> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://peasant-foundry.gitbook.io/mechtrauma/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://peasant-foundry.gitbook.io/mechtrauma/learning/main-guide.md). # Main Guide #### Link to Hadrada's Google Doc ### Main Guide Mechtrauma is a mod for Barotrauma (as you surely know) which serves to fully overhaul the experience of using and managing the mechanical and electrical systems on a submarine. Hadrada (the developer) tries his best to avoid overwriting any vanilla features so that shipyards can decide what balance of vanilla and Peasant Foundry parts that they would like to include in their submarines. The largest change would likely be attributed to the [Engine](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Engines), or as it is known in Mechtrauma, the [Powertrain](#powertrain). #### Key Concepts In order to properly understand how to survive in Mechtrauma, one needs to understand how to manage and maintain machines. There are four categories of items that must be understood: | Category | Description | Examples | | --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | [Materials](/mechtrauma/items/materials.md) | Raw minerals for making components and parts. | [Copper](/mechtrauma/dead-links/copper.md), [Plastic](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Plastic) | | [Components](/mechtrauma/items/components.md) | Individual components that can be assembled to make parts. | [Bearing Sleeves](/mechtrauma/dead-links/bearing-sleeve.md), [Copper Windings](/mechtrauma/dead-links/copper-winding.md) | | [Parts](/mechtrauma/items/parts.md) | Completed parts that can be placed into machines to allow them to operate. | [Circulator Pump](/mechtrauma/dead-links/circulator-pump.md), [Bearing](/mechtrauma/dead-links/bearing.md) | | [Machines](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) | Items or groups of items that serve a function in the submarine. | [Powertrain](#powertrain), [Pumps](#pumps) | It is important to know that [Machines](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) are dangerous. They will kill you. Do not under any circumstance repair a [Machine](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) added by Mechtrauma while it is running. Either cut [Power](/mechtrauma/dead-links/power-types.md) or turn it off, or you will lose both of your arms. #### Powertrain The [Powertrain](#powertrain) functions as the [Engine](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Engines) of Mechtrauma. It is composed of three parts: [The Steam Boiler](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-boiler), the [Steam Turbine](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-turbine), and the [Reduction Gear](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#reduction-gear). In order to have a functioning engine, it is necessary to connect things in the listed order. External [Power](/mechtrauma/dead-links/power-types.md) goes into the [Steam Boiler](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-boiler). The [Steam Boiler](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-boiler) outputs [Steam Power](/mechtrauma/dead-links/power-types.md), which is inputted into the [Steam Turbine](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-turbine). The [Steam Turbine](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#steam-turbine) outputs [Kinetic Power](/mechtrauma/dead-links/power-types.md), which goes into the [Reduction Gear](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#reduction-gear). The [Reduction Gear](/mechtrauma/items/machines/powertrain.md#reduction-gear) functions identically to a regular [Engine](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Engines) when powered properly, and should be wired accordingly. All of these systems require different [Parts](/mechtrauma/items/parts.md), and they must have all of them (except [Oil](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil.md) and [Oil Filters](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oil-filter.md), but these will cause issues like fires) in order to function. #### Oxygen Generation Magical [Oxygen](/mechtrauma/items/machines/oxygen.md) is a thing of the past in Mechtrauma. The [Oxygen Supply](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-supply.md) is the [Machine](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) that produces [Oxygen](/mechtrauma/items/machines/oxygen.md). Again, it is not magic, and thus takes two minutes for [Oxygen](/mechtrauma/items/machines/oxygen.md) to start circulating throughout the submarine. It needs to be linked to [Vents](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Oxygen_Generator) like normal, or Mechtrauma's [Oxygen Vents](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-vent.md). These vents need to be cleaned of [Fungus](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fungus.md) lest the crew develop a [Fungal