Welcome to your ultimate RimWorld adventure! Whether you’re a novice or looking to sharpen your survival strategies, our RimWorld: Getting Started Guide is designed to help you master the basics and build a thriving colony. In this comprehensive guide, we cover key essentials such as Getting Started - The Basics, Setting Up Your First Colony, Understanding Basic Controls, Choosing Your Scenario and Colonists, and invaluable Tips for New Players. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of RimWorld and transform your experience from mere survival to triumphant success!

Getting Started - The Basics#

Welcome to RimWorld, the game where you manage a group of colonists on a distant planet and try to survive—and maybe even thrive. It’s complex but super rewarding once you get the hang of it. Let’s break down the basics so you don’t feel too overwhelmed when you start your journey.

Choosing a Scenario#

The first thing you’ll do is choose a scenario. The Crashlanded scenario is perfect for beginners. You start with three colonists and some useful supplies. The other scenarios, like Rich Explorer or Lost Tribe, are cool but can be more challenging. Stick with Crashlanded to get a feel for the game.

Picking Your Colonists#

Next, you’ll need to pick your colonists. Each colonist has different skills and traits. Here are some tips:

• Skills: Try to have a good spread. You’ll need people who can cook, grow plants, build, and fight.
• Passion: Look for skills with small flames next to them. Colonists improve these skills faster and enjoy using them.
• Traits: Check the colonist’s traits. Avoid negative traits like Pyromaniac or Chemical Fascination which can cause trouble. Positive traits like Hard Worker or Optimist are great.

Setting Up Your First Base#

Once your colonists crash land, you need to get a base set up quickly.

1. Gather Supplies: Collect the materials you crash-landed with. You’ll need them to build your first structures.
2. Designate Storage: Create a stockpile zone for your items so they don’t deteriorate outside.
3. Shelter: Build a simple wooden structure to keep your colonists safe. Make it big enough for beds and some room to move around.
4. Beds: Make sure everyone has a bed to sleep in. Rest is crucial for their moods and health.
5. Food: Don’t forget about food! Build a nutrient paste dispenser or a campfire to cook meals. Butcher tables are handy for turning hunted animals into food.

Power and Production#

You’ll need power to keep your colony running smoothly.

• Generators: Wood-fired generators are easy to start with. Place them inside to protect from the elements.
• Batteries: Build batteries to store power. Be cautious with them—they can short-circuit and cause fires.
• Workbenches: Set up workbenches like a stonecutter’s table or tailor bench to make items you need.

Defense#

Your colonists aren’t alone on this planet. You’ll face threats from raiders, wild animals, and even the weather. Start with these defensive tips:

• Build Turrets: Automated turrets can help fend off attackers.
• Traps: Place traps around your base for extra protection.
• Arm Your Colonists: Give everyone a weapon. Even basic melee weapons are better than nothing.

Planning for Growth#

Once you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to think about expanding. Research and plan for future needs like better food sources, medical facilities, and entertainment to keep morale up. Keep an eye on your colonist’s needs and moods to prevent breakdowns.

Pro Tips#

• Save Often: Save before making big decisions. It’s okay to load a save if things go terribly wrong.
• Use the Tutorials: The in-game tutorials are super helpful. Don’t skip them!
• Pause Often: Pause the game to give yourself time to plan and issue orders.

Starting a new colony in RimWorld can be challenging, but with these basics, you’ll be off to a strong start. Keep learning as you go and soon you’ll be surviving and thriving on your new home planet!

Setting Up Your First Colony#

So, you’ve crash-landed on this harsh, unexplored planet in RimWorld. Time to get started on building your very own thriving colony. Here’s how to do it right from the get-go.

Choosing the Right Spot#

First things first, finding a suitable spot for your colony is crucial. Look for these key features:

• Rich Soil: Essential for growing crops. Fertile soil will speed up your farming efforts.
• Water Sources: Optional, but having a natural water source can be efficient for geothermal power.
• Natural Defenses: Try to settle near mountains or hills. They provide extra protection and mining opportunities.
• Resources: Keep an eye out for nearby steel, components, and wood. Starting near these resources will make your life a lot easier.

