The Barricaded Strip Mall, a base that could make a spot in the top 3, BUT it has some drawbacks including being in the terrible Drucker County map. JOIN the Fox Republic on Discord (1000+ Members) and Twitch (2000+ Members) where you can be part of the community, suggest new games for Fox to play, ask for advice and watch LIVE gameplay! Links below! Twitch: www.twitch.tv/gitgudfox Discord: discord.gg/GitGudFox Twitter: twitter.com/GitGudFox Facebook: facebook.com/GitGudFox
Ducker County is fun to hang around for awhile but not ideal if staying a long period of time. What I have decided is my forever community will switch map and difficulty for each season, Summer > Providence Ridge, Fall > Trumbull Valley/Meagher Valley, Winter > Ducker County, Spring > Cascade Hills The theme is when our real world weather is hot, I will play in a rather cool weather map, and during winter time to feel 'the heat' from Ducker County. :D
Drunker is fine for me. Driving is a pain but I just go with the fact that it is a desert mountainous environment and that's what it is. Pretty boring if all the maps were flat and easy to get around.
For me it's not the map, it's just my driving skill is bad. I got stuck a lot while trying to take short cut. While taking the main road takes longer, consume lot of fuel and still got stuck a lot.
@@AntASurvival Yes. Unless you have the jeep or 4x4 truck, Drucker is annoying and I love using the trail beast so Drucker is perfect for me and the landmark is the best in my opinion also giving more plague resistance. I'm also a huge fan of Dawn of the Dead so the mall is so damn nostalgic to me.
IMO, the Kitchen and Latrine each count as half a small facility, so together they equal 1. Also, the upgraded Latrine (with Plumbing) should confer a bonus to Infection Resistance.
You can use the kitchen to use seeds to produce two food every 15 or so minutes to then use that food with your Steels to produce craft beer to use then at your trade Depot for influence so the so the kitchen is not all about morale and you can also craft energy drinks which you also can sell if you get too many
Kitchen is great if you don't have meal planners. Just find a nutrition dude and spam rationing. Penalties from that is ignorable. Nutrition also gives +10 hp and stamina which is great.
Nah, the kitchen is not great even without meal planners. You're basically enacting rationing to try and save food in order to spend food to counteract the penalties. It's not great. Sports Trivia: +20 Stam no need to spend food Sewing: +10 HP / +1 Stack Size no need to spend food. Plumbing: +20 Stam and morale from a facility that doesn't consume food Surgery: +20HP Pathology: +50 Infection Resistance There are so much drastically better skills than nutrition, and there are so many better uses of your community that trying to use a self defeating facility like the kitchen. It's why I don't use the kitchen even in non-meal plan / hardcore playthroughs. It's not great.
@@GitGudFox I don't spend food to counteract penalties. With nutrition penalties are really ignorable. Rationing is just a way to pass early game without food problems. During the late game you have other alternatives. The skills you mentioned are good too. I try to keep them if I can. I never say no to a meal planner nutrition dude. I find quite a lot of cooking characters with meal plan. Single handedly solves the food problem.
You don't know what you're talking about. Nutrition reduces the stamina penalty from -15 to -5. That isn't even relevant. You'd start with 85 stamina base which is like playing a character with a minor stamina injury. You're wasting an entire character slot to negate a -10 stamina penalty. You're using a crap skill to solve a problem that doesn't need the kitchen. You solve food with outposts. You get 2 food per outpost level on Lethal, and food is one of the only outposts even worth obtaining in the first place alongside cell towers and maybe fuel outposts. This is a bad strategy. It's wasteful. It gains very little for how few character slots you can have.
I admit. Mike's Concrete is my favorite overall base to stay in Drucker County because it's central... but I get your point about it being not the best map. I also love Cascade Hills' Corner Office because it's the same situation and the ease of setting up a 'safe zone', but it just feels cramped with a group large enough to really secure the area. It's a base that really should have two large slots for all you can do with it.
Mike's concrete is the best mid game base out of all the maps in my opinion. The central location is even more useful on drucker, and it has a fuel outpost right beside it so you can guarantee yourself a base an an outpost by only removing one heart which makes a big difference on harder difficulties. The entire base is designed to combat the challenge of the map, from the fuel storage, to the autoshop to the location of the base with the outpost right next to it. My very first playthrough many years ago was through drucker, I wanted to move into the wheelhouse truckstop, but went the wrong way and ended up at Mike's. Been my favorite base since that fateful day
Hey Fox I don't know if I've just missed your videos on them or there's an actual reason you've said but base review videos on the Prescott fire station, the lundgaard lumber mill and trumball valley's bases would be appreciated, I'm aware youve done separate videos on those bases as a part of your actual gameplay videos but they would be nice to find on your building playlist.
