Hey guys, if you're diving into the world of Oxygen Not Included, you're in for a real treat. This game is a base-building survival sim, and it's seriously addictive. You'll be managing a colony of adorable, yet demanding, Duplicants, ensuring they have everything they need to survive in a hostile, resource-scarce environment. It's a game of intricate systems, where everything is connected, and even the smallest mistake can have disastrous consequences. But don't worry, it's also incredibly rewarding to see your colony thrive after overcoming the challenges. This guide will walk you through the basics, offering beginner-friendly tips to get you started and help you avoid those common pitfalls that can lead to a quick colony demise. So, buckle up, because we're about to explore the depths of Oxygen Not Included!

Getting Started: The Basics of Oxygen Not Included

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of getting your Oxygen Not Included colony off the ground. When you start a new game, you'll be presented with a choice of starting Duplicants. These are your colonists, and they each have unique skills and traits. Take your time to review these, as they will influence your early game. Some are better at digging, others at cooking, and some are just plain clumsy! You'll also notice their stress levels. A stressed Duplicant is an unproductive Duplicant. Try to get a good mix to cover the essential tasks. It's also important to consider the initial seed of the map. This is basically the world's layout, and it can significantly impact how your colony grows. Look for a starting area with easy access to water, some initial resources, and a good temperature. These are the cornerstones of survival in Oxygen Not Included.

Now, let's talk about the first few cycles. Your primary goal is to establish a sustainable base. Start by designating areas for your Duplicants to sleep, eat, and use the restroom. Building a proper latrine early on is key to hygiene and preventing the spread of germs. Duplicants generate polluted water when they use the restroom, so it’s important to have a plan for how you’re going to deal with it from the start. A good place to start is to build a simple outhouse or latrine. Next, dig out a starting area and designate a place to build an Oxygen Diffuser to generate oxygen. Don't dig too fast; always think about the potential problems you are creating by revealing new areas. A slow and steady approach is often the best. Oxygen is, of course, absolutely vital. You can also build a Mess Table and a Cooking Station. The Mess Table will improve their mood when they eat. After all, nobody wants to eat on the floor! Early on, your Duplicants will eat raw food. You will want to move to cooked meals as soon as possible, as this will improve the morale of your Duplicants and will provide them with better nutrition. Consider the location of these structures carefully; you want them to be accessible but also organized. Finally, build some storage containers for raw materials. This will help you keep things organized and prevent your base from looking like a complete mess.

Essential Resources and Their Management in Oxygen Not Included

One of the most exciting, yet challenging, parts of Oxygen Not Included is resource management. Everything you build and do requires resources, and you'll constantly be balancing supply and demand. Knowing which resources are crucial and how to obtain them is vital to your colony's survival. Oxygen, of course, is at the top of the list. Early on, you'll use Oxygen Diffusers that require algae to produce oxygen. You will need to find sources of algae and start farming them. Algae is often found in the starting biome, but it's a finite resource. Therefore, you must quickly find a sustainable source of oxygen. Electrolyzers are a great option as they convert water into oxygen and hydrogen gas, but they require power. Water is another precious resource. You will need it for growing crops, producing oxygen (via Electrolyzers), and for your Duplicants to drink. You can find water in the starting biome, but it’s often polluted. A good starting strategy is to build a Water Sieve that cleans polluted water, but it will consume sand. Consider the types of food resources, such as mealwood and mushrooms. Mealwood is a great starting crop, but it needs light and can only grow in a specific type of soil. You will need to build the right lights. It's really worth it to take the time to learn the properties of various resources. The more you know, the more successfully you can adapt to the challenges of the game. Power is another crucial element. Early on, you'll likely rely on manual generators powered by your Duplicants. But, as your colony grows, you will need to invest in more efficient sources, such as coal generators and, eventually, renewable energy sources. The better you manage the resources, the better your colony's chances of survival.

