Kenshi, the sprawling, unforgiving world, tests your limits at every turn. Survival isn’t just about avoiding starvation or surviving relentless raids; it’s also about managing resources, acquiring better equipment, and ultimately, building a thriving settlement. And the bedrock of this success? Selling stuff. Whether you’re a hardened mercenary, a resourceful scavenger, or a budding entrepreneur, mastering the art of selling is paramount. This guide dives deep into Kenshi and explores the intricacies of how to sell stuff, transforming you from a struggling survivor into a seasoned merchant raking in the cats.
Understanding the very core of trading in Kenshi is key to succeeding. You can’t just haul random junk to the nearest town and expect to get rich. You need to understand what the world values, how its value fluctuates, and how to leverage that knowledge to your advantage.
The Value of Your Possessions
Not all items are created equal in Kenshi. The value of an item is determined by a complex interplay of factors, including its type, its rarity, the demand for it within the current environment, and even the faction you’re dealing with.
Different item categories generally have differing impacts on the value they provide. Food, essential for keeping your squad alive, is a constant necessity, but easily acquired and therefore may not command the highest prices. Raw materials, such as iron plates or fabric, form the foundation for crafting, possessing inherent value. Armor and weapons, critical for survival, are always in demand, especially as your characters and the threats they face grow. Research materials like engineering books and AI cores are exceedingly valuable.
The most prized possessions, the ones that can truly line your pockets with cats, are often the rarest. Ancient Science Books, essential for research, command a high price. Masterwork weapons and armor are also coveted. AI Cores, the secrets to technological advancement, are exceptionally rare and always worth selling.
The Shifting Sands of the Market
The economy in Kenshi isn’t static. Supply and demand are constantly at play. The price of an item in a particular town can shift dramatically based on several factors. Is there a recent battle nearby, depleting the town’s food stores? Are raiding parties common, creating a demand for weaponry and armor? Has a resource been depleted, driving up the price of the remaining items? These are the types of questions a savvy trader asks.
Faction relations also play a crucial role in pricing. A town controlled by the Holy Nation might offer lower prices for certain items, while a town affiliated with the Tech Hunters may pay more for research materials.
Knowing Item Worth
The in-game mechanics provide a fairly simple way to gauge item worth. Simply hover your mouse over an item while you’re looking at a shopkeeper, and the price you’ll be offered appears. Comparing prices between different shopkeepers is essential to maximizing profit.
For those looking for a more streamlined trading experience, mods offer enhanced functionality. There are mods available that display the prices in a more easy-to-understand format directly within the shop UI. This makes it quicker and simpler to assess the best deal.
Where to Conduct Your Business
Knowing what to sell is only half the battle; knowing where to sell it is equally important. Different shop types specialize in different goods, and the prices they offer vary significantly.
Different Vendors, Different Needs
General stores are your bread-and-butter trading points, offering a wide variety of goods. They are your standard places to offload common items. They’re reliable, but they may not always offer the best prices for specialized goods.
Weapon shops are a great place to sell your surplus swords, katanas, and any other bladed or blunt instruments. Armor shops will naturally focus on plate armor, leather armor, and anything that protects your characters from harm.
Medical shops are where you sell your medkits, bandages, and other health-related supplies. If you are producing or acquiring food in significant quantities, food shops are a place to gain a decent return on investment.
Tech shops are particularly useful for selling research items, and the often valuable AI cores. Some shops specialize in specific goods and will pay a premium for them.
The Complexities of Relations
Your reputation, shaped by your choices and your association with different factions, drastically alters the prices shopkeepers are willing to offer. If you’ve been helpful to a particular faction, you’ll receive better deals in their towns. If you’ve earned their ire, you can expect lower prices and, potentially, hostility.
Some shops are notoriously difficult to deal with. The Holy Nation, for instance, might look down upon the sale of certain goods.
Carefully choose your locations based on the merchandise you are selling, and your relationship with the local factions.
Optimal Location, Efficient Business
Choosing the right location for selling is dependent on your products. If you have a steady supply of food, sell it in a town with a shortage, or a well-stocked food shop. If you’re selling weapons, focus on towns that are frequently under attack or that are at war.
Proximity to your base of operations is also important. The easier the trip, the more often you can sell, and the more profit you’ll accrue. Consider the ease of travel, the security of the route, and the distances involved.
Strategic Considerations
To truly thrive in the world of Kenshi selling, you need to employ strategies to maximize your profits.
Profit Optimization
The mantra of any trader: buy low, sell high. That is the cornerstone of your strategy. Watch market prices, travel between towns to compare prices, and seize opportunities to profit from fluctuations.
Look for those shops that are willing to pay a premium. Weapon smiths pay more for weapons. Tech shops may pay top dollar for AI cores.
Establish warehouses at your base to store your goods and take advantage of those market changes. Having a place to safely store items is crucial for any long-term trading.
Weight and Carrying Capacity
Managing weight is a constant concern in Kenshi. You want to be able to carry as much merchandise as possible to maximize profits.
Invest in high-quality backpacks. They significantly increase your carrying capacity, enabling you to haul more goods to sell.
Consider employing pack animals. Beak Things are incredibly strong but require a lot of care. Gorillos offer a good balance of strength and manageability.
For items storage, make sure you create base storage. Build crates, and use crafting benches and storage options for your raw resources and crafted items.
Crafting Opportunities
Sometimes, raw resources aren’t the most profitable. Crafting them into more valuable goods is often the key to unlocking greater wealth. The Black Desert, for example, can provide high-value metal plates.
Armor crafting can be a substantial source of profit, provided you have the skill and the resources. Some advanced recipes provide high-value items.
Practical Tips
Implementing these strategies is a part of understanding the game. There are some additional tips and tricks to further bolster your trading empire.
Establishing Routes of Commerce
The most efficient traders establish trade routes. Identify towns with a high demand for certain items, then consistently resupply those towns from your base or other sources.
Once you’ve established your routes, consider protecting them. Hire guards to accompany your trading caravans, especially through dangerous areas.
Character Advancement
As you are on the move, make sure your characters are built for the task. Strength is key to carrying capacity. The higher your strength, the more weight you can carry.
Carrying heavy loads helps to build strength, so load up your characters with goods and have them walk long distances.
The Impact of Mods
The world of Kenshi is highly moddable. Many mods enhance the trading experience.
Consider mods that provide clearer price information. These mods can help you quickly compare prices and identify the best deals.
Some mods allow you to change the UI, displaying prices in a more manageable format.
Conclusion: Become a Merchant
Mastering the art of selling stuff is essential for survival and success in Kenshi. By understanding item value, market dynamics, and the best locations to sell, you can transform yourself into a wealthy and influential trader. Remember to experiment, adapt your strategies, and continuously refine your approach to the markets. By selling efficiently, you’ll not only survive, you’ll thrive.
So, venture forth into the wild lands of Kenshi. Explore the markets. Master the art of the deal. And watch your coffers fill with cats. May your trades be ever in your favor.
