A Beginner’s Guide to Dredge: Tips and Tricks

Article’s Summary

• Learn Beginner’s Guide in Playing Dredge
• Focus Primarily on Fishing and do it gain profit not just to have have fun
• Consider Boat Upgrades, Optimized Inventory Control and Unlock Standard Abilities
• Discover Where to buy Dredge at a Cheapest Price

Introducing the long-awaited indie-fishing-horror gem, Dredge, from the talented developers at Blacksalt Games. Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey as you step into the shoes of a Captain, guiding a small fishing vessel through the eerie and mystical waters of ‘The Marrows’. In this immersive experience, your goal is to uncover valuable hauls, unearth hidden treasures, and unravel the enigmatic secrets that lie beneath the surface of this otherworldly realm.

As you navigate through this hauntingly beautiful game, be vigilant of both mechanical mishaps and the nightmarish entities inspired by Lovecraftian lore that lurk below. While Dredge’s gameplay may not prove overwhelmingly challenging for most players, it’s always beneficial to arm yourself with some Dredge beginner tips.  These invaluable nuggets of knowledge can make all the difference amidst the chaotic and bewildering atmosphere of this meticulously crafted universe. So, let’s delve into the world of Dredge and equip ourselves with essential Dredge game tips and tricks to conquer its mysteries.

We’ve compiled a set of beginner’s tips that will give you a significant advantage and make your journey through the game much smoother. By following these tips, you’ll gain the upper hand and find yourself finishing the game with ease. 

Focus Primarily on Fishing First

Begin your journey in Dredge by focusing on fishing initially. As you commence the game, the gameplay remains straightforward. You’ll find yourself in the area between Greater and Little Marrow, where your primary task is to engage in fishing. Within this region, there are various spots teeming with potential hauls waiting to be discovered.

To maximize your gains, collect and store your haul in your small inventory and make your way to Greater Marrow to sell them. It’s essential to resist the temptation of venturing further beyond this area initially, as doing so will expose you to Lovecraftian Horrors and the perils of becoming lost in the darkness.

Instead, prioritize upgrading your ship before embarking on explorations of the open waters. Selling the fish you catch serves as the most lucrative option for accumulating resources. By repeating this process, you’ll gradually accumulate the necessary means to proceed to the next tip and unlock further possibilities in the game.

Optimized Inventory Control

Efficiently managing and organizing your inventory is a key skill for success in Dredge. Neglecting this aspect can lead to the unfortunate situation of having to abandon valuable catches and missing out on important earnings. Each fish occupies a distinct shape and space in the inventory, requiring players to arrange them strategically, much like playing Tetris, in order to maximize their carrying capacity. To avoid this problem, it’s crucial to have a rough estimate of how much space a fish will occupy before attempting to catch it. It’s advisable to sell any excess catches or treasures before embarking on another fishing trip.

Getting the hang of inventory arrangements early on is vital. You’ll soon realize how quickly the night falls, bringing along various dangers, if too much time is spent on tasks like this. It’s always wise to leave some room in your inventory before heading back home, as you may come across unique treasures and fish during your journey.

Utilize Boats Enhancements

Take full advantage of boat upgrades to enhance your fishing prowess. In the early stages, certain fish species will be unattainable without the appropriate upgrades for your vessel. Visit various Shipyards located within the game’s towns to acquire these upgrades, including different fishing poles tailored to catching specific fish types. Additionally, Shipyards offer engine, net, and lighting upgrades to further enhance your capabilities.

Investing in engine upgrades early on is a prudent choice as it boosts your ship’s movement speed. This proves invaluable when evading larger predators and seeking safety during the night. Given the rapid passage of in-game days, speed becomes a vital necessity. Nets enable you to capture a larger quantity of fish, while lighting upgrades assist in maintaining the Captain’s sanity meter during those lonesome and treacherous nights. It’s worth noting that certain upgrades require installation time, so it’s often best to carry out these modifications at nighttime to avoid missing out on catches during the day—unless, of course, you’re targeting nocturnal fish species.

Remain Along the Coastal Area During Nighttime

At night in The Marrows, it becomes clear to all sailors that the fish lurking in the waters are significantly different and more dangerous than those found during the day. For novice players, venturing into the depths of the open ocean without upgrading their boat would be a perilous undertaking. Initially, many fishing spots will be locked and require boat upgrades to access. Luckily, the coastal waters are available right from the start, allowing players to fish there even during nighttime.