Base Building and Automation: Oxygen Not Included Tips

Building your base in Oxygen Not Included is more than just digging out rooms. It's about creating a functional and efficient environment for your Duplicants to live and work in. You should consider the placement of your structures, the airflow, and the automation of certain tasks. Early on, focus on creating a compact base with easily accessible essential buildings. This will save your Duplicants time and energy. You'll want to build a Research Station as soon as possible. This will allow your Duplicants to research new technologies, which will unlock more efficient tools and buildings. Proper lighting is also important, as it increases your Duplicants' work speed and morale. You can do this by building a light or a lamp. Consider the location of your buildings. You don't want your bathroom next to your kitchen, as this will lead to germs spreading and will affect your Duplicants' health. Keep a close eye on the temperature in your base. If it gets too hot, your Duplicants will overheat. If it gets too cold, they will get hypothermia. Building insulated tiles around areas that are prone to extreme temperatures can help regulate the climate. This is why you will want to build insulated tiles. As your colony grows, you'll want to start incorporating automation to reduce your Duplicants' workload. This involves using sensors, logic gates, and automation wires to control machines and systems. This can be complex, but it's also incredibly rewarding. For example, you can automate the process of turning on a generator only when the power level is low. The more you automate, the more time your Duplicants will have to focus on other tasks. The best part is to experiment. Every time you try something new, you'll learn something new, and it is a good way to become a better player.

Dealing with Stress, Morale, and Duplicant Wellbeing

Your Duplicants' wellbeing is just as important as the resources in Oxygen Not Included. Happy Duplicants work faster, are less prone to accidents, and generally make your life easier. Stress, however, can quickly lead to a downward spiral. Stressed Duplicants will vomit, destroy buildings, and generally disrupt your colony. So, how do you keep your Duplicants happy? Make sure they get enough sleep. Build a proper bedroom with comfy beds. Provide them with good food. Build a Mess Table with Meal Prep Stations. Give them access to recreational activities. You can build things like Arcade Cabinets and Massage Tables. Make sure they have a pleasant environment. Decorate your base with Sculptures and Plants. A good morale will help your colony survive in difficult times. Pay close attention to your Duplicants' stress levels. Watch for warning signs like increased vomiting, building destruction, or frequent bathroom breaks. When a Duplicant becomes stressed, try to identify the cause. Maybe they're overworked, hungry, or lacking recreation. Adjust your schedule, provide better food, or add recreational facilities to address the problem. You should always be mindful of their needs and try to meet them. Consider the traits of your Duplicants when assigning them to tasks. Some Duplicants have traits that make them naturally stressed. Keep an eye on the Duplicants. The more attention you pay to them, the more success you will have in your colony.

Advanced Strategies: Tips and Tricks for Oxygen Not Included Pros

Once you have mastered the basics of Oxygen Not Included, you can start focusing on more advanced strategies. Dealing with heat and cold is a major challenge in the late game. Managing temperature is critical. One strategy is to use liquid cooling loops to regulate the temperature of your base. This involves running pipes filled with liquid coolant around hot machines to absorb the heat and then moving the heated coolant to a cooling system like the Thermo Aquatuner. Another important aspect is to efficiently use the different gases in your base. You can use different gases for various purposes. You can also build gas pumps and filters to separate gases and transport them where they're needed. Understanding how gases interact is key to a successful colony. A great example is the use of hydrogen to generate power by building a hydrogen generator. Managing germs and diseases is another advanced topic. Germs can spread rapidly and cause your Duplicants to become sick. The best approach is to understand how germs work and implement measures to prevent their spread. These include building airlocks, hand sanitizers, and using chlorine gas to disinfect areas. Don't worry, even experienced players make mistakes. The key is to learn from them and to always adapt to the challenges that the game throws your way. The more you play, the more tricks you will learn, and the more successful your colony will become. The beauty of Oxygen Not Included is that there's always something new to discover and a new way to overcome a challenge. Keep experimenting, and you will eventually succeed.

Conclusion: Mastering the World of Oxygen Not Included

So there you have it, folks! This guide should give you a solid foundation for surviving and thriving in the world of Oxygen Not Included. Remember, this is a complex game, and there's a lot to learn. But the fun of the game lies in the discovery and overcoming challenges. Keep experimenting, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun! Every colony will face its own unique set of problems, and the solutions you find will make the game that much more enjoyable. Keep learning, keep adapting, and most importantly, keep those Duplicants breathing! Good luck, and happy building!