Questions regarding the Caves and Ruins

[PirateCaptainDark]

So, it's no secret that the Caves/Ruins are much more difficult in Reign of Giants. During Spring, the caves leak water from above, during Summer the temperature slowly rises and so on. So I had a few questions that I was wondering about:

 

1. Is it possible to change the settings of the caves/ruins so that they do not feel the effects of the seasons? (no rain, no heat, no cold)

 

2. While different people have their own unique play style, what character is best suited for the caves/ruins? Before I knew that the caves were affected by weather, I thought WX-78 (upgraded) was the right choice. Now I don't really have an idea. 

 

3. Are there any useful tips to surviving the caves/ruins in RoG? It's not that I wish to build a base down there, but I would like to at least find rare treasures and defeat the Boss of the Ruins

[Mobbstar]

Caves are entirely unaffected by world settings as far as I am aware (expect for maybe the season calculations, which re-rolls all random parts about that I think).

 

I know that mr Mw is pretty good due to his sanity regen, though it's more important that you prepare your gear and utilise the camp setpiece (or create your own camp). I suppose Webber is good in the sense that the spider near the spawn and ruins entrance are neutral to him, but bunnymen...

 

Maybe, if you take some moles down there, you could live as Wigfrid too.

 

Notice that for quick explorations, you don't really need a base, but tons of food stockpiled and a general idea where to get lightbulbs/slime from, so your head lamp won't go out.

 

And to close this, keep in mind that rock lobsters are born tanks and cheap to hire. I always take one to the spidagmites so it takes the horde while I chip away on the dens.

[StaypuftMMM]

In my opinion, Maxwell or Webber would have the most important advantages to living/exploring below.  As Mobbstar, mentioned Maxwell's sanity regeneration is so great that you never have to worry about it.  

While Webber does have the great advantage of not aggro-ing any spiders (and there will tons of them down there).  He also can eat monster meat without any penalties (sometimes food gets scarce down there).  He also has the advantage that you could feed one spider and have it attack one from another nest.  As the two nests go to war you can clean up all the monster meat, silk, and spider glands that are dropped. 

 

Even if you do not plan on living down there, I would recommend building some type of camp (fire pit, crockpot, chest) at the least.  This will help to extend exploration periods as well as having a central location to store found resources and while gathering others.  

 

If you plan on exploring the Ruins, having a sustainable way of living in the caves first is a huge benefit.  Build a camp, grow some grass, saplings, and trees nearby.  Build a birdcage (bring a bird from above) and tent if needed.  With it being your first time, I wouldn't even think about hanging out down there without owning the Tam O'Shanter.  While it's definitely possible to do without, it will make life much easier having one on you.  

 

With anything, the more you do it the easier it becomes.  Keep practicing and you will get the hang of it.

 

 

[PirateCaptainDark]

Caves are entirely unaffected by world settings as far as I am aware (expect for maybe the season calculations, which re-rolls all random parts about that I think).

 

I know that mr Mw is pretty good due to his sanity regen, though it's more important that you prepare your gear and utilise the camp setpiece (or create your own camp). I suppose Webber is good in the sense that the spider near the spawn and ruins entrance are neutral to him, but bunnymen...

 

Maybe, if you take some moles down there, you could live as Wigfrid too.

 

Notice that for quick explorations, you don't really need a base, but tons of food stockpiled and a general idea where to get lightbulbs/slime from, so your head lamp won't go out.

 

And to close this, keep in mind that rock lobsters are born tanks and cheap to hire. I always take one to the spidagmites so it takes the horde while I chip away on the dens.

 

Hmmm, I might need to hire some Rock Lobsters. I really need to get to the ruins, get some treasures, and defeat the boss. The problem is that nightmare creatures don't make this any easier (especially when you have to worry about lighting and weather). 

 

In my opinion, Maxwell or Webber would have the most important advantages to living/exploring below.  As Mobbstar, mentioned Maxwell's sanity regeneration is so great that you never have to worry about it.  

While Webber does have the great advantage of not aggro-ing any spiders (and there will tons of them down there).  He also can eat monster meat without any penalties (sometimes food gets scarce down there).  He also has the advantage that you could feed one spider and have it attack one from another nest.  As the two nests go to war you can clean up all the monster meat, silk, and spider glands that are dropped. 

 

Even if you do not plan on living down there, I would recommend building some type of camp (fire pit, crockpot, chest) at the least.  This will help to extend exploration periods as well as having a central location to store found resources and while gathering others.  

 

If you plan on exploring the Ruins, having a sustainable way of living in the caves first is a huge benefit.  Build a camp, grow some grass, saplings, and trees nearby.  Build a birdcage (bring a bird from above) and tent if needed.  With it being your first time, I wouldn't even think about hanging out down there without owning the Tam O'Shanter.  While it's definitely possible to do without, it will make life much easier having one on you.  

 

With anything, the more you do it the easier it becomes.  Keep practicing and you will get the hang of it.

So I do have to build a camp. And you also recommend the Tam O'Shanter. So I'm thinking, lets start a world with Wolfgang, get the necessary items (such as Tam O'Shanter, Miner Hat, etc), grab the portal things and then go to a new World. This time I start the New World as Maxwell and I'm already set up with the necessary items. Just need to find a sinkhole and build a base nearby. 

[StaypuftMMM]

If you are going to play as Maxwell you don't need the Tam at all underground.  His sanity regeneration makes it unnecessary.

