I present the pro-hunting, anti-fishing Oregon Trail gamers with the following facts:
- Assuming you haggled with a charming party member(which you should always have), fish go for 2$ per piece. That might not seem much at first, but take in the fact that just one fishing waypoint yields at least 95 fish, not to mention the extra 20-30(idk the exact amount) fish that you can get from a fish trap. That comes to about ~240$(fish traps yield ~25 fishes).
- A single hunting waypoint yields 150 max meat. You’ll get around 4-6 pelts, however if have a knife(-50$) the bison gods will bless you with 10-16 pelts which sell for ~104$, or 8$ per pelt assuming you have a charming party member. Bear traps do not affect the pelt yield.
I’ll compare the costs for you guys.
Fishing > 25 Bait (-20$, can go for 30$ / craftable via foodstores)
> Traps (+50$ per trap, earned via missions)
> Waypoint Yield (+190$ per 95 fish, if big fish caught only 5 baits are needed)
Hunting > Knives (-50$, pretty sure RNG decides whether to wear them out and break them)
> 50 Bullets (-50$, might increase depending on where you are / shooting is fairly easy but can be challenging if you’re hunting prairie dogs or foxes)
> Waypoint Yield (+104$ per 13 pelts, guessing that the more animals you shoot the better chances of you getting 16 or possibly 18)
So what’s the official take? In my opinion, there is no way that hunting is a better option than fishing. Usually in the first or second leg you’re given the option to choose between hunting deer or fishing, but to be honest I can’t decide what you do because it all depends on what you HAVE right now.
- In the first leg of your journey, having a knife is incredibly useful at the start because they might not give you the option to fish and you’ll have to opt in on hunting to maximize your profits.
- If you’re low on food you should take the hunting route before doing any fishing because there’ll be a few fish left to sell, and not much profit to spend.
The strategy is to have a charming person haggle for good prices and have a knife, bullets, and bait at the very beginning either from the store or party member supplies. Always buy the 250$ medium sized wagon, because it gives you enough storage to keep meat, pelts, and fish until the 3rd leg(Fort Laramie) where you should have at least 750$ saved up to buy the 500$ Conestoga wagon. From Fort Laramie, stock up on clothes, wheelgrease, toolboxes, meds, and hunting suppli
... keep reading on reddit ➡I’ve never been one of the top players in anything ever, but thanks to depression, I’ve played enough Oregon Trail to have a ton of knowledge to share. I’m in the top couple hundred for most categories, and 28 for Oregon or Bust. Here are some highlights, and ask me whatever. Happy to share what I’ve learned.
- Stamina is directly linked to pace. Morale is directly linked to food. Steady is best if doing the Nature Trail or classic Oregon Trail. Good for about half of Oregon or Bust, and switch off between Steady and Grueling for best results. Filling unless you’re short of food before a refilling stop, and you’ll never need a harmonica.
- At Independence, trade and haggle with every person offering something. You’ll find out everyone’s wit level and not waste Tell Stories time learning their respective levels. The earlier in the game you start negotiating, the higher the chance the negotiator will go up a wit level.
- Stock up initially on bullets, clothing (1 will do) and toolboxes.
- If you have enough money, get a full Conestoga wagon. You’ve got more oxen and tons more room. If you plan on taking quests, you’ll need the extra room for instruments and additional stops.
- Get all available guide books at every chance possible. Use up to full capacity on one person, and build up everyone else afterward.
- Tell Stories at campsites will reveal skill levels. If your party has high levels in the applicable status (hygiene, stamina, et al) and you’re missing Shooting, Wayfinding, Medical or Carpentry levels for any of the party, use Tell Stories and get as much intel as you can. It won’t increase levels, but it’s good to know where everyone is in case anyone’s incapacitated.
- Play all shooting events. Every one has the potential to increase shooting skill in your player.
- When offered gross water, only drink it if your party is nearly exhausted and health is good. More than half the time (anecdotally), at least one of your party will get typhoid or dysentery.
- Always dig up piles. At worst, they’re dirty clothes; at best, a great cache of supplies. Don’t have a refined or religious person try.
- Acquire a knife every chance you get. You’ll never want for money if you do. Charming hagglers get $8 a pelt, and successful other hagglers get $6 a pelt (vs $5 as a default).
- Sell all pelts between the Blue River and Soda Springs, and after the river crossing at Snake River or Three Island Crossing. If you’re planning to do the 2-part Snak
... keep reading on reddit ➡Do your worst!
I'm surprised it hasn't decade.
For context I'm a Refuse Driver (Garbage man) & today I was on food waste. After I'd tipped I was checking the wagon for any defects when I spotted a lone pea balanced on the lifts.
I said "hey look, an escaPEA"
No one near me but it didn't half make me laugh for a good hour or so!
Edit: I can't believe how much this has blown up. Thank you everyone I've had a blast reading through the replies 😂
It really does, I swear!
They’re on standbi
Buenosdillas
Pilot on me!!
