Rimworld Guide

I was lucky enough to review Rimworld on Xbox many months ago and since then have been addicted to the crazy narratives and addictive colony-building. This game is a true gaming gem and despite its rather basic graphics, the game itself is just so enjoyable and can be played in so many ways. However, as RimWorld is so MASSIVE, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and give up. I am here to tell you that with a bit of knowledge and patience, this game might be your new favourite colony-building space opera.

In This RimWorld Guide:

• Introduction to RimWorld
• Setting Up Your First Colony
• Understanding Basic Mechanics
• Managing Your Colonists
• Building and Expanding Your Colony
• Research and Technology
• Crafting and Production
• Farming and Food Production
• Trading and Interaction with Other Factions
• Combat and Defense
• Medical Care and Health
• Events and Random Encounters
• Endgame Scenarios and Objectives
• Modding RimWorld
• Advanced Tips and Tricks

What is RimWorld

RimWorld is a complex and challenging game that combines elements of base-building, survival, and strategy in a unique sci-fi setting. Developed by Ludeon Studios, RimWorld has gained a large and dedicated following since its initial release in 2018, thanks to its deep gameplay mechanics, open-ended storytelling, and immersive world-building.

In RimWorld, players must manage a group of survivors stranded on a distant planet, facing a range of threats and challenges along the way. From building a sustainable colony to defending it from raiders and wild animals, every decision you make will have consequences for your survival and the fate of your colonists.

Setting Up Your First Colony in RimWorld

Before you can start playing RimWorld, you need to set up your first colony. This chapter will cover the basics of creating a new game, selecting your starting conditions and characters, and understanding the different biomes and scenarios available.

RimWorld offers a range of difficulty levels, from the relatively easy “basebuilder” mode to the punishing “extreme” mode, which will challenge even the most experienced players. Choosing the right difficulty level and scenario for your playstyle is key to enjoying the game and learning its mechanics.

Understanding RimWorld’s Basic Mechanics

Once you have created your colony, it’s time to dive into the game’s basic mechanics. This chapter will cover the core gameplay concepts, including resource management, temperature and weather, mood and mental health, and combat.

RimWorld is a game that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. Understanding how to manage your resources, prioritize tasks, and deal with emergencies will be crucial to your survival. You’ll also need to learn how to balance the needs and desires of your colonists, who will have their own personalities, skills, and quirks that can affect the colony’s success. Finally, combat is an integral part of RimWorld, and you’ll need to know how to equip your colonists and defend your colony from a range of threats, from raiders and bandits to manhunting animals and mechanoid attacks.

Managing Your Colonists

Your colonists are the heart of your RimWorld colony. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to manage their needs and skills, assign tasks, and deal with mental breakdowns and injuries.

Each colonist has a unique set of skills and traits that affect their abilities and mood. Assigning tasks that match their skills and passions can boost productivity and morale. However, it’s important to also balance their workloads and ensure they have enough rest and recreation time. Mental breakdowns can occur if a colonist’s mood drops too low, which can lead to dangerous or destructive behavior.

Its also important to have a medical plan in place, as injuries and illnesses can be common in RimWorld. Setting up a designated medical area with a bed, medicine, and a skilled doctor can save lives and prevent long-term damage.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your colonists’ mental states and make sure they have plenty of opportunities to relax and have fun. Providing them with things like nice bedrooms, good food, and entertaining activities can go a long way towards keeping them happy and productive.

Building and Expanding Your RimWorld Colony

Your colony will need to grow and expand in order to survive in RimWorld. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to build structures, mine resources, and manage power and water.

Building structures in RimWorld is done using a variety of materials, from wood and stone to steel and plasteel. Different materials have different strengths and weaknesses, and some are better suited for certain tasks than others. Mining resources can be done manually or with drills, and can yield valuable minerals like gold and silver, as well as building materials like steel and components.

Power and water are also important to consider when building and expanding your colony. Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal generators can provide power, while wells, rivers, and rainwater collectors can provide water. Planning out your power and water needs and building enough infrastructure to support them can help prevent emergencies and ensure your colony runs smoothly.

