Black Gold in a Ruined World: Understanding Crude Oil in Once Human

Introduction

Stumbling through the irradiated wasteland of Nevada Central, your stomach growls louder than the Geiger counter’s whine. You’re desperate for fuel, willing to brave the mutant-infested ruins of the old Crimson Workshop, hoping to strike it rich with Once Human Crude Oil. The hum of a nearby Deviant is getting closer, but the allure of powering your Humvee and escaping this hellhole is too strong. This is the reality of survival in Once Human, a world where resources are scarce and every drop counts.

Once Human is a post-apocalyptic survival game that plunges players into a world ravaged by the arrival of the aberrant and the subsequent collapse of civilization. Players must scavenge, craft, build, and fight to survive against mutated creatures, hostile human factions, and the ever-present dangers of the environment. At the heart of this struggle lies a precious resource: Once Human Crude Oil.

This dark, viscous liquid is more than just a component; it’s a lifeline. Once Human Crude Oil is essential for powering vehicles, crafting advanced items, and establishing a fortified stronghold. Understanding its acquisition, processing, and strategic use is paramount to mastering Once Human and carving out a place for yourself in this shattered world.

What is Crude Oil in Once Human?

In the brutal landscape of Once Human, Crude Oil mirrors its real-world counterpart in some ways but takes on a heightened significance for survival. It’s a dark, unrefined petroleum product found deep within the earth and in the remnants of the old world’s infrastructure. This liquid represents the potential for power, progress, and ultimately, dominance in a world struggling to rebuild.

Crude Oil in Once Human is typically depicted as a thick, black fluid contained in rusty barrels, underground deposits, or salvaged containers. It’s often visually distinguished by a shimmering sheen, hinting at its volatile and valuable nature. The in-game descriptions often refer to it as “black gold” or “liquid energy,” emphasizing its importance.

Finding Once Human Crude Oil is rarely easy. Its rarity often dictates the player’s choices. While not as elusive as some extremely rare crafting materials, Crude Oil is certainly not a common sight. This scarcity means players must carefully consider where they spend their time searching, what risks they’re willing to take, and how they’ll manage their limited supplies while on the hunt.

Acquiring Crude Oil: The Hunt for Black Gold

The quest for Once Human Crude Oil will lead you to the most dangerous and desolate corners of the world. The methods to obtain this resource are varied, each with its own set of challenges and rewards.

Exploration and Harvesting

The most direct method of acquiring Once Human Crude Oil is through exploration and harvesting. Players must venture into the game’s most hazardous areas to find deposits and extraction points.

Several locations are known to be potential sources of Crude Oil. Abandoned oil rigs, remnants of the pre-collapse petroleum industry, are prime locations. However, these rigs are often heavily defended by mutated creatures or rival player factions, drawn to the same precious resource. Other promising areas include old industrial zones, underground bunkers, and regions known for seismic activity, as these may contain natural Crude Oil deposits.

Navigating these locations isn’t a simple task. Environmental hazards such as radiation zones, toxic gas leaks, and extreme temperatures are common. Players will need to equip themselves with appropriate protective gear and be prepared for a fight.

To effectively harvest Once Human Crude Oil, players will need specific tools and equipment. Simple pumps can extract small amounts from surface deposits, while more advanced drilling rigs are required to tap into deeper reserves. Containers, such as empty barrels or reinforced tanks, are essential for transporting the Crude Oil back to base.

Optimizing Crude Oil yield requires careful planning and execution. Scouting locations beforehand to identify the most promising deposits is crucial. Bringing along teammates can significantly increase harvesting speed and provide added security against enemy attacks. Investing in upgrades for extraction tools will also improve efficiency and reduce the time spent exposed to danger.

Enemy Encounters and Loot

Sometimes, the shortest path to Once Human Crude Oil is through combat. Certain enemies may carry Crude Oil as loot, either as a direct drop or stored within their possessions.

Specific enemy types, such as heavily armored Deviants or raider factions that control resource-rich territories, are more likely to carry Crude Oil. These enemies are often more challenging to defeat but offer a greater reward.

Crude Oil can also be found within loot containers scattered throughout the game world. These containers may be hidden in abandoned buildings, buried underground, or guarded by traps and enemies. Keep an eye out for barrels, crates, and other storage containers, as they may contain valuable caches of Crude Oil.

The presence of Crude Oil often sparks conflict between players. Resource-rich areas become hotspots for PvP (player versus player) combat as players compete for control of valuable extraction points. Players must be prepared to defend their claims and fight off rival factions if they want to secure a steady supply of Crude Oil.