The one thing I hate about this base is that little door area in the back is a death trap for NPCs during sieges (if you actually stay at base during). I once had three get stuck in there at once and die from bloater gas. I heard explosion but didn't catch it until siege was over. I have been blocking that door since.
This map is the worst to traverse around and for me, the easiest way to deal with the map is to gather 5 more survivors while at the Vogel House (6 beds, kitchen, built-in bathroom and three small outdoor slots) and I just use one of the houses in the neighborhood to provide the extra bedding until the community reaches 8. I used to base hop on this map, but not anymore. The mall is so easy to seal up from behind and if you don't have the builder (amenities) legacy, there is a water pump station right behind the mall. Also, I love the rooftop access which gives you a complete 360 view of the surrounding area. If you have Daybreak points, three of the four RT facilities will open up all three big slots for all those facilities that you need for legacy quests. My favorite combination is the Trade Post, Lounge 3, and Sniper Tower (Haven Device if you have the capsule). I normally use a Still 2 or Hydroponics for the outdoor small spot. Of all the big bases, I appreciate this one the most because the map is such a struggle compared to the other four.
@@GitGudFox The only way I can do this map without yanking hair from my receding hairline is to get a jeep. If the map doesn't spawn one, I pray for the Prepper Aunt quest to appear. Anything that is low to the ground is just frustrating. It's the only map where I don't use the Impaler or Zedbuster. The plows constantly force me to back up or stick strictly to the roads.
I completely agree. I'm just not a fan of Drucker county. It can certainly use a few more main roads and some more places to loot. How about making the hospital more accessible by putting a road that leads to the back of it. Plus, the top left of the map is practically empty. Maybe they can put more loot in random places to reward people who are willing to explore.
Just moved there with a legacy group on lethal... went straight to lundegaard lumber Mill... arrived to a 3 minute seige so thought "hey ho" run up the haven and add another 5 minutes! Still. All is quiet now just another 30 plague hearts to go
It'd be nice if we could have a smaller base somewhere outside of the living base to do all the still and gardening etc.... and have a small sleeping quarters there etc... as well for those whom ate better fit for that skill set requirement a such
One reason to have a kitchen and a nutritionist is to use rationing if you don't have a meal planner squad. The other is to churn out Energy Drinks then dismantle it and swap out the cook.
You could do that, but I think a better option is to just build food outposts. You don't even need to level them up. Each food outpost is 2 food on Lethal Zone. I just make like 3-5 of them.
I don't get the hate for Drucker County. Just drive on the roads, honestly. It has everything I want for my fresh start lethal playthroughs: very strong start, multiple very strong bases (incl. KFD), strong landmark outpost, multiple military sites to scavenge, multiple areas with concentrated/dense looting. To throw all of that away because the driving is a bit inconvenient just seems unreasonable to me. And for the driving, it's a great map for the trail beast (Prepper's Aunt). There are other vehicles than just the impaler 😊 Sure, Meagher Valley is an easier map with stronger stuff, but it's kinda easy mode for lethal and it's nice to have variety. Cascade Hills is the map I've had to work hard to enjoy, but it's grown on me finally.
Because it's too much driving. It's one of those things where you might not understand why others dislike it, but you should accept that the majority of players hate it for the excessive driving. That's just how most of us feel. I absolutely detest Drucker County for example.
@@GitGudFox I burn easily as much fuel on Cascade Hills and Paradise Ridge and those maps don't have some of the redeeming things that Drucker has. I do accept that people don't like the driving. It's just a shame because there's otherwise a lot to love about Drucker.
The shortcuts where on the map from the release of the game. Drucker County was the second map I played. I made sure that I looked for them during daylight and then remembered them. I did my last sheriff playthrough on Drucker and had no problems remembering them.
Wrong: support.stateofdecay.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046952891-Update-19-Patch-Notes Here are the patch notes for adding shortcuts into Drucker County post launch. I will copy and paste the exact segment. "Since Drucker County has never been the friendliest place for vehicles, we also prioritized a better driving experience. Our team smoothed out terrain, removing several tons of rocks that interfered with off-road travel or created frustrating dead ends. We added new dirt roads that show up on the Map screen to highlight easier routes. Finally, we placed signage, fences, and other visual guides to help drivers stay safe."
Yeah this map. Treat the roads more like suggestions. Just drive across the gorge by your starter base and drive up the hill behind Sasser. This map you gotta plan your routes or you gonna waste gas and time. Which is why mikes concrete is one of the best bases on the map for location. Especially good. if you don't have Amenities.
