Tools and Equipment

Tools and Equipment covers the gear that keeps a survivor working, lit, fed and in touch. The group runs from saws, needles and anvils to seeds, tents, generators, radios, flashlights, fishing gear, maps, padlocks and water bottles. Most of these items are kept when a recipe uses them. They decide what can be built, grown, repaired and cooked. Each kind of gear has its own page.

All Tools and Equipment Categories

Best Tools and Equipment

The top pick for each role, by the game's own figures.

For	Name	Image	Stats	Spawn ID
Lightest	Magnesium Shavings		0. weight	/additem Base.MagnesiumShavings
Heaviest	Assembled Blacksmith Anvil	-	40 weight	/additem Base.BlacksmithAnvilAssembled

Workshop Tools

Tools are the hand tools that crafting recipes need. Saws, drills, pliers, needles, tongs and anvils each serve one or more skills. A recipe asks for a tool by type, so the Wood Saw and the Hacksaw both count as a saw. Tools are kept by the recipe, but they can lose condition over time.

Smithing and welding have heavy tools. The Blacksmith Anvil is used to build a Simple or Advanced Forge. The Stone Anvil is used to build a Primitive Forge. Welding recipes need a Welding Torch and a Welder Mask.

Tailoring needs the Needle and Thread. The Whetstone keeps blades sharp. The Rubber Hose siphons gas. Pliers also pull bullets and glass from wounds. Many tools can be made, from Knap Stone Awl with no skill to Forge Needle at Blacksmithing 6.

Farming and Camping

Gardening covers seeds, seed packets, fertilizer and plant sprays. Seeds come out of their packets before planting. They grow only in outdoor furrows at ground level. Fertilizer and the Compost Bag increase growth speed and health. Mildew Spray, Aphids Spray and Pest Flies Spray cure crop diseases.

Camping covers tents, sleeping bags and fire starters. A Campfire needs only 3 Stone. Lighters, matches and the Magnesium Firestarter start fires. A tent must be packed before it can be attached to a backpack. Water Purification Tablets clean tainted water without heat.

Power and Electronics

Electronics covers batteries, wires, light bulbs and generators. The power grid shuts off within 14 to 30 days on the default Apocalypse setting. A generator then powers a home. Its tooltip says to place it near the safe house, fuel it with gasoline and never run it indoors.

Small gadgets break down for parts. Dismantle Simple Electronic Item turns them into Scrap Electronics with a screwdriver. Scrap Electronics feeds most electrical crafting, from radios to bomb triggers. The Electrician starts with Electrical 5 and can operate generators.

Light and Communication

Light Sources keep the dark at bay. The Flashlight and the Flashlight - Heavy Duty run on batteries. The Propane Lantern runs on a Propane Lantern Bottle. The Hurricane Lantern comes in steel, copper, gold and silver. The Candle is the simplest light of all. Make Improvised Flashlight and Make Improvised Lantern build lights from scrap.

Communications covers radios, walkie talkies and televisions. The radio tooltip says to equip it to operate it. Walkie talkies and ham radios run on batteries. The game's guide says televisions and radios carry news and music, and some shows give skill points or new recipes. Make Makeshift Radio builds a radio at Electrical 1.

Fishing and Trapping

Fishing and Trapping covers rods, lines, hooks, lures, nets and traps. Fix Fishing Rod restrings a rod with Fishing Line and a hook. The Jig Lure and the Minnow Lure are fishing lures. The game's guide says ripples show fishable water.

Traps catch small animals. The Stick Trap, the Snare Trap, the Crate Trap, the Box Trap and the Cage Trap all work. The Park Ranger knows how to make all five. The Trapping skill raises the chance of a catch and allows better traps.

The Fishing Guide occupation starts with Fishing 3. The Angler trait adds Fishing 1 and teaches Make Fishing Rod.

Household, Maps and Security

Household covers soap, paint, cleaning goods and small home items. The game's guide says to keep clothes and the body clean with soap and water. The Extinguisher puts out fires and removes flames from burning buildings and people. Paint and a Paintbrush paint signs, such as Paint Sign - Skull.

Cartography covers the maps of Knox Country. Map: Muldraugh, Map: Riverside, Map: Rosewood, Map: West Point and Map: March Ridge each cover a town. Louisville has its own set of district maps, such as Map: Louisville Central.

Security covers keys and locks. The Padlock and the Combination Padlock are used to lock containers, so items can be stored securely. The Key, the Vehicle Key and the Padlock Key open locked doors, cars and padlocks.

Water Containers

Water Containers hold water and other fluids. The Canteen, the Sports Bottle, buckets and glasses all carry water. Tainted water from rivers and rain must be boiled or purified. Metal and glass containers can be boiled over a fire. Plastic containers need a microwave.

Water runs out when the supply shuts off. Wells and rain collector barrels keep giving water after that. A sink connected to a rain collector barrel through plumbing gives clean water again. Stock up on bottles early, since they are easy to find before the shutoff.

Notes

• Carry a screwdriver, a saw and a hammer, since many recipes ask for them.
• A flashlight with spare batteries is worth having before the power goes out.