Token hunting

Token hunting is the process of looking for token altars to build up your settlement. This is vital in the early stages of a settlement, as without basic tokens like Config and Manufacture Power, more advanced activities such as construction and defense cannot be undertaken.

Finding Tokens

Token hunting is essentially a solo activity: if the hunters spread out it is possible to cover more land. Altars in the wildnerness seem to spawn randomly on any tile, so if you're avoiding AI bases, your collection rate is related to the distance you cover. It's best to avoid random walks as your coverage will decrease considerably. Instead, get yourself a compass and walk as straight as you can in a chosen direction. If more than one person is hunting for tokens you should coordinate your search strategy for maximum coverage. If there are two searchers this will involve taking orthogonal paths around the world. Three or more searchers should split the globe into equal chunks with their paths, like a chocolate orange.

Returning to Base

Timing

Because there is a considerable overhead of time taken to exit the base and travel through well known territory at the beginning of a hunt, it's usually a good idea to pick up tokens until you have the full complement of four. If the game indicates your settlement is under attack (Radio chatter or token loss messages) then it's usually a good idea to return to base immediately. If you have tokens you should be wary of combat, as all tokens will drop on the floor when you die.

If there is more than one person hunting, it may be beneficial to return after one token has been found, to prevent duplicates being found in the wild.

Placement

Always consult your co-denizens before placing a token. Various methods for organising token placement are discussed here.

Dealing with Duplicates

When you run over a token and can't pick it up you either have no more free item slots or the token is a duplicate - a token that's already placed in your settlement. Sub monoliths are the only tokens that can be placed more than once in a settlement.

Equipment Load-out

This is a pretty subjective issue and it depends on how you plan to travel.

• Weaponry will always be useful in case you run across the AI. If you are killed when holding a token you will lose it, so be careful.
• If you intend to use cables to travel about, then the config tool and binoculars are necessary: the former to configure the the local relay, and the latter to obtain the coordinates of the remote relay. A config tool is also incredibly useful when dealing with fences in AI villages.
• A Radio is important if you want to keep in contact with your codenizens. Make sure you agree a standard frequency beforehand!
• dive gear is important if you plan to cross water.

Raiding AI Settlements

Active AI Settlements are guaranteed to house at least one token altar. This includes all kinds of AI settlement types. When raiding an AI base, it is both safer and more fruitful to set a checkpoint near an easy point of access, especially the larger bases which can often be tough to get into. spend some time scouting outside the base, shutting down any power lines you can find before respawning at the checkpoint to head in as most AI bases, small or large, tend to have turrets defending and other defensive structures.

See Also

• Settlement Construction
• Structure Defense
• Villages for features of AI bases