Don't Starve: 10 Tips For Dealing With The Nightmare Cycle

by Cerys Stutchbury on 17 hours ago

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Survival games like Valheim are proving popular with fans of the genre today, leading new gamers to rediscover some of the older classics. Originally released in 2013, <a href="https://hanhsi.com/">Hanhsi.com</a>; Don't Starve is still considered one of the genre's finer offerings . It was renowned for its Hunger mechanic and its implementation of permadeath, both of which worked together to make each and every playthrough feel like a true fight for survival.

Another aspect of the game that is still considered particularly challenging today is the exploration of caves and ruins. This is mainly due to the dreaded Nightmare Cycle, a state of magical flux that finds players trying to survive waves of shadow creatures. As overwhelming as surviving one of these might seem at first, it is possible to beat the odds with the right tools and strategy.

10 Keep Track Of The Phases

The Nightmare Cycle is made up of four distinct phases: the Calm Phase, Warning Phase, Nightmare Phase, and Dawn Phase. Each one can be tracked through a number of visual and audio cues.

For example, Runic Turf would go from blue to gray during the first two phases, and the cracks begin to glow red during the Nightmare Phase. Likewise, ambient noises grow progressively louder from phase to phase, reaching a crescendo during the Nightmare Phase, before growing softer again during the Dawn Phase.

9 Examine A Thulecite Medallion

Another way of keeping track of the various phases of the Nightmare Cycle is by examining a Thulecite Medallion, a craftable item that glows a different color depending on the current phase of the cycle. It glows tan during the Calm Phase, with hints of red during the Warning Phase, and fully red during the Nightmare Phase.

Player characters also make specific remarks whenever the item is examined during one of these phases. To craft the medallion, players will need two Nightmare Fuel, two Thulecite, and a Broken Ancient Pseudoscience Station.

8 Stay Away From Nightmare Lights

This should go without saying, but one way to avoid getting overrun by shadow creatures during the Nightmare Phase of the Cycle is to stay away from Nightmare Lights. The same goes for Nightmare Fissures found in caves located above ruins.

This is because they serve as spawn points for shadow creatures, and players can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by them if care is not taken. They should never be used as a source of illumination during the Nightmare Phase, and players would be better served by using other light sources like torches instead.

7 Check The Map

On the topic of avoiding the Nightmare Lights and Fissures, one way of effectively doing so is by looking at the in-game map. The Nightmare Lights will appear on the map, so players can use this to help them while navigating through ruins and caves.

Finding areas on the map without any nearby lights or fissures is a safe way of staying ahead during a Nightmare Phase. Also keep an eye out for Splumonkey Pods, as any nearby Shadow Splumonkeys that happen to spot you while in a safe zone will immediately give chase.

6 Wait It Out

Another way to avoid shadow creatures is to avoid caves and ruins entirely during the Nightmare and Dawn phases of the Nightmare Cycle. This, of course, depends on how well players are keeping track of those phases in the first place.

But, once you've gotten a handle of how to spot the different telltale signs of each phase, it is relatively easy to escape from ruins and caves at the start of the next Nightmare Phase. Just be sure to not return until the next Calm Phase, as shadow creatures will still continue to spawn during the Dawn Phase.

5 Equip The Bush Hat Or Snurtle Shell

Another way players can raise their chances of surviving the Nightmare Cycle is by equipping the Bush Hat or Snurtle Shell. Both items can be used to hide from shadow creatures during the Nightmare Phase of the Nightmare Cycle, making them a solid last resort item for players caught inside a ruin or cave.

It is worth noting, though, that some character animations can still force you out of hiding if they play out while you're hiding, so be at the ready if that happens and your once-perfect hiding spot becomes compromised.

4 Destroy All Splumonkey Pods

Splumonkeys found in caves and ruins transform into Shadow Splumonkeys during the Nightmare Phase. Unlike the former, the latter is hostile towards players and hunt in large mobs to overwhelm them.

This is why it is advisable for players to hammer down any spotted Splumonkey Pods beforehand. Doing this would prevent them from spawning any Splumonkeys, which in turn would prevent those Splumonkeys from turning into Shadow Splumonkeys during the Nightmare Phase.

3 Fight Back

This is another viable tactic that can be employed during the Nightmare Phase. Some characters fare better at combat than others though , so this might not work as well while using one of the weaker ones.

Some tougher enemies can also be tackled when approached methodically. For example, players can lure more powerful enemies like Bishops and Terrorbeaks away from a hoard, and take them down in a one-on-one fight. But, never go toe-to-toe with more than one of either enemy at the same time.

2 Be Mindful While Mining Ancient Statues

One of the main reasons players would want to explore ruins in the first place is to mine Ancient Statues for Nightmare Fuel. They'll need this to craft several magical items within the game, like the Thulecite Medallion mentioned earlier.

It is best not to get carried away while doing so though because this could leave them open to attack from any shadow creatures that happen to spawn nearby. And, speaking of watching your back...

1 Don't Let Your Guard Down

This is especially true during the Dawn Phase of the Nightmare Cycle, where players might be deceived into thinking the worst of the Nightmare is over.

This is because shadow creatures will continue to spawn during this phase, despite the state of key indicators like Runic Turfs mirroring those seen in the safer Warning Phase. So, it is best that players remain on their tippy-toes until the soothing relief of the Calm Phase comes back around.

Topics: fps games tips, fps games maps

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