Survival Mode Maps

[sarahbixb]

I finished story mode the other day and recently started on survival mode. I am so extremely bummed that it doesn't show me on the map. I understand it's survival mode blah blah but still. I am extremely geographically challenged....even with the maps. I can't tell you how many times I got lost in story mode with the maps! IRL I live on a 2x4 mile island and still use my gps often. It totally sucks I can't play survival mode as I just keep running around blind and stumbling onto the same places lol. I know I know, but I've tried and I just can't get my bearings. Huge bummer.

[Neil]

You will learn the maps with time. My tips as a fairly inexperienced player are:
- play Pilgrim to learn maps, as less ways to die whilst getting lost
- If you spray paint on the ground with the spraycans (eg use the X pattern) it will come up on the map, and might allow you to work out where you are relative to the places you have mapped.

[Sito]

There are player made maps if you need them. Just google TLD Coastal Highway map or whatever and you will find them. Personally i just memorize the land marks but if that is hard for you then maps are the way to go.
Also if you charcoal map it will always center the map on your current position.

[IFIYGD]

You can create your own maps in Survival Mode, using charcoal from burned out fires. Take the charcoal outside during the day, and in clear-clearish weather. On the radial menu- at the top, you'll see an icon for charcoal, at the bottom, an icon of a map. Click the charcoal icon and "survey area". You'' draw a circle around you that will expose the map. Keep mapping as you go- you can work on the Faithful Cartographer achievement doing this too. To see the map you have drawn, click the map icon on the radial menu.

(Edit for clarification)
Your location will not be shown on the map- no player marker. But like Neil said- spray paint. You can use that to mark landmarks and dangerous places.

[Bobywan]

Tip: you can use sticks as a compas, they point almost north (arrow point exactly north but are harder to get than sticks obviously).

[Casey]

I was about to answer and Boby beat me to it. I mark my back trail with sticks as well. I drop 2 at key points, and like Boby said they point north. I use them a lot when entering and leaving paths.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Casey:

I was about to answer and Boby beat me to it. I mark my back trail with sticks as well. I drop 2 at key points, and like Boby said they point north. I use them a lot when entering and leaving paths.

And arrows made of a few dropped stones can help you get back to safety if you start to get lost (or decide to tuen back due to poor weather or nightfall).

[Elite Goose +1]

a very, very important part....maybe even fundamental aspect....of survival is not getting lost

there's ways of getting around without a map, and as already mentioned, the Hansel and Gretel method is the easiest. there's a reason that's a children's fairy tale....it's a useful skill! i went down some obscure trails in Pisgah once that hadn't been cleared since before WWII. we found our way home by tying neon rope to trees every 40 yards or so.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Elite Goose:

a very, very important part....maybe even fundamental aspect....of survival is not getting lost

there's ways of getting around without a map, and as already mentioned, the Hansel and Gretel method is the easiest. there's a reason that's a children's fairy tale....it's a useful skill! i went down some obscure trails in Pisgah once that hadn't been cleared since before WWII. we found our way home by tying neon rope to trees every 40 yards or so.

It is also one of the few techniques that work for cave diving, where a line is run out as you progress, and followed back out. Rather important as Cave Diving is a hobby/sport where getting lost has a high chance of killing you.
A fascinating pastime, but for me one I will only read about or watch on TV videos as I am nowhere near brave enough to try it!

[sarahbixb]

I know it's a user issue but I sure hope I never get lost IRL or I'm dead for sure! lol. Thanks for the tips, I'll try them. Like I said, I get lost WITH the map. smh.

[Sito]

One other tip I can share that helped me:
I started my first game in ML and found my way to Trappers Homestead. From there I would make small journeys to Camp Office and back, then to Unnamed Pond and back, many times until i could do it in poor visibility, always looking for landmarks. There are lots of deer around so you can spend time to do it and not starve. Pick up sticks as you go. slowly expand your exploration of the area but always near to the routes you already know. Over time you will develop a mental map of your surroundings. It does take a lot of time though. Dropping tinder plugs on a route that you travel can also help. I use that in FM to mark my route through good ice between ML and the forge.

[Casey]

Good idea with the tinder plugs :)