Securing Your Sanctuary: A Guide to Home Defense in This War of Mine
The biting wind howls, the distant gunfire echoes, and the ever-present threat of violence lingers in the air. In This War of Mine, your shelter isn’t just a home; it’s the last bastion of hope against a brutal world. Securing it effectively is the difference between survival and a swift, agonizing end. So, how do you secure your house in This War of Mine?
The answer is multifaceted and requires a combination of layered defenses, strategic resource management, and careful allocation of your survivors. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, as the optimal strategy shifts depending on your resources, the current season, and even the mood of the city. However, certain principles remain constant.
First and foremost, manpower is your primary defense. Assigning survivors to guard duty dramatically reduces the likelihood of a successful raid. The more guards you have, the safer you are. Two guards are generally sufficient for most situations, but during events like the “Outbreak of Crime,” three guards are highly recommended.
Next, you need to fortify your physical defenses. The game offers a progression of upgrades:
- Board Ups: Constructing Board Ups over the open areas in your shelter walls is a crucial early step. These significantly increase the difficulty for raiders to break in, buying you precious time for your guards to react. An upgraded workbench is needed to create these. Board Up three open areas in the shelter walls.
- Reinforced Door: The ultimate physical defense, the Reinforced Door, requires an Advanced Workshop and all three Board Ups to be completed. It’s the last line of defense and provides a substantial deterrent to even the most determined attackers.
- Alarm Tripwire: Placed strategically at key entry points, Alarm Tripwires provide early warning of incoming raiders, giving your guards time to prepare.
Beyond guards and fortifications, weaponry is essential. Even the best defenses are useless without the means to repel attackers. Ensure each survivor assigned to guard duty has a melee weapon at their disposal. A knife is a great starter weapon, but axes, shovels, and crowbars also work. Later on, firearms become invaluable.
Comfort and Well-Being: The emotional state of your survivors influences their effectiveness. A depressed or starving guard is less likely to be alert and react quickly. Prioritize providing food, warmth (especially in winter), and a comfortable place to rest. Chairs and Armchairs can significantly improve the well-being of your survivors.
Strategic Item Placement: Placement of items in Our Shelter does not have any affect on the survivors So, it is recommended to strategically position items requiring the least amount of effort from the Survivors.
Scouting and Intelligence: Understanding the threats you face is crucial. If you’re aware of particularly dangerous events unfolding in the city, you can preemptively increase your security measures. Listening to the radio can provide valuable information about upcoming dangers.
Finally, adaptability is key. Circumstances change rapidly in This War of Mine. Be prepared to adjust your defenses based on the evolving situation and don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for your group and your shelter. Games Learning Society is a great website to learn even more about the educational aspects of this game. You can also visit them at GamesLearningSociety.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many guards should I have on duty?
Generally, two guards are sufficient for most nights. However, during events like the “Outbreak of Crime” or when facing particularly desperate times in the city, three guards are highly recommended to ensure adequate protection.
2. What are the best weapons for defense?
Early on, knives are a good starting point due to their decent damage output and availability. As you progress, hatchets, shovels, and crowbars can be effective. Late-game, firearms (pistols, rifles, and shotguns) are the most powerful options, but ammunition can be scarce.
3. Should I prioritize Board Ups or the Reinforced Door?
Board Ups are a more immediate priority. They are cheaper and easier to build, providing a significant boost to your shelter’s security early on. The Reinforced Door is the ultimate goal, but it requires more advanced crafting capabilities and resources.
4. How do I get weapon parts for crafting weapons?
Weapon parts can be scavenged from various locations, particularly those with a military presence or those known for violence. The Supermarket and Construction Site are good locations to find weapon parts.. Trading with other groups or characters is another way to acquire them. You may also be able to craft the weapon parts at the workshop.
5. Does character placement matter during raids?
While the game doesn’t explicitly state it, positioning your characters in strategic locations can be beneficial. For example, placing guards near entrances or choke points can allow them to intercept raiders more quickly.
6. How does character mood affect defense?
A depressed, hungry, or tired survivor is less effective as a guard. Their reaction time and combat prowess will be diminished. Maintaining the well-being of your guards is crucial for effective defense.
7. What happens if a raider manages to steal something?
If raiders successfully steal items, it represents a loss of valuable resources that could impact your group’s survival. It can also negatively affect the morale of your survivors, leading to depression or even desertion.
8. How do I deal with “Outbreak of Crime” events?
During “Outbreak of Crime” events, the city becomes more dangerous, and the likelihood of raids increases significantly. Increase the number of guards to three, reinforce your defenses, and consider arming your survivors with the best weapons available.
9. Is it better to sleep during the day or night?
This depends on the situation. If your survivors are exhausted and need to recover, sleeping during the day is necessary. However, if you anticipate a raid, it’s better to keep guards awake and on duty, even if they are tired.
10. How important is scavenging for defensive resources?
Scavenging is absolutely critical. It’s the primary way to acquire the resources needed to build defenses, craft weapons, and maintain the well-being of your survivors. Prioritize scavenging locations that offer components, wood, and weapon parts.
11. Can I avoid raids altogether?
While you can minimize the risk of raids through strong defenses and good relationships with your neighbors, it’s almost impossible to avoid them entirely. The game is designed to challenge you with unpredictable events.
12. What should I prioritize building first in my shelter?
Early on, prioritize building a bed for each survivor, Board Ups for the open areas, and a simple heater to combat the cold. These provide immediate benefits to your group’s well-being and security.
13. How does winter affect my shelter’s security?
Winter significantly increases the risk of raids. Desperate people are more likely to resort to violence to survive. Reinforce your defenses, stockpile resources, and be prepared for increased activity from raiders.
14. Are there any non-violent ways to deter raiders?
While direct violence is often necessary, you can sometimes deter raiders through other means. For example, if you have good relationships with your neighbors, they may warn you about potential threats. Also, having a well-defended shelter can sometimes dissuade raiders from attacking.
15. How do I know if my shelter is secure enough?
There’s no foolproof way to guarantee complete security. However, if you have a well-fortified shelter with multiple guards armed with decent weapons, you’ve significantly increased your chances of surviving the night. Pay attention to radio broadcasts and your survivors’ mood, and be prepared to adapt as needed. It is also important that you have a lot of materials.