Sticking close to the shoreline also helps minimize damage. Even with a slow-moving ship, steering towards the shallows can help avoid encounters with larger predators in the game. Additionally, staying near the coast ensures that upgrades and supplies are within reach, provided there are inhabited areas along the coastline. Ports can be particularly useful when the nighttime creatures become overwhelming, allowing players to rest and wait until the next day cycle. Alternatively, ports can be used to exclusively focus on nighttime fishing, but this approach is not recommended for beginners.

Engage in Conversation with Local Residents

Upon arriving at a port, players will come across non-playable characters (NPCs) with whom they can engage in conversation by using the bottom-left interface of the screen. These interactions may often go unnoticed among the various other options available, but they are crucial for unlocking new quests and obtaining rare items that might otherwise be overlooked. Moreover, these characters play a significant role in developing the game’s lore and atmosphere, providing insights into the enigmatic archipelago where players find themselves immersed.

While some NPCs may express their disdain towards the Captain, making it clear that they are not welcomed in those parts, it’s important not to take it personally. It’s understandable that living in a world where the ocean harbors monstrous creatures reminiscent of Cthulhu would naturally evoke a certain level of paranoia. Nonetheless, conversing with the townsfolk remains a valuable aspect of the game, offering opportunities for exploration, discovery, and immersion in the game’s intriguing narrative.

It is Essential to Utilize Lighting Effectively

To maintain your sanity and avoid a perilous fate in the darkness of nighttime, utilizing lights becomes a crucial gameplay mechanic. A key aspect of this is the panic meter, which measures your level of distress. Prolonged periods spent out on the water during the night will raise the panic meter, leading to more frequent and intricate hallucinations. These hallucinations can still inflict genuine harm, such as being attacked by a fish or colliding with a rock, even within the realm of fevered dreams. It appears that this phenomenon is a characteristic of the region’s air itself, rather than a reflection of the Captain’s instability.

The remedy for this maddening predicament lies in the use of lighting. Upgrading the boat’s lighting system and ensuring that all lights are illuminated during nighttime voyages will help alleviate this problem to some extent. However, it’s important to remain vigilant for the very real dangers posed by nocturnal creatures that inhabit the waters. While lighting can mitigate the effects of hallucinations, the hazards posed by these creatures still require careful attention.

Exercise Caution While Sailing

As you navigate the open waters, it is crucial to exercise caution. Throughout your journey, you will frequently encounter obstacles such as rocks, islands, or remnants of buildings. It is important to avoid collisions with these hazards, as they can result in damage to your ship, necessitating repairs.

When your ship sustains damage, certain sections of the hold may become obstructed by fragments, rendering them inactive and unsuitable for storing cargo. Additionally, damaging an occupied slot can lead to the unfortunate consequence of losing the contents, whether it be an item or a passenger, as they may be thrown overboard and unable to be retrieved. Therefore, it is vital to sail prudently and take measures to prevent such incidents.

Stay Focused during Minigames

It’s important to stay focused during the minigames featured in the game. Time progresses while engaging in activities such as sailing, installing ship upgrades, fishing, and performing Dredge actions. The latter two activities involve specific minigames, and your proficiency in these games directly impacts the speed at which you can catch fish or obtain treasures.

However, making a few mistakes during these minigames can significantly prolong the time required for mining or fishing, potentially leaving you far from the safety of the dock when night falls. In such a situation, it’s advisable to pause the minigame and return to a safer location at a later time.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that errors made while attempting to catch trophies during fishing may prevent you from capturing more valuable fish. So, it’s essential to remain focused and strive for accuracy in order to maximize your potential rewards.

Thoroughly Explore Every Area of Your Current Zone

Make sure to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny of your current zone in the world of Dredge. The game is filled with numerous treasures waiting to be discovered. Interacting with objects by pressing the F key (PC), X button (PlayStation), or A button (Xbox) can unveil some of these hidden gems. If you come across a shipwreck, a bridge, or any distinctive feature along the shore, it’s definitely worth investigating. Chances are high that you will stumble upon valuable items in those locations.

In addition, don’t overlook the importance of engaging in conversations with the characters you encounter during your journey. Always take the time to explore all available dialogue options. By doing so, you’ll unlock new Pursuit missions and occasionally be rewarded with items as a result of your curiosity. 