Unpacking Your Supplies#

Once you’ve got your spot, it’s time to unpack!

1. Pause the Game: Take a moment to assess what you’ve got.
2. Unforbid Items: By default, some of your supplies are forbidden to prevent accidental usage. Select them and hit F to unforbid.
3. Prioritize Essential Items: Gather weapons, medicine, and starter food (like packaged survival meals).

Building Initial Shelters#

Your colonists need a basic shelter fast. Here’s a quick build:

• Blueprint Layout: Keep it small and simple. 5x5 rooms are plenty for starters.
• Materials: Use wood initially because it’s abundant and fast to build with.
• Zones: Establish a stockpile zone inside to keep your important items safe from weather and animals.

Managing Needs#

Your colonists have needs. Here’s how to meet them:

• Sleep: Build at least a basic wooden bed for each colonist. It’s better than sleeping on the ground.
• Food: Set up a growing zone for rice. It grows quickly and will keep your colonists’ bellies full.
• Heat/Cooling: Use passive coolers in hot climates and campfires or heaters in cold climates to maintain a comfy temperature.

Security Basics#

Safety first! Here’s how to protect your fledgling colony:

• Traps and Turrets: Build some basic traps around your colony to fend off early threats. If you can manufacture turrets, even better.
• Defense Walls: Have some simple walls and sandbags ready for colonists to take cover behind.
• Early Warning: Set up an animal or colonist patrol to spot threats early. It’s easier to handle fights before enemies break into the heart of your colony.

Starting Production#

You’ll need to produce tools and more advanced items soon:

• Workbench: A simple wood or steel workbench will allow you to start crafting useful items.
• Bills: Create bills for necessary items like tools and simple meals.
• Research: Assign a colonist to research basic technologies like Stonecutting or Microelectronics. This opens up better options for development.

Basic Scheduling#

A good schedule keeps your colony running smoothly:

• Work Priorities: Balance jobs based on your colonists’ skills. Prioritize critical roles like growing, cooking, and constructing.
• Rest and Recreation: Make sure to allow time for rest and some recreation. Unhappy colonists can result in breakdowns.

Tips to Thrive#

A few quick tips can make all the difference:

• Save Often: Things can go wrong fast. It’s a good idea to have save points to go back to.
• Adapt: Keep an eye on the environment and threats. Adapt your strategies as needed.
• Mood Management: Watch colonist moods and address any issues promptly to avoid mental breaks.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a self-sufficient and thriving colony in RimWorld. Keep an eye out for more detailed guides as you expand and face new challenges! Subheader: Understanding Basic Controls

Interface Overview#

Before diving deep into your colony, you need to get a grip on the basic controls of RimWorld. The interface might feel overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing.

1. Camera Control#

• Moving the Camera: Use the arrow keys (←↑→↓) or hold down the middle mouse button and drag to navigate around the map. Alternatively, you can move the mouse cursor to the edges of the screen.
• Zooming In and Out: The scroll wheel on your mouse will be your best friend here. Scroll up to zoom in and down to zoom out.
• Rotating the Camera: RimWorld doesn’t allow free rotation of the camera. However, you can rotate objects while building using the ‘Q’ and ‘E’ keys.

2. Basic Interactions#

• Selecting Objects: Left-click on colonists, structures, or items to select them. If you need to select multiple items or colonists, click and drag a selection box around them.
• Right-Click Menus: Right-clicking on objects opens context-based menus. For colonists, this can show you actions they can perform, like hauling or tending to crops.
• Issuing Orders: Left-click to select a colonist, then right-click on the item or location to issue orders. Whether it’s mining, cutting trees, or rescuing someone, this is your go-to method.

3. Time Controls#

• Pausing the Game: Hit the space bar to pause. This is crucial for making decisions without the pressure of time.
• Changing Speed: Use the numbers 1 (normal speed), 2 (fast), and 3 (super fast) on your keyboard to change the game speed. This helps when waiting for slow tasks like research or travel.

