Beginner tips: progression, hunting, cooking and mining
New players in The Legend of California progress through four content tiers by completing Company Goals, opened with J by default. The developers say most Alpha players spent their time in Tiers 1 and 2, so there is no need to rush. The tips below are compiled from Kintsugiyama’s patch notes and dev updates; Alpha systems and keybinds can change between tests.
| Default key (Alpha 4) | Opens or does |
|---|---|
| J | Company Goals: the main route through ranch and company progression |
| L | Player Progression: Player Challenges and Achievements |
| Y | Horse panel |
| G or M | Map |
| X | Tool selection wheel |
| Z | Alternate interact |
| Middle mouse | Ping (hold for Gather Up, Help, Danger or Question) |
Follow Company Goals, then Challenges
The first Alpha recap notes there is no traditional tutorial; Tutorial Tips guide the basics, and some testers missed that the Challenge system gives extra direction. The Alpha 4 notes later made Company Goals the shared progression track for you and your teammates. Player Challenges add Repeatable rewards and account-wide Legacy cosmetics.
Pace yourself: worlds reset
The June dev update explains that the game is designed to reset roughly monthly, so progression is meant to be fairly quick. In that Alpha only 5.9% of players reached Tier 3 and 2.8% reached Tier 4. The median Tier 2 player had played about 8 hours, against 28.7 hours for Tier 4. Those are studio statistics from one test, not targets.
Hunting and food
Predators are dangerous: Alpha 4 raised all predator animals’ health by 50% and reworked mountain lions, bobcats and jaguars. Several meat types, such as felid, canid and unusual meat, were consolidated into Wild Meat, and only specialty meats can be used in meals. More meal recipes start unlocked on the stove; others come from vendors or Company Goals. Kitchen accessories such as a molcajete or cast iron skillet unlock optional ingredients. Currants, potatoes, yucca and cave truffles are gatherable.
Mining and early purchases
Abandoned mines in the overworld and Stronghold mines can now contain enemies, so go in prepared. Steel is crafted from Dense Iron Ore, and salt was made easier to obtain. A medium backpack is no longer crafted; Alpha 4 notes list it at a Tier 1 general store for 15 bucks. Comfort from furniture, added in Alpha 5, is described as raising maximum health and loot chances, which makes decorating your ranch more than cosmetic.