S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Dead Air 0.98b Playthrough (Part 1): Cordon - A Strategic Start
6A decisive and fast paced beginning to the wonderful standalone Stalker mod Dead Air 0.98b. As many may know, Dead Air can be very difficult. I try to start with only perks, as items can be crafted, looted, and bought along the way. The only items I start with are beginner technician's tools for crafting. Here is a method I use to get past the first section of Cordon:
Loot the Rookie Village Stash
Grab Vodka and Bread in Bunker
Buy cloth mask and discounted backpack
Pick up any miscellaneous quests
Lure any mutants to the free stalkers or let the military dispose of them
Hit stash spots around southern Cordon
Sneak into Southern Military Checkpoint
Steal 2x AntiRads, F1 Grenade, and RPG from upstairs room.
Escape to safety
UNLOAD RPG
Trade RPG to bandits at the car park
Smoke those smug bandits
Loot RPG and return to Scamorovich
Sell Warheads
Buy Activated Carbon *if not looted*
Chug Vodka from Bunker
Pop Activated Carbon
Head to the Great Swamps
*Don't forget your tools*
The next order if business is crafting a Dosimeter to check radiation levels. Picking beginner technician's tools gives you everything needed to craft one, except a portable radio. There is a portable radio in the first village at the south entrance in the Great Swamps, on a porch bench under a covered patio.
Best of luck to you, Stalker.