Mechanic
| Mechanic | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Occupations |
| Type | Occupation |
| Points | -4 |
| Skill Boosts | |
| Free Traits | Vehicle Knowledge |
The Mechanic brings the strongest vehicle repair start in the game. It knows how to maintain and repair every vehicle model on the roads of Kentucky.
The occupation costs 4 points from the trait budget. It starts with four levels of Mechanics and one level of Welding. The Vehicle Knowledge trait comes free. The Mechanic also knows basic, intermediate and advanced vehicle maintenance from the start.
A working vehicle changes a run. It carries far more loot than a backpack, reaches distant towns and outruns a horde on the open road. Most survivors can only drive what they find in working order. The Mechanic can take a broken car and make it run again, and keep it running for a long time.
Mechanic Skills
Four levels of Mechanics make part swaps much safer. Tires, brakes, batteries, doors and windows come off and go on with fewer failures and less damage. Standard engines can be salvaged for spare parts and repaired straight away. Heavy-duty engines need level 5, and sport engines need level 6.
Engine repairs are more efficient with skill. Each spare engine part restores more condition at higher levels. Every spare part in the main inventory goes into a single repair. Salvaging an engine for spare parts drops that engine's condition to zero, so salvaging suits an engine that will not be used again.
Engine quality is set when the vehicle appears in the world. Repairs raise condition but leave quality as it is. A fully repaired engine with poor quality may still start unreliably. Choosing a car with a good engine matters more than fixing a poor one.
Mechanics also counts toward hot-wiring. With level 1 Electrical added, the Mechanic can start a car without a key. Electrical comes quickly from taking apart radios, televisions and appliances with a screwdriver.
One level of Welding opens cutting bars and blocks into smaller pieces. It is a first step toward metal barricades and walls, which open at level 3. Welding work needs a propane torch and a welding mask.
A new Mechanic starts with these skill levels.
| Skill | Levels | Skill Group |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanics | +4 | Crafting |
| Welding | +1 | Crafting |
Mechanic Free Traits
Vehicle Knowledge comes free with the occupation. It covers common and commercial vehicle models and their repair. On top of that, the Mechanic's starting knowledge covers performance models too. Other characters must read the Laines Auto Manual magazines to work on each vehicle type.
A Mechanic gets these traits for free.
| Name | Image | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Knowledge | 
|
Positive Trait |
Mechanic Recipes
Basic Mechanics, Intermediate Mechanics and Advanced Mechanics are all known from the start. Together they allow work on standard, heavy-duty and sport vehicles. These are maintenance knowledge rather than crafting recipes. Tools, parts and skill requirements still apply to each job.
A Mechanic also starts with this knowledge.
| Name |
|---|
| Basic Mechanics |
| Intermediate Mechanics |
| Advanced Mechanics |
How to Play Mechanic
A Mechanic plays best as a driver and scavenger. A working vehicle carries far more loot and outruns hordes on the road. The Mechanic can keep that vehicle running long after other survivors' cars break down.
Early goals include a car with a decent engine, a set of tools and a stock of spare parts. Most parts need a specific tool to remove or install.
Stripping and rebuilding junk cars each day trains the skill steadily. Wrecking yards hold many cars to practice on. The same part on the same vehicle only gives experience once a day. A few junk vehicles that can be stripped and rebuilt daily make the best training plan.
Failed attempts still give a small amount of experience. Successful attempts give more, and harder parts give the most. Early attempts often damage parts, so practice on cars that do not matter.
The Mechanics skill books speed up training for two levels each. The Mechanic's start covers the first two volumes. Mechanics III is the next book worth finding.
The Welding level helps too. Dismantling car wrecks gives Welding experience, and it is the best way through the early levels. A Mechanic surrounded by wrecks has a ready training ground for both skills.
The Mechanic also has a foraging bonus for trash and junk.
The high point cost leaves less room for traits. The Mechanic's starting skills lean toward vehicles, so a weapon is worth finding as soon as the character spawns. Speed Demon pairs well with a driving build. Electrical training opens hot-wiring, which saves hunting for keys.
Notes
- Every vehicle type is workable from the start.
- Standard engines can be salvaged and repaired at once.
- Add one level of Electrical to hot-wire cars.
- Practice on junk cars to train without risking a good vehicle.
- Dismantle car wrecks to train Welding alongside Mechanics.
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