Winter, the dreaded season that tests our survival skills in the harsh world of Don’t Starve. While it may seem daunting at first, with a little preparation and strategy, you can successfully navigate through the cold and come out unscathed. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to conquer your first winter and ensure a smooth transition into spring and summer.
Table of Contents
How to Determine if it’s Winter
Finding yourself lost in the bewildering world of Don’t Starve, it’s essential to know when the dreaded winter has arrived. Without any mods to guide you, fear not! Simply build a Thermal Measurer from the Science Tab, and when it turns blue, you can be sure that winter has set in. This handy device will be your reliable companion throughout the chilling months.
Choosing the Right Characters for Winter
Selecting the right character in Don’t Starve can greatly influence your ability to survive the winter. While it’s crucial to find a character whose playstyle matches yours, some characters excel at dealing with specific winter mechanics. Avoid Willow, as she struggles in the cold. Instead, consider characters like Wilson, Webber, and Woodie, each offering unique advantages in winter survival.
Wilson: Wilson, the default character, grows a beard that provides insulation against the freezing temperatures. It offers 135 seconds of protection, surpassing many other insulation items in the game.
Webber: Although Webber’s beard may not provide significant insulation, his ability to control spiders can be advantageous in team-based gameplay.
Woodie: While Woodie may not possess excellent insulation, he shines in gathering essential resources like Gold Nuggets, Rocks, and Logs during the winter.
Staying Warm and Avoiding Freezing
One of the most significant challenges of winter is the drastic drop in temperature, which can quickly deplete your health. To stay warm, it’s crucial to have a Thermal Stone. Stand by a fire to warm it up, as it emits a comforting glow that keeps you safe from the darkness and the lurking dangers. Remember to keep it warm and close to you to ensure a constant source of heat.
While clothing may insulate you, it won’t warm you up. So, feel free to take off those insulated clothes while chilling by the fire and relax! You only need them when your Thermal Stone stops working. Surprising, right? Also, don’t forget to shave Beefalo with a Razor to collect their warm and cozy Wool, which can be used as fuel for fires.
Food Sources for Winter Survival
Winter brings changes to the availability of food sources in Don’t Starve. Understanding these changes and adapting your strategy is vital. While some food sources become scarce, others remain dependable.
Berries on Bushes: Berries left on bushes before winter will stay fresh throughout the season, making them a reliable source of sustenance. Use them wisely and consider turning them into snacks until you can access a Crock Pot.
Mini Glaciers and Ice: Mini Glaciers are a valuable renewable resource during winter. Harvest them for Ice, a versatile ingredient that can help in crafting items like the Ice Flingomatic, which protects against fires caused by spring thunderstorms.
Rabbits: While traps can be expensive and unreliable during winter, intercepting rabbits while they return to their rabbit holes is an effective way to obtain meat.
Spiders and Pigs: Spiders and pigs can be your primary source of meat and monster meat. Utilize Spider Dens and Pig Houses near your base to ensure a steady supply.
Drying Racks: Set up drying racks to make jerky, a long-lasting food source that provides hunger, sanity, and health benefits.
Birds: In winter, birds transform into snowbirds. Attack them for feathers, which can be used to craft weapons like blow darts.
Birdcages: Consider building birdcages to trade for eggs, a versatile ingredient for crockpot recipes.
Winter Koalefant: Hunt the elusive winter koalefant for meat and winter koalefant trunks, which can be used to craft the puffy vest, providing insulation and sanity benefits.
Winter-Specific Challenges and Events
Winter in Don’t Starve brings various challenges and unique events that test your survival skills.
Blue Hounds: Starting from the first day of winter, blue hounds replace the red hounds. They can freeze nearby creatures upon death and present a new threat to your survival.
MacTusk and Walrus Camp: Engage in combat with the annoying MacTusk and his son Wee MacTusk for a chance to acquire walrus tusks and useful loot.
The Deerclops: The Deerclops, a giant seasonal boss, will make its appearance during the second half of winter. Prepare for its destructive attacks and defeat it to obtain valuable items like the Deerclops Eyeball.
Klaus and the Loot Stash: During Winter’s Feast, search for the elusive loot stash and summon Klaus, a demanding boss who drops bundles of supplies and blueprints for exclusive items.
Preparing for the Next Season
As winter nears its end, it’s essential to start planning and setting goals for the next season.
Craft an Ice Box: If you haven’t already, craft an ice box to reduce food spoilage and preserve valuable resources like ice.
Build Lightning Rods: Lightning becomes a significant threat in the upcoming spring. Protect your base by constructing lightning rods to minimize damage.
Prestihatitator: Before spring arrives, build a Prestihatitator to access a tier of equipment that becomes unavailable during the season.
Ice Flingomatics: Consider placing ice flingomatics around your base to prevent fires during spring. Remember, it’s especially crucial if you plan to migrate to the Oasis/Desert biome.
By following these tips and preparing for the challenges ahead, you’ll be well-equipped to survive the harsh winter and thrive in the ever-unforgiving world of Don’t Starve. Share your struggles and experiences in the comments below, and remember, stay warm and stay alive! 5 WS
