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Alright, fellow survivor, you're looking to brave the chilling depths of Blackrock! This isn't just any walk in the park; Blackrock is one of The Long Dark's more challenging regions, known for its harsh weather, treacherous terrain, and especially its infamous Timberwolves. But with proper preparation and a solid plan, you can conquer it. Let's get you there, step by step!
How to Get to Blackrock in The Long Dark: Your Ultimate Survival Guide
Blackrock is a fascinating, if unforgiving, region. It boasts unique features like the Blackrock Prison, the Power Plant, and the Mine, offering distinct challenges and valuable loot, including the only milling machine outside of Bleak Inlet for bullet crafting. Getting there requires careful planning and execution.
Step 1: Are You Truly Ready for Blackrock? A Self-Assessment
Before we even talk about routes, let's be brutally honest: is your current survivor ready for Blackrock? This isn't Mystery Lake. Blackrock is a region that demands a certain level of preparedness.
- Do you have adequate clothing? Hypothermia is a constant threat. You'll want the warmest gear possible. Think a good Winter Coat, Wool Sweaters, insulated boots, and proper headwear/gloves.
- What's your food and water situation? You'll be spending time traveling, and potentially facing blizzards that pin you down. Bring a generous supply of non-perishable food and a way to purify water.
- Are you armed? Timberwolves are a major threat in Blackrock. A rifle, revolver, or even a good bow with plenty of arrows will be crucial. Marine flares and noisemakers are highly recommended for deterring Timberwolf packs.
- Do you have essential tools? A Hacksaw is incredibly useful for breaking down beds and other metal objects for scrap. A Heavy Hammer is necessary if you plan to use the forge in the mine. Don't forget a can opener!
- What's your medical supply like? Prepare for sprains, blood loss, and potentially even wolf struggles. Bandages, antiseptic, pain killers, and antibiotics are your friends.
- Are you mentally prepared? Blackrock can be frustrating. Expect frequent blizzards, limited visibility, and constant threats from wildlife. Patience is key.
If you answered "no" to many of these, consider spending more time in a "safer" region like Mystery Lake or Pleasant Valley to gear up. Blackrock will punish unpreparedness.
Step 2: Choosing Your Entry Point – The Two Main Routes
Blackrock has two primary connections to other regions: Pleasant Valley (PV) and Timberwolf Mountain (TWM). Each has its pros and cons.
Sub-heading: Route A: Via Pleasant Valley (The "Longer, Easier" Path)
This is generally considered the more accessible route, as it doesn't require rope climbs (initially) and Pleasant Valley itself is a good region to stage from.
- Pros:
- No required rope climbs to enter Blackrock.
- Pleasant Valley offers many indoor shelters for staging and recovering.
- Good for mid-game players.
- Cons:
- Longer travel time through potentially dangerous open areas in PV.
- PV weather can be notoriously harsh with sudden blizzards.
Sub-heading: Route B: Via Timberwolf Mountain (The "Shorter, More Challenging" Path)
This route is more direct if you're already at Timberwolf Mountain, but it involves traversing more challenging terrain and usually requires a rope.
- Pros:
- Potentially a quicker journey if you're already well-established in TWM.
- Can be a good option for experienced players carrying loot from TWM Summit.
- Cons:
- Requires at least one, often two, rope climbs. Ensure you have a climbing rope!
- TWM is a challenging region in itself, with cold temperatures and limited shelter.
- More exposed to the elements during the journey.
Step 3: Navigating Your Chosen Path
Let's break down the journey for each route.
Sub-heading: Journeying from Pleasant Valley to Blackrock
- Starting Point: Ideally, establish a small base at a central location in Pleasant Valley, such as the Farmhouse or Signal Hill. Stock up on supplies here.
- Locating the Exit: From the Pleasant Valley Farmhouse, head east along the main road. Continue past the Derelict Cabins. You're looking for a road that eventually ends at a transition zone called Keeper's Pass. It's generally straightforward to follow the road.
- Through Keeper's Pass: Keeper's Pass is a relatively short, linear transition zone. Be mindful of wildlife, particularly wolves. Keep your marine flares or noisemakers ready.
- Welcome to Blackrock! Once you exit Keeper's Pass, you'll find yourself in the Blackrock region. You'll often emerge near the Mining Office area.
Sub-heading: Journeying from Timberwolf Mountain to Blackrock
- Starting Point: A good staging point in Timberwolf Mountain is the Mountaineer's Hut. Ensure you have at least one climbing rope, and ideally two, if you plan to explore the region thoroughly.
- Finding the Cave Entrance: From the Mountaineer's Hut, head west. You'll want to follow the river that feeds Crystal Lake. Look for a waterfall. Near this waterfall, you'll find a rope climb leading up.
- The Ascent: Climb the rope. Be mindful of your fatigue and condition. Once at the top, continue hugging the western edge of the map. You'll eventually come across a cave entrance. This cave is your transition into Blackrock.