 

Secondly, you don't have to build a base underground (caves and/or ruins) but I highly recommend it if you plan on spending any length of time in there.  If your goal(s) are to fully explore the areas, gather their resources, etc then I would consider it crucial.  I used to just bring a lot of food down there and then rush all the way back above ground and to my base when I ran out of supplies but found it to be very tedious, dangerous, and a waste of time.  Finding the ideal location underground (maybe near the Ruins hole, if you plan on going in there) and then dropping several pre-built structures (fire pit, crockpot, tent, chest, drying rack, etc) is going to make your life a lot easier.

 

If you want to gather most supplies ahead of time and then world hop you are definitely welcome to that.  I'm assuming you are doing that because of the frequency/number of depth worms that are underground, yes?  While it will help you in the early days eventually there will be several at once.  So you do need to eventually get accustomed to them.  Having said that, I rarely fight any depth worms at all.  Typically let other mobs do it for me, in order to save save on time, energy and tentacle spike durability.  I'd recommend always having either Rock Lobsters, Bunnymen, or Spiders (if you're Webber) nearby your camp.  I also want to say that you can outrun them and they will eventually go away and/or there may be certain areas/turfs they don't follow or appear on.  Honestly, I am not too sure on that though.  

 

No matter what you do, always wear armor underground (as well as having a spare of the same type on your person at all times).  There are times when I am being attacked/fighting and my armor wears out before I notice it.  However, because I had an identical log armor (or whatever) on it automatically replaced the body slot and saved me from taking 100% damage.  Even with a way to resurrect, dying is always a hassle.  Dying underground can be even more of one.

 

These "tips" are just my opinion.  Take them with a grain of salt.  You may not agree with me or find a better method that works for you.  Hope your adventure goes well.  Be safe.

[PirateCaptainDark]

If you are going to play as Maxwell you don't need the Tam at all underground.  His sanity regeneration makes it unnecessary.

 

Secondly, you don't have to build a base underground (caves and/or ruins) but I highly recommend it if you plan on spending any length of time in there.  If your goal(s) are to fully explore the areas, gather their resources, etc then I would consider it crucial.  I used to just bring a lot of food down there and then rush all the way back above ground and to my base when I ran out of supplies but found it to be very tedious, dangerous, and a waste of time.  Finding the ideal location underground (maybe near the Ruins hole, if you plan on going in there) and then dropping several pre-built structures (fire pit, crockpot, tent, chest, drying rack, etc) is going to make your life a lot easier.

 

If you want to gather most supplies ahead of time and then world hop you are definitely welcome to that.  I'm assuming you are doing that because of the frequency/number of depth worms that are underground, yes?  While it will help you in the early days eventually there will be several at once.  So you do need to eventually get accustomed to them.  Having said that, I rarely fight any depth worms at all.  Typically let other mobs do it for me, in order to save save on time, energy and tentacle spike durability.  I'd recommend always having either Rock Lobsters, Bunnymen, or Spiders (if you're Webber) nearby your camp.  I also want to say that you can outrun them and they will eventually go away and/or there may be certain areas/turfs they don't follow or appear on.  Honestly, I am not too sure on that though.  

 

No matter what you do, always wear armor underground (as well as having a spare of the same type on your person at all times).  There are times when I am being attacked/fighting and my armor wears out before I notice it.  However, because I had an identical log armor (or whatever) on it automatically replaced the body slot and saved me from taking 100% damage.  Even with a way to resurrect, dying is always a hassle.  Dying underground can be even more of one.

 

These "tips" are just my opinion.  Take them with a grain of salt.  You may not agree with me or find a better method that works for you.  Hope your adventure goes well.  Be safe.

 

What do you mean by "dropping several pre-built structures"? Also, I was doing the world hopping so I could have an easier time gathering supplies. I play better as Wolfgang but I don't know if I'll be able to survive long enough in the underground/ruins if I play as him (we all know how much he consumes). I am also very tempted to hop worlds in order to avoid the wrath of the giants. Furthermore, I don't really fear depth worms as much as I fear the shadows that lurk in the Ruins.  

 

Thanks for all the tips so far. I appreciate it!

[StaypuftMMM]

What do you mean by "dropping several pre-built structures"? Also, I was doing the world hopping so I could have an easier time gathering supplies. I play better as Wolfgang but I don't know if I'll be able to survive long enough in the underground/ruins if I play as him (we all know how much he consumes). I am also very tempted to hop worlds in order to avoid the wrath of the giants. Furthermore, I don't really fear depth worms as much as I fear the shadows that lurk in the Ruins.  

 

Thanks for all the tips so far. I appreciate it!

 

Once you have the materials to build a structure (crockpot, science/alchemy machines/ fire pit, etc) you can click the build option on the left but not place the structure immediately.  By doing this, you can build several things and then travel to an area you want to create a new camp and drop them all down at once.  Does that make sense now?

 

If you want to world hop to gain supplies you are welcome to.  You can bring as much as you can carry to the next world.  So it wouldn't hurt to do if you prefer that method.

 

Since Wolfgang requires a lot of food and has a fear of the dark (bigger sanity drain) I wouldn't use him for the caves/ruins at this point (since you are newer at that part).

 

Shadow creatures can be a difficult.  The most important things you can do is make sure you place your camps in a nightmare free section.  When they come out of fissures or through lights (or whatever) you want to make sure they won't wander into your camp.