@@GitGudFox can't argue that the devs made changes. Dug out a notebook on the game from June 2018. Game bugs reports and also my impression of Drucker County and a hand drawn map showing shortcuts. I still knew a load of shortcuts past the valley, down the mountain, over fields etc... Then again I wasn't on a clock trying to get content out 🤘
Drucker county is my second favorite map next to meagher valley. Yes, the shortcuts make a big difference but also the vehicle. Just so happens your favorite ride gets stuck on every speed bump so makes for a more frustrating experience. I dislike that spike mobile more than any map for that reason.
the watch towers are actually really bad. There's a great state of decay youtuber called RvID and he's done a lot of in-game research surrounding it. The AI utilising watchtowers is awful and can like actually halve the efficiency of your base's defensive capabilities. Just food for thought
I kinda like Drucker County. I know pretty much all shortcuts and like the bases and landmark in the map. I think the hospital is the best landmark. Also this map has much more materials than other maps because all fuel locations have a possibility for a second materials rucksack. Meagher Valley is too green for me. I don't like that tone in zombie/post-apocalypse games. Also I dislike the location of Whitney Field. As soon as that influence farming exploit is fixed, most people will ditch Meagher Valley for Trumbull Valley I feel.
I don't think the location of Whitney Field matters when the map is so easy to drive in. Also, you've been able to farm sieges in Whitney Field for years. What you're doing is assuming its an exploit and not an intended game mechanic.
@@GitGudFox it's definetely an exploit. There should be a cooldown or something. Twice a day maybe. Devs ignored it to this day. I refuse to acknowledge it as an intended game mechanic until devs call it so. It's bonkers.
An exploit is a cunning use of unintended game mechanics that are an oversight by the developers such as a duplication glitch. Is Plague Hearts supplies also an exploit because a 150 influence, 10 minute cooldown ability that gives you 2 rucksacks plus some strong painkillers and first aid kits, ability wildly overpowered? Or is it just a powerful ability?
@@GitGudFox there is a difference between those. You won't convince me on this issue. That exploit single handedly removes the 90% of the difficulty. You no longer need to complete quests, loot, risk lives etc. All the influence in the world and you don't even need to stay in the base during "siege". It's a joke. I don't get how can devs ignore this. They nerf slightly strong trade depot but don't touch the most broken thing in the game.
You could always do that even without Whitney Field. It's not hard to make your base self-sustainable with no resources losses. Throw in a Haven Device and AFK in your base. Once you're self-sustainable you... Don't have to complete quests. Don't have to go looting. Don't have to risk lives. AND, you can do it in a much less expensive base than Whitney Field. Etc. You can literally AFK in whichever base you like.
I can't understand how you wouldn't lean into the kitchen with this hero build. Surely the meal planners give the extra food to be able to make use of the kitchen?
It's very simple. What use would I get out of the kitchen? +Stamina: do I need more stamina? I have huge stamina. More stamina would do nothing. +Morale: do I need more morale? I am already able to reach the final tier of morale. The extra food can be used at a Crafting Still to make ethanol or beer and either sold for influence or made into strong painkillers. THAT is the real use for the extra food, not more stamina and morale when we have enough.
@@GitGudFox tbf, I'll always take more stamina. But I'm also a basic standard zone noob that doesn't know how to optomise properly. I quite enjoy the kitchen. I guess ones mileage varies. I play very differently to you, I think. It's good to watch a different approach. The base reviews were all good and informative, even if I have different preferences. My usage from the kitchen tends to come from the craftables. The passives are a nice bonus, some of the mods are fun to play with. Good luck out there. o7, Survivor
It's one of the top 3 bases in the game I'd say. Something I still don't like about it though are the lack of outdoor slots. Outdoor slots are the only place you can build stills, and sometimes I like the ability to construct multiple stills to mass produce items. It also means you couldn't do a garden/still at the same time. You'd have to use a hydroponics which means also investing in utilities which is another 5th skill slot.
I am a bit behind on this series (around ep. 75) and there has been some talk about the best hero bonuses. Is hygiene standards hero bonus any good? It is 100% infection resistance but I remember you made a comment in a video that there is a difference in resistances. Eg. Primary care vs. pathologist 5th skill vs. hero bonus for the group and blood plague survivor/incredible immune system traits. Can you lay it out for us? Thanks!
I'd have to read the exact writing. 1 of them gives you like "more plague HP" so to speak. The other gives you a chance to ignore a plague source. So they do different things.
Drucker County is my favorite map, apart from Trumbull. Idk what it is, but I think its uniqueness is what draws me to it. But I understand why people don't like the map... Guess I like the added difficulty.
@@GitGudFox If that's what you think, I respect your opinion. But you gotta acknowledge that you're really bad at driving/traveling through the maps; also using the Impaler only make things worse.
