Eight questions. Then I'll tell you how to survive your first month.
This is Dolly. If you're hearing this you made it through the first night, which means you're already doing better than most.
I need to know what I'm working with before I can tell you anything useful. Answer these and I'll cut you a guide that actually fits how you play, instead of the one written for somebody else.
There are no wrong answers. There is a wrong guide, and I'd rather not hand you one.
Question 01
Who is your founder?
The Wonder Child Clause lets you import one Sim from the Gallery at setup. It's the only import you get all run.
A Wonder Child
Downloaded from the Gallery. Raised with every advantage, skills already maxed. The recommended pick and the one the story is built around.
Some other Gallery Sim
Import whoever you like. Whatever they arrive with, they keep.
Built by me, from nothing
Born of the Ash. CAS only, no skills, no aspiration done, no reward traits. Nobody invested in you. +25 days.
Question 02
Have you run an apocalypse challenge before?
This decides how much I explain and how hard I let you start.
First time
Never done one. Maybe never done a rules challenge at all.
Played one before
Started one. Might not have finished it. You know the shape.
Veteran
You've finished one, or you've read Pinstar's rules for fun.
Question 03
How much pain do you actually want?
Be honest. Overshooting this is the number one reason people quit in week two.
Signal
Forgiving. Shortcuts on, restrictions softened. I want the story more than the struggle.
Standard
Rules as written. No modifiers either way. The intended run.
Blackout
Make it hurt. Stack handicaps. I want to be genuinely at risk of failing.
Question 04
What are you here for?
Changes what I tell you to prioritise when the two pull apart.
The story
Screenshots, family drama, the fiction. Score is background noise.
The optimization
Clear it fast, clean, low day count. Show me the efficient line.
Both
I want a good run and a good story out of it.
Question 05
One family, or a whole region?
The biggest structural choice in the challenge. You can change your mind later.
One household, forever
The classic. Slower, lonelier, purer. Everything rests on one bloodline.
Spread out
Found settlements, run careers in parallel, rebuild a region. Faster, busier.
Decide when I get there
Start solo, keep the door open. I'll plan you both ways.
Question 06
How do you play?
Sets the rotation cadence I recommend and how much bookkeeping I hand you.
Short bursts
Half an hour here and there. I forget where I was.
Long sessions
I sit down for hours. I can hold a lot in my head.
Mixed
Weeknights short, weekends long.
Question 07
Occults?
Occults are allowed but persecuted. They have to pass until their trade clears.
Humans only
Keep it grounded. Simpler rules.
Maybe later
Start human, let occults into the bloodline as the world opens up.
Occult founder
Start as one. Hardest opening in the challenge — you're hiding and starving.
Question 08
Which packs do you own?
The Blackout Rule: anything you don't own never went dark. Its restrictions don't apply and its careers aren't required. Base game alone is a full challenge.
Answer all seven questions above to continue.
ZombieDolly's Zombie Apocalypse Challenge v1.9 · built on Pinstar's Apocalypse and Wonder Child Challenges.