P.S. Expect the worst. When building your structures, be sure to consider defensive positions and chokepoints, which can help you fend off raiders and other threats. Building walls, turrets, and traps can also help protect your colony from attack.

Research and Technology in RimWorld

Technology plays a crucial role in RimWorld, allowing you to unlock new structures, weapons, and defenses. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to research new technologies, how to use workbenches and production facilities, and how to create and manage trade caravans.

Research in RimWorld is done using a ‘research bench’ and requires research points, which are gained over time or by completing certain tasks. Researching new technologies can unlock new structures, weapons, and production facilities, as well as providing valuable knowledge about the planet and its inhabitants.

Workbenches and production facilities allow you to craft a variety of items, from clothing and weapons to medicine and art. Each item requires different materials and skills, and some can be more valuable or useful than others. Trade caravans can be sent out to other settlements to buy and sell goods, allowing you to obtain rare items or sell excess goods.

When researching new technologies, be sure to prioritize those that will be most useful to your colony’s needs. Building a workshop or production facility near your research bench can also help speed up the production of new items. And when trading with other settlements, be sure to bring valuable items like gold or silver, as well as excess food and other goods.

Crafting and Production

In RimWorld, crafting and production play a significant role in your colony’s development. From weapons and armor to furniture and building materials, you’ll need a variety of crafted items to ensure your colony’s survival.

To get started, you’ll need to research different production technologies, such as smithing or tailoring, to unlock new crafting recipes. Once you have the necessary materials and a skilled crafter, you can begin producing items.

One important aspect of production is resource management. You’ll need to ensure that you have a steady supply of raw materials, such as steel, cloth, or wood, to fuel your production efforts. Consider setting up a mining operation, logging camp, or textile farm to ensure a reliable source of materials.

As you expand your production capabilities, you may also want to consider setting up a dedicated production area, such as a workshop or factory. This can help streamline your production process and increase your efficiency.

It’s also important to prioritize your production efforts based on your colony’s needs. Focus on producing essential items, such as weapons, armor, and medical supplies, before moving on to less critical items like art or furniture.

One useful strategy for production is to set up production chains, where the output of one production process is used as the input for another. For example, you can set up a tailoring operation that produces clothes, which can then be sold for a profit or used to outfit your colonists.

With proper planning and resource management, you can establish a thriving production system in RimWorld, ensuring that your colony has everything it needs to survive and thrive.

Farming and Food Production

In RimWorld, food production is a vital aspect of colony management. Without food, your colonists will starve and eventually die, so it’s important to understand how to set up a reliable food production system.

First, you’ll need to select a fertile patch of land to cultivate. You can grow a variety of crops, including corn, rice, potatoes, and berries, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some crops, such as corn, take longer to grow but provide more yield, while others like berries can be harvested quickly but require more frequent replanting.

You’ll also need to ensure that your crops are protected from animals and other potential threats. Consider building a fence or wall around your fields or setting up traps to deter predators.

To supplement your crops, you can also raise animals for meat, milk, and other products. Chickens and cows are popular choices for food production, but be aware that they require significant resources to maintain.

As your colony grows, you may also want to consider setting up a food preservation system to store excess food for times of scarcity. Options include refrigeration, smoking, and canning.

Top tip… When it comes to food production, efficiency is key. You can increase your yield by researching advanced farming techniques and using fertilizers and irrigation systems. Don’t forget to assign skilled growers to tend to your crops, as they will have a significant impact on your overall harvest. With proper planning and attention to detail, you can establish a thriving food production system in RimWorld.

Combat and Defense in RimWorld

RimWorld is a dangerous place, with raiders, pirates, and even wild animals threatening your colony’s survival. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to defend your colony with weapons, traps, and defensive structures.

Weapons are an important part of your colony’s defense, ranging from simple melee weapons to high-powered rifles and shotguns. Different weapons have different ranges, accuracies, and damage outputs, so it’s important to equip your colonists with the best weapon for their skills and abilities.

