Walani is a unique and intriguing character in the Don't Starve universe, particularly within the Shipwrecked DLC. This article delves into her background, gameplay mechanics, and strategies for playing as Walani, providing insights into her strengths and weaknesses.

Introduction to Walani

Walani is a surfer with a relaxed personality, introduced in the Hang Ten update for Shipwrecked. She is one of the four exclusive characters in this DLC and can be unlocked with 2240 experience points. Her background suggests she might be of Hawaiian descent, given her love for surfing and her attire, which includes gold hoop earrings and buccaneer boots.

Walani, the relaxed surfer character with her signature surfboard.

Key Features:

• Surfboard: Walani starts with a custom surfboard that doesn't require hands to row, making it an excellent tool for early exploration.
• Drying Speed: She dries faster than other characters, which is beneficial in the wet environments of Shipwrecked.
• Sanity and Hunger: Effects on her sanity are slightly weaker, but she gets hungry slightly faster than normal.
• Health and Hunger Stats: Her maximum health is 120, while her hunger is 200, making her more reliant on finding food sources.

Gameplay Strategies

Early Game

1. Exploration: Use the surfboard to explore islands quickly and find resources.
2. Resource Gathering: Focus on gathering basic resources like twigs, flint, and grass for crafting tools.

Walani collecting twigs and flint on a tropical island.

3. Crafting Essentials: Prioritize crafting a pickaxe, axe, and machete in that order to improve resource gathering efficiency.

Mid Game

1. Base Setup: Look for islands with diverse biomes (e.g., jungle, beach) for better resource availability.
2. Combat Tactics: Use kiting (hit and dodge) with basic armor like wood armor.

Walani utilizing kiting tactics to avoid damage while fighting.

3. Food Management: Manage hunger by cooking coconuts and other readily available foods.

Late Game

1. Advanced Crafting: Focus on crafting better tools and equipment, such as the regal cutlass for combat.
2. Island Hopping: Continue exploring to find rare resources and biomes.
3. Seasonal Preparation: Prepare for seasonal challenges like hurricanes by storing food and having a secure base.

Walani stockpiling food and securing her base in preparation for a hurricane.

Tips for Success with Walani

Island Selection

• Internal Water Bodies: Choose islands with internal bodies of water for safer base setups and easier access to resources.
• Biome Diversity: Prioritize islands with multiple biomes for varied resource availability.

Combat and Defense

• Kiting: Use the surfboard to quickly escape or kite enemies.
• Armor and Weapons: Craft better armor and weapons as soon as possible to improve combat efficiency.

Seasonal Challenges

• Hurricane Preparation: Stockpile food and ensure your base is secure before hurricane seasons.
• Exploration: Use the surfboard to explore and find new resources during calm weather.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

Walani offers a unique playstyle in Don't Starve: Shipwrecked, emphasizing exploration and quick movement. Her strengths lie in her ability to navigate the seas efficiently and her resilience in wet environments. However, her faster hunger drain requires careful food management.

For further learning and strategies, consider exploring the Don't Starve community forums and wikis, which provide detailed guides on character builds, base setups, and combat tactics. Additionally, watching gameplay videos and streams can offer insights into advanced strategies and character synergies.