Overview
A basic in-game Editor guide for those who want to make their gameplay a little easier. You can change item Properties through Editor, or spawn items, characters, even zombies through Debug Mode. Can even use Debug Mode to delete things that you don’t want, even characters (do not try this at home).
Disclaimer (Editor & Debug Mode Guide):
Please do not misuse the Editor or Debug Mode as it’ll dampen the original intended gameplay. Please use the game’s original methods of crafting ammo or anything else. It’ll help you discover the game and report bugs should you encounter them. Also gives you a chance to explore the map and meet other settlements as a purpose of this game.
It makes sense to spawn items for yourself so you can get started with building your base after spending hours in game. Or if you have played from the start and survived for several days only to realise that AutoSave function does not exist (you have to manually save by F9 Quicksave). Lost all progress and do not wish to start all over again: this guide helps with these sorts of dilemma.
I hope this guide helps rectify the constant “hard mode”, “too short ranged” and “too heavy” issues we’ve all been having. Enjoy the game, just don’t have too much fun. And do report bugs you encounter to help Bob (Developer) out with his awesome project. I will continue adding/updating this guide.
Table of Contents (Guide Index):
• Disclaimer (Editor & Debug Guide)
• In-Game Editor
• Debug Mode – Spawn Equipment
• Debug Mode – Deleting Things
• Debug Mode – Morale Check
• Debug Mode – Character Editor
• Editor – Making a Cooking Recipe
In-Game Editor
The in-game Editor is not complicated like some game designing or coding tool. It’s as simple as selecting from a list what you want to edit, and change its properties. Open the in-game Editor and customise the game to your liking. You don’t even need to design a new map and code it… no no, the Editor is not an expert-level thing.
• Item is too heavy? Click on that “Editor” button before you start the game and change its weight properties (you can continue with old save, no need to start new game after editing item’s properties – it’s already applied).
• Backpack capacity too low? Change that in the Editor, just follow the steps below to learn how (any changes will be applied automatically if you already have the same tier backpack when you next load your save, no need to spawn a new one).
Here’s a little guide that will help you with the game’s Editor:
First things first, take a screenshot of any item you are making changes to as there is no “set as default” button. If you do mess it up and forget to screenshot, you can ask the community to provide help with the default item properties to make identical.
1] Click on the Editor button from the game’s Main Menu. Then click on Base Story and then Edit Equipment button to view a list of all normal game items.
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2] Scroll down to Wood (or any item you wish to make changes to), in this example we’ll go for Wood.
3] Just below “Category” on the right-hand panel, you’ll see “Weight (lbs)”, click anywhere on the text bar and change 25 to 5 (or any weight you desire).
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4] Click on the Back button below it to save changes.
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Hint: Instead of changing the weight of individual materials, why not change the backpack capacity to 1000 instead? This will apply to all backpacks of the same tier for all your group who equip it, makes it easier to scavenge for materials if they need without being encumbered. Camo Backpack has its own properties.
But bear in mind, any changes you make on anything is applied GLOBALLY. Meaning: ALL the NPCs have this change, even Traders, Looters, Refugees and Settlements. Set the range of a Sniper rifle to 1000 and watch yourself get shot by Bob Lee Swagger from a mile away.
• Shooting range too low? No worries, just go to in-game Editor and change the gun’s “range” properties.
• Accuracy is ridiculous? Editor will help with that, just increase its Accuracy Range (not Range – two different things) a little but keep it below Range limit. If Range is 16, then Accuracy Range can be set to 15 (too accurate).
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Debug Mode – Spawn Equipment
Can’t find a good weapon after hours of playing? Press F8 for Debug Mode (see below) and spawn yourself a weapon from the list into your Inventory (stand clear from any interactive object or NPCs, or you’ll spawn it in their inventory instead).
1] Load the game and press F8 (default keybind) for Debug Mode.
2] Click on the Equipment Spawner button.
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3] Scroll to whatever you wish to spawn and click the button once (spawns one item per click).
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4] Press ESC (escape key) or F8 again to close the Debug Mode and enjoy.
You can also spawn NPCs for yourself if you have been alone and no Refugees anywhere for days.
1] Open the same Debug Menu in game (F8).
2] Then click on the Character Spawner.