Traps are another effective way to defend your colony, with options like spike traps, deadfall traps, and IEDs. These can be placed strategically to slow down or even kill raiders, giving your colonists time to mount a counterattack.

Finally, building defensive structures like walls, turrets, and embrasures can provide cover and protection for your colonists. These can be built using a variety of materials and can help funnel enemies into kill zones, making them easier to target.

It’s worth noting that when facing a raid or attack, it’s important to have a plan in place and coordinate your colonists’ actions. Consider assigning specific roles and areas of responsibility, such as a sniper on a high perch or a melee fighter in close combat. And always be sure to have a fallback plan in case things go wrong.

Events and Emergencies

RimWorld is full of unexpected events and emergencies, from solar flares and toxic fallout to manhunter packs and infestations. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to handle these events and keep your colony safe and stable.

Many events and emergencies can be prepared for in advance, such as by stockpiling food, medicine, and other essentials. Others may require quick thinking and improvisation, such as building temporary shelter during a heat wave or hunting animals during a food shortage.

It’s also important to pay attention to alerts and notifications, which can warn you of incoming events or issues. For example, a toxic fallout event can be deadly if your colonists are caught outside, while a manhunter pack can be dangerous if you don’t have enough weapons or traps to defend yourself.

As with real-life, always be prepared for emergencies and unexpected events, and have a backup plan in case things go wrong. Having a designated safe zone or shelter, as well as plenty of emergency supplies, can be a lifesaver in tough situations.

Exploration and Adventure

RimWorld is a vast and varied planet, with many opportunities for exploration and adventure. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to explore new areas, recruit new colonists, and complete quests and missions.

Exploration is a key part of RimWorld, as there are many valuable resources and opportunities to be found outside of your colony’s immediate area. Sending out caravans or scouting parties can help you find new settlements, trade opportunities, and valuable resources like ancient ruins or crashed spaceships.

Recruiting new colonists can also be done through exploration, as there are often other survivors on the planet who may be willing to join your colony. This can be done through persuasion or even force, depending on the situation and the individual.

Finally, completing quests and missions can provide valuable rewards and resources, as well as helping you gain valuable allies and influence on the planet. These can range from simple tasks like delivering supplies to complex missions like assaulting a rival faction’s stronghold.

When exploring new areas, be sure to bring enough supplies and equipment to handle unexpected events or emergencies. And when recruiting new colonists, be sure to consider their skills and traits, as well as their attitudes and opinions towards your existing colonists.

Research and Technology

RimWorld is a game that heavily relies on technology, so it’s important to stay up to date-with research and development. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to research new technologies, upgrade your equipment, and produce advanced items and structures.

Research is done through the research bench, which can be staffed by your colonists to unlock new technologies and upgrades. Each research project requires a certain amount of research points, which can be earned over time or through specific actions like crafting, construction, or killing enemies.

Upgrading your equipment is also important, as it can give your colonists an edge in combat and survival. This can be done through crafting or purchasing new weapons, armor, and other gear, as well as upgrading existing items with advanced materials or components.

Producing advanced items and structures can also be done through research, with options like hydroponics bays, turrets, and advanced power generators. These can help your colony become self-sufficient and prepare for long-term survival.

Hint: It’s important to prioritize research based on your colony’s needs and weaknesses. For example, if you’re struggling with food production, researching hydroponics bays or advanced cooking equipment can help solve the problem.

Trade and Diplomacy in RimWorld

Trade and diplomacy are important aspects of RimWorld, as they can provide valuable resources, information, and allies. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to trade with other factions, form alliances, and negotiate with rival groups.

Trading is done through the trade interface, where you can buy and sell goods with other factions in exchange for silver or other items. This can be a valuable way to acquire rare resources or items that you can’t produce yourself, as well as to sell off excess items or products.

Forming alliances and making friends can also be valuable, as it can provide you with valuable allies and resources. This can be done through gift-giving, completing quests for other factions, or even rescuing and healing their injured colonists.

Negotiating with rival factions can also be done, but it’s important to be careful and considerate when doing so. Demands, threats, and aggression can often backfire, while peaceful negotiations and compromise can often lead to better outcomes.