Infection](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fungal-infection.md), as well as needing a [CO₂ Filter](/mechtrauma/dead-links/co-filter.md) to be in them to keep the crew protected against [CO₂ Poisoning](/mechtrauma/dead-links/co-poisoning.md). The [Oxygen Tank Station](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-tank-station.md) is another [Machine](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) that is important to [Oxygen](/mechtrauma/items/machines/oxygen.md) generation. The [Oxygen Tank Station](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-tank-station.md) is a [Machine](/mechtrauma/items/machines.md) which houses a [Large Oxygen Tank](/mechtrauma/dead-links/large-oxygen-tank.md), and can release air into the room its in from the tank should it run low on clean air for any reason. It can also be used to fill [Oxygen Transfer Tanks](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-transfer-tank.md), or [Fire Resistant Oxygen Tanks](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fire-resistant-oxygen-tank.md). #### Power Generation While the regular [Nuclear Reactor](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Nuclear_Reactor) remains available, Mechtrauma adds several [Generators](/mechtrauma/items/machines/diesel-generators.md) which produce regular Power by consuming diesel out of a [Diesel Fuel Can](/mechtrauma/dead-links/diesel-fuel-can.md). These must be refilled at either a Diesel Fuel Tank or a [Diesel Transfer Truck](/mechtrauma/dead-links/diesel-transfer-truck.md). [Generators](/mechtrauma/items/machines/diesel-generators.md) also require [Oil](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil.md) from an [Oil Can](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil/oil-can.md). [Oil Cans](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil/oil-can.md) can be refilled at an [Oil Station](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oil-station.md) or an [Oil Transfer Truck](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil/oil-transfer-truck.md). Preferably, they will have an [Oil Filter](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oil-filter.md) as well in order to slow the consumption of [Oil](/mechtrauma/items/liquids/oil.md). [Generators](/mechtrauma/items/machines/diesel-generators.md) also consume [Oxygen](/mechtrauma/items/machines/oxygen.md) from a room, requiring at least 50% air quality in order to function. [Generators](/mechtrauma/items/machines/diesel-generators.md) can be equipped with an [Oxygen Transfer Tank](/mechtrauma/dead-links/oxygen-transfer-tank.md) (or a [regular one](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Oxygen_Tank) in the case of the [PDG500 and PDG250](https://mechtraumaunstable.fandom.com/wiki/Generators)) so that they can continue to operate when either underwater or in a room with poor air quality. #### Power Distribution Instead of using vanilla's [Junction Boxes](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Junction_Box), shipyards have the option to outfit their submarines with [Electrical Panels](/mechtrauma/dead-links/electrical-panel.md) and [Fuse Panels](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fuse-panel.md). These both accept sacrificial [Fuses](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fuse.md) in order to protect the rest of the grid. It is much rarer that you will be stuck clicking repair over and over when using these. [Fuses](/mechtrauma/dead-links/fuse.md) can be crafted cheaply, and must be replaced when their quality hits 0 as their [Power](/mechtrauma/dead-links/power-types.md) output will drop to 0. #### Fabrication Mechtrauma adds several custom fabricators, none of which are necessary. Everything can be crafted in a vanilla [Fabricator](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Fabricator). The custom fabricators added are the [CNC Machine](/mechtrauma/dead-links/cnc-machine.md), and the [Repair Table](/mechtrauma/dead-links/repair-table.md). Both of these function as fabricators with 12 slots, 8 of which are for specific materials to make crafting with them easier without linked storage. #### Pumps All [Pumps](#pumps) added by Mechtrauma require [Electric Motors](/mechtrauma/items/parts/electric-motor.md) to function, and [Small Water Pumps](/mechtrauma/dead-links/small-water-pump.md) can take [Battery Cells](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Battery_Cell) or [Fulgurium Battery Cells](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Fulgurium_Battery_Cell). Large [Pumps](#pumps) can be wired to [Pump Gates](/mechtrauma/dead-links/pump-gate.md) by shipyards. These are external to the hull, and need to be repaired with a [Wrench](https://barotraumagame.com/wiki/Wrench). Their quality effects the speed at which [Pumps](#pumps) can drain directly. For example, a [Pump](#pumps) wired to a [Gate](/mechtrauma/dead-links/pump-gate.md) at 34% durability will only pump at 34% of the normal speed.