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3] Choose whatever you wish to spawn from the list on your left (highlighted).
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4] Then with your mouse, left-click anywhere on the ground near you to spawn them. Each click spawns 1 Character from your selection.
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Interact with your characters to have them follow you. Otherwise they are on “do not follow me” mode by default.
It’s that simple, not even rocket science. Please share this guide with anyone having difficulty with their game after trying it for some time. Do not misuse the Editor or Debug Mode as it’ll dampen the original gameplay.
It makes sense to spawn items for yourself so you can get started with building your base, but after that, please use the game’s original methods of crafting ammo or anything else. It’ll help you discover the game and report bugs should you encounter them. Also gives you a chance to explore the map and meet other settlements as a purpose of this game.
I hope this is helpful and rectifies the constant “hard mode” and “too heavy” dilemma we’ve all been having. Enjoy the game, just don’t have too much fun and do report bugs you encounter to help Bob out with his awesome project. I will continue adding/updating this guide.
Debug Mode – Deleting Things
You are also able to use the Debug Mode to delete Props. Props consist of Vehicles, Fridges, Buildings (walls too), Graves (non-built), or anything you can get that white-outline and Delete button to popup.
There are a lot of things that are considered Props, such as Buildings, Vehicles, Vending Machines, Graves. Anything you can find that you think could be a Prop (Rocks and Trees are not Props, they are Terrain objects). Just stand next to it and if you get “Delete” show up, that means you can delete such a Prop.
1) Press F8 for Debug Mode and click on Prop Editor button.
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2) Get close to a Prop (Van) to see “Delete” option (otherwise it’ll show minimised bar on top). Click the Delete button to remove the Prop.
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Note: When you get close to a Prop, you’ll see white-outline around it (as shown in pic above), denoting that it’s a valid Prop which you can do whatever you want to it on Debug Mode (can also move it or rotate it by clicking on < or > just above the Delete button).
You can even Delete non-build Graves that get in the way of your settlement’s expansion.
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Here’s how:
1) Open Debug Menu (F8), click on the Character Editor button.
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2) Get close to a Character/NPC/Body you wish to delete, and press that Delete button below (you have to scroll down to see it).
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Notice that the Delete button only appears if you are within reach of an NPC and see outline around them, as seen in pic.
Debug Mode – Morale Check
This is not exactly a Morale adjustment guide, but you can check the NPC’s current morale if you wish. Not sure how to adjust the Morale yet, probably impossible without editing the game file somewhere (probably illegal too).
1) Press F8 to open Debug Menu.
2) Click on Character Editor.
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3) Click on Memory Editor.
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Here you will see Morale of NPC on the top part. If you are not near any NPC, your own memory will be shown. If you get close to any NPC, the Memory of that NPC will be shown.
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You can even move to another NPC while this mode is still open. Just use the forward/backwards, left or right arrow-keys to move/rotate character. Press F8 to close the Debug Mode (or Escape key).
Debug Mode – Character Editor
Editing your Character in Debug Mode is pretty simple and easy to do. You can change any Character, even NPC’s skills here. If you would like your Followers/Settlers to do better in a certain role or task, or you like them, but their skills are capped to 1 star, you can change that.
1) Press F8 for Debug Mode
2) Click on Character Editor
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3) Click on Skill Editor
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Here you can see a list of Character’s Skills, all are how the currently controlled Character is set. You’ll notice on the lower portion within the red bordered area is where the Skills are “capped”, which also means “limited”. The Green bordered area shows character’s current skills, which they gained through normal experience.
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This is useful to adjust if you have been struggling to find a Follower/Settler of a specific skillset. And no, I don’t mean by “struggling” is that you’ve been playing the game for 5 minutes. Debug Mode as a whole is to relieve you of something you lost that was dear to you over the game’s Save that became overwritten or corrupted.
See this player’s example… it is heartbreaking to see your Followers/Settlers go like that and you can’t reload the old save to change that.
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Editor – Make a Cooking Recipe
Not enough cooking recipes in game? Have a cooking idea that you think your settlers may enjoy and be happy? That can happen, you can create your own recipes in game, just follow the guide below to design your own cooking recipe. Can also make Pancakes you all like for breakfast.
