Starting scenarios, difficulty and perks compared

Apprentice on Mark Up is the intended first run: 550 credits, 200 rent and no locked-in trade. Every other scenario trades starting cash for a head start in one business, because its Wild’s Network contact is already unlocked. Rock Bottom starts with 0 credits and is the requirement for the two From Nothing achievements.

The nine scenarios

Scenario	Credits	Weekly rent	Reputation	Already unlocked
Apprentice	550	200	Neutral	Nothing
Water Merchant	400	200	Neutral	Water Trading
Fence	450	250	Security −30, Black Market +30	Underground Exchange
Rock Bottom	0	200	Neutral	Nothing
Hydroponic Farmer	450	240	Neutral	Retired Farmer
Gunsmith	150	250	Security +25	Retired Gunsmith, Weapon Permit I
Chemist	300	200	Security −15	Retired Chemist
Rat Wrangler	600	200	Neutral	Ranching
Aquafarmer	150	240	Neutral	Aquaculture

“Already unlocked” means that Wild’s Network upgrade counts as bought, so its retired trader visits weekly without you paying for it. The value of that head start is the upgrade price: Retired Chemist costs 1,000 credits, Ranching 750, Retired Gunsmith 650, Aquaculture 400 (after Water Trading at 300), Retired Farmer 350 and Water Trading 300.

Which start fits which plan

• Chemist gives all four chemistry machines on day 1. It is the fastest route to the Say My Name achievement and to high-value Dream Dust, but Security starts at −15. See the chemistry guide.
• Water Merchant sells the station’s scarcest legal good. Water needs testing, cleaning and labelling; see water purification.
• Gunsmith has the least cash (150) and the highest rent, but the Class I permit makes low-level guns legal to display.
• Fence starts at −30 Security. Stolen goods are seized when inspectors find them, so plan for a Smuggler’s Bay.
• Rat Wrangler starts a run with a cage of six rats and unlocks We Have Rats! as soon as the run begins. See rat ranching.
• Hydroponic Farmer and Aquafarmer pay 240 rent and depend on clean water from the start.

Junker, Organ Dealer and Street Food Vendor are shown on the New Game screen as work in progress. The developer’s 12 November roadmap places the Junker in the mid-December update.

Difficulty

Rule	Price Gouge (Cozy)	Mark Up (Normal)	Thin Margins (Hard)	Red Ink (Challenge)
Markup when selling	20%	15%	None	None
Rent increase per week	2.5%	5%	10%	10%
Rent grace period	Yes	Yes	No	No
Store price until day 50	12,000	12,000	24,000	36,000
Business permit	500	1,500	2,000	3,000
Reputation gains	×1.5	×1	×0.75	×0.5
Reputation losses	×0.5	×1	×1.25	×2
Dr. Jackson markup	None	+15%	+50%	+100%
Wild’s Network prices	Standard	Standard	+50%	+100%
Starting Wild’s Favor	300	200	100	0
Escaped Augs can end the run	No	No	Yes	Yes

From Nothing, the Hard Way requires a Rock Bottom win on Thin Margins or Red Ink, and also unlocks From Nothing.

Two options sit under the difficulty list. Skip Intro removes tutorial visits and unlocks content immediately; you still receive the Mentor’s Handbook, Magnifying Glass, Labeler and Fanny Pack. Endless Mode stops certain scripted events and customers from spawning.

Perks that change the economy

You have four perk slots (seven with Colorful Character). Negative perks give points, positive perks cost them.

Perk	Points	Effect
Savings	Costs 1	+150 starting credits.
Wild’s Favorite	Costs 1	Wild’s Network upgrades 10% cheaper, insurance 50% cheaper.
Diplomatic	Costs 2	+33% reputation from trades. Helps the Diplomatic achievement.
Intimidating	Costs 2	Crimes leave 33% less evidence.
Vigilant	Costs 2	Never robbed at night.
Working Pipes	Costs 2	Unlimited Rustwater from the start.
Prime Real Estate	Free	One more customer a day, rent +75.
Lucky / Unlucky	Costs 1 / gives 1	Luck +15 or −15 since 1.0.0.12 (was 5).
Bad Lease	Gives 1	Rent +40.
Blabbermouth	Gives 2	Crimes leave 33% more evidence; half reputation with Black Market and Revolution.
Awful Negotiator	Gives 3	No bargaining and a permanent 5% trade penalty.
Sentinel Collapse Disorder	Gives 3	A weekly Immunivax injection is required to survive. The developer advises against it on a first run.
Makeshift Reactor	Costs 1	Off the power grid, immune to blackouts; the reactor needs repairs and can melt down.

Incompatible pairs include Model Citizen and Convict, Well Connected and Public Enemy, Lucky and Unlucky, and Prime Real Estate and Side Street.