4. Menu Navigation#

• Architect Menu: Located at the bottom left of the screen, this menu is essential for building and planning. From here, you can access categories like Structure, Zone, and Furniture.
• Inspect and Information Tabs: When you select something, information about it appears at the bottom right. This is crucial for understanding the needs of colonists or the properties of objects.
• Work Tab: Accessible from the top toolbar, this tab lets you micromanage the tasks your colonists perform. Prioritize tasks by clicking and dragging on the priority numbers.

5. Interacting with Colonists#

• Health and Needs: Click on a colonist and then select the Health or Needs tab to monitor their condition. This can tell you if they are sick, injured, happy, or starving.
• Gear and Abilities: The Gear tab shows what your colonist is wearing and carrying. The Abilities tab lists their skills and traits, which are crucial for assigning the right tasks to the right people.

6. Managing Alerts#

• Alerts Panel: Located at the top of the screen, this panel shows important notifications like raids, mood changes, or resource depletion. Clicking these alerts often takes you directly to the issue.

7. Saving and Loading#

• Manual Saving: Press ‘Esc’ to bring up the game menu, then choose ‘Save’. It’s good practice to save frequently, especially before risky actions like combat.
• Auto-Save: The game also auto-saves at regular intervals. You can adjust how often this happens in the game settings.

By mastering these basic controls, you’ll set a strong foundation for managing your burgeoning colony. Practice makes perfect, so spend a little time getting used to the interface and controls. Soon, you’ll be navigating RimWorld like a pro.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of colony management!

Choosing Your Scenario and Colonists#

Starting a new game in RimWorld is like starting a new adventure. The decisions you make at the beginning will shape your entire gameplay experience. So, let’s break down how to choose your scenario and colonists like a RimWorld pro.

Picking Your Scenario#

First, you’ll need to choose a scenario. In RimWorld, scenarios are like the game’s starting conditions, giving you different challenges and resources. Here’s a quick rundown of your main options:

1. Crashlanded: This is the classic RimWorld experience. You start with three colonists who crash-land on an unknown planet. They’ll have basic resources and equipment to get started.

• Best for: Beginners and players who like a balanced start.

2. The Rich Explorer: In this unconventional start, you play as a single rich explorer with high-tech gear and ample supplies.

• Best for: Players who want a more challenging, solitary experience with the potential to expand later.

3. Lost Tribe: You begin with five tribal members and minimal technology. You’ll start from scratch and work your way up the tech tree.

• Best for: A unique, tech-slow experience that feels primitive yet rewarding.

4. Naked Brutality: You start with a single colonist who literally has nothing - no clothes, no equipment, nada! This is RimWorld on hard mode.

• Best for: Hardcore survivalists who really want a tough challenge.

Creating Your Custom Scenario#

Feel like being creative? You can also create a custom scenario. This allows you to tweak almost every setting, from starting resources to random events. Simply click on “New Scenario” and tweak to your heart’s content. Want to start with pet llamas and a mountain of uranium? Go for it!

Selecting Your Colonists#

After picking a scenario, it’s time to choose your colonists. This might be the most important part of your setup because their stats, health conditions, and traits will hugely impact how you play. Here’s what to look for:

1. Skills: Each colonist has different skill levels, ranging from 0 to 20. Higher is better. Look for colonists who are balanced but make sure key skills are covered:

• Construction: Essential for building and repairs.
• Growing: Critical for farming.
• Medical: Important for treating injuries and diseases.
• Cooking: Reduces the risk of food poisoning.

2. Traits: These are personality quirks that can make or break your colony. Some good ones are:

• Industrious: Work faster.
• Sanguine: Happier, even in tough times.
• Iron-willed: Less likely to have mental breaks.

Be wary of negative traits like “Pyromaniac” (loves setting fires) or “Volatile” (prone to mental breakdowns).

3. Health: Check for any existing health conditions. Colonists with conditions like “Bad Back” or “Asthma” might slow things down. Avoid colonists with drug addictions, unless you’re up for the challenge.