Trading

In some instances, the safest route to securing Once Human Crude Oil is through trade. Depending on the game’s mechanics, trading may involve exchanging resources with NPCs or engaging in player-to-player commerce.

If NPC traders are available, they may offer to buy or sell Crude Oil in exchange for other resources or currency. However, the exchange rates may vary depending on the location and the trader’s current needs.

Player trading can also be a viable option. Players can establish trading posts or negotiate deals with other survivors to exchange goods and resources, including Crude Oil. This can be a risky endeavor, as trust is scarce in the wasteland, but it can also be a mutually beneficial way to acquire needed supplies.

Processing and Refining Crude Oil

Raw Once Human Crude Oil is not directly usable in most applications. It must first be processed and refined into more useful products, such as gasoline, plastics, and other essential materials.

The refining process involves breaking down Crude Oil into its constituent components and separating them into different fractions. This requires specialized equipment and infrastructure.

Players will need to construct specific structures, such as refineries and chemical plants, to process Crude Oil. These structures require significant resources to build and maintain, but they are essential for unlocking the full potential of Crude Oil.

The refining process may also produce byproducts, such as other chemicals or scrap materials. These byproducts can be used for other crafting recipes or traded with other players.

Optimizing the refining process requires careful management and investment. Upgrading refining structures will increase their efficiency and reduce the time required to process Crude Oil. Using specific blueprints or modifications can also improve yields and unlock new refining options.

Uses of Refined Crude Oil (and its Derivatives)

Once refined, Once Human Crude Oil and its derivatives become incredibly versatile, powering a wide range of essential technologies and applications.

Fueling Vehicles

One of the most important uses of refined Crude Oil is to fuel vehicles. In Once Human, vehicles are essential for traversing the vast game world, transporting resources, and engaging in combat.

Various types of vehicles, such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, and even helicopters, may rely on gasoline or diesel derived from Crude Oil. Without a steady supply of fuel, these vehicles become useless, stranding players in dangerous territory.

Fuel efficiency is a critical concern. Players must carefully manage their fuel consumption to avoid running out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Strategies for conserving fuel include driving at slower speeds, avoiding unnecessary travel, and investing in vehicle upgrades that improve fuel efficiency.

Crafting Advanced Items

Refined Crude Oil and its derivatives are also essential for crafting advanced items. Many of the game’s most powerful weapons, armor, and tools require these materials.

Specific items that require refined Crude Oil include ammunition, explosives, advanced building materials, and specialized equipment. These items are often crucial for progression and survival, allowing players to overcome difficult challenges and expand their capabilities.

Powering Structures and Generators

In Once Human, electricity is essential for powering base defenses, lighting, and other essential functions. Crude Oil can be used to fuel generators and provide a reliable source of power.

Compared to other power sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, Crude Oil generators offer a consistent and predictable source of energy, regardless of weather conditions. However, they also require a steady supply of fuel, making resource management crucial.

Base Defense and Offense

Crude Oil can be utilized in both defense and offense strategies. With the right blueprint, players can create oil traps that deter invaders, or concoct crude explosives to raid enemy compounds. Being resourceful with this valuable material provides advantages in the war against human and aberrant threats.

Strategic Considerations and Resource Management

Managing Once Human Crude Oil effectively requires careful planning and strategic decision-making.

Proper storage is essential for preventing waste and theft. Crude Oil should be stored in secure containers and protected from the elements. Building reinforced storage facilities can help deter raiders and prevent accidental spills.

Conservation is also critical. Players should avoid wasting Crude Oil and its derivatives. Using efficient vehicles, optimizing refining processes, and prioritizing essential tasks can help conserve valuable resources.

Players must prioritize the use of Crude Oil based on their current needs and goals. Should they focus on fueling vehicles for exploration, crafting advanced weapons for combat, or powering base defenses for survival? The answer will depend on their individual circumstances and priorities.

Long-term planning is also important. Players should consider the long-term implications of Crude Oil use in the game. Is it a finite resource? Are there renewable alternatives? Investing in sustainable energy sources and developing efficient resource management practices can help ensure long-term survival in the harsh world of Once Human.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Once Human Crude Oil is a vital resource in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world of Once Human. From powering vehicles and crafting advanced weaponry to securing your base and ensuring survival, mastering the acquisition, processing, and strategic use of Crude Oil is crucial for success. Understanding the nuances of its extraction, the dangers it attracts, and the potential it unlocks will separate survivors from those who become another statistic in the wasteland. Prioritize your oil management, scout diligently, and prepare for a fight – because in Once Human, black gold truly is the key to a brighter, if still gritty, future.

What are your best strategies for finding Once Human Crude Oil? Share your tips below!