Days Gone: Your Priority Upgrades for Survival and Mayhem

So, you’re stepping into the harsh, beautiful, and zombie-infested world of Days Gone. Smart move! It’s a fantastic game with a compelling story and tons of action. But let’s be real, Deacon St. John isn’t exactly a superhero right out of the gate. He needs some serious upgrades to survive, and thriving is only possible with a clear upgrade path. So, what should you prioritize? Let’s dive in!

The short answer: Focus on the Field Repairs skill early, then bike upgrades like the fuel tank, engine, and tires. This combination significantly boosts your survivability and freedom to explore.

Skill Upgrades: Sharpening Your Edge

Deacon’s skills are divided into three trees: Melee, Ranged, and Survival. While each tree offers valuable benefits, a specific few will dramatically improve your early gameplay experience.

Field Repairs: The Melee Lifesaver

Seriously, don’t skip this one. Field Repairs, found within the Melee tree, is arguably the most critical early skill. In Days Gone, melee weapons are your bread and butter, especially when ammo is scarce. These weapons break down quickly, leaving you vulnerable. Field Repairs allows you to repair your melee weapons with scrap, a common resource you’ll find everywhere. This prevents you from being caught empty-handed in a Freaker brawl.

Ranged: Headshots are Your Friend

The Focus Shot skill in the Ranged tree is exceptionally helpful. It provides a brief slow-motion effect while aiming, making it much easier to land those crucial headshots. Headshots do significantly more damage and are a HUGE help when you’re outnumbered, or facing tougher enemy types. After that, the Nocked Up skill is one of the best, increasing the damage and accuracy of crossbow bolts. The crossbow is naturally silent, so this makes you a quiet and lethal killer!

Survival: Staying Alive Out There

While other skills in the Survival tree are useful, Just Roll With It will provide a good start, speeding up stamina recovery after rolling, helping you stay mobile during fights.

Bike Upgrades: Your Trusty Steel Horse

Your motorcycle isn’t just a mode of transportation; it’s your lifeline in Days Gone. It allows you to travel quickly, outrun hordes, and access different regions of the map. Upgrading it is essential.

Fuel Tank: Go the Distance

Running out of gas in the middle of the wilderness is a death sentence. Prioritize upgrading your fuel tank as soon as possible. This allows you to travel longer distances without needing to scavenge for fuel. More exploration, less anxiety.

Engine: Outrunning the Horde

A better engine means more speed. More speed means you can outrun Freakers, reach destinations faster, and escape dangerous situations. Don’t underestimate the power of speed in this world.

Tires: Traction is Key

Improved tires provide better handling and traction, especially on rough terrain. This is invaluable when navigating the game’s diverse landscapes and avoiding obstacles while being chased.

Don’t Neglect Visual Upgrades

It might seem superficial, but adding saddlebags to your bike will provide an additional inventory slot. This is a huge help when scavenging and you don’t want to worry about running out of room!

Why These Upgrades Matter

These early upgrades provide a significant boost to your survivability and exploration capabilities. By focusing on melee weapon maintenance, headshot accuracy, and bike improvements, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of Days Gone and progress through the story at a more comfortable pace. You will find more enjoyment without struggling so much!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you get all skills in Days Gone? Yes, it is possible to unlock all skills in Days Gone with enough gameplay and XP accumulation. So, don’t stress too much about your early choices – you’ll eventually have them all!

2. What is the best way to earn XP in Days Gone? Completing missions, clearing encampments, taking down hordes, and killing Freakers all contribute to your XP. Horde encounters are some of the most lucrative.

3. Should I avoid hordes early in Days Gone? Yes, avoid fighting hordes early on. You’ll want more experience under your belt before taking on any hordes.

4. What are the best weapons to use against hordes? Later in the game, the Chicago Chopper and the RPD light machine gun are excellent choices. For early to mid-game, the MWS is a decent assault rifle option. Don’t forget your throwables!

5. What should I do early in Days Gone besides upgrades? Focus on completing story missions, clearing ambushes camps, restoring Nero checkpoints to get injectors, and gathering resources. These activities will help you level up, earn trust with encampments, and upgrade your stats.

6. Which camp should I focus on early in Days Gone? Copeland’s Camp and Tucker’s Camp are good starting points. They offer a variety of missions and upgrades. Be warned though, Tucker doesn’t always make the best ethical choices!

7. Are there missable items or events in Days Gone? No, Days Gone features a very linear progression.

8. What difficulty should I play Days Gone on for my first playthrough? Normal difficulty is recommended for a balanced experience. It offers a decent challenge without being overly punishing. Survival difficulty is for experienced players who want a serious challenge.

9. What is the hardest part of Days Gone? Many players find the Old Sawmill Horde to be the most challenging. It’s massive and located in a complex environment.

10. Can Freakers open doors in Days Gone? Yes, Freakers can open doors if they are aware of your presence. They are relentless in their pursuit.

11. Do hordes move around in Days Gone? Yes, hordes have a day/night cycle. During the day, they often stay in caves or buildings. At night, they roam and feed.

12. What is the strongest melee weapon in Days Gone? The Superior Metal Axe is widely considered the best melee weapon due to its high damage and durability.

13. Do you get anything for 100% completing Days Gone? Yes, you unlock custom bike skins for each of the game’s storylines you 100% complete.

14. Is Days Gone playable after the ending? Yes, you can continue playing after the main story to complete side missions, clear infestations, and take down hordes.

15. What is the significance of Sarah’s character in Days Gone? Sarah is Deacon’s wife, and the driving force behind his actions. His unwavering devotion to finding her and uncovering what happened to her during the outbreak fuels the game’s narrative. The story goes more in-depth than most zombie-apocalypse games, making Days Gone a memorable experience!

So there you have it! Prioritizing these early upgrades in Days Gone will give you a significant advantage in the harsh Oregon wilderness. Remember to adapt your strategy as you progress, experiment with different weapons and tactics, and most importantly, have fun! Remember that learning and gaming go hand-in-hand; for more information, please check out the GamesLearningSociety.org website. They offer extensive resources and research on how video games can be used for educational purposes. Good luck out there, and stay safe!