Probably Stolen: Advanced Chemist Start Guide

Getting going as a Chemist in Probably Stolen takes finesse. If you manage your income effectively during your first week, you’ll establish a solid foundation with money, resources, and faction reputation. Juggling the production of Dream Dust, sales to street dealers, and your cartel stipend is critical for a thriving operation.

Your early focus should be on meeting the cartel’s quota, securing enough surplus cash for rent, and improving your reputation for better financial backing and cheaper resources. As your profits increase, you can transition away from dependency on the cartel toward a more sustainable business model. This guide offers insight into your first week, chemistry essentials for crafting Dream Dust and Caffeine Pills, and preparing for a future independent business.

• Choose the Right Perks
• Understand the Cartel Rules
• How Chemistry Works
• Dream Dust (Main Income)
• Caffeine Pills (Extra Income)
• Daily Plan
• First Big Upgrade – Farm Grade Dream Dust
• Weekly Cycle
• Get Into Independence

• Pick Perks Wisely
• Know the Cartel Guidelines
• Get a Grip on Chemistry
• Primary Earnings – Dream Dust
• Supplementary Income – Caffeine Pills
• Plan Your Day
• First Major Upgrade – Farm-Grade Dream Dust
• Weekly Workflow
• Step Into Independence

Choose the Right Perks

In your initial week, you’ll want to grab two perks that can really boost your fortune: Well Connected and Savings. “Well Connected” gives you a sweet +15 reputation with all factions, including the cartel itself. This reputation boost is key since your stipend hinges on how much they like you. Hit 25 reputation, and watch your earnings grow, and at 50, you’ll notice your resource requests become a lot more affordable from the cartel.

The “Savings” perk is a lifesaver when it comes to your rent. You’ll only need to cough up a fraction of your first rent because of this nifty benefit. That extra cash can then be funneled into purchasing essential resources and equipment, essentially giving you a financial cushion to breathe easy.

Understand the Cartel Rules

On Day 1, get ready for a visit from the cartel handler. He’ll swing by and hand over 3 Dream Caps, a stash of chemical resources, and set your initial quota. You’ll have until Day 8 to whip up 10 vials of Dream Dust. And remember, he’ll come back every week to pick up what you’ve made and hand over your stipend. It’s crucial to keep a few important pointers in mind.

Don’t Miss Quota

Failing to provide any vials means game over. If you’re short on your quota, your reputation takes a hit, so always set aside at least one vial for the handler, but aim to meet your full quota.

He Takes Everything On The Counter

Keep in mind that the handler doesn’t distinguish between your quota and your surplus. He’ll take everything you have on the counter. Make sure to store any product you intend to sell and only put out what you’re willing to give away.

He Collects Everything on the Counter

Here’s a key piece of advice: the handler will remove every single vial of Dream Dust that you’ve left on your counter. He doesn’t make a distinction between what you’ve produced for your quota versus what’s surplus. So, make sure to stash away any items you want to keep. Only place out the exact number of vials you’re prepared to give away on the counter.

Reputation Gives You Benefits

Developing a positive relationship with the cartel leads to solid perks.

• 25 Cartel Reputation: Increased stipend each week
• 50 Cartel Reputation: Discounted resource prices from the handler

Track your reputation with factions using the feedback box, aiming to keep it high with the cartel for better income and cheaper production costs.

Maintaining a solid rapport with the cartel opens the door to two incredible perks that can really come in handy during your journey.

• When you reach 25 Cartel Reputation, you’ll enjoy a boost in your weekly stipend, which means more resources at your disposal to help you thrive.
• At 50 Cartel Reputation, you can access resources at a significantly reduced cost when you request them from your handler. What a deal!

You have the ability to monitor your standing with all factions through the feedback box, which is super helpful! It’s important to nurture your relationship with the cartel since a higher reputation means you’ll see an increase in your income and see lower costs for your production needs.

Don’t Report The Cartel To Security

On Day 2, an officer will ask if you have any reports. Reporting them results in a 20 reputation penalty and a warning from a gangster. Losing reputation impacts your stipend and costs, so steer clear of this mistake.

On day 2, you’ll find yourself in a situation where an officer asks if you have anything to report. Just a heads up—if you decide to report on the cartel, be prepared to face a 20-point hit to your reputation. You’ll likely get a visit from a gangster to warn you about your choice. Considering how much your stipend and resource prices are tied to your cartel reputation, it’s usually not worth risking a drop in favor.

How Chemistry Works

Before diving into product creation, it’s essential to wrap your head around how chemistry works in this game. Both Dream Dust and Caffeine Pills are produced using similar principles, but note that the specific resource ratios and temperature settings will differ for each item.

