wondering what the comparison was between just blowing those scrap buggies up, and driving them back to a Stronghold instead.

I get a "Scrap Returned to Stronghold" message when I regain control after the short transition cutscene into base, but I can't tell how much I'm getting for them.

Which is the better option for the most scrap?

[Ryuu]

Driving back is better. AFAIR it's about 150 scrap.

Crates in storm give 300 scrap though, but it's more dangerous.

[lucasj1210]

Originally posted by Ryuu:

Driving back is better. AFAIR it's about 150 scrap.

Crates in storm give 300 scrap though, but it's more dangerous.

Personally I think it's only the electrical storms that are dangerous...the plain dust storms just blow you around. Those vary and are random. Sometimes you can play ! hour and encounter 2 or 3 storms...other times you can play for a 8 hours and not encounter 1...tho' this may be due to the progress you're at in the game....come to think of it I don't belive I've ever encounter either type of storm in the 'Deep Friah'(Gastown) territory

[Ryuu]

No, all storms throw crap at you and car :) So they're always dangerous.

BTW i know an exploit how to make a ton of scrap at the tutorial location.

[EbonHawk]

Ok, thanks for the info. I've seen one dust storm so far, and I'm into the game a little ways.. Probably progress related then.

Originally posted by Ryuu:

BTW i know an exploit how to make a ton of scrap at the tutorial location.

But, I'd have to start over, right? Wouldn't do me much good now. Thanks though.

[skidmark]

Driving the Scrapulance to a stronghold yeilds 500, blown up gives you 300. If you make it to a camp or stronghold when the storm starts don't go in until the crate icons show up. Each crate delivers 100 to 150 depending on your "more scrap" Griffa token count.
There are a couple of places that trigger a storm (like the first camp), others are random.

[Ryuu]

Originally posted by EbonHawk:

Originally posted by Ryuu:

BTW i know an exploit how to make a ton of scrap at the tutorial location.

But, I'd have to start over, right? Wouldn't do me much good now. Thanks though.

Yeah, it's just a curious fact for everyone who does a second playthough maybe.

[EbonHawk]

Ok, cool, thanks, Ryuu. Care to share, or do I need to send Chum over to your house to harass your cat a bit? ;-)

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm glad it's worth the effort in the beginning to spend the time returning the scrap vehicles back to a Stronghold.

I saw something about putting together crews in one of the areas of the Stronghold. Does it ever get to the point where you don't have to drive those vehicles back? Does someone return them for you? Or are there plenty sources of scrap later so you don't need to do that anymore?

[Ryuu]

Originally posted by EbonHawk:

Ok, cool, thanks, Ryuu. Care to share, or do I need to send Chum over to your house to harass your cat a bit? ;-)

I don't think Chum is into any living creatures, he's more into hard inanimate objects . Do you remember finding harpoon tip in Chum's bunk? Figure out further yourself ;)

So when you take down that first door in a tutorial camp and walk in, Max would say that storm is coming, immediately turn back, get into the vehicle and drive out. Soon storm would begin and as far as i've trying it's endless with endless scrap boxes, harpoon them, drag to some cover, kick open and pick up three parts each 100 scrap worth. I got about 5k before i got too bored. But if you die you'll spawn in front of that door again and have to start over. Storm only ends if you enter Chum's lair, or enter Big Nothing or go through that camp door again.

I saw something about putting together crews in one of the areas of the Stronghold. Does it ever get to the point where you don't have to drive those vehicles back? Does someone return them for you? Or are there plenty sources of scrap later so you don't need to do that anymore?

No, to get full reward you always need to drive them back. Clean-up crew only picks scrap parts from destroyed vehicles(even excluding scarecrows and similar!!). So you can destroy scrapulances when you feel lazy but it would get you far less scrap. Still storms are a better scrap source.

[skidmark]

You continue ad infinitum to get scrap once the project is done for each stronghold. First projects I do when starting a stronghold is the three scrap related ones, I don't bother with the others since achieving all challenges (you need to do all of them to achieve completion stats), food and water are out in the wasteland enough to keep supplied and adds some difficulty to an easy game.

[EbonHawk]

Noted. That might help a lot with my long-term enjoyment of the game. Although I have to say, this game is F-U-N. :-D

[Ryuu]

Go mostly for the story and side missions, otherwise you won't have many enemies and convoys to test your final car with all unlocks

[EbonHawk]

Originally posted by Ryuu:

Go mostly for the story and side missions, otherwise you won't have many enemies and convoys to test your final car with all unlocks

Hmm, alright. I tend to grind a lot early on in these type games, but I have been advancing the main and sides somewhat more than usual for me..

I just get sidetracked so easily on the way to most goals when something interesting pops up.. But, I will try to stay focused. Thanks!

[Ryuu]

Originally posted by EbonHawk:

I tend to grind a lot early on in these type games

I did that, i regret that :(

Well, doing scrap locations and similar is fine, but lowering territory threats and eradicating convoys is best to postpone as much as you can IMHO. Story missions would require you to sidetrack and do some cleaning anyway.

[skidmark]

You can prolong convoy fun by taking out the support vehicles but let the truck get away. Then you can do them over again. And again.........And.......
AFAIC those ornaments don't do crap anyway.