Need a compass

[Time]

I wasted 20 bucks on the dlc. Tried it again and realized I hated the game because everything looks the same and for wilderness people to not have compasses everywhere makes no sense. I cant tell which way south is.

[Bobywan]

Drop a stick on the ground, they always point thevsame direction, almost north.

[MadBone12]

We don't know that our characters are wilderness people - I mean, you can write whatever narrative you want in your head but the developers are going to have their own ideas too.

The common explanation is that a massive geomagnetic event has made compasses useless so I doubt one will be introduced.

Also, I would disagree that everything looks the same. It is easy to navigate by landmarks once you know the maps.

[Romain]

There are detailled maps with different spoiler degrees. Use them.

Map knowledge isn't really optional in this game. So either you like to spend hours moving around to learn them all or you use detailled maps to speed up the process and to give you a rough direction where you can find something useful. One way or another you'll end up knowing the maps and landmarks. Feel free to choose the way you want.

Compass won't happen from HL and there's no mod at the moment.

[ralf_maeder]

You can use mods that add sort of a compass to the game. I use such a mod (Map Manager v1.1.3) and it shows you an arrow on the map, illustrating your position and the direction where you are heading towards. Won't work consistently indoors but outdoors it works well.

[IvantheFormidable]

It's suggested by in-game lore that compasses won't work, so even if you could find them it wouldn't matter.

Use terrain association to navigate.

[Rhapsody]

Suggest you go to a real forest some day, things tend to look the same in each direction. ;)

[Sourwine]

Stick method or Map... move... map... You'll know your direction

[matt31C]

Originally posted by Time:

I wasted 20 bucks on the dlc. Tried it again and realized I hated the game because everything looks the same and for wilderness people to not have compasses everywhere makes no sense. I cant tell which way south is.

The electromagnetic storm that is the basis for the whole game, means that the earth's magnetic field is all messed up. Compasses won't work. The sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, same as the moon.

[Kyrah Abattoir]

The artstyle is literally designed to help you to get lost.

[bibby4125]

I've just started and I find it quite easy to navigate in this game, micro nav is pretty much impossible as there is no scale on the map. although I haven't ventured far yet.

use landmarks and relief features and if you're really stuck, if possible, make for higher ground (not necessarily 'high' ground) as even 20m can give some surprising perspective. which is also true for real life.

the cheese I have found though, if you use the charcoal to update the map at any time, even if you have already mapped the area. the map will focus on your location, since you're going from fire to fire and mapping everything this is very accessible. Is this a difficulty based function? I and playing on voyeur or the 'normal' difficulty to start.

Also, I was wondering what mechanics there would be to assist, a little bit disappointing the devs put the stick/flares cheeses in. I was thinking if I ever find any non frozen still water, i could float a stick lol.. but the temperature is likely not going to allow for that.

also large trees that have an unobstructed arc of the suns travel tend to lean to mag north, easier to see at the base and easily visible once felled as the rings show a distinct bulge. These would be cool features imo.

[Setora]

As people said, geomagnetic event etc, but also because the maps layout don't make sense between them, there is tons of map people made that shows sometimes even N and S are reversed, so technicaly, they would need to move, rotate or whatever, some of the regions to have an actual compass to work.
Each regions has its own north, south etc.

If you don't correct this issue first, you would be following the north for instance, change zone and then the north is suddently on your right or left, so it will never be added to the game ever.

[Balloon Dog]

I think a compass would partially negate the effectiveness of blizzards being a threat. Blizzards can totally screw with your direction and I like that about them. Having to figure out which direction to head in relationship to other objects and make sure you go in a straight line as not to end up travelling in the wrong direction is a good mechanic IMO.

[_Znarf_]

Originally posted by Balloon Dog:

I think a compass would partially negate the effectiveness of blizzards being a threat. Blizzards can totally screw with your direction and I like that about them. Having to figure out which direction to head in relationship to other objects and make sure you go in a straight line as not to end up travelling in the wrong direction is a good mechanic IMO.

I agree. Geomagnetic storm is the lore explanation for lack of compass, but the real reason is more a matter of balance. It would make navigation too easy and the game is not supposed to be easy. It is already too easy for experienced players.

[I'll be the one]

Originally posted by Time:

I wasted 20 bucks on the dlc. Tried it again and realized I hated the game because everything looks the same and for wilderness people to not have compasses everywhere makes no sense. I cant tell which way south is.

I know the devs have made the world have a Geomagentic storm where North has moved Many regions have north in different directions. If you could pick a direction for all,that would be great.

[Cleric]

The anti compass crowd might have a hill to stand on if the sun worked or maps were all north orientated. Have good visual memory or you are screwed. A primitive compass would be a fine middle ground. Require time to set it up and restrict it from being done during storms etc. Just knowing where north is would greatly reduce the time it takes people to learn maps. It's fine to not have a traditional game map, but it should be easier to get a sense of direction.