From Gravestones to Glory: Mastering the Mid-Game After Opening the Church in Graveyard Keeper

So, you’ve finally unlocked the church in Graveyard Keeper! Congratulations! The rickety doors swing open, revealing…well, a whole lot of potential. But potential can be overwhelming. The key is to focus. After opening the church, your immediate goal should be to establish a consistent income stream and improve your church rating to unlock further advancements. Begin by crafting candles and incense, performing your first sermon, and strategizing your sermon topics to match the desires of your attendees. Prioritize upgrading your church’s interior with decorations and amenities to attract more visitors and increase their tithe offerings.

Conquering the Mid-Game: A Step-by-Step Guide

The initial thrill of opening the church quickly gives way to the realization that you’re not exactly rolling in dough just yet. This stage is all about building a sustainable economic engine and pushing towards the next tier of crafting and technology. Here’s a breakdown of key tasks:

• Mastering Sermons: Your sermons are your primary source of income. Experiment with different sermon topics (Pride, Greed, Wrath, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Envy) to find which ones resonate with your parishioners. Pay attention to the symbols above their heads – these indicate their desires. Match your sermon to these desires for maximum efficiency. Crafting higher-quality paper for your sermons will also significantly boost their effectiveness.

• Tithe Collection Optimization: The amount of tithe you collect is directly related to your church rating. Higher rating means wealthier attendees and larger donations. Invest in upgrading your pews, confessionals, and other church furniture. The Church Certificate (obtained through quests) can further enhance your income.

• Crafting and Resource Management: Now is the time to streamline your crafting processes. Automate as much as possible using technologies like the autopicks in the garden and efficient furnaces in the backyard. Begin producing higher-tier resources like steel, complex parts, and electronics. These will be crucial for future quests and upgrades.

• Cultivating Relationships: Continue to build relationships with the various NPCs in the game. Completing their quests unlocks new technologies, recipes, and access to valuable resources. Pay special attention to the Astrologer and Snake, as their storylines provide significant advantages.

• Technology Tree Exploration: Focus on unlocking technologies related to the church, crafting, and resource processing. Prioritize upgrades that increase efficiency, automation, and access to higher-tier materials. Technologies like alchemy and advanced metallurgy are essential for progressing further.

• Graveyard Maintenance: Don’t neglect your original duty! Maintaining a high graveyard quality is still important. Focus on creating marble fences and tombstones to improve the overall aesthetic. Use the embalming table to prepare bodies for burial and remove any negative traits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Post-Church Graveyard Keeper

Here are some common questions that players have after unlocking the church, along with detailed answers to help you navigate this crucial stage of the game.

1. How do I increase my Church Rating quickly?

The key to a better church rating is upgrading the interior with decorations, furniture, and amenities. Craft items like candles, incense, and statues to improve the aesthetic appeal. Upgrading the pews and confessional will also significantly boost your rating. Don’t forget to repair any damaged items!

2. Which sermon topic is the best for making money?

There isn’t a single “best” sermon topic. The ideal sermon depends on the desires of your parishioners, indicated by the symbols above their heads. Match your sermon to their desires for maximum effectiveness. Pride and Greed sermons are often popular choices, but experiment to find what works best for your audience.

3. How often should I perform sermons?

You can perform sermons once per week, on Sunday. Make sure you’re prepared with high-quality paper and a sermon that matches the desires of your parishioners to maximize your income.

4. What are the benefits of building relationships with NPCs after opening the church?

Building relationships unlocks new quests, recipes, and access to valuable resources. Completing quests for the Astrologer, Snake, and other NPCs is crucial for progressing the story and gaining access to advanced technologies.

5. How do I unlock the Church Certificate and what does it do?

The Church Certificate is obtained through a quest line involving the Bishop. Completing this quest grants you the certificate, which significantly increases the amount of tithe you receive during sermons.

6. What resources should I prioritize crafting in the mid-game?

Focus on crafting steel, complex parts, electronics, and high-quality paper. These resources are essential for unlocking advanced technologies and completing quests. Invest in automation to streamline the crafting process.

7. How do I deal with bodies that have negative traits?

Use the embalming table to remove negative traits from bodies. This will improve the quality of your graveyard and prevent it from negatively impacting your church rating.

8. What is the best way to improve my graveyard quality?

Improve your graveyard quality by crafting marble fences, tombstones, and crosses. Regularly maintain your graveyard by removing weeds and repairing any damaged structures. A high-quality graveyard contributes to a positive overall reputation.

9. How do I unlock alchemy and what is it used for?

Alchemy is unlocked through the Technology Tree. Alchemy allows you to create potions and other valuable items that can be used for healing, boosting stats, and completing quests. It’s a crucial skill for progressing through the game.

10. Where can I find ingredients for alchemy?

Ingredients for alchemy can be found by foraging in the forest, farming in your garden, and purchasing from various NPCs. Explore the different areas of the game to discover new sources of ingredients.

11. How do I automate resource gathering and crafting?

Automate resource gathering and crafting by unlocking technologies like the autopicks in the garden, automated furnaces, and other crafting stations. These technologies will significantly reduce the amount of time you spend on repetitive tasks.

12. What should I do with the Dungeon?

Exploring and clearing the Dungeon is a good way to collect rare resources and items. Be prepared for combat and bring plenty of healing items. The Dungeon also contains secrets and lore that can add to your understanding of the game’s story.

13. How do I get more blue experience points?

Blue experience points are primarily earned through researching items at the study table. You’ll need to create science points by crafting specific items like paper and books. Efficiently producing science points is key to unlocking advanced technologies.

14. What are the best investments for increasing my income beyond tithes?

Beyond tithes, consider investing in other income streams like selling crafted items, producing and selling alcohol at the tavern (once unlocked), and completing quests for NPCs. Diversifying your income is essential for long-term financial stability.

15. What are some common mistakes players make after opening the church?

Common mistakes include neglecting graveyard maintenance, focusing solely on sermons without upgrading the church interior, failing to build relationships with NPCs, and not investing in automation. Avoid these pitfalls by following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide.

Opening the church is just the beginning of your journey in Graveyard Keeper. By focusing on establishing a consistent income stream, improving your church rating, and unlocking advanced technologies, you can transform your humble graveyard into a thriving business empire. Remember to embrace the game’s dark humor and enjoy the ride! You may want to consider learning how to code educational games. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org is an excellent resource for this.