When it comes to chemistry, there are six distinct steps to follow.

• Combine – Take those raw resources you’ve gathered and mix them together to create a mushy mixture.
• Extract – Introduce some alcohol and apply heat to extract your desired product from the mush.
• Purify – You’ll need to add acid to get rid of any protein. If there’s still fat lingering around, don’t forget to toss in that lipo bond agent to clean things up.
• Filter – Time to clear out any remaining debris. This step ensures your product is nice and smooth.
• Evaporate – Let the liquid hang out overnight to evaporate. By morning, you’ll be left with a dry product that’s ready for the next steps.
• Finish – Pop your dry creation into the Chem Finisher to transform it into vials or pills, ready for use!

Don’t forget about your trusty scanner during this whole process; it’s super helpful! It’ll guide you on how much alcohol, acid, and other resources you’ll need. And, a quick heads up: keep liquid products far away from that Chem Finisher. Your mixture has to be completely dry to work its magic.

Dream Dust (Main Income)

Let’s talk about Dream Dust – it’s your bread and butter when starting out as a Chemist. Your goals are to satisfy the cartel’s quota, boost your standing in the game, and generate enough excess to sell to street dealers. You’ll notice you start with only a handful of Dream Caps, so it’s a smart move to buy as many as you can in those first few days to get off on the right foot.

Blend

Start with an empty bottle in the blender. Add your Dream Caps according to the grid and blend to make mush. Ensure the bottle is empty before blending; any leftover contents carry into your final vials.

Start by placing an empty bottle into the blender. Next, arrange your Dream Caps in the right grid location. Once that’s set, fire up the blender to whip everything into a mush. Just remember, the bottle has to be empty before you kick things off; anything already inside will end up in your final vials, and that’s not what you want!

Now for the alcohol addition

Add Alcohol

Add an appropriate amount of alcohol—target at least 5 times the mush volume. Use the scanner to confirm you’re using the correct amounts for the best results.

Heat

Place the bottle on the heater set to low, heating until it reaches around 46 degrees. Once this is achieved, turn off the heater. Keep a close eye on the temperatures; aim for 50 degrees or lower to prevent burning your mush.

Once your mush is ready, it’s time to place that bottle on the heater. Set the heat to a low setting and keep an eye on things as the product warms up to around 46 degrees. When it hits that sweet spot, turn off the heater. Even as it cools, the extraction continues, so keep glancing at your scanner to see the amount of Dream Cap mush decrease. Just a quick tip: don’t let it get above 50 degrees, or else your mush might snap and burn. Nobody wants that!

Getting Rid of Protein

After you’ve successfully extracted your product, you’ll want to grab your handy scanner to see how much protein you’ve managed to collect. Once you’ve got that number, make sure to add an equal amount of acid to it. You might notice the reaction kicking off rather quickly, but don’t worry; it will gradually calm down. Be especially careful as you add the acid, and keep an eye on those numbers until they hit zero. The trick is not to overdo it with the acid; if you find yourself adding too much, don’t sweat it! You can always balance things out with some base to neutralize the excess.

Sifting It Out

Now here’s the deal: filtering your product is a crucial step, so don’t just rush into the evaporation phase. Make sure you utilize the water filter to do its thing and get a clean product.

Drying Out & Completing the Process

Once you’ve got that filtration done, it’s time to pop your filtered product into the evaporator. Let it work its magic overnight. This process will efficiently remove all the water, leaving you with a nice, dry product. If you’re working with smaller batches, you should be ready to go by the next morning! After your product is nice and dry, transfer it into the Chem Finisher. Choose Dream Dust from the options and hit the Output button. The machine will then use all available product to whip up a perfect number of vials for you.

Caffeine Pills (Extra Income)

Caffeine Pills (Extra Income)

Since you’ll likely run low on Dream Caps for continuous Dream Dust production, you can produce Caffeine Pills from coffee beans to supplement your income while you wait for more Dream Caps. The process is similar to Dream Dust, with variations in extraction and purification temperatures.

Blend

Get ready to put all those lovely ingredients together! Blending is where the magic happens; it’s your chance to mix everything into a smooth concoction. Take your time and enjoy the process. Blend until you reach that perfect consistency that you’re happy with. Remember, the more you blend, the more incorporated those flavors will become!

Blend

Start by adding your coffee beans into the blender.

Add Alcohol

Now it’s time to take things up a notch by adding some alcohol into the mix. This step can really elevate your concoction and bring out new and exciting flavors. Pour in the desired amount according to your personal preference. Just think of it as a delicious twist that will make your creation stand out even more!