- Blackrock Beckons: Exiting this cave will place you in a different part of Blackrock than the Pleasant Valley entrance, often closer to the Prison area or the Lighthouse.
Step 4: Surviving Blackrock – Key Considerations
Once you're in Blackrock, the real challenge begins. Here's what to keep in mind:
Sub-heading: The Timberwolves – Your Primary Adversary
- Blackrock is home to multiple Timberwolf packs. These are coordinated groups of wolves that hunt together and are much harder to deter than regular wolves.
- Marine flares and noisemakers are your best defense. A single marine flare can scare off an entire pack. Deploy them strategically when a pack charges.
- Fires can also deter them. If you can quickly build a fire, they generally won't approach.
- Avoid going out at night during an Aurora! Timberwolves become even more aggressive and harder to deter during an Aurora.
Sub-heading: Key Locations to Prioritize
- Blackrock Prison: This is the centerpiece of the region. It's a massive structure with a lot of loot, but also heavily patrolled by Timberwolves. Inside, you'll find the Milling Machine (requires an access code found in the mine) and numerous potential base locations.
- Blackrock Mine: This is where you'll find the forge for crafting tools and ammunition, as well as the access code for the Prison's milling machine. Be prepared for toxic gas sections that require fast movement and good stamina management.
- The Power Plant: Another significant landmark, offering shelter and potential loot.
- The Lighthouse: Located on the coast, it can provide decent shelter and a good vantage point.
- Hydro Dam / Keeper's Pass Exit: If coming from Pleasant Valley, this will be your initial entry point.
Sub-heading: Resource Management and Base Building
- Coal: The mine is an excellent source of coal, crucial for maintaining long fires in cold weather and fueling the forge.
- Wood: Scrounge for sticks and reclaim wood from furniture whenever possible.
- Food: Deer and rabbits can be found, but hunting with Timberwolves around can be risky. Inside the Prison, you might find some supplies, but eventually, you'll need to venture out.
- Water: Melt snow or find natural water sources.
- Cabin Fever: Blackrock has many indoor locations, making Cabin Fever a real possibility if you stay inside too long. Balance indoor time with outdoor exploration or sleep in vehicles/snow shelters.
Step 5: Planning Your Exit (and Re-entry)
Once you've accomplished your goals in Blackrock (e.g., crafting bullets, finding specific loot), you'll likely want to leave.
- You can exit back through either Keeper's Pass to Pleasant Valley or the cave system to Timberwolf Mountain.
- If you plan on making return trips, consider dropping a few caches of essential supplies (food, water, extra flares) near the transition zones for easier future access.
- Remember the terrain! If you came via Timberwolf Mountain and climbed ropes, you'll need ropes to get back down (or find alternative routes if available).
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackrock
How to deal with Timberwolves in Blackrock?
- Use marine flares and noisemakers to scare them off. A single flare is often enough for a pack. Fires also deter them. Avoid auroras when outside!
How to get the Prison Access Code in Blackrock?
- The access code for the Blackrock Prison's milling machine is found inside the Blackrock Mine. You'll need to navigate the toxic gas section to reach it.
How to find the forge in Blackrock?
- The forge in Blackrock is located deep within the Blackrock Mine. Bring a Heavy Hammer and plenty of coal.
How to get to Blackrock from Mystery Lake?
- There's no direct connection. You would need to travel from Mystery Lake to Pleasant Valley (via Winding River/Carter Hydro Dam) and then from Pleasant Valley to Blackrock via Keeper's Pass.
How to avoid the toxic gas in Blackrock Mine?
- The toxic gas section in Blackrock Mine requires you to run quickly through it. Minimize your carry weight, ensure you have full stamina, and sprint through the affected areas to reach fresh air or a ventilation system.
How to get the Ballistic Vest in Blackrock?
- The Ballistic Vest is a rare clothing item that can sometimes be found as loot within the Blackrock Prison, particularly in certain locked cells or administrative areas. Its spawn is RNG-based.
How to get down the rope climbs from the Timberwolf Mountain side?
- You will need to deploy your own climbing ropes to descend the same way you came up. Ensure you brought extra ropes or can find them within Blackrock.
How to use the milling machine in Blackrock Prison?
- Once you have the access code from the mine, you can unlock the room containing the milling machine inside Blackrock Prison. You'll need gunsmithing tools and raw materials (lead, gunpowder) to craft bullets.
How to find a safe base in Blackrock?
- The Blackrock Prison itself, despite its dangers, offers many indoor areas that can be secured. Certain isolated cabins or the Lighthouse can also serve as temporary bases.
How to survive blizzards in Blackrock?
- Blackrock experiences frequent and intense blizzards. Always have a plan for immediate shelter (a car, cave, or building) and enough fuel to stay warm. Prioritize finding shelter as soon as a blizzard begins to form.
