Beginner's Guide - Copious Screenshots and Guide to the Tutorial

A newcomer's guide to Dust Bowl. I started this game 5 times and noted differences so you don't have to.

Starting the Game

The game's beginning allows you to choose between different character portraits, from three beginnings, and two game types (Normal and Permadeath).
I'm not quite sure if the three beginnings do anything other than initial items. I don't think they make the game easier or harder, but I am unsure.

To start off, know that you need to loot everything you can see. Try to do it as much as possible and exhaust as many dialogue options as you can because they can advance quests even when not obvious. If you make a character angry, you can just talk to them again.

Game Mechanics

Whenever you are playing the game, except for in combat, dialogue, or looting items, time is passing and your character becomes hungry. I guess that slow-ass walking everywhere has some kind of purpose, huh?
Crafting requires a combination of different items. It's pretty straightforward.

Shops require 1 click, so BE CAREFUL when you are selling. Just slide it over the box to see an item's price, and right click to cancel.

This nifty menu at the top is required to play. Check out the "About" section, and save frequently.

This is the game's explanation of the shooting mechanics.


Much like the Fallout and Fallout 2 maps, leaving an area shows a top-down view and allows you to walk between areas. The game even has random encounters and marks the map when you've cleared an unimportant place out.

Death looks like this.

The Tutorial

The tutorial begins you in your room. Loot everything, go on every floor and talk to everyone; the time penalty for hunger and thirst aren't of much importance because it's so slow.
To progress in the main quest, go to the second floor and talk to Cox and the barman. Then go back down to Moore on the first floor to the left of your starting room, and ask to become a militia member.
You can still do quests, come back to the HUB, and loot things even if you leave now. I'd not recommend it unless you've done enough but whatever.
Here's where the armory is, which you are required to visit after becoming a militia member. I was stuck for five minutes because I'm an idiot.
Then you can get a gun and go back to Moore. Then leave the HUB if you wish.


For the rabbit quest, there's one to the left of Moore's room (can't open the door until you are a militia member) and one on the fourth floor.

[crazypumpkins]

I feel like a noob asking this in the off chance anyone still looks here but I am in the metro, i do not have a tent (im on day 2) and im tired! but i cant sleep anywhere! there are tired people inside inviting me to sit and relax but no dice! what the heckie? How do I sleep?? thanks :)

[Lt. Don Draper]

There's a walking speed setting? Haha, I had no idea.

[devxx]

I'm one of those guys that likes (needs) a tutorial. This is GREAT! Thanks...

[The Taggerung]

This looks like the beginnings of a good guide. If you want any help collaborating PossessedBear and I are working on a wiki and would love to talk. I'm also getting ready for a video walkthrough once this first patch comes out.

[donbo69]

Also shooting speed is related to walking speed setting so if you have walk on ultra fast
shooting will be incredibly difficult.

Very nice guide so far :)

[76561198071078682]

Wow! Thx for this dedication work!
I'm sure people from the HUB will appreciate. ;)