Why do I have to acknowledge that? I get a lot done in a 30 minute episode. If I actually was bad a driving, I wouldn't be able to accomplish the quantity of tasks that I can. I also seldom run over bloaters or even allow my vehicle to be destroyed, so I don't agree with the characterization that I'm not good at driving at all. I may drive haphazardly at times, and that's because I hate driving and just want to be there ASAP. When my character has BP, I drove carefully and deliberately as speed is less important than accuracy.
I love the mall especially for builders final,it offers excellent protection against the final siege but like the fire station in Providence ridge it has too many permanent stuff
One of my favorite bases, not a fan of the map that much. My only complaints would be that the roof area isn't used. Why not stick a watch tower/look out up there? Another thing is the permanent facilities. They're "ok" but I wish they were clearable if you wanted other things.
They're designed that way to have a sort of facility balance. 8 is sort of the magic number for facilities. The game typically doesn't like to go beyond 8 facilities. Whitney Field = 3 Large / 5 Small Farm Compound = 4 Large / 4 Small Lumber = 5 Large / 3 Small That seems to be the balance they go around. What they need to do is just abandon the limited base concept altogether.
@@GitGudFox Yeah I get the whole balance thing they're going for BUT additional space should be unlockable with the build up of materials/labor/etc to get more room. It'd be awesome to expand bases like the drive-in or corner office. It's just wishlist ideas at this point, I doubt they'll do any major changes like this in SOD2 maybe in 3 they'll have things like this. Thanks for all the content Fox!
I am still not sure, do you like Drucker or no ;) But seriously, Providence Ridge has at least at much driving as Drucker, but if you don't like the map then you don't like the map. Regarding Cuisine, when maxed, gives 6 morale, 15% influence gained, and you can make a feast for very little food which give 10 morale and 20 stamina. That's pretty good if you can pull it off early game. Lastly, I am sad that you're using the pyro launcher. That weapon basically renders zombies useless and you might as well just be playing on a green zone.
If I don't use the pyrolauncher, I run the risk of burning myself out of the game because I've been playing since day 1. I get REALLY tired of killing endless ranks of zombies 1 by 1 with normal weaponry. I already did a hardcore Lethal Zone playthrough to demonstrate I am not reliant on the pyrolauncher, so I don't feel any need to illustrate my skill in the game any farther.
Nah, no need for cooking. I have over a dozen Lethal Zone playthroughs without any deaths, and I never use cooking unless I am specifically showing people what it does which is rarely. The only skill I think is essential is mechanic, and even that you can play without. I did a quirk 5th skills playthrough where I could only use stuff like animal facts, sports trivia etc, fresh start on lethal zone with handicaps like no OP DLC, and I still didn't die. I didn't use cooking either.
I'd like to add that I'm not even sure if a skill could be described as "essential" as I don't think the game is hard enough to really command you to absolutely take certain skills. I could say some skills are SUPER good like... Automechanic Pathology Surgery Pharmacology But you COULD still play without those.
roleplaying talking . witney field is the 1 you would not want to be , but yes it's the best , also if u need material in the first map there is a sawmill that is pretty good to farm material
The Barricaded Strip Mall, a base that could make a spot in the top 3, BUT it has some drawbacks including being in the terrible Drucker County map.
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What about the base in southern meagher valley
@@musicking1408 I am guessing the top 3 being whitney, then Farmland, then Barricaded Strip-Mall.
@@METALFREAK03 probably but the south-eastern base in trumbull valley is kinda good too
@@musicking1408 Fort Marshall has a lot of built ins, not a lot of freedom to build
@@ProxMackintosh I mean its okay for me
Ducker County is fun to hang around for awhile but not ideal if staying a long period of time.
What I have decided is my forever community will switch map and difficulty for each season, Summer > Providence Ridge, Fall > Trumbull Valley/Meagher Valley, Winter > Ducker County, Spring > Cascade Hills
The theme is when our real world weather is hot, I will play in a rather cool weather map, and during winter time to feel 'the heat' from Ducker County. :D
That's dope.
Drunker is fine for me. Driving is a pain but I just go with the fact that it is a desert mountainous environment and that's what it is. Pretty boring if all the maps were flat and easy to get around.
I love Drucker County. Don’t know why everyone hates it.
It's the only map in the game that had to be remodeled by the devs to add more shortcuts into it because it's an awful driving experience.
Everyone play differently, that's why~
For me it's not the map, it's just my driving skill is bad. I got stuck a lot while trying to take short cut. While taking the main road takes longer, consume lot of fuel and still got stuck a lot.
