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15.2. Crafting Overview

Artisans begin the game with the ability to craft a limited number of basic objects. Crafting requires three things: a schematic of the object you want to craft, the components necessary to build the item, and a crafting device of some kind.

SCHEMATICS
Schematics are basically blueprints for anything you can build. They include designs for weapons and other devices, recipes for foodstuffs, and patterns for items of clothing.

Access your list of schematics through your Datapad ( CTRL+ D keys) . Double-clicking on any schematic will bring up a description of that item, along with a list of the resources and other components required to build that object. You can also view your schematics through your crafting device ( see Crafting Devices below).

COMPONENTS & RESOURCES
Every item in the game requires specific components to craft. In many instances, these components will simply be resources. To craft a survival knife, for example, you might need several units of metal and a few units of polymer materials. Resources are found in the environment and can be extracted as described in Surveying and Harvesting Resources.

More complex items are actually composed from other crafted objects, or a combination of resources and crafted components. A blaster requires some resources, but also calls for a power cell, which is a separate craftable item. To build a blaster, you must first build ( or buy) a power cell.

Some items allow for optional components (you might be able to add spices to a meat stew or a scope to a rifle) . These components are not required to complete the item, but may enhance the final product in some way. You can view the components required for any item by reviewing that object' s schematic in your Datapad ( CTRL + D keys) or through a crafting device.

CRAFTING DEVICES
If you start the game as an Artisan, you' ll find a "generic crafting tool" in your Inventory. These tools can be purchased in the game from other players.

The generic crafting tool only allows you to assemble simple items. To construct larger or more complex items, you must visit stationary crafting stations ( located in almost every major city) . Each type of item has its own dedicated crafting station ( you can' t prepare food items at a clothing crafting station, for example).

BASIC CRAFTING
To build a simple item, double-click on your generic crafting tool or select Start Crafting from the device' s radial menu. Once the crafting device is activated, it will provide a list of items that you can build with the tool ( to access additional schematics, you must use crafting stations) . Schematics are organized by type: weapons, foods, clothing, etc.

Browse your schematics and click the MOUSE 1 button on the item you want to build. Click on Next to begin assembling the item.

The Assembly screen allows you to place components into your schematic. When you open a schematic, your available resources and components will appear in a window on the left side of the screen.

Each schematic has "slots" for specific components. When you click on an available component or resource, any slots that can hold that type of component will glow green.

Click-and-drag components into the appropriate schematic slots or double-click on the components to allow the crafting device to automatically assign them to an appropriate slot.

Like characters, each resource and component has its own set of attributes that directly affect the quality of the object you' re crafting. Some metals are more durable than others, for example. Putting a very durable metal into a blaster schematic is likely to result in a very durable blaster.

After assigning components to a schematic, click on the Assemble button.

After clicking the Assemble button, you will attempt to construct the item. Whether or not you can successfully build the item depends upon your skills and the item' s complexity.

Unless you suffer a Critical Failure, you will eventually produce a version of the object. However, if you suffer a Critical Failure, you won' t complete the item, and the resources you assigned to the schematic will be destroyed and lost forever! Assuming you were successful at your crafting attempt, you will receive a message when your item is complete. Unless your Inventory is full, the item will be transferred there.

EXPERIMENTATION
More experienced crafters will gain the ability to experiment. Experimentation provides a chance to change the original design to increase an item' s effectiveness.

On the Experimentation screen, you can identify variables you want to improve ( damage or range for a blaster, perhaps) . Experimenting will increase an item' s complexity, reducing your chances of successfully creating the item.

PROTOTYPES & MANUFACTURING SCHEMATICS
When using a generic crafting tool, you produce an actual object that can be used by you or others ( a "prototype") . However, while at a crafting station you have the option of creating a manufacturing schematic instead. A manufacturing schematic can be used with specific structures to mass-produce the item.

CRAFTING ADVANCEMENT
To improve as an Artisan or other crafter, you need to earn Crafting XP. You earn some Crafting XP whenever someone uses an item you create.

Click here to go to our game designer Advanced Crafting Guide.

 

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