Hey everyone! I'm a veteran of the Deadly Days series with nearly 300 hours in the previous game, and I’m absolutely loving this new one too. Through countless runs and explorations, I’ve gathered some essential tips that are especially useful for those just starting out. This guide will systematically introduce you to route selection strategy and effective use of the mini-map, helping you navigate the early game more smoothly and with clearer goals!

After starting the game, you’ll see three routes listed from top to bottom. Each leads to a different city. Hover your mouse over them to view three key metrics for each location:

This indicates how expansive the map is. Larger maps contain more total resources, but those resources are also more spread out. For your first three cities, it’s best to avoid choosing maps with a size > 3, as searching them will be inefficient and slow down your progress.

This is THE most important metric—bar none!
Always prioritize selecting the map with the highest resource count without hesitation. Dense resources allow you to gather equipment, upgrade weapons, collect parts, and build your advantage much faster.

This is the essential requirement for completing the current level. Don’t worry too much about having enough gas—as long as the map isn’t overly spread out, you can usually fill the tank within 2-3 minutes. Focus on gathering resources first, and the gas will follow naturally.

Once you enter a level, pay close attention to the mini-map in the upper left corner—it’s your "strategic eye" during exploration:

🟡 Yellow Markers: Represent key items like Gas and Wooden Crates. Crates can contain support items such as Medkits, Explosives, Drinks, Vacuum Cleaners, and Airdrops.

🔵 Blue Markers: Indicate Resource points, which are crucial for gathering parts and equipment.

❌ Red "X" Markers: These appear when your character levels up, signaling an Airdrop supply. Make sure to prioritize grabbing these!

💡 Pro Tip: Even after collecting enough gas, try to gather more equipment resources and backpacks (if safe) to accelerate your build’s development.

Here’s a handy口诀 (juékǒu - rhyme/rule of thumb) to quickly remember core strategies:

🧠 Plan your equipment combo before starting a run.

🌀 Always grab the Tire Pump (no brainer).

🎒 Prioritize expanding your Backpack capacity.

👟 Magnet and Sneakers have higher priority than weapons.

In the next guide, we’ll dive deep into the acquisition methods and efficient farming strategies for 🍎 Apples and 🎀 Tape (or 🧻 Tape). If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll reply as soon as possible!

Good luck surviving, Survivor! 💀🚗