The people that hate it typically do so because of the driving issues
@@AntASurvival Yes. Unless you have the jeep or 4x4 truck, Drucker is annoying and I love using the trail beast so Drucker is perfect for me and the landmark is the best in my opinion also giving more plague resistance. I'm also a huge fan of Dawn of the Dead so the mall is so damn nostalgic to me.
IMO, the Kitchen and Latrine each count as half a small facility, so together they equal 1. Also, the upgraded Latrine (with Plumbing) should confer a bonus to Infection Resistance.
I've said it before and I'll say it again-I love Drucker County
The Barricaded Strip Mall has been one of my favorites since the game released.
I am a drucker county nostalgia guy. It was the first map I ever played on. Driving around is a pain in the ass though!
You can use the kitchen to use seeds to produce two food every 15 or so minutes to then use that food with your Steels to produce craft beer to use then at your trade Depot for influence so the so the kitchen is not all about morale and you can also craft energy drinks which you also can sell if you get too many
You could just sell the seeds. The seeds sell pretty decently like 7-9 influence each.
Kitchen is great if you don't have meal planners. Just find a nutrition dude and spam rationing. Penalties from that is ignorable. Nutrition also gives +10 hp and stamina which is great.
Nah, the kitchen is not great even without meal planners. You're basically enacting rationing to try and save food in order to spend food to counteract the penalties. It's not great.
Sports Trivia: +20 Stam no need to spend food
Sewing: +10 HP / +1 Stack Size no need to spend food.
Plumbing: +20 Stam and morale from a facility that doesn't consume food
Surgery: +20HP
Pathology: +50 Infection Resistance
There are so much drastically better skills than nutrition, and there are so many better uses of your community that trying to use a self defeating facility like the kitchen.
It's why I don't use the kitchen even in non-meal plan / hardcore playthroughs. It's not great.
@@GitGudFox I don't spend food to counteract penalties. With nutrition penalties are really ignorable. Rationing is just a way to pass early game without food problems. During the late game you have other alternatives.
The skills you mentioned are good too. I try to keep them if I can. I never say no to a meal planner nutrition dude. I find quite a lot of cooking characters with meal plan. Single handedly solves the food problem.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Nutrition reduces the stamina penalty from -15 to -5. That isn't even relevant. You'd start with 85 stamina base which is like playing a character with a minor stamina injury. You're wasting an entire character slot to negate a -10 stamina penalty.
You're using a crap skill to solve a problem that doesn't need the kitchen. You solve food with outposts. You get 2 food per outpost level on Lethal, and food is one of the only outposts even worth obtaining in the first place alongside cell towers and maybe fuel outposts.
This is a bad strategy. It's wasteful. It gains very little for how few character slots you can have.
As of my first playthrough on this map, I have vowed to never choose this map again
I admit. Mike's Concrete is my favorite overall base to stay in Drucker County because it's central... but I get your point about it being not the best map. I also love Cascade Hills' Corner Office because it's the same situation and the ease of setting up a 'safe zone', but it just feels cramped with a group large enough to really secure the area. It's a base that really should have two large slots for all you can do with it.
Mike's concrete is the best mid game base out of all the maps in my opinion. The central location is even more useful on drucker, and it has a fuel outpost right beside it so you can guarantee yourself a base an an outpost by only removing one heart which makes a big difference on harder difficulties. The entire base is designed to combat the challenge of the map, from the fuel storage, to the autoshop to the location of the base with the outpost right next to it. My very first playthrough many years ago was through drucker, I wanted to move into the wheelhouse truckstop, but went the wrong way and ended up at Mike's. Been my favorite base since that fateful day
Hey Fox I don't know if I've just missed your videos on them or there's an actual reason you've said but base review videos on the Prescott fire station, the lundgaard lumber mill and trumball valley's bases would be appreciated, I'm aware youve done separate videos on those bases as a part of your actual gameplay videos but they would be nice to find on your building playlist.
The next map will be Providence Ridge.
The one thing I hate about this base is that little door area in the back is a death trap for NPCs during sieges (if you actually stay at base during). I once had three get stuck in there at once and die from bloater gas. I heard explosion but didn't catch it until siege was over. I have been blocking that door since.
This map is the worst to traverse around and for me, the easiest way to deal with the map is to gather 5 more survivors while at the Vogel House (6 beds, kitchen, built-in bathroom and three small outdoor slots) and I just use one of the houses in the neighborhood to provide the extra bedding until the community reaches 8. I used to base hop on this map, but not anymore. The mall is so easy to seal up from behind and if you don't have the builder (amenities) legacy, there is a water pump station right behind the mall. Also, I love the rooftop access which gives you a complete 360 view of the surrounding area. If you have Daybreak points, three of the four RT facilities will open up all three big slots for all those facilities that you need for legacy quests. My favorite combination is the Trade Post, Lounge 3, and Sniper Tower (Haven Device if you have the capsule). I normally use a Still 2 or Hydroponics for the outdoor small spot. Of all the big bases, I appreciate this one the most because the map is such a struggle compared to the other four.