1) From the game’s Main Menu, click on Editor, then Base Story, then Edit Recipe
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2) In the Recipe menu, click on Create New button below. The current recipe list is sorted Alphabetically, from A to Z. You can name your recipe however you want as long as it’s easy find for you. I named mine Cook Beet Soup (Unique ID and English Name).
The recipe creation is very simple and you can copy the values from another recipe, such as Meaty Stew below it. Just click Meaty Stew, memorise a value and click your own then type it in to make them identical. After that, you can adjust the values how you want it, considering you understand what they do.
Here’s what each Value does:
• Unique ID = this is for the game to recognise in its code.
• English Name = this is for your eyes, so you know what it is.
• Recipe Type = the type of equipment you need to initiate crafting.
• Skill Type = the type of skill you need to be able to craft.
• Skill Level = the skill level required to be able to craft (I’ve set mine to 2).
• Skill Progression = your skill’s experience gain.
• Product Building = you don’t need a workbench to cook some soup, do you?
• Product Equipment = don’t need this when cooking as you’re not making a soup-bomb.
• Product Liquid = choose the type of finished product, this will show an icon when cooked.
• Product Liquid Amount = this gives the amount of product into a pot when cooked, while pouring into a sealed container, this value balances the amount taken. Example: cooking pot is filled 10/10, if you enter 100, cooking pot will reduce to 6/10, taking 4 portions to fill your container, but also fills 4 portions upon cooking. Thus the “balance”.
• Product Liquid Nutrition Multiplier = this multiplies how much product goes into a sealed container from the pot, while taking a small portion from the pot. Example: cooking pot is filled 10/10, if you enter 1.5, cooking pot will reduce to 8.5/10, filling 1.5 in your container, but also fills 1.5 portion upon cooking. If you enter 2, the amount taken out from the pot is doubled.
• Only Use Manually = only the controlled player can cook, such as human meat stew, and if unchecked this would mean even NPCs assigned as cook can make it without your consent if they have human meat in their inventory.
• Crafting Time = the amount of time it takes to cook something (in seconds).
• Interchangeable = this is needed if there are more than two different types of products in the ingredient, such as carrot seeds or beet seeds.
3) Click on the Add Ingredient button and select one from a drop-down list to add an ingredient, which you’ll require in game to be able to cook it.
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After you are done with the Ingredients, you will need your own “liquid” mechanic to fit in with your recipe. Which you can choose how tasty or bland it is and how satisfied your Settlers will be (this is what your people “eat” or “drink”). Here’s how:
1) Click on the Editor from the Main Menu, click on Base Story then Edit Liquid.
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2) In the Recipe menu, click on Create New button below it. On the left panel, the current recipe list is sorted Alphabetically, from A to Z. You can name your recipe however you want as long as it’s easy for you. I named mine Soup (Name and English Name).
Note that the “Name” is what the game will recognise and load. So make sure it is what you want, because you need a file of the same name (will guide you below).
3) Ensure you have Category set, otherwise it won’t work. In this case we use “5:Food/Dishes”, for obvious reasons.
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4) Pick any colour you want to see in the liquid, I use coolors.co website to generate colours for me (or browse others’ saved palettes). The game uses HEX colour codes, which consists of 6 digits of either alphabets or numbers. It will show a colour-filled box instead of an icon (see pic on step 3).
5) You will need to resize the image to 64×64 pixels. Here is where this PNG image goes:
[yourdrive]:SteamsteamappscommonSurvivalist Invisible StrainSurvivalist Invisible Strain_DataStreamingAssetsBaseStoryLiquidIcons
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If you created your own image, you can use it in the folder stated on step 5 above. You can also visit a PNG website (I use pngguru, which you can Google) and download any image you’d like to see in game when you cook by campfire (also be able to see its icon on your sealed container).
You must name it IDENTICAL to the already set Liquid name and then copy-paste/save it in the above mentioned folder among the rest of the recipe icons (notice “Soup” is the same as in the game’s Editor).
You’ll notice Water Content (%), this denotes whether there is any water within the recipe. This has an affect on Thirst and quenches it depending on the percentage stated (1 to 100, but my Soup has 30% water).
Next is that you need to close the game (game needs to reload all files, thus need to exit to desktop). Load your game, go to a campfire and see if you have your recipe among the list of others. Get the ingredients needed, enjoy and make your people happy.