Outbound Beginner Guide: First Hour Walkthrough

Quick Summary

• First 10 min: confirm where power comes from, where it is consumed, and your van's storage limit.
• 10–25 min: gather wood-like, metal-like and plant resources. Do not spend rare items yet.
• 25–40 min: build a small loop — gather → process → craft one useful module → upgrade van layout.
• 40–60 min: pick ONE direction first: power stability, storage, farming/cooking, or mobility.

Step 1 — Power, storage, and your starter van (0–10 min)

Outbound is built around sustainable energy. Before you place anything new, walk around your van and identify three things: the energy source (solar/wind/water), the consumers (workstations, fridge, lights), and the total inventory slots you currently have.

Skipping this step is the most common early-game mistake. New players add a workstation, find their power dropping, and then have to dismantle modules and rebuild — wasting 20+ minutes.

Step 2 — Gather basic materials (10–25 min)

Stick to common renewable nodes first. Prioritize:

• Wood-like resources for structural parts and furniture.
• Metal-like scrap for modules, energy components and storage.
• Plant fibers / mushrooms for early food and crafting.

If you find a rare component (glowing, named, or unusually colored), keep it. Do not feed it into a crafting bench until you confirm the recipe path on this site or in-game.

Step 3 — Build your first work loop (25–40 min)

Aim for a closed loop you can repeat: gather → process → craft one upgrade → install. Even one cycle is more valuable than three half-built projects. Recommended first cycle: gather wood + metal → craft a Storage Upgrade → install in your van. Now every future trip carries 30–50% more loot.

Step 4 — Pick your direction (40–60 min)

Common First-Hour Mistakes

1. Adding power-hungry modules before knowing your generation rate.
2. Spending rare materials on a crafting tree you have not committed to.
3. Driving too far from your spawn before you have storage and food stable.
4. Building decoration before utility — looks nice, hurts efficiency.

💬 Discussion

Found a tip, a fix, or something we got wrong? Drop it below — every comment helps the next player. Sign in with your GitHub account to post.

Coming after launch

• Verified first-hour route with screenshots
• Best starter van layouts
• Optimal energy module order
• Pet adoption walkthrough