I thought maybe the shortcuts would change my mind about Drucker County, but they didn't. It's still a miserable driving experience.
@@GitGudFox The only way I can do this map without yanking hair from my receding hairline is to get a jeep. If the map doesn't spawn one, I pray for the Prepper Aunt quest to appear. Anything that is low to the ground is just frustrating. It's the only map where I don't use the Impaler or Zedbuster. The plows constantly force me to back up or stick strictly to the roads.
@@griffonclaw the Trumbull 4x4 excels at this map, get it before the bounty expires tmr!
@@ProxMackintosh Thank you! That is a great vehicle too!
I completely agree. I'm just not a fan of Drucker county. It can certainly use a few more main roads and some more places to loot. How about making the hospital more accessible by putting a road that leads to the back of it. Plus, the top left of the map is practically empty. Maybe they can put more loot in random places to reward people who are willing to explore.
It feels like such a waste of time to have to drive around so much when you could play on a simpler map.
I'm psyched for Providence.
Already recorded it! It'll be out probably tomorrow.
Just moved there with a legacy group on lethal... went straight to lundegaard lumber Mill... arrived to a 3 minute seige so thought "hey ho" run up the haven and add another 5 minutes! Still. All is quiet now just another 30 plague hearts to go
The zombies in this game are like the aliens in the bodysnatchers, they just run over and scream at you.
It'd be nice if we could have a smaller base somewhere outside of the living base to do all the still and gardening etc.... and have a small sleeping quarters there etc... as well for those whom ate better fit for that skill set requirement a such
One reason to have a kitchen and a nutritionist is to use rationing if you don't have a meal planner squad. The other is to churn out Energy Drinks then dismantle it and swap out the cook.
You could do that, but I think a better option is to just build food outposts. You don't even need to level them up. Each food outpost is 2 food on Lethal Zone. I just make like 3-5 of them.
Yes, food and signal outposts are my main go to things. One possible slot in the community goes to a lichenologist.
Commenting for algorithm. Just finished this episode. Almost caught up again. Lol
Astute observations as usual
I don't get the hate for Drucker County. Just drive on the roads, honestly. It has everything I want for my fresh start lethal playthroughs: very strong start, multiple very strong bases (incl. KFD), strong landmark outpost, multiple military sites to scavenge, multiple areas with concentrated/dense looting. To throw all of that away because the driving is a bit inconvenient just seems unreasonable to me. And for the driving, it's a great map for the trail beast (Prepper's Aunt). There are other vehicles than just the impaler 😊 Sure, Meagher Valley is an easier map with stronger stuff, but it's kinda easy mode for lethal and it's nice to have variety. Cascade Hills is the map I've had to work hard to enjoy, but it's grown on me finally.
Because it's too much driving. It's one of those things where you might not understand why others dislike it, but you should accept that the majority of players hate it for the excessive driving.
That's just how most of us feel. I absolutely detest Drucker County for example.
@@GitGudFox I burn easily as much fuel on Cascade Hills and Paradise Ridge and those maps don't have some of the redeeming things that Drucker has. I do accept that people don't like the driving. It's just a shame because there's otherwise a lot to love about Drucker.
The shortcuts where on the map from the release of the game. Drucker County was the second map I played. I made sure that I looked for them during daylight and then remembered them. I did my last sheriff playthrough on Drucker and had no problems remembering them.
Wrong: support.stateofdecay.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046952891-Update-19-Patch-Notes
Here are the patch notes for adding shortcuts into Drucker County post launch. I will copy and paste the exact segment.
"Since Drucker County has never been the friendliest place for vehicles, we also prioritized a better driving experience. Our team smoothed out terrain, removing several tons of rocks that interfered with off-road travel or created frustrating dead ends. We added new dirt roads that show up on the Map screen to highlight easier routes. Finally, we placed signage, fences, and other visual guides to help drivers stay safe."
Yeah this map. Treat the roads more like suggestions. Just drive across the gorge by your starter base and drive up the hill behind Sasser.
This map you gotta plan your routes or you gonna waste gas and time.
Which is why mikes concrete is one of the best bases on the map for location. Especially good. if you don't have Amenities.
It's one of the maps where both automechanic and driving aren't considered unreasonable.
