First Things First: Don't Panic (Yet)
Basic Controls That'll Save Your Life
- WASD: Move around (shocking, right?)
- Shift: Sprint like your life depends on it (because it does)
- E: Interact with stuff—doors, items, crying children
- F: Toggle your flashlight (your new best friend)
- Tab: Open inventory (where dreams go to die)
- M: Map—because getting lost sucks
- Left Click: Use whatever's in your hand
Your First 5 Minutes (AKA Survival 101)
- Find the campfire—it's your safe zone
- Grab any wood lying around (you'll need tons)
- Look for a map in nearby buildings
- Don't wander too far yet (trust me on this)
- When night falls, GET TO THE CAMPFIRE
⚠️ Newbie Warning
See that deer-looking thing at night? Yeah, don't try to fight it. Don't try to outrun it. Just get to the campfire and pray. The Deer doesn't mess around, and neither should you.
Picking Your Class: Choose Your Fighter
So you've got some diamonds burning a hole in your pocket? Good for you! But before you blow them all on the shiniest class, let's talk strategy. Each class gives you different starting gear and abilities—some are game-changers, others... well, let's just say they're "learning experiences."
The Heavy Hitters (S-Tier)
Assassin (500 Diamonds)
The glass cannon of 99 Nights. You'll hit like a truck but die if someone sneezes on you. Perfect for speedrunners who know what they're doing.
- • Starts with Katana & 120 Throwing Knives
- • +10% speed, -15% HP (high risk, high reward)
- • Critical strikes on first hit
The Solid Choices (A-Tier)
Lumberjack (150 Diamonds)
The MVP for team players. Chops wood like it's going out of style.
- • Steel Axe + 2x wood gathering
- • Your team will love you
Ranger (200 Diamonds)
For those who like to keep their distance from trouble.
- • Crossbow + 60 bolts
- • Perfect for cultist hunting
The Decent Options (B-Tier)
Medic (100 Diamonds)
Starts with bandages. Great for keeping your squad alive.
Engineer (250 Diamonds)
Trap master. Makes cultist raids way easier.
Farmer (75 Diamonds)
Budget option that's actually pretty solid for beginners.
Pro Tips That'll Keep You Breathing
🌞 Daytime Strategy
- Explore systematically: Don't just wander around like a lost tourist
- Gather everything: Wood, scrap, food—hoard it all
- Find the children: They're your ticket to time acceleration
- Build defenses: Cultists don't knock before entering
- Stock up on food: Hunger kills faster than you'd think
🌙 Nighttime Survival
- Stay near the campfire: It's literally your only safe space
- Keep your flashlight on: The Deer hates bright lights
- Don't venture out: Unless you enjoy being deer chow
- Use the time wisely: Craft, plan, or just try not to panic
- Listen for sounds: The Deer's footsteps are your cue to hide
Crafting 101: Making Stuff That Matters
Must-Have Items
- 🗺️ Map: Your GPS in this nightmare
- 🔦 Flashlight: Deer repellent #1
- 🛏️ Bed: Skip nights like a boss
- 🌾 Farm Plot: Infinite food hack
- 🪤 Bear Trap: Cultist leg-breaker
Advanced Gear
- 📡 Teleporter: Fast travel is OP
- 🔫 Weapons: For when diplomacy fails
- 🛡️ Armor: Because getting shot hurts
- 💊 Medicine: Health potions, basically
- 🔋 Generator: Power up your base
Resource Priority
- Wood: You'll never have enough
- Scrap: The duct tape of 99 Nights
- Food: Dead players can't rescue kids
- Amulets: Cultist drops = crafting gold
- Rare materials: For the fancy stuff
Rookie Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ "I Can Take the Deer"
No, you can't. Nobody can. The Deer is invincible, immortal, and really, really angry. Your job is to avoid it, not fight it. Save your hero complex for the cultists.
❌ Wandering Off Alone
This isn't a solo adventure game. Stick with your team, share resources, and watch each other's backs. Lone wolves become deer snacks real quick.
❌ Ignoring the Campfire
Your campfire isn't just decoration—it's your lifeline. Keep it protected, keep it lit, and for the love of all that's holy, don't let cultists destroy it.
❌ Hoarding Everything
Yeah, resources are important, but so is teamwork. Share the wealth—your teammates' survival directly impacts your own chances of making it to day 99.
Next-Level Tactics for Veterans
Time Management Mastery
Want to speedrun this nightmare? Here's the secret sauce:
- • Rescue kids ASAP for time acceleration
- • Build multiple beds for maximum skip potential
- • Plan your routes efficiently
- • Don't waste daylight on unnecessary tasks
Combat Optimization
Fighting cultists doesn't have to be a bloodbath:
- • Target crossbow cultists first (they hurt)
- • Use bear traps to control movement
- • Coordinate attacks with your team
- • Save ammo—melee when possible
Your First Night: Step-by-Step Survival
Follow this interactive tutorial to master your first night in the forest. Each step builds on the last to ensure you survive until dawn.
Step 1: Spawn and Orient Yourself
Easy⏱️ 30 secondsYou've just spawned in the forest. Take a moment to look around and identify key landmarks. You should see a campfire nearby—this is your lifeline.
💡 Pro Tips
- • The campfire is always your safe zone during night time
- • Look for the bulletin board near spawn for child rescue missions
- • Note the time of day—you have limited daylight to prepare
Tutorial Overview
Spawn and Orient Yourself
30 seconds
Gather Initial Wood
2-3 minutes
Find and Craft a Map
1 minute
Explore Nearby Buildings
3-5 minutes
Prepare for Nightfall
1-2 minutes
Survive the Night
3-4 minutes
Plan for Day 2
Ongoing
Questions Every Newbie Asks
How do I get diamonds to buy classes?
Diamonds come from achievements, rare chests, and completing runs. Focus on getting all the badges first—they're your main diamond source. Pro tip: don't buy the expensive classes until you've mastered the basics with cheaper ones.
What's the best class for beginners?
Honestly? Start with Farmer or Medic. They're cheap, useful, and won't break the bank if you mess up. Once you've got the hang of things, upgrade to Lumberjack—your team will thank you for all that extra wood.
How do I deal with the fear system?
Stay near light sources, stick with your team, and don't stare at the Deer too long. If your screen starts getting all wonky, find a campfire or flashlight ASAP. Fear kills just as dead as the monsters do.
Can I play this solo?
Technically? Yes. Practically? Good luck with that. This game is designed for teamwork. You CAN solo it, but it's like trying to eat soup with a fork—possible, but why would you want to?
Ready to Survive Your First Night?
Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to face the forest. Remember: stay calm, stick together, and whatever you do, don't try to pet the Deer.