Surviving your first few hours in SCUM 1.0 can feel overwhelming. The island hits you with hunger, freezing temperatures, aggressive puppets (SCUM’s version of zombies), and a serious lack of gear. But with the right knowledge and smart first-day choices, you can quickly go from a clueless prisoner to a confident survivor.
This guide gives you everything you need to know as a beginner: what to craft first, where to go, how to manage food and warmth, and how not to die within your first 15 minutes.
What Changed in SCUM 1.0?
Before diving in, here’s what’s new that affects beginners directly:
- New tutorial mode (finally useful!) to guide first steps
- Smarter puppet spawns — enemies now appear based on noise and movement
- More human NPCs (some armed) in towns and roads
- Loot rebalancing and new quest creator system
So yes, even returning players should treat 1.0 like a fresh start.
Step 1: Don’t Run Into Town Right Away
A common mistake new players make is rushing toward the nearest big town looking for loot. But early in the game:
- You have no backpack, weapons, or bandages
- Puppets can overwhelm you fast due to sound-based spawning
- Armed NPCs might spot and shoot you
Instead, start by looting nature. Bushes, small sheds, and the open fields near spawn points have everything you need to craft your basic gear and get set.
Step 2: Craft Your Starter Kit (Backpack, Knife, Fire)
Here are 3 essential items to craft in your first 10 minutes:
Step 2: Craft Your Starter Kit (Backpack, Knife, Fire)
Here are 3 essential items to craft in your first 10 minutes:
1. Stone Knife
- Find 2 small rocks on the ground
- Craft a Stone Knife (Crafting → Tools)
This is your main survival tool for cutting and crafting early on.
2. Improvised Courier Backpack
- Tear your shirt into rags
- Craft improvised rope from sticks or more rags
- Open the crafting tab → Search “backpack” → Select Improvised Courier Backpack
This backpack gives you 10 slots of storage space and is crucial for carrying items early on.
3. Fire Drill + Improvised Fireplace
- Collect sticks and bark to craft a fire drill
- Build a fireplace from 6 small sticks
- Stand near and light the fire using your crafted drill
Stay warm and cook raw meat. Fire is essential, especially in cold zones.
Bonus Tip: Use the Vicinity System Smartly
Items you drop or harvest are not auto collected. They stay in the Vicinity panel (bottom left of inventory screen). If you move away, they disappear from view.
- Always stay close while crafting
- Move items from Vicinity into your bag, hands, or pockets before walking away
Step 3: Find Food Without Getting Killed
Hunger kicks in fast. Here’s how to feed yourself safely:
- Look for fruit trees or wild vegetables (like cornfields)
- Kill and cook small animals or birds (spears help)
- Avoid towns until you have weapons or crafted gear
Don’t eat raw meat. Cook it over your crafted fire to avoid food poisoning.
Step 4: Build Your First Weapon
For self-defense and hunting:
- Craft a wooden spear using a long stick
- Throw or jab with it — it’s surprisingly strong early game
- You can carry 3 spears: in hand, back, and shoulder slot
Tip: Right-click and select “Throw” to engage puppets from distance.
Step 5: Understand the Core Survival Systems
SCUM tracks more survival stats than most games. Focus on these:
| System | What to Know as a Beginner |
|---|---|
| Metabolism | Eat slow, digesting food takes time. Don’t overeat suddenly. |
| Temperature | Keep warm using clothes and fire. Wet clothes = faster chill. |
| Stamina | Avoid sprinting nonstop. Use sprint only when escaping. |
| Injuries/Bleeding | Carry rags to bandage. Bleeding will stack and kill quickly. |
Step 6: Gain Fame Early (It Matters)
Fame is used for respawns and access to vendors. Here’s how to gain it as a beginner:
- Chop trees
- Headshot puppets
- Destroy drones flying around
- Successfully craft and survive
High fame means better spawns and respect from traders.
Step 7: Use Waste to Your Advantage
SCUM tracks everything — including your character’s waste. In multiplayer:
- Poop in bushes to hide your trail
- Use it to bait enemies by placing it near fake loot or sniper traps
This strange trick can actually give you a tactical edge.
Step 8: Puppet and Mech Survival Basics
Puppets (zombies) are fast, loud, and respawn based on player noise.
Survival Tips:
- Use silent melee attacks like spears or knives
- Avoid sprinting into buildings — walk in quietly
- Close doors behind you when looting to buy time if attacked
- Build basic traps near buildings or corners to funnel enemies
Step 9: Avoid Mechs Until You’re Ready
Certain bunkers, airfields, and military outposts are guarded by massive AI mechs. These enemies:
- Fire without hesitation
- Patrol in patterns
- Guard high-value loot
If you must explore:
- Move between cover
- Stay out of sight
- Watch for their yellow warning light — it flashes before they shoot
If you hear metallic footsteps nearby, stay hidden or run the opposite direction.
Step 10: Common First-Day Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Running into towns too fast | Looking for gear early | Stick to bushes and open fields first |
| Forgetting to bandage | Bleeding stacks | Always carry cut rags or craft bandages |
| Making too much noise | Triggers puppet spawns | Walk slowly, avoid jumping or climbing loudly |
| Trusting strangers | PvP betrayal is common | Play solo or with trusted friends only |
| Looting near mech zones | Tempting but dangerous | Wait until you have armor and a plan |
Bonus Tips for Staying Alive in SCUM 1.0
These tried-and-tested strategies come from experienced SCUM players who’ve spent hundreds of hours mastering survival:
- Carry a spear at all times – It’s reliable, silent, and more dependable than a gun with no ammo. You can also throw it to take out puppets from a safe distance.
- Farm Fame early – Chop trees, cook food, and survive. Even basic actions earn Fame, which is key for respawns and accessing trader perks.
- Doors won’t always save you – Don’t trust wooden doors to block puppets. They can break through if they’re aggressive enough. Stay alert.
- Use dumpsters and trash bins to hide – When being chased or scouting towns, these offer quick and unexpected cover.
- Memorize key crafting recipes – Knowing what materials you need saves time during pressure moments. Practice building fire, weapons, and basic tools from memory.
Final Thoughts
Your first day in SCUM 1.0 is about one thing: staying alive long enough to learn the game. By crafting basic tools, avoiding high-risk areas, and managing food, fire, and wounds, you’ll already be ahead of most new players.
Once you survive that first night, your options open up: bunkers, vehicles, traders, and base-building. But it all starts with one fire, one spear, and a whole lot of awareness.
Stay smart. Stay quiet. And survive.
Read More:
SCUM 1.0: How to Use a Fire Drill and Craft an Improvised Fireplace
SCUM 1.0: How to Craft the Improvised Courier Backpack Easily in Early Game
