Demystifying Red Skulls: A Graveyard Keeper’s Guide to Corpse Quality

Ah, Graveyard Keeper, a game where the entrepreneurial spirit meets the macabre! You’ve likely stumbled upon a rather unpleasant truth: not all corpses are created equal. Those pesky red skulls are dragging down your graveyard’s rating, your profit margins, and frankly, your sanity. So, let’s get right to the heart of the matter.

What body parts get rid of red skulls in Graveyard Keeper?

The core principle is simple: removing body parts with red skulls from a corpse will reduce the total red skull count. The effectiveness of this depends on which parts you remove. Here’s the breakdown:

• Brain: The brain is a frequent culprit of red skulls. Removing it is often a good first step in corpse preparation.
• Heart: Another common source of red skulls, the heart should be considered for removal, especially if the corpse has other red skull indicators.
• Intestines: The intestines often carry red skulls. If the corpse has several, removing the intestines is almost essential.
• Skull: Ironically, the skull itself can sometimes have red skulls! Removing it and replacing it with a better quality one (or not replacing it at all if you’re crafting decorative skulls) is beneficial.

Essentially, you need to assess each corpse individually. No two bodies are exactly alike. Use the autopsy table to view the corpse’s stats and identify which organs are causing the red skulls. Then, surgically extract those organs before burial to improve the corpse’s quality (indicated by white skulls). Remember, higher quality corpses yield better burial ratings, which in turn boost your graveyard’s overall score.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to delve deeper into the intricacies of corpse management in Graveyard Keeper:

1. What do red skulls actually do?

Red skulls negatively impact the quality of a corpse. Higher red skull counts result in lower quality burials, decreasing your graveyard rating. This rating is crucial for unlocking new technologies, attracting more visitors, and ultimately, progressing through the game. Nobody wants a poorly maintained graveyard!

2. How do I perform an autopsy?

You need to unlock the “Anatomy Knowledge” technology in the Brains technology tree. Once unlocked, you can craft an Autopsy Table at your workbench. Simply place a corpse on the table, and you’ll see its skull and heart stats, indicating the number of white and red skulls each possesses. Also, you can see the number of white and red skulls on the intestines, skull, and brain.

3. What happens to the organs I remove?

Removed organs can be used for various purposes. You can sell them to Horadric for a small profit, use them in crafting recipes (like making fertilizer or ingredients for potions), or even cook and eat them (though the sanity implications are questionable!). Be mindful of the long-term value before selling everything.

4. Can I add white skulls to corpses?

Yes! This is where the game gets interesting. You can inject corpses with embalming fluids that add white skulls, counteracting the red ones. There are different types of embalming fluids, each affecting specific areas (skull, blood, fat). Experiment to find the best combinations for each corpse.

5. Where do I get embalming fluids?

You can craft embalming fluids yourself once you unlock the appropriate technologies in the Alchemy technology tree. You’ll need ingredients like alcohol, water, and various plants and mushrooms. You can also buy them from the alchemist in town, but crafting is generally more cost-effective in the long run.

6. Is it always worth removing organs?

Not always. Sometimes, the trade-off isn’t worth it. For example, if a corpse has only one red skull, removing an organ might reduce the red skulls, but it could also lower the overall “quality” of the corpse if it had a valuable white skull stat attached. Consider the net impact before operating.

7. How do I improve the quality of the organs themselves?

You can’t directly improve the quality of an organ after it’s been harvested. The quality is determined by the corpse’s inherent stats. However, you can influence the quality before the corpse arrives by improving your relationship with the Donkey. A happier Donkey delivers better quality corpses.

8. What does the Donkey have to do with corpse quality?

The Donkey is your primary corpse delivery service. He’s a bit of a grump, but keeping him happy (by giving him carrots and beer) increases the chance of him delivering higher-quality corpses. It’s an indirect but important factor in corpse management.

9. Is there a limit to how many organs I can remove?

You can remove all removable organs from a corpse: brain, heart, intestines, skull, fat, blood, and skin. However, removing everything leaves you with just bones.

10. What’s the deal with bones?

Bones can be sold to the Bone Merchant, used in crafting recipes (like making fertilizer or bone meal), or used to build structures in your graveyard. They’re a valuable resource, especially in the early game.

11. What are the best embalming fluids to use?

This depends on the corpse’s stats. However, some generally useful fluids include:

• Acid: Useful for adding skull quality to corpses.
• Lime: Adds fat quality.
• Formaldehyde: Adds blood quality.

Experiment to find the best combinations for each corpse.

12. Can I mess up corpse preparation permanently?

Yes, you can! Be careful when removing organs or applying embalming fluids. Once an action is performed, it usually cannot be undone (unless you reload a previous save). Plan your moves carefully.

13. How does corpse preparation affect my graveyard rating?

Your graveyard rating is directly tied to the quality of the burials. Higher quality corpses (more white skulls, fewer red skulls) result in higher-rated graves. This, in turn, attracts more visitors and increases your graveyard’s prestige. Think of it as a twisted form of customer satisfaction.

14. Are there any technologies that make corpse preparation easier?

Absolutely! Invest in the Anatomy & Alchemy technology trees. These unlock new autopsy methods, embalming fluid recipes, and other tools that streamline the corpse management process. Efficient corpse preparation is key to long-term success.

15. Is there a mod that simplifies corpse management?

While I can’t endorse specific mods (as they can vary in quality and stability), the Graveyard Keeper community is very active, and there are likely mods that offer assistance with corpse management, such as automatic autopsy or organ sorting. However, use mods at your own risk, and always back up your save files.

Understanding corpse preparation is fundamental to mastering Graveyard Keeper. It’s a complex system with numerous interconnected elements, but with a little experimentation and careful planning, you can transform your graveyard into a thriving (and morally questionable) enterprise. And, remember that the educational potential of games like Graveyard Keeper is being actively explored by organizations such as the Games Learning Society and you can learn more about their research at GamesLearningSociety.org. Now get out there and start optimizing those corpses!