One of the first things you’ll learn in Roadcraft is the 3 different drive modes your scout vehicle has. If you’re new to sim games, or haven’t played Snowrunner or Mudrunner before, then you may find this a bit overwhelming or confusing and it can lead to you getting stuck in the mud, as was the case in our Roadcraft review. If you need a quick cheat sheet on what diff lock does, or what the other modes do then you’re in the right place.
Diff lock in Roadcraft
Without getting too technical (I’m not a mechanic!), diff lock makes sure that your wheels spin at the same speed, even if slipping or when one isn’t in contact with the ground.
What does this mean practically? More traction, essentially. If you’re in a situation where you’re struggling against the terrain, particularly on rocky or muddy ground, then flicking on diff lock will usually give you a quick burst of traction that’s often enough to get you moving again.
One thing to bear in mind though is that with diff lock on you’ll find it harder to steer your vehicle. It’s often best to leave it off until you need that traction boost, as it’ll make navigating the vast and debris-strewn biomes in Roadcraft much easier.
What does AWD do?
AWD, or All Wheel Drive, supplies power to each of your wheels. This means every wheel is working to propel you further rather than just the rear wheels, improving your traction and ability to get around on uneven terrain.
Some vehicles in Roadcraft will have this on by default and won’t allow you to turn it off, while others will give you the option.
While it helps you trek across rocky terrain, it does also have an impact on steering. That said, you’ll get used to it quickly and it’s often best to just leave AWD engaged.
What does Low Gear do?
As the name suggests, Low Gear locks your vehicle in exactly that, a low gear. This means your wheels spin slower, slowing down your overall speed.
If you’re wondering when you’d find this useful while playing Roadcraft, it’s mainly when you’re going through soft or muddy terrain. Low Gear means slower wheels, which helps stop you from spinning your way deeper and deeper into the mud, making it less likely you get stuck.
Again, some vehicles will get automatically locked in low gear when activating certain modes. The most common one is the dozer; engaging the plough for flattening sand will put you in a low gear. This keeps your speed consistent, helping you smooth the sand out evenly.
Those are the 3 main driving modes in Roadcraft, it’s well worth playing around with all of them to see how they can help you. Within a few hours you’ll be a pro and flicking between them without even thinking about it!