Add Alcohol

Incorporate alcohol, aiming for about 3/4 of the mush volume.

Heat

Let’s turn up the heat! This step is essential for truly developing those flavors and giving your creation a warm, inviting vibe. Apply heat steadily to ensure that it’s cooked evenly. Pay attention to the aromas that start filling the air; you’re on the right path to something wonderful!

Heat

Place the mixture on the heater and heat it to about 75 degrees, then turn it off and allow it to cool.

Remove Protein & Fat

To create a wonderfully light consistency, it’s necessary to filter out those proteins and fats. This will help in smoothing out the texture of your product and allowing other flavors to shine. Take your time with this step and ensure that everything unwanted is effectively removed. The goal is to achieve a stellar base for your blend!

Remove Protein & Fat

After cooling, check the amounts of protein and fat and use two resources for removal.

• Acid – Add a 1:1 ratio of acid corresponding to the protein level.
• Lipo bond agent – Use approximately a 1:8 ratio.

• Acid – For balance, you’ll want a 1:1 ratio. Add in the same amount of acid as the protein that your scanner has noted.
• Lipo bond agent – When it comes to this component, aim for a ratio of about 1:8. That’ll ensure your mixture has the right texture and bonds nicely.

Filter

After addressing the protein and fat, filter through the water filter and pitcher for clarity.

Now that you’ve carefully removed the protein and fat, it’s time to carefully filter your product using the water filter and pitcher. This is a crucial step that will help to achieve clarity and the best possible texture in your final creation. Take your time; you want the ultimate result to shine!

Evaporate

Put your filtered product in the evaporator, which can only handle 300ml at once. Wait until it completely dries before moving to the Chem Finisher.

Go ahead and put your filtered product into the evaporator. Just a heads-up: this machine can only take in a maximum of 300ml at once, so be sure to keep that in mind! Once you’ve placed it inside, sit back and wait until it’s completely dry before you transfer it over to the Chem Finisher. It’s important to give it the time it needs for a successful outcome.

Create Caffeine Pills

Once dried, place the product in the Chem Finisher, select the Caffeine Pill recipe, and press Output. Each 5mg of caffeine results in one pill, making this a simple way to earn extra cash from your coffee beans.

Next, take your freshly dried product and place it into the Chem Finisher. Here, you’ll want to select the Caffeine Pill recipe and hit Output. For every 5mg of caffeine in your end product, you will create a single pill, which is pretty neat! Whipping up Caffeine Pills is a fantastic way to rake in some extra cash while your coffee beans are just sitting around. It’s an easy side hustle that can turn some spare time into profit.

Daily Plan

Daily Plan

Day 1

Expect the cartel handler to deliver your initial equipment and set your first quota of 10 vials by Day 8. Start production of Dream Dust immediately for cash flow.

Expect a visit from the cartel handler who will bring you a trio of Dream Caps, along with some handy chemical resources and your initial quota. Make sure to create 10 vials by Day 8, so dive into crafting those Dream Caps as soon as you can. This is your first batch, and starting off strong is essential. Not only will this help you in production, but it will also give you the opportunity to earn some money right out of the gate!

Day 2

The retired chemist arrives weekly, offering chemistry resources. If you’re short, buy a box of chemicals and try to snag a water filter for improved filtering efficiency. Also, avoid reporting the cartel during your security check.

Remember to look out for the retired chemist who swings by once a week. She’s your go-to for purchasing chemistry equipment and various resources. If you find yourself in need, grab a box of chemical resources. A great investment is the water filter—it’ll really enhance your filtering process! Plus, this is the moment when the security officer will pop in to ask if you have any intel to report. Steer clear of reporting anything about the cartel; that could cost you 20 reputation points, and trust me, you don’t want to take that hit!

Day 3

Two key visitors arrive: the shady farmer selling Dream Caps—buy all he offers to enhance your production—and the street dealer who’ll buy your surplus. Sell enough surplus to cover rent; the early income is vital.

Two key visitors will arrive soon. First up, the shady farmer who is your source for Dream Caps. Make sure to buy every single one he has available. The amount you snag here will significantly influence how much extra Dream Dust you can turn out during your first week. Then, you’ll also encounter the street dealer who’s interested in buying your excess Dream Dust. This is a perfect chance to earn some quick cash off your early production efforts! Sell enough to cover your rent and maximize your earnings wherever possible.

Days 4-7

Day 8

The handler returns to collect your quota. Aim to give him at least 10 vials to improve your reputation significantly. The more you provide, the better your reputation will become. Ensure you have enough to sell to the street dealer for rent and essentials while only placing what you’re comfortable giving on the counter.

