FIELD MANUAL / Fieldcraft
Balance combat and risk
Think through melee, ranged combat and what you stand to lose.
Browse combat & weapons guides →Compare your weapons →
On this page · 3 sections
Know your reach
The game combines methodical ranged combat and brutal melee. Consider both before committing to a fight.
Preserve options
Scavenging is useful only if you survive and extract. Choose fights that serve your goal.
Reassess after contact
If the situation changes, compare the value of pressing on with the value of leaving.
Compare your weapons →Related guides.
All guides →Health & medicine
The developer-described health baseline and how reusable and consumable medicine differ.
CombatStamina, Energy & melee defence
Movement and melee draw on different resources. Manage both before committing to a fight.
CombatHow to fight the Hunger
Fight plans for Bloat, Brute, Dreg, Drooler, Shambler and Waif.
Preparation advice is editorial. Expedition and progression overviews summarize the developer’s published game description. Reported game values are available on the individual reference pages; check requirements in your current build.