User:Byte Me/sandbox

Gaming the Game

What isn't covered

 * This doesn't really address the modding issues that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha games are noted for.
 * There are plenty of resources at ModDB for all sorts of addon chicanery (link) that modify the game or the player's actor for various unearned properties.
 * An excellent resource on this wiki that broaches how you can DIY your own personal mod may be found in Browsing the gamefiles and its companion article Tweaking the game.
 * With that understood, you can play YOUR version of the game in the privacy of your own home setting and have as much fun as you deserve.
 * And here's the rub: in all likelihood YOU are the only player of YOUR mod.
 * (OK, if it's a really useful mod and reintroduces various missing plotlines that were mangled by the Devs - you'll get a Memorial star on some pavement) Good luck with that too.
 * The bottom line is that modding the vanilla game becomes counterproductive and effectively atomizes the player fane. Everyone plays in their own little gulag or echo chamber.

What is covered

 * You wake up in a wooly jumper with NOTHING. Get given a dumb task to kill yourself and pick up some junk from a nearby cupboard.
 * You didn't sign up to play "Misery Mod" anything. You have fond memories of running to the end of LA v1.3003 just with a scoped Akm 74/2 that you won in perfect condition off some bandit sniper.
 * All gone.
 * You will need to bone up on Placements and the daughter articles, Weapon Placements, Armour Placements and Item Placements. Knowing about Artifact Placements and Artifact Spawns will also help.
 * Knowing about Nimble, working for him, and exploiting him as much as he exploits you is also useful.
 * The bottom line HERE is that there is more than enough on the board as you wake up into the game to get you to the end of the game without having to do very much.
 * All you need is a strategy based upon your personal preferences or mindset.
 * The beauty of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha is that ANY of these strategies can be coerced into a satisfactory game conclusion.
 * They will also "mix and match" in a smorgasbord of gameplay too.

The Cheat

 * Remembers the Cheating Stalker's Guide For Jumping The Levels.
 * Console jumps to "la13u_oso" - gains ten Skill points one minute after waking up and effectively enters Freeplay.
 * Good luck getting to the end of the game - that you just ended...

The Tourist

 * I'm here at last!! - I'll just see what happens...
 * You'll probably get Radiation poisoning and not be able to deal with it.

Rambo Reincarnated

 * "Best of luck!"
 * Yeah, this was more practical in the Base Game where damage was less deadly.
 * It's still a possible option for the Winter Soldier player.
 * Bring / find / loot plenty of ammo...

The Artifact Expert

 * Obviously a section dedicated to geeks. Any version.
 * Clearly Artifacts and Artifact Parameters were diligently studied while finding out where useful Artifact Placements are located.
 * Used appropriately, Artifact Spawns will work in the player's favour both t upgrade their "immunity sets" and to fob the rubbish off to the best payer (Sakharov) as it becomes obsolescent.

The Side Mission Slave

 * Works for others.
 * Gets paid a pittance.
 * Useful in the early game to raise funds. Less useful for gaining rank and reputation points as versions advance.
 * Useful in other mid-game storyline 'side missions' for opportunistic cash and skill points and various Artifacts.

Loot Junkie

 * Grabs everything.
 * Creates little.
 * Pads the "survivor" section of Xray PDA Skills module to gain Stash info.
 * Makes immense lootpiles of all and sundry crap - and drives round later to bag it.
 * (How do I know? - Because this was my principle strategy up to and including 1.4002)

The Trader Stalker

 * Generally looks to advance the balance sheet.
 * Not open to exploit after 1.4002 (pad the "barter" and pass a "fixed-price" item back and forth)

Scrap Merchant

 * Lumbers in with useless weapons to a Trader.
 * Only really works with Sidorovich at the bottom of the map.
 * Even he refuses real trash.
 * Weapons are heavy - the pay is poor - acquiring them is hazardous (one bullet kills you)
 * It helps pay the bills. See "Loot Junkie" above.

The Pragmatic Opportunist

 * Uses all of the above strategies to best advantage depending upon
 * 1) Situation
 * 2) Ability
 * 3) Resources