@@GitGudFox can't argue that the devs made changes. Dug out a notebook on the game from June 2018. Game bugs reports and also my impression of Drucker County and a hand drawn map showing shortcuts. I still knew a load of shortcuts past the valley, down the mountain, over fields etc... Then again I wasn't on a clock trying to get content out 🤘
Drucker county is my second favorite map next to meagher valley. Yes, the shortcuts make a big difference but also the vehicle. Just so happens your favorite ride gets stuck on every speed bump so makes for a more frustrating experience. I dislike that spike mobile more than any map for that reason.
This, a military truck makes a difference lol
I’m just so upset that it doesn’t have a built in watchtower. Every other map has at least one large base that has one, except Drucker County.
the watch towers are actually really bad. There's a great state of decay youtuber called RvID and he's done a lot of in-game research surrounding it. The AI utilising watchtowers is awful and can like actually halve the efficiency of your base's defensive capabilities. Just food for thought
@@waah5901 Interesting I’ll check it out thanks
I kinda like Drucker County. I know pretty much all shortcuts and like the bases and landmark in the map. I think the hospital is the best landmark. Also this map has much more materials than other maps because all fuel locations have a possibility for a second materials rucksack. Meagher Valley is too green for me. I don't like that tone in zombie/post-apocalypse games. Also I dislike the location of Whitney Field. As soon as that influence farming exploit is fixed, most people will ditch Meagher Valley for Trumbull Valley I feel.
I don't think the location of Whitney Field matters when the map is so easy to drive in.
Also, you've been able to farm sieges in Whitney Field for years. What you're doing is assuming its an exploit and not an intended game mechanic.
@@GitGudFox it's definetely an exploit. There should be a cooldown or something. Twice a day maybe. Devs ignored it to this day.
I refuse to acknowledge it as an intended game mechanic until devs call it so. It's bonkers.
An exploit is a cunning use of unintended game mechanics that are an oversight by the developers such as a duplication glitch.
Is Plague Hearts supplies also an exploit because a 150 influence, 10 minute cooldown ability that gives you 2 rucksacks plus some strong painkillers and first aid kits, ability wildly overpowered?
Or is it just a powerful ability?
@@GitGudFox there is a difference between those. You won't convince me on this issue. That exploit single handedly removes the 90% of the difficulty. You no longer need to complete quests, loot, risk lives etc. All the influence in the world and you don't even need to stay in the base during "siege". It's a joke. I don't get how can devs ignore this. They nerf slightly strong trade depot but don't touch the most broken thing in the game.
You could always do that even without Whitney Field.
It's not hard to make your base self-sustainable with no resources losses. Throw in a Haven Device and AFK in your base.
Once you're self-sustainable you...
Don't have to complete quests.
Don't have to go looting.
Don't have to risk lives.
AND, you can do it in a much less expensive base than Whitney Field.
Etc. You can literally AFK in whichever base you like.
I can't understand how you wouldn't lean into the kitchen with this hero build. Surely the meal planners give the extra food to be able to make use of the kitchen?
It's very simple. What use would I get out of the kitchen?
+Stamina: do I need more stamina? I have huge stamina. More stamina would do nothing.
+Morale: do I need more morale? I am already able to reach the final tier of morale.
The extra food can be used at a Crafting Still to make ethanol or beer and either sold for influence or made into strong painkillers. THAT is the real use for the extra food, not more stamina and morale when we have enough.
@@GitGudFox tbf, I'll always take more stamina. But I'm also a basic standard zone noob that doesn't know how to optomise properly. I quite enjoy the kitchen. I guess ones mileage varies. I play very differently to you, I think. It's good to watch a different approach. The base reviews were all good and informative, even if I have different preferences. My usage from the kitchen tends to come from the craftables. The passives are a nice bonus, some of the mods are fun to play with.
Good luck out there. o7, Survivor
Best base in the game!
shame about the map (IMO)
@@METALFREAK03 nope
Agreed. Also love that hospital. Map does suck but the base and hospital rules
Fox, let me ask you this. How would you feel about the barricaded strip mall if it was on a different map, one that you like?
It's one of the top 3 bases in the game I'd say. Something I still don't like about it though are the lack of outdoor slots.
Outdoor slots are the only place you can build stills, and sometimes I like the ability to construct multiple stills to mass produce items.
It also means you couldn't do a garden/still at the same time. You'd have to use a hydroponics which means also investing in utilities which is another 5th skill slot.
I am a bit behind on this series (around ep. 75) and there has been some talk about the best hero bonuses. Is hygiene standards hero bonus any good? It is 100% infection resistance but I remember you made a comment in a video that there is a difference in resistances. Eg. Primary care vs. pathologist 5th skill vs. hero bonus for the group and blood plague survivor/incredible immune system traits. Can you lay it out for us? Thanks!