Day 8

On this fine eighth day, the handler will swing by to pick up your initial quota. It’s a fantastic moment to share at least 10 vials with him. Not only is this an excellent opportunity to bolster your reputation, but the more you hand over, the more favor you earn with the cartel. Keep in mind, this isn’t quite the same as your weekly pickups. Once you’ve stashed away enough to sell to the street dealer to cover your rent and those essential expenses, feel free to give him as much as you can muster. It’s all about making those connections!

Remember, the more vials you share with the handler, the greater your reputation will rise. This reputation boost can also be a great way to up your stipend down the line! You’re in control of how much you part with here; only give him what you’re comfortable with. Anything you’ve stored is safe and sound with you, but keep in mind that what’s sitting on your counter will be taken. So choose wisely and plan your moves with care.

First Big Upgrade – Farm Grade Dream Dust

After you’ve handed over your products to the handler on this day, he’ll reward you with a new module for the Chem Finisher. Get ready to slot that module right in! If you’ve been diligent with your Dream Dust production, you should now have the ability to craft Farm Grade products. This is a key upgrade, as it allows you to sell your goods for a much better price. That means each production cycle is set to become more lucrative. With an enhanced reputation, an upgraded Chem Finisher, and access to the cartel’s weekly system, you’re on the path to really streamline your operation and keep everything running smoothly!

Weekly Cycle

Once you’ve completed your trade with the handler, it’s time to rethink your strategy a bit. In your initial week, it was wise to contribute as much as possible to the cartel to help boost your standing. However, don’t feel pressured to hand over every single vial you have. Balance is key here, and keeping some vials for yourself will ensure you have enough to continue thriving in this game.

Now is a great moment to establish your standard strategy:

• Quota – It’s essential to meet your quota! Don’t gamble by selling extra to the street and risking a missed target. Keep your eyes on the prize.
• Surplus – Time to put that extra stock to good use! With the Farm Grade module now in your toolkit, your produce is looking mighty fine, and selling off that surplus can turn into quite the sweet revenue stream.
• Cartel Resources – Once you reach a solid 50 reputation, you’ll notice that your resource requests come at a much friendlier price. Make sure to take full advantage of this perk!

As you climb up the ranks in reputation and see that stipend grow, the cartel is going to become a significant financial buffer for your operations. However, remember it shouldn’t be your one and only strategy—diversifying is key!

Get Into Independence

First Big Upgrade – Farm Grade Dream Dust

After delivering the products on Day 8, the handler rewards you with a module for the Chem Finisher. Insert this module, and if your Dream Dust was correctly prepared, you’ll now produce Farm Grade. This upgrade enables you to sell your product at higher prices, improving the profitability of your operation.

Water Trading & Hydroponics

Weekly Cycle

After your first week’s achievements, adapt your strategy. Previously, maximizing your cartel deliveries boosted reputation. However, don’t sacrifice all vials just to sell extras.

Your strategy should now look like this:

• Quota – Always ensure you’ve met your quota to stay in good standing with the cartel.
• Surplus – Store any extra; with the Farm Grade module, you’ll earn more from surplus sales.
• Cartel Resources – Take advantage of lower resource prices once you reach 50 reputation.

As your reputation and stipend grow, the cartel can provide significant capital, but it shouldn’t define your entire strategy.

Get Into Independence

The cartel’s stipend is helpful but being reliant on it leaves you vulnerable. Start establishing alternative income sources while your cartel reputation is strong.

Water Trading & Hydroponics

Hydroponics will enable you to cultivate your Dream Caps, eliminating dependency on the shady farmer. This grants more control over your output, ensuring your Dream Dust production keeps running smoothly.

Water Trading

This method can generate quick credits, helping you buffer against cartel reliance. Don’t view these methods as replacements for your Chemist business; instead, see them as ways to diversify earnings. Ultimately, you want enough independent income to withstand losing the stipend.

In summary, a successful Chemist playthrough combines leveraging the cartel for initial growth while pursuing self-sufficiency.

This method can help you snag some quick credits, providing a nice financial cushion and reducing how much you need to lean on the cartel. Instead of viewing them as just substitutes for your Chemist cycle, consider them opportunities to broaden your income avenues. Ultimately, you want to ensure you have enough independent earnings so that a stipend loss won’t throw you off-balance.

In summary, a successful run as a Chemist revolves around leveraging the cartel to upscale your operation and eventually achieving self-sufficiency that allows for continuous growth!

Be sure to check out the articles below for more insights!