Winter in Don't Starve Together (DST) is a challenging season that requires careful preparation and strategic gameplay to survive. Players must contend with freezing temperatures, reduced food sources, and formidable enemies like Deerclops. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure your survival during the harsh winter months in DST.

Understanding the Challenges of Winter

Winter in DST presents several challenges:

  • Cold Temperatures: Characters lose health if they get too cold, making warmth a priority.
  • Reduced Food Sources: Most plants stop growing, forcing players to rely on alternative food sources like meat and dried goods.
  • Deerclops: A powerful boss that spawns during winter, capable of destroying bases if not prepared for.

Preparing for Winter

Preparation is key to surviving winter. Here are the essential steps to take before the season begins:

1. Gather Warmth-Providing Items

  • Thermal Stones: These provide temporary warmth but need to be recharged regularly by placing them near a fire or burning a tree.
  • Winter Clothing: Items like the Beefalo Hat, Winter Hat, and Puffy Vest are crucial for maintaining body heat. The Puffy Vest is particularly effective and can be crafted from a Winter Koalefant's trunk.

A character in Don't Starve Together wearing winter clothing and holding a thermal stone.

Essential items for staying warm during winter in Don't Starve Together.

2. Stockpile Food

  • Crockpots and Drying Racks: Use these to prepare and store food. Recipes like meatballs (made with ice and monster meat) are excellent for winter.
  • Birdcages: Essential for converting monster meat into eggs, providing a reliable food source.
  • Farms and Berry Bushes: While less effective in winter, they can provide some food if managed well before the season starts.

A player using a crockpot to cook food in Don't Starve Together.

Cooking high-calorie meals in a crockpot to sustain during winter.

3. Build a Sustainable Base

  • Ice Box: Store perishable items like ice and vegetables to keep them fresh throughout winter.
  • Fire Pits and Campfires: Keep these nearby to recharge thermal stones and provide warmth.

4. Prepare for Deerclops

  • Defensive Measures: Build walls or traps around your base to protect against Deerclops' attacks.
  • Offensive Gear: Craft strong weapons and armor to fight Deerclops if encountered.

Surviving Winter

Once winter begins, focus on maintaining your resources and staying warm:

1. Manage Your Resources

  • Hunt for Meat: Regularly hunt animals like Pengulls, rabbits, and spiders to maintain a steady food supply.
  • Use Crockpots: Prepare high-calorie meals to sustain you for longer periods.

2. Stay Warm

  • Thermal Stones and Clothing: Keep these items on hand to maintain body heat.
  • Fires: Regularly burn trees or use fire pits to warm up and recharge thermal stones.

3. Deal with Deerclops

  • Avoid or Prepare: If you're not ready to fight, avoid Deerclops. Otherwise, use strong weapons and armor to defeat it.

Additional Tips for Multiplayer

In multiplayer, coordination is crucial:

  • Divide Tasks: Assign different tasks to players, such as hunting, crafting, or base management.
  • Communicate: Keep each other informed about resource availability and potential threats.

Two players coordinating tasks in Don't Starve Together.

Effective communication and task division are key in multiplayer survival.

Example Survival Scenario

Imagine you're playing with a friend, and winter is approaching. You both decide to focus on different tasks:

  • Player 1: Focuses on crafting winter clothing and building an ice box to store food.
  • Player 2: Hunts for meat and sets up traps for rabbits and spiders.

As winter begins, you both work together to manage resources, keep the fire pit stocked, and prepare for potential Deerclops attacks. This coordination ensures that you both stay warm, fed, and safe throughout the season.

Conclusion

Surviving winter in DST requires careful planning, resource management, and strategic gameplay. By following these steps and staying adaptable, you can overcome the challenges of winter and thrive in the harsh world of Don't Starve Together.

Actionable Summary:

  • Prepare Warmth-Providing Items: Thermal stones and winter clothing.
  • Stockpile Food: Use crockpots, drying racks, and birdcages.
  • Build a Sustainable Base: Include an ice box and fire pits.
  • Prepare for Deerclops: Defensive and offensive strategies.
  • Stay Warm and Fed: Manage resources and stay coordinated in multiplayer.