Chart Your Path and Remain True

Plan your journey carefully and stay committed to your chosen path in Dredge. As you come across intriguing trinkets, items, and passengers during your travels, limited inventory space can become a significant challenge. This means that exploration should not be done haphazardly. When you spot something shimmering on the water or land, consider if you have enough room in your inventory to accommodate a new item

During daylight hours, a vibrant glow emanating from a fishing spot indicates the presence of a trophy fish. These special fish are much more valuable than regular catches. However, when fishing at night, exercise caution. The sparkling appearance of a trophy fish spot can resemble the red mist that hovers over the water during nighttime. Approaching this mist can cause damage to your boat and increase your panic level.

You Pose the Threat

When venturing through the obscuring Fog during nighttime, you’ll quickly notice the immediate danger you face—aside from the limited visibility. Your panic levels escalate swiftly, as indicated by the eye icon at the center of the compass atop your screen. A green eye suggests mild panic, while a rapidly flashing, colorful eye signifies heightened panic.

This increase in panic can have various consequences on your mental well-being. It may summon birds that snatch fish from your inventory or trigger an infection that diminishes the value of your catch. If you find yourself in a highly panicked state while navigating the fog, the consequences can be far more severe, attracting the attention of monstrous creatures. However, being in a panicked state during the night also unveils the true nature of obelisks, revealing their hidden potential. Consequently, the risk involved in such situations can sometimes be outweighed by the potential rewards.

Abilities: Quite Powerful for a Fisherman

Among the valuable rewards for completing Pursuits, unlocking Abilities stands out. Standard Abilities encompass typical fishing techniques such as using Bait to attract fish and utilizing the Spyglass to identify distant fishing spots. However, there are also Magical Abilities that, much like Kirby’s most formidable copy abilities, provide you with an advantageous edge against adversaries.

Unlocking these abilities is no easy feat, and rightfully so. Take Atrophy, for instance, which enables you to instantly harvest a fishing spot with a high chance of obtaining aberrant fish. In dire situations, Banish serves as a temporary stun grenade, providing respite from pursuing threats by incapacitating them temporarily and preventing their attacks.

If You Spot Them, They Spot You Too

While navigating the waters late at night around the Marrows, it won’t be long before you come across distant boat lights illuminating the darkness. Sounding your foghorn may elicit a response, but exercise caution before approaching these seemingly friendly boaters. Locals share tales of boats that sail at night, believed to belong to the former mayor. However, these boats are actually Night Anglers—gigantic fish whose lights transform into piranha-like bulbs and whose eyes grow larger as they draw near.

Though not the most terrifying creatures in the gaming world, they can wreak havoc on your boat’s hull if you’re not careful. If one of these boats begins to approach, it’s advisable to turn off your own light and maintain silence. With quick reflexes, you may be able to evade the Night Angler. However, if your panic levels are high, ominous eyes will appear in the water, and you’ll need to keep your light focused on them to make them disappear. Understanding your enemies is key to defending yourself effectively.

Passive Fishing: A Profitable Approach

Tired of being torn between fishing and exploring? The limited daylight hours often force you to make a choice. However, there’s a fantastic solution that allows you to survey your surroundings while still earning money: nets. These temporary fishing tools occupy four quadrants of space on your boat but provide a convenient way to catch fish as you move through the water. The nets have their own dedicated inventory, so you need not worry about missing out on valuable finds due to a full hold of fish.

To balance out the number of fish caught through passive means, crab pots come into play. These handy items, generously bestowed by the Fishmonger after completing certain orders, can be deployed in the water to passively collect crabs. By utilizing both nets and crab pots, you can reduce the amount of active fishing required without sacrificing your potential profits.

Where to Buy Dredge

To acquire your copy of Dredge, you can conveniently purchase the game through Electronic First. Visit their website to secure your own digital version of this captivating indie-fishing-horror title or other in demand PC games. Dive into the eerie depths of ‘The Marrows’ and embark on an unforgettable adventure as the Captain of a small fishing vessel. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore this unique and well-imagined world—head over to Electronic First and start your journey with Dredge today!

In conclusion, this beginner’s guide provides valuable insights and dredge tips and tricks for playing, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience as you navigate the treacherous waters of this immersive game. From dredge starting tips for playing Dredge, we’ve covered essential aspects such as efficient inventory management, coastal fishing at night, interacting with townsfolk, maintaining sanity with lights, careful sailing, paying attention during minigames, thorough exploration, and leveraging powerful abilities. By following these tips for playing dredge, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of Dredge and make the most of your fishing adventures. So, set sail with confidence and embark on a thrilling journey through the mysterious archipelago of Dredge.

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