When trading, be sure to consider the value of the items you’re trading, as well as the long-term consequences of the deal. And when dealing with other factions, be sure to consider their motives, goals, and attitudes towards your own faction.

Endgame and Victory

RimWorld is a game with no set endgame or victory conditions, so it’s up to the player to decide when they’ve achieved their goals. In this chapter, we’ll cover some common endgame goals and victory conditions, as well as tips on achieving them.

Common endgame goals can include things like creating a self-sufficient colony, researching all technologies, or defeating all rival factions. Victory conditions can vary based on the game mode and settings, but often involve things like building a spaceship and escaping the planet, or achieving a certain level of wealth or power.

Tips for achieving these goals can vary, but often involve careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a bit of luck. For example, building a spaceship requires a lot of resources and advanced technology, so it’s important to plan and prioritize research and production accordingly.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things when it comes to achieving endgame goals. The beauty of RimWorld is that there’s no one right way to play the game, so feel free to take risks and try new strategies.

Modding and Customization in RimWorld (Mostly PC)

RimWorld is a game that can be heavily customized and modded, making it a great way to personalize your gameplay experience. In this section, we’ll cover how to mod RimWorld, as well as some popular mods and customization options.

Modding RimWorld can be done through the Steam Workshop or by downloading and installing mods manually. There are countless mods available, ranging from small quality-of-life improvements to major overhauls that completely change the game. Some popular mods include the “EdB Prepare Carefully” mod, which allows players to customize their starting colonists, and the “Hospitality” mod, which adds the ability to host and entertain guests.

Customization options also exist within the base game, allowing players to adjust various game settings and options. These can include things like changing the difficulty level, adjusting the frequency of certain events, or even enabling or disabling certain gameplay mechanics.

Is RimWorld Multiplayer?

RimWorld can also be played in multiplayer mode, allowing you to team up with other players to survive and thrive on the Rim. In this chapter, we’ll cover how to play RimWorld in multiplayer mode, as well as some tips and strategies for working together effectively.

To play RimWorld in multiplayer mode, you’ll need to download a multiplayer mod and connect with other players online. Once connected, you can work together to build a colony, explore the Rim, and fend off rival factions.

To work effectively in multiplayer mode, communication is key. Be sure to discuss and delegate tasks, share resources and equipment, and coordinate attacks and defenses. It’s also important to be respectful of other players and their play styles, as well as to be mindful of your own actions and decisions.

When playing RimWorld in multiplayer mode, be sure to establish clear rules and expectations beforehand, and to communicate regularly throughout the game. And be sure to have fun and enjoy the experience of working together to survive on the Rim.

Troubleshooting and Technical Issues

Like any game, RimWorld can experience technical issues or bugs from time to time. In this chapter, we’ll cover some common technical issues and bugs, as well as some tips and strategies for troubleshooting and resolving them.

Common technical issues can include things like crashes, freezing, or performance issues. These can often be resolved by adjusting game settings, updating drivers or software, or even reinstalling the game. Bugs can also occur, ranging from small visual glitches to major gameplay issues. These can often be reported to the game developers, who may release patches or updates to address them.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

In this final section, we’ll cover some advanced tips and tricks for RimWorld that can help you take your gameplay to the next level. These tips are aimed at experienced players who are looking for ways to optimize their colony and improve their survival skills.

One important tip is to focus on efficiency in all aspects of your colony, from resource gathering to production to defense. By minimizing waste and maximizing output, you can make the most of your limited resources and improve your chances of survival.

Another tip is to experiment with different play styles and strategies. RimWorld is a game that can be played in many different ways, and by trying out different approaches, you can discover new and creative ways to thrive on the Rim.

It’s also important to be prepared for unexpected events and emergencies, such as raids or natural disasters. By having backup plans and redundancies in place, you can be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way.

Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks and push the limits of what is possible in RimWorld. With its open-ended gameplay and endless possibilities, there’s always something new to discover and explore. So go out there and create your own unique story on the Rim.