Tips for Choosing a Solid Team#

• Balance is Key: Try to have a mix of skills. It’s better to have a slightly lower score in multiple areas than being heavily skewed toward one skill.
• Avoid Red Flags: While every colonist will have some downsides, avoid those with brutal combinations of bad traits and health conditions.
• Use the Randomize Tool: Don’t be afraid to hit the randomize button a few (or a hundred) times to get a more suitable colonist lineup.

Conclusion#

Choosing the right scenario and the perfect colonists is your first big step in RimWorld. Take your time, make thoughtful choices, and you’ll set your colony up for an adventure you’ll never forget. Whether you’re rescuing crash survivors or leading a tribe, the story you create will be uniquely yours. Ready to start building your epic tale? Let’s get to it!

Tips for New Players#

RimWorld can be super overwhelming when you’re just starting, so we’ve put together some handy tips to help you out. These bits of advice will get you through those early days and set you up for long-term success.

Start with the Right Scenario#

Before you even land your pawns on the planet, pick the “Crashlanded” scenario. This classic start comes with three colonists and some basic supplies, giving you a solid foundation. Avoid the “Rich Explorer” and “Lost Tribe” scenarios until you’re more experienced; they’re more challenging and better suited to seasoned players.

Choose Your Colonists Wisely#

When you’re choosing your initial colonists, take your time and look at their skills and traits:

• Skills: Prioritize medical, construction, and growing. You need someone who can patch wounds, build shelters, and grow food immediately.
• Traits: Watch out for bad traits like “Pyromaniac” or “Chemical Fascination.” Good traits like “Hard Worker” and “Iron-willed” can make your colony run smoother.

You can randomize your colonists as many times as you want, so don’t rush this step.

Get Shelter Up Quickly#

Your first priority once landing is to get a basic shelter up ASAP:

1. Build a room: Use wood or stone, whatever’s handy.
2. Create sleeping spots or beds for your colonists inside the room.
3. Construct a roof to protect from the elements.

Defend against bad weather and hostile creatures by getting everyone inside quickly.

Food and Farming#

Food is life in RimWorld. Without it, your colonists will starve. Here’s how to ensure a steady supply:

• Plant a growing zone immediately after landing and assign someone with high growing skills to tend to it.
• Hunt wildlife or forage wild berries to keep your food stocks up while your crops are growing.
• Build a freezer to store food for the long term. Power it with a wind turbine or solar panels.

Power Management#

Electricity is crucial. Here’s what you need to know:

• Start with wind turbines or solar panels. Solar panels are very reliable during the day, while wind turbines can work day and night but are less predictable.
• Build batteries to store extra energy. This helps cover times when your generators aren’t producing much power.
• Manage power needs by turning off unnecessary electrical items when not in use.

Defense#

Enemies can attack at any time, so be prepared:

• Build defensive structures: Walls, sandbags, and turrets can protect your colony.
• Arm your colonists: Equip everyone with weapons. Even a simple knife or club is better than nothing.
• Create kill zones: Force enemies into narrow paths lined with traps and turrets to maximize your defense.

Keep Your Colonists Happy#

A happy colonist is a productive colonist. Here’s how to keep morale high:

• Comfortable surroundings: Make sure everyone has a decent bed in a clean, spacious room.
• Joy activities: Install joy activities like horseshoes or a chess table.
• Varied meals: Mix up meals to avoid mood penalties from eating the same thing all the time.
• Social interactions: Set up a dining room where colonists can socialize while eating.

Health and Healing#

Injuries and diseases are going to happen. Be prepared:

• Have a medic: Someone with good medical skills should be available to tend to wounds and illnesses.
• Set up a hospital: A clean, sterile room with medical beds improves recovery.
• Stock up on medicine: Purchase or grow herbal medicine to treat injuries and infections.

Keep Learning and Adapting#

RimWorld is all about adapting to whatever the game throws at you. Always look for ways to improve your colony, and don’t be afraid to load a previous save if things go really sideways.

These tips should help get you started on your RimWorld journey. Remember, every colony has its ups and downs, so embrace the chaos and have fun!