Gear is central to your character’s ability to thrive in the wasteland. Every item you carry serves a purpose, whether it’s a weapon for defense, a tool for repair, or a relic of the old world that offers a glimmer of hope. Players must manage their inventory carefully, balancing utility with the limited carrying capacity dictated by their Strength attribute.
Gear isn’t just about mechanics; it’s a storytelling tool. A tattered map might lead to hidden treasure, while a jury-rigged weapon reflects your character’s ingenuity. Every piece of equipment tells a story, adding depth to your character and the world.
Types of Equipment
Weapons
Weapons are critical for defending against Aberrants, raiders, and other threats. In Darkbound, weapons range from improvised tools to scavenged firearms.
| Weapon Type | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Melee Weapons | Rusty Blade | A salvaged kitchen knife or machete. |
| Crowbar | A heavy metal bar, useful for prying and bashing. | |
| Baseball Bat | A wooden or aluminum bat, effective for swinging at enemies. | |
| Sledgehammer | A massive hammer designed for demolition, capable of dealing heavy damage. | |
| Spiked Club | A wooden club reinforced with nails or scrap metal. | |
| Axe of the Fallen | A ceremonial axe looted from an old-world ruin. Useful for slashing. | |
| Shardspire Blade | A sword made from the glass-like spires found in Shardspire Expanse. | |
| Ranged Weapons | Scrap Pistol | A cobbled-together handgun prone to misfires. |
| Wooden Bow | A basic but reliable ranged weapon, requiring arrows. | |
| Hunting Rifle | A long-range firearm ideal for precision shots on distant targets. | |
| Assault Rifle | A rapid-fire weapon effective in combat with groups of enemies. | |
| Machine Gun | A heavy firearm capable of sustained fire, effective for crowd control. | |
| Crossbow | A silent weapon ideal for stealthy kills. | |
| Pipe Rifle | A single-shot firearm assembled from scavenged parts. | |
| Bolt Launcher | Fires improvised projectiles, effective at medium range. | |
| Explosives | Molotov Cocktail | A bottle filled with flammable liquid, ignited and thrown. |
| Makeshift Grenade | Explosives crafted from scavenged materials. | |
| Smoke Bomb | Creates a thick cloud for concealment or confusion. |
Tools
Tools are essential for crafting, repairing, and overcoming environmental challenges.
| Tool Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi-Tool | A compact device with screwdrivers, pliers, and other functions. |
| Lockpick Set | Essential for bypassing locks in abandoned buildings. |
| Repair Kit | Contains basic tools for fixing gear or vehicles. |
| Flashlight | Illuminates dark areas but may attract Aberrants. |
| Welding Torch | Useful for cutting through metal or repairing sturdy structures. |
| Binoculars | Enhances your ability to scout from a distance. |
Clothing and Armor
Protective gear shields you from environmental hazards and enemy attacks.
| Item Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Reinforced Jacket | Offers moderate protection against melee attacks. |
| Radiation Suit | Provides limited resistance to radioactive zones. |
| Combat Boots | Durable footwear ideal for traversing rough terrain. |
| Gas Mask | Filters toxic air, necessary for exploring corrupted areas. |
| Padded Gloves | Useful for protecting your hands from physical damage. |
| Kevlar Vest | Reduces damage from firearms and shrapnel. |
Consumables
Consumables are single-use items that restore health, provide temporary bonuses, or fulfill basic needs.
| Consumable Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Water Purifier Tablets | Treat contaminated water to make it safe for drinking. |
| Healing Salve | A makeshift ointment that restores lost health. |
| Energy Bar | Restores stamina for a short period. |
| Stim Pack | Provides an immediate boost to Strength or Agility but has a crash effect. |
| Antidote Syringe | Neutralizes toxins or poisons. |
Miscellaneous Items
These items serve various purposes, from barter goods to story-driven artifacts.
| Item Name | Item Name |
|---|---|
| Scrap Metal | Used for crafting and repairs. |
| Tattered Map | Marks hidden locations or potential scavenging sites. |
| Old-World Relic | An enigmatic artifact that holds secrets of the past. |
| Signal Flare | Attracts attention, useful for marking locations or signaling allies. |
| Glowshroom Lantern | A bioluminescent fungi-powered light source that doesn’t attract Aberrants. |
| Dark Ward | A relic that is believed to repel lesser Aberrants. |
Custom Gear for Darkbound
| Item Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Shardspire Blade | A weapon made from the glass-like spires found in the Shardspire Expanse, unnaturally sharp and capable of inflicting severe damage. |
| Pulse Beacon | A salvaged device that emits an electromagnetic pulse to disable electronics and massively deter Aberrants. |
| Glowshroom Lantern | A bioluminescent fungi-powered light source that doesn’t attract Aberrants like artificial lights. |
| Dark Ward | A relic that emits a faint hum, believed to repel lesser Aberrants. |
| Corruption Detector | A handheld device that identifies areas heavily influenced by the Dark. |
Crafting and Maintenance
Crafting and maintaining gear is a core survival mechanic in Darkbound. Players must scavenge materials and allocate time to keep their equipment in working order.
Crafting:
- Characters with high Wits or Tinkerer talents can create improvised tools, traps, and weapons using scrap metal, wood, and other materials.
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- Example: A player crafts a spike trap to defend their safezone using salvaged nails and planks.
Maintenance:
- Weapons and tools degrade over time, requiring repair kits or specific resources to restore functionality.
- Example: A Scrap Pistol jams during combat, forcing the character to spend an action fixing it.
How Gear Works Mechanically
Gear affects gameplay by modifying rolls, providing bonuses, or mitigating penalties. For example:
- Weapons: Each weapon has a base damage value. Rolling additional successes on an attack increases the damage dealt.
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- Armor: Reduces incoming damage based on its protection value. For instance, a Reinforced Jacket might absorb 1 point of damage from a melee attack.
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- Tools: Provide situational bonuses. A Lockpick Set grants a +2 bonus to opening locked doors.
Encumbrance is also a factor. Characters can only carry a limited amount of gear based on their Strength attribute, adding a layer of strategy to inventory management.
Narrative Importance of Gear
Beyond mechanics, gear is a storytelling tool. A worn photograph found in an abandoned safezone might hint at a lost family, while a mysterious artifact could unravel new lore about the Dark. Encourage players to weave their equipment into the narrative, creating memorable moments and character-defining details.