Your opening chapters teach the survival loop: search rooms before advancing, mark shortcuts on your map, and treat every encounter as optional until an objective forces it. Ammo and bandages are scarce enough that retreat is often the strongest play.
- Loot methodically. Check desks, drawers and bodies before leaving a room; many safes hide crafting parts or sidearm ammo.
- Use safe houses as checkpoints. Rest, restock what you can, then plan a route with two exits before heading deeper.
- Save heavy weapons. Pistols and melee handle common Deep Ones. Keep shotguns and rare rounds for ambushes and bosses.
- Skip fights you can avoid. Stealth routes and skiff travel often cost less than a firefight.