SCUM: 10 Best Tips for Beginners

SCUM throws players into a brutal survival world where every decision matters. It’s a game about crafting, scavenging, and fighting to stay alive in a dangerous open world filled with threats at every corner. Now, whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your skills, knowing the basics can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through the 10 best tips for beginners to help you survive and thrive in this crafting game. From crafting essential tools to staying prepared in combat, these tips will give you a strong start in SCUM’s unforgiving environment. 

10. Craft a Knife First

When you first start SCUM, the immediate priority should be to craft a stone knife. The knife is an essential tool in the early game. Players rely on it heavily to gather resources, craft other tools, and even defend themselves. To craft a knife, players must gather two small stones, which can be found lying around on the ground. Combine these stones in your crafting menu to create your first knife. This tool will be crucial for cutting branches and gathering materials.

9. Set Your Favorites for Quick Access

SCUM has an extensive crafting system with many recipes that you’ll use repeatedly. As players explore and gather resources, the crafting menu can become overwhelming. Fortunately, the game offers a “Favorites” feature that allows you to save your most frequently used crafting recipes. By adding recipes like rope, axes, and improvised bows to your favorites tab, players will be able to quickly access them without scrolling through the entire menu.

8. Craft an Axe as Soon as Possible

Once you have a stone knife, the next item you should aim to craft is an axe. An axe is essential for gathering larger resources, such as chopping down trees for wood. The stone axe will significantly speed up the resource-gathering process, which is crucial for crafting, building shelter, and defending yourself. 

Players can craft an axe by combining a stone axe head (which you can craft using your knife) with sticks. With an axe, you can chop down trees, break logs into smaller pieces, and gather wood much faster than with a knife. This will help you craft more advanced tools and even set up a shelter to protect yourself from the elements and enemies.

7. Gather Sticks for Crafting and Survival

Sticks are one of the most versatile resources in SCUM. They are used in countless crafting recipes and are needed for tools, weapons, and shelter. You can gather sticks by cutting down trees or harvesting bushes, and you can break long sticks into smaller sticks if needed. Having a steady supply of sticks is essential because you will use them for nearly everything in this survival game. For example, sticks are required to craft arrows, a bow, and even your improvised backpack. Make sure you always keep a healthy stockpile of sticks in your inventory, as you will need them often. 

6. Craft Rope for Building and Tools

Another crucial resource in SCUM is rope. Rope is necessary for crafting many essential items, such as backpacks, bows, and traps. To craft rope, you need to combine sticks in the crafting menu. Rope will become particularly useful early in the game when you craft your first improvised backpack, which will allow you to carry more items and loot. Rope is also needed for more advanced items and tools, so you should prioritize crafting it as soon as you can. 

5. Make Your First Backpack

After gathering enough resources, including rope and fabric, you should craft your first improvised backpack. This simple backpack will allow you to store more items, which is essential for looting and survival. Players can craft the backpack using rags and rope, and it will serve as their primary storage solution in the early game. Although the improvised backpack has limited capacity, it is a significant upgrade over carrying items without any storage space. 

4. Craft a Bow for Range Combat

Once you have a stone knife and axe, and have crafted a backpack, it’s time to craft your first ranged weapon: the bow. The bow is an essential tool for hunting and defending yourself against zombies. It is silent, meaning players can take out enemies without alerting other zombies to their location. To craft a bow, you will need to gather long wooden sticks and rope. 

3. Craft Arrows for Your Bow

After crafting a bow, players will need arrows to use with it. Arrows are crafted from short sticks, which you can break down from long sticks. Notably, having a large supply of arrows is crucial for ranged combat, as you will need them for both hunting and zombie defense. Interestingly, players can also loot arrows from zombies or other players, but it’s better to craft your own to ensure you have a steady supply. Notably, be mindful that arrows can break or get lost, so always carry a backup supply when exploring.

2. Use AutoCraft to Save Time

Now, one of the most useful features in SCUM is the AutoCraft option. AutoCraft allows players to automatically craft certain items without having to select each individual recipe manually. For example, when crafting arrows, you can select the AutoCraft option to automatically turn your short sticks into arrows without having to click each one individually. This feature saves a lot of time, especially when you need to craft large quantities of an item. 

1. Always Be Prepared When Entering POIs

Points of Interest (POIs) are scattered across the map in this survival game, and they are often filled with valuable loot. However, POIs are also dangerous, as they tend to be populated by zombies. Before entering any POI, always make sure you have a ranged weapon, like a bow or a firearm, and check your surroundings carefully. Zombies may be lurking in corners or hiding in rooms, so it’s important to be cautious. It’s also a good idea to check the map and make sure you know where you are, as POIs can sometimes be located in dangerous or unfamiliar parts of the map.