The expedition has begun, but for players new to Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, there’s a very steep learning curve. So for the inexperienced expedition leaders out there, a beginner's guide is the perfect handbook.
Fortunately, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Here’s the complete beginner's guide for Expeditions: A MudRunner Game.
Starting the expedition
Expeditions: A MudRunner Game hands you the keys to a fleet of all-terrain vehicles. With these, it’s up to you to successfully lead a scientific expedition, delivering crucial supplies to research sites across the map.
For players migrating from both MudRunner and SnowRunner, getting to grips with Expeditions is much easier. But for new players, switching from track cars to off-road trucks requires a lot of adapting, which isn’t always easy for everyone.
To give you a helping hand, we've compiled a complete Expeditions: A MudRunner Game beginner’s guide for players who find themselves upside down, stuck in the mud, or stranded out in the wilderness.
Failing to prepare
Before heading out into the field, it’s vital to choose the right vehicle for the mission ahead. We’ve compiled a list of the best starter vehicles when you first start out in the game.
Once you’ve selected your wheels, you need to pack the essential equipment you’ll need to keep you moving on your expedition. Depending on the vehicle selected, you may need to pick only the essentials. We recommend selecting a set of jacks and anchors for every mission, as you’ll soon find out.
If you are lacking in inventory space, for example, if you’re taking one of the scout vehicles out, it’s best to leave the jacks and only take the anchors. Again, you’ll soon find out why this is best.
Research the mission
If you’re undecided on how best to utilise your cargo capacity, you should always read the mission brief. Although mostly vague, the game gives you tips regarding what each mission entails.
Each mission brief tells you how far you’ll need to travel, the difficulty of the mission, the type of terrain you’ll face, and even a vehicle recommendation. This information is incredibly useful when planning for each expedition.
If the distance you’ll be travelling is long, it’s best to pack extra fuel. If the terrain is rocky or mountainous, fit your vehicle with off-road tyres. It’s also a good idea to then pack the jacks to flip yourself back over after rolling down the rocks.
The price of science
It might be tempting to just load up your vehicle with equipment, extra fuel, and spare parts, but this will actually hinder rather than help. Every piece of equipment costs money to add, meaning overloading your vehicle will eat into your resources.
Yes, all unused equipment is returned at the end of each mission, but you only receive half of the initial cost back. Therefore, it’s best to get a feel for how to pack for each mission.
The best way to do this is to use the early missions to judge how much you use the equipment, and then use that experience to make a decision on the next mission. You’ll quickly realise packing equipment to upright your vehicle might actually be unnecessary after all!
Once you’ve finished packing your vehicles, it’s time to hit the road. But the learning doesn’t stop there.
Fighting your instincts
So you’re out in the field, driving through a muddy patch of land, and you become stuck. What do you do? If you answered, ‘Hold down the throttle and hope for the best’, you’re going to be stuck there for a while.
The best expedition drivers need to fight their initial instinct. Trying to brute force your way out of trouble in Expeditions: A MudRunner Game doesn’t work out very well. Instead, you need to be smarter.
Every vehicle can be adjusted on the fly during a mission according to the scenario you find yourself in. The vehicle’s driveability, tyre pressure, and differential settings can all be toggled to give the vehicle more or less power to get out of those tricky spots.
Again, the temptation might be to drive at full power using all-wheel drive everywhere you go, but with fuel a valuable resource, it’s actually better to switch all those features off when not needed.
So, let’s take a look at when it is best to use each adjustment on your vehicle.
Tackling the field
When driving around in Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, you will inevitably get stuck. Knowing how to get yourself out of tricky situations is what will help you succeed in the game.
Before heading to the equipment inventory, let’s take a look at how vehicle adjustments can help you first.
We’ve already said hammering the throttle won’t help, but using the winch can literally pull you out of the mud. The winch can be attached to any tree standing or felled out in the wilderness. You can then pull yourself free, or use the momentum to catapult yourself out of the mud.
When used smartly, the winch can even flip your vehicle the right way up after an unexpected roll, which is why it's best not to bring jacks if you’re short on cargo capacity.
If there are no trees in sight, this is where the anchors can be useful. Anchors can be placed on patches of ground with no obstacles in the way, with you then attaching the winch to them to haul yourself free. Anchors can only be placed within a limited radius of your vehicle, so place them wisely for the best result.
Anchors are also unrecoverable, meaning you should use them sparingly. If you’re stuck and there are no trees, there are other methods to free yourself before resorting to throwing the anchors out.
Careful adjustments
The anchor should always be the last resort when you find yourself stuck, as there might be an easier way to get free. If the winch isn’t working, you can still use the vehicle adjustments to change the vehicle dynamics.
When first starting off, all-wheel drive (AWD) is disabled by default. However, you can enable AWD by turning the vehicle wheel, as the extra traction this provides may be enough for the vehicle to haul itself free.
If this fails, then try lowering the tyre pressure to increase the contact surface with the ground. Both of these use more fuel, however, so be sure to reset both settings once you’re moving again.
You can also put your vehicle into low gear. This increases power output but decreases top speed, so again, it should only be used when necessary. Some vehicles also allow you to lock the differential, but this isn’t an option in many of the starter vehicles.
You should only consider throwing out an anchor if these options fail, as you’ll have no other option. Using the specialist equipment will cost you, so always try the other methods first.
Be a tortoise, not a hare
Of course, getting out of trouble is one thing, but avoiding getting into trouble in the first place is the real skill. Going slow and steady keeps you out of trouble, but you’ll be fighting your instincts again on this one.
The temptation is to gun it through the mud, charge up the hills, and blast through the water. However, if you're not careful these will land you in serious trouble, so it’s best to be cautious and clever.
Take it easy when traversing obstacles, and don’t be afraid to stop, pull up the map, and assess your options. Sometimes, the shortest route is not the best to take, so be prepared to go around the long way if necessary.
The gadgets available to you are also indispensable. Sending up the drone to scout out a route can help you identify and avoid potential hazards, while the echo-sounding scanner is crucial for navigating the water, keeping you from drowning the engine.
By taking your time, planning out your route, and assessing each obstacle individually, you’ll soon be able to pick up the pace and use your newfound experience to navigate your way across each map. Just be careful of any hidden features that could damage the underside or even snap an axle.
Mastering the mission
Now, you’re ready to venture out on your scientific expedition. There’s a lot to remember in this guide, but as you complete each mission, it will become more and more instinctive, eventually becoming second nature every time you climb behind the wheel.
Of course, this guide has been assembled from our experiences in the game. Each player has their own driving style, so what works for us may not necessarily work for you, so be sure to experiment with your garage to get the best setup for you.
Has this beginner’s guide helped you in the field? Let us know in the comments below, and check out our other guides if you find yourself needing more help.
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