Build a kit around the job
Carry the tools needed for the next task, then leave duplicates at shelter. A construction kit, vehicle kit, and day-to-day bag overlap, but taking all three on every food run wastes capacity. The table describes common functions; a particular recipe can require extra materials, knowledge, or a different tool tag.
| Tool | What it enables | Carry it when… |
|---|---|---|
| Claw hammer | Wooden barricades and many carpentry recipes with planks and nails | You are reinforcing shelter or building. |
| Saw / hacksaw | Turn logs into planks; help dismantle suitable furniture | You are processing wood or collecting materials. |
| Screwdriver | Disassemble radios and digital watches; work on vehicle lights and gun attachments | You need electronics, vehicle work, or attachment changes. |
| Wrench | Work on several vehicle parts, including brakes, suspension, hood, and engine | The intended mechanical task needs it. |
| Jack + lug wrench | Remove or install a vehicle tire | You have a suitable tire and a place to work. |
| Can opener | Open canned food | The food you are carrying needs an opener. |
| Needle + thread | Sewing and suitable deep-wound stitches | You are maintaining clothes or preparing a treatment kit. |
Pack three small kits
The jack supports access to wheel-area parts. Remove the tire with the lug wrench before work on the brake or suspension behind it. Check the mechanics panel for the remaining requirements and avoid practicing on the only working car.
- Daily bag: drinking water, food you can eat, a usable weapon, basic bandaging, and a light source. Add a can opener if the food needs one.
- Construction trip: hammer, saw, screwdriver when required, nails, and a plan for moving wood. Inspect the build recipe before hauling a second load.
- Vehicle trip: screwdriver, wrench, jack, and lug wrench for the jobs you intend to do. Bring the replacement part; possessing tools alone does not repair a missing tire.
Mapped places to begin scouting
These are real category targets from the atlas dataset, not guaranteed item spawns. Inspect the route before loading up, and open the town guide for alternative nearby categories.
| Need | Map category | Example map target |
|---|---|---|
| Construction tools | Warehouse | Muldraugh warehouse · 10,724 / 10,425 |
| Hand tools | Hardware store | Riverside hardware · 6,372 / 5,320 |
| Food and kitchen supplies | Grocery store | Riverside grocery · 6,498 / 5,436 |
| Fuel for a recovery trip | Gas station | Rosewood gas station · 8,046 / 11,150 |
| Skill books | Library | Riverside library · 6,435 / 5,262 |
Keep essential tools available
Some tools also function as weapons. If a tool is the only one that supports a needed project, consider carrying a separate weapon so you are not relying on the same item for both jobs. Check condition before a trip.
Store shared tools in a known place and keep a short missing-items list. A focused return trip for a saw and nails is easier to organize than another indiscriminate warehouse haul.