SBURB Tips and Tricks Guide: How to outlive your world and create a new Universe

[The_Unoriginal]

Regardless of how strongly you believe in the end of the world being caused by meteors sent through portals as a means of postponing the destruction of Skaia long enough for a group of players to defeat the Black King, I feel it is always a good idea to have a plan, and not run the risk of being S.O.L. in case something does happen. Think of those people that keep on writing books about zombies. Man do they take the end of civilization at the hands of the undead rather seriously. Well this is pretty much the same thing.

Here, we can focus on strategy and facts related to entering a session and what you should expect, as well as find people that will take this seriously enough to form a team with you. I suggest you find a common means of contacting each other soon (skype, PesterChum, etc) as it will be vital to successfully working together.\

I'll start us off with a few ideas. (Spoilerd for long)

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We do not get Moduses of Specibuses when we start playing: The Kids/Trolls had them before they started their session, it was an aspect of their universe. Fight with whatever you want, but be prepared to carry everything with you manually. Backpacks/Duffel bags are advised.

Prototype something that knows what you tell it: The lussi could understand the Trolls before they were made into kernalsprites, and it seems part of a sprite's powers is being able to talk to you. I would still recommend a deceased/doomed human if you happen to have one. You should wait until after you enter the Medium however, as having to fight a ton of imps that look like your grandmother would be really disturbing.

Be creative: If muscling your way through Derse's minions doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I have some good news for you. You don't need to if you can find another way. We have seen John clear out a room of imps simply by telling them to. Gamzee was even able to befriend the little buggers. If you have Tavros' ability to control them, go right ahead. Remember: Skaia is basically unlimited creative potential. No reason to make your session as generic as possible. See what you can get away with. I myself have considered taking the WV approach and try rallying people against the Derse monarchs.

Don't rush: The Kids had a rather unwinnable game since JN got control of WK's scepter earlier than any Dersite should have been able to. In reality a session seems to take a much longer time; the Trolls were at it for weeks before winning. Not to mention if you rush, you risk messing up the creation of your new universe.

Figure out your role as soon as you can: It has been shown that you can use your powers well before attaining God Tier, and even before entering the Medium. Remember how Doc Scratch couldn't see how Vriska was cheating? Her hive was too close to Equius, the Heir of Void. However, it seems that SBURB helps awaken these powers in those that cannot use them yet.

Consider bringing a friend over if they aren't in a team: Not only would being stuck by yourself (until you meet up with your team) get pretty lonely after a while, but they can help you out a great deal without being a player.

Even if ye be in shenanigans with JN, try to avoid getting stabbed: Humans don't respond well to them.

We might be looking for an online release of SBURB, as it would be the easiest way to get it to as many people as possible.


Now as for creating a team (If you don't have a good number of Homestuck-reading buddies in your general area), the first thing you should think about is numbers. While you could make a loop with an odd number of players, Hussie might be hinting that an even number might be preferable, as all sessions in Homestuck have them. Remember, the more people you have, the more difficult your final battle will be. I would still hope to have 12 on my team regardless. Try to find people you can work with, as being unable to function as a team will mean the end for all of you.

Feel free to submit your own game plans and various other bits and pieces that you believe would make a rousing game of SBURB better.

[Jared-hai]

You gotta HASS the CHEAT CODES

[The_Unoriginal]

You gotta HASS the CHEAT CODES

Going to doubt the existence of cheat codes in something that is ultimately real life.

[GiltCipher]

Going to doubt the existence of cheat codes in something that is ultimately real life.

Captcha code for a means of flight = cheating, as far as the Gates are concerned.

[Achille'sHamstring]

fncysntakind is overpowered, take full advantage of it now before they nerf it into oblivion.

[Kíeros]

> Place your Cruxtruder, Alchemeter, and Totem Lathe near each other.

[ArmsAreLoud]

Captcha code for a means of flight = cheating, as far as the Gates are concerned.

Cheating is heavily encouraged in this game

It's like trying to "cheat" in Garry's Mod.

[The_Unoriginal]

Keep a nice home once you start: You'll want a place where you can rest and regain strength.

[safetyboots]

Going to doubt the existence of cheat codes in something that is ultimately real life.

real

Really?

[The_Unoriginal]

Really?

Well it's not a game, that's for sure.

[safetyboots]

Okay. However, I only have experience in ways to break the game, save my home planet and condemn to entropy the existence.

[CryCold]

Try not to be too much of a clever bastard unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing, and maybe not even then. Breaking the game led to Bec Noir, the Green Sun Problem, and Rose's Grimdarkness. Going off the rails can help you, but it also leads you open to bad shit.

Get used to fighting. Eventually your going to take on the Black King and if you don't have any experience dealing with something trying to kill you then you might not make your universe.

Listen to your Denizen.

I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now.

[ChronoWaster]

Kill the Archagent of Derse, he will find a way to fuck you and your session over if you don't.

[deus_ex_machina]

I would have to go with a group of six. its a perfect number so its a no brainer. As for strategy, I would try to create something like jane's tiara top minus the batterwitch interference. hands free convo and server duty performance is important. I would strongly recomend having one of the players who is sufficiently inventive and methodical act as chief alchemizer. this person would spend time finding captha codes that make useful items and send those to the other players. This person should probably be the hero of time so s/he can do this and still be able to spend time leveling and grist collecting.
my line up would likely be thief of breath (or life), rogue of time, bard of hope, seer of space, knight of doom, and heir of light.

