Outward is a challenging survival RPG that throws players into a harsh world without hand-holding or quest markers. With limited resources and a brutal combat system, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the start. To help you survive and thrive, we’ve compiled 10 essential tips to make your first days in Aurai more manageable.

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1. Secure Your Lighthouse: Save It or Lose It

The lighthouse is your safe haven—complete with a bed, storage chest, and cooking station. To keep it, you must either pay 150 silver or present a Tribal Favor within the first 5 days. The easiest way to get a Tribal Favor is by giving bandages to Michel Aberdeen on the beach. Craft bandages by breaking down tattered clothes into linen and using two linen cloths to create one bandage.

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2. Managing Burnt Health and Stamina

Burnt health and stamina lower your maximum bars after injuries or exhaustion. The most effective way to recover them is by sleeping, but you can also use potions and specific foods. Teas like Bitter Spiced Tea can help restore burnt health, making them valuable early-game resources.

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3. Hunger and Thirst Management

Hunger and thirst affect your health and stamina regen rates. Foods like Gaby Tartine and Jerky not only fill hunger but also provide helpful buffs. To make Gaby Tartine, combine bread and Gaby Jam; for Jerky, combine meat and salt. Don’t forget to cook sea water to extract salt if you’re short.

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4. Avoid Fights Early On

You start weak, and most enemies can easily overpower you. Until you gather better gear and skills, avoid fights by keeping your distance or running away. Use foods that boost stamina regen to escape faster. If you must fight, remove your backpack to improve dodge rolls.

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5. Master Blocking and Dodging

Understanding enemy attack patterns is crucial. Block light attacks and dodge heavy or magic attacks. Heavy attacks can quickly fill your stagger bar, leaving you vulnerable. Time your counterattacks for when enemies finish their combos.

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6. Experiment with Weapon Types

Outward offers a range of weapons, each with unique move sets and attack speeds. Swords offer balanced speed and power, spears provide reach, and axes hit hard but are slower. Try different weapons to find one that suits your playstyle.

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7. Staggering Enemies

Enemies have a white stagger bar beneath their health. Deplete it by landing consistent hits to stagger them, interrupting their attacks. Staggered enemies are defenseless, giving you a window to attack freely.

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8. Craft and Upgrade Your Gear

Better gear can mean the difference between life and death. Gather Blue Sand and money to craft Blue Sand Armor, or use Predator Bones and linen cloth to upgrade iron weapons into Fang weapons. Fang weapons deal bleeding damage, making them highly effective.

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9. Exploit Elemental Weaknesses

Some enemies have weaknesses to specific elements. Use elemental rags to imbue your weapons and gain an advantage. For instance, Mantis Shrimp are weak to ice. If an enemy’s health bar flashes red upon hit, you’re exploiting their weakness.

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10. Use Traps to Control Fights

Traps are an effective way to deal with tough enemies. Craft them from resources in supply caches and lure enemies into them. They are especially useful against faster foes like hyenas, allowing you to turn the tide of battle.

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Conclusion

By mastering resource management, learning to fight smartly, and making the most of your early resources, you can turn Outward’s brutal start into a manageable adventure. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll soon find yourself thriving in the harsh world of Aurai.

Good luck, adventurer!