Mule pathing

[Lord Retro]

So. i had several mining missions already that i couldnt finish because i could simply not follow the mule back home. it usually goes straight up a wall and disappears somehere without any option to attach a line and get up there in time. i tried 'riding' it, but that also doesnt work. is there anyting im missing because slowly im really annoyed by having to abort half my missions simply for not being able to get back to my dropship

[phittte]

The drop pod always lands in an area you've already been to. The mule gives you a general hint where to go without using the map, but you aren't meant to blindly follow it without knowing where you are or where you go since it sometimes takes shortcuts if there is a hole in the ceiling or something similar.

Use the map (drop pod is marked on the map) and go back the way you came from. Especially in mining missions it's super easy to find the drop pod as they're quite linear most of the time.

[Lunacy]

You learn not to rely on the mule (at all) and end up checking a quick general path on your terrain scanner... or just following a driller.

[GumbyGlizzy]

Originally posted by Lord Retro:

So. i had several mining missions already that i couldnt finish because i could simply not follow the mule back home. it usually goes straight up a wall and disappears somehere without any option to attach a line and get up there in time. i tried 'riding' it, but that also doesnt work. is there anyting im missing because slowly im really annoyed by having to abort half my missions simply for not being able to get back to my dropship

Literally just run there yourself lol

[ivor_bign]

have you tried dropping bread crumbs so you can find your way back out?

if you didnt drop bread crumbs on your way down the cave then thats on you, not the mule.

[Gremling]

Whenever I get to the end of a solo-mission and I got a complex cave system that goes rather high than wide I always press the button at the highest cave possible (check scanner for that) so I have plenty of time beforehand to crawl up there before I press the button. 8 out of 10 cases the droppod goes down there somewhere.
If it drops in a cave below - not to worry. It's always easier to go down than up.

[Chrysalis]

You could mark the way to help you remember where you came from. The droppod always lands in a cave you've already been to, so you just have to follow the way you came from and check the map.
Or if you are a digger (or have plenty of time and the droppod isn't that far away), you could just dig a straight line to the pod.

[Arveragus]

If you are playing solo, then you are best off playing a scout, since he can get practically anywhere with his grappling gun, making following the MULE easy. This mainly goes for missions that require you to follow the MULE, like mining.

[Mara Jadewind]

Try not call ammo drop while in tunnel, because most tunnel is spiraling and linked. Always close the hole of ur ammo drop or friendly dwarf drop pod. This would greatly reduce the chance of Molly went to those hole.

[MrPurple33]

Originally posted by Lunacy:

You learn not to rely on the mule (at all) and end up checking a quick general path on your terrain scanner... or just following a driller.

what everyone has been saying- all good info- but this one by Lunacy in particular

Most of us, when the Red Button is pushed, start running back, not even waiting for the MULE, she'll catch up (or often you'll beat her back to the Pod) - the MULE will be helpful if you get turned around- then she (might) run past you and get you back on track- occasionally on confusing Biomes like Biozone and Magma, you will wait for Molly to get going, to get that initial direction back, but then you'll run past her and go as fast as you can

as Mara stated, above, I often play with brand new players, and they call down a Supply Pod right smack NEXT to the MULE, then Instantly hit the Button- this will cause Molly to go vertical up that shaft 95% of the time- I always chuckle, move some distance away, and hit "C" to call Molly away- saving those Greenbeards a great deal of stress, and they usually don't even realize it - In the past I would try to chat/explain to them, but it would take to Long, and Molly would run up the shaft- so I just help them wthout telling at this point

Once you play DRG for a bit, you'll start planning your way back ON THE WAY DOWN- placing ziplines, platforms, drilling stairs and tunnels, making marks at junctures with the pickaxe- I tend to call Supply Drops at certain points too, because even empty they can be a signpost- I also widen every Loose Dirt Spot as well, because I'd rather have a wide, ready to run-and-gun through tunnel than a tiny poke hole only a Scout can grapple through

playing as Driller, I will also assess on the way down if a map is one we can all run through, or If I'm definetly going to have to Drill a path back (Magma, Fungus, Biozone, sometimes Sandblasted will often have crazy, hard, or complex systems) - If the Pod is called, WATCH YOUR TEAM DRILLER- If he's not running, but calmly walks over to a Wall, he's waiting for the Escape Pod to plant down, and Drill back to it- stick by him, and take the easy way back, watching the Driller's back and giving him cover so he can concentrate on Digging- I've seen quite a few newbies, where 1 or 2 just sprint away, and I'm typing "wait here, follow the Driller" - me and the Driller will either be waiting for them at the Pod, getting there much quicker, or one of us will have to trundle back down because someone got KOd

Quite soon, you'll get the hang of how to run back to the Pod on your own, or following teammates- the Laser Pointer following a teammate and reading the Map works much better than blindly following Molly- Molly is a (sometimes) helpful tool, but most of the time, just assume she's going to do something Wonky at Least once on the way back- I very, very rarely get Lost on the run back- but I do remember my First Week playing, I would fail on the run back 1/2 the time- with time and experience you'll get the hang of it

[Lord Retro]

Im already learning a lot from the comments. one thing i started doing is run back up BEFORE i press the button, that helps a ton

[MeatShake]

Scout should fly ahead and get to the drop pod and guide their team with the scanner if possible.

I always try to do this when my friends get completely lost.

[Smooth Operator]

Originally posted by Mara Jadewind:

Try not call ammo drop while in tunnel, because most tunnel is spiraling and linked. Always close the hole of ur ammo drop or friendly dwarf drop pod. This would greatly reduce the chance of Molly went to those hole.

This. Before calling in a supply drop, look at the map to make sure there are no tunnels or rooms above you. The mule will dart up that little hole, making it really difficult to follow.

[xstar960]

Mules going through walls is annoying.

[Chibbity]

Originally posted by xstar960:

Mules going through walls is annoying.

No, it's a hint.

If Molly goes through a wall, it's very thin..like you don't even need a Driller thin.

[Chrysalis]

Originally posted by Chibbity:

Originally posted by xstar960:

Mules going through walls is annoying.

No, it's a hint.

If Molly goes through a wall, it's very thin..like you don't even need a Driller thin.

I noticed that, too. Sometimes that's really convenient if it unveils a shortcut and makes the walk back much easier.