I'd have to read the exact writing.
1 of them gives you like "more plague HP" so to speak.
The other gives you a chance to ignore a plague source.
So they do different things.
@@GitGudFox OK I get it, so they are both good in different ways. Thank you.
Drucker County is my favorite map, apart from Trumbull. Idk what it is, but I think its uniqueness is what draws me to it. But I understand why people don't like the map... Guess I like the added difficulty.
Counting to 1 billion is challenging for being a pointless task that is pure tedium. That is the “challenge” of DC driving.
@@GitGudFox If that's what you think, I respect your opinion. But you gotta acknowledge that you're really bad at driving/traveling through the maps; also using the Impaler only make things worse.
Why do I have to acknowledge that? I get a lot done in a 30 minute episode. If I actually was bad a driving, I wouldn't be able to accomplish the quantity of tasks that I can.
I also seldom run over bloaters or even allow my vehicle to be destroyed, so I don't agree with the characterization that I'm not good at driving at all.
I may drive haphazardly at times, and that's because I hate driving and just want to be there ASAP. When my character has BP, I drove carefully and deliberately as speed is less important than accuracy.
@@GitGudFox You're missing the point, but nevermind. The driving mechanics of this game are so janky, thats not worthy discussing either way.
Why does my still level 2 not have the option for craft beer jw.
Shouldn't be any reason why it can't unless you haven't updated your game.
Drucker is 1 of the best maps
I'm just mad that we don't have a city map
Just noticed the clinic is called Quik-er lol
Yeah, we diagnose you as fast as possible. Accuracy not included.
I love the mall especially for builders final,it offers excellent protection against the final siege but like the fire station in Providence ridge it has too many permanent stuff
But unlike the fire station it doesn’t have any built in defense
The Firestation is ideal for people who aren't using amenities.
One of my favorite bases, not a fan of the map that much. My only complaints would be that the roof area isn't used. Why not stick a watch tower/look out up there? Another thing is the permanent facilities. They're "ok" but I wish they were clearable if you wanted other things.
They're designed that way to have a sort of facility balance. 8 is sort of the magic number for facilities. The game typically doesn't like to go beyond 8 facilities.
Whitney Field = 3 Large / 5 Small
Farm Compound = 4 Large / 4 Small
Lumber = 5 Large / 3 Small
That seems to be the balance they go around.
What they need to do is just abandon the limited base concept altogether.
@@GitGudFox Yeah I get the whole balance thing they're going for BUT additional space should be unlockable with the build up of materials/labor/etc to get more room. It'd be awesome to expand bases like the drive-in or corner office. It's just wishlist ideas at this point, I doubt they'll do any major changes like this in SOD2 maybe in 3 they'll have things like this. Thanks for all the content Fox!
I am still not sure, do you like Drucker or no ;)
But seriously, Providence Ridge has at least at much driving as Drucker, but if you don't like the map then you don't like the map.
Regarding Cuisine, when maxed, gives 6 morale, 15% influence gained, and you can make a feast for very little food which give 10 morale and 20 stamina. That's pretty good if you can pull it off early game.
Lastly, I am sad that you're using the pyro launcher. That weapon basically renders zombies useless and you might as well just be playing on a green zone.
If I don't use the pyrolauncher, I run the risk of burning myself out of the game because I've been playing since day 1. I get REALLY tired of killing endless ranks of zombies 1 by 1 with normal weaponry.
I already did a hardcore Lethal Zone playthrough to demonstrate I am not reliant on the pyrolauncher, so I don't feel any need to illustrate my skill in the game any farther.
but Brian menard says cooking is essential
Nah, no need for cooking. I have over a dozen Lethal Zone playthroughs without any deaths, and I never use cooking unless I am specifically showing people what it does which is rarely.
The only skill I think is essential is mechanic, and even that you can play without.
I did a quirk 5th skills playthrough where I could only use stuff like animal facts, sports trivia etc, fresh start on lethal zone with handicaps like no OP DLC, and I still didn't die.
I didn't use cooking either.
I'd like to add that I'm not even sure if a skill could be described as "essential" as I don't think the game is hard enough to really command you to absolutely take certain skills.
I could say some skills are SUPER good like...
Automechanic
Pathology
Surgery
Pharmacology
But you COULD still play without those.
No skill is essential, they just either are good to have or just ok.
You can absolutely beat the game with no skills or just all animal facts, lol.
Is there no way you can take a break from state of decay? I feel bad that you seem so jaded with the game.
Second
roleplaying talking . witney field is the 1 you would not want to be , but yes it's the best , also if u need material in the first map there is a sawmill that is pretty good to farm material