Backgrounds

Learn how to start your journey in Schedule I. This guide covers character customization, the 'Getting Started' quest, renting a motel room, and buying initial equipment.

This section covers the initial stages of Schedule I, focusing on character creation and the early game quests. Upon starting a new save, you'll experience a cutscene that provides lore context. Following this, you can customize your character, a choice that is permanent for that save file unless modified through game files. In the full release, appearance changes will also be available at in-game shops like barbershops, clothing stores, and a tattoo parlor.

Starting the Game

After character creation, you spawn near a bus station. You'll receive the 'Getting Started' quest, prompting you to check your phone ('Tab' key) for a message from 'Unknown'. This leads you to a payphone to meet 'Uncle Nelson' (U.N.). He instructs you to retrieve his stash near the skatepark, located on a ledge by the road leading to the motel. This stash contains $375.

Renting a Motel Room

Next, you're directed to speak with the motel manager, Donna, in the adjacent house. The quest updates to 'Rent a motel room'. After the dialogue, you can pickpocket Donna to reclaim the $75 needed for the room, providing an early cash boost. Checking into room 1 completes this step. Uncle Nelson will then want to speak with you again at the payphone.

Buying Equipment

The 'Gearing Up' questline begins, directing you to the hardware store. On your map ('M' key), the store is marked by a yellow star. The quest involves depositing cash at an ATM and purchasing a grow tent, soil bag, and watering can. Depositing money at the ATM is recommended for safety against fines or medical bills. To purchase items, interact with Dan at the store. Items that don't fit your inventory are placed on pallets outside. It's also advised to buy 'Plant Trimmers', a 'Packaging Station', and 10 'Baggies' for subsequent quests. An optional purchase is a trash grabber for recycling, and a 'Trash bag' to manage the trash can in the motel. If you mention being a drug dealer to Dan, he may gift you 'Speed Grow', which accelerates plant growth.

After buying supplies, return to your motel room to set up the grow tent and add soil. Uncle Nelson will then request another meeting at the payphone.

Planting your First Seeds

Uncle Nelson introduces you to Albert Hoover. Check your phone for a message from Albert regarding seed orders. You can order seeds via a 'Dead Drop' message. Currently, only 'OG Kush' seeds are available, which have a calming effect. Orders are delivered to a dead drop location, marked by a small metal drawer with a cross. The first order takes 30 in-game minutes (30 seconds) to arrive; subsequent orders take approximately 4 in-game hours (4 minutes). Debts are managed via a tab, payable at the dead drop behind the hardware store. Dead drops with items are highlighted. After picking up the seed, sow it in the grow tent. Water the plant using the watering can, which can be filled at the sink. Plants grow about 15% per in-game hour. Sleeping after watering can significantly advance growth and conserve water. Once the plant is fully grown, use the plant trimmers to harvest the buds.

Packaging

Place down the 'Packaging Station'. Interact with it to package the harvested buds. Drag baggies into the 'Packaging' slot and buds into the 'Input' slot. Press 'Pack', then drag each bud into a bag, and the bag into the hopper. Packaged weed will appear in the output. You can also unpack weed by reversing the process. Jars can also be purchased at the hardware store for storage.