[shinyjiggly]

Try to get acquainted with your weapon of choice early on. If you practice enough, you might even earn a rung or two on the echeladder before you even make it in.

Make sure to have a at least 5 computers on your person at all times laptop that has a good battery capacity. You're going to need it if you're going to be contacting other players when you're out questing or something.

Have a secret stash of food hidden somewhere in your house that you wouldn't mind eating a lot of. You'll probably wind up duping that pile of food a lot of times. And don't forget to have some healthy food with vitamins! Candy isn't going to cut it when you're fighting prototyped imps!

When that timer starts ticking, DON'T MESS AROUND! Even if you have hours left on it, try to get in as quick as possible. Procrastinators get hit by meteors!

Consider trying to awaken as soon as possible. Just try not to stare into skaia/the furthest ring for too long as you may lose sight of your current reality/go insane.

If you have a typing quirk, make sure that it is a readable one.

Unless you've been grinding to a very high level, do not PCHOOOOOOOO to a gate that your house has not reached yet!

Reaching your full potential will require you to solve your personal issues and settle your rivalries in a way that fits your title. Just remember that when you take THE CHOICE, being ready will often mean that you will be prepared for the successful route of said choice, but only through effort and determination will you be able to complete your side of the bargain.

Be careful about any and all time travel that you do. If you see yourself from another time, be careful. It is advised that you change clothes often so that you will not get your other selves from other times mixed up.

[Wessolf27]

Keep a nice home once you start: You'll want a place where you can rest and regain strength.

In addition to this, try to find safety measures and have numerous methods to seal and open rooms. Try to make them as Imp-proof as possible, you really won't want imps messing up your house with whatever stuff they bring and carry with them. Though don't go overboard, you're only going to need them for the rooms where you want to keep safe, not the whole house. It's going to get too tall and complicated by then. Also, invest in stronger seals mid and late game in case more dangerous enemies might try to enter them.

[Kidror]

Make sure you contact your team mates or other teams if possible to find out what they've learned or whats happened to them. A friend with the code to a legendary weapon they can't use could be useful to someone else or information about the agents of derse.

[entrando2]

Aim for all the players to start near the same time but with a bit of spacing. Be sure everybody has the disks ready.
Going too fast could make the first player to have to fight strong imps too soon but going too slow will make the last players to join be too close to meteor hits.

Get grist but do not grind for it. You shouldn't waste time with getting much grist to that super-advanced weapon when it's faster to use normal level weapons to get normal quantities of grist and then ask the time player to use the stock market and the grist torrent.
Time players have the responsibility to do that stock farming even if it's boring. It's a time-dedicated class after all.

The Hero of Space and the Knight don't have to be negligent doing the frog breeding. You don't want a cancer to come back from your child Universe and bite your ass later.
To work with frogs can be sticky and unlpleasant but somebody has to do it and the prize is very worth it.

[The_Codfish]

entrado: The stock market isn't something limited to Time players. In fact, there seems to be a different kind of way to gain lots of boondollars fast for each session; the stock market for Dave, and treasure hunting for Vriska. The fact that the stock market allowed Dave to gain more boondollars is inconsequential; there are only a limited number of things to buy, and everything else is just extra.

As for tips, eh: don't waste any time decorating the house of your client player. You'll get bored of it soon enough. And, well, go with any gut feeling that comes to you, even if it doesn't make sense rationally; it's probably an Exile speaking to you. You would do well to listen to their WISDOM AND EAT THOSE DELICIOUS CONFECTIONERIES, BOY!

[chimaeraUndying]

Have a Xanatos gambit per-prepared for dealing with your session's Jack Noir.

Primary prototyping with something that obeys you, such as a pet (unless your pet also happens to be a First Guardian) and secondary prototyping with something of humanoid persuasion seems to be the most advisable path to take. See: Rose's sprite, and how it does not ruin anything. If one can get their hands on a doomed-timeline version of themselves, use that for the secondary prototyping.

Before starting the game, make sure your server player has a stable (and fast!) internet connection, and a spare laptop battery / desktop computer with an uninterruptible power supply.

[aeonsleuth]

Sburb is a game that bolts onto that universes most dominant new form of communication.
In this universe then it would 'bolt' onto Facebook, the loader would be a Facebook game and it would have a bit of code added to it allowing it to post 'Come play Sburb' posts on your timeline/wall.
Facebook Chat/Messages would serve the same function as Pesterchum/Trollian in Homestuck.

[Karhs12]

Have everyone in your session first-tier prototype with a fish.
With luck, the black king will be unable to leave the lakes and rivers on skaia, and you can just shoot him with a harpoon or something.

[kmsumrall]

Get a friend on a military base, and have them enter near the warehouses, ammo depots, airfields, or where they store tanks.

[dan1210]

Set fire to everything, everyone find their quest bed. Suddenly everyone is a god. Bonus: everything on fire.

[safetyboots]

Question. How should I cope with the urges of saving or avenging my home plane?