So having found that there are various, eternally empty rooms spread across the Mojave I decided to begin setting up my own safehouses. The typical stores consist primarily of food (often crams and such; anything else I simply hunt for), purified water en masse, ammo of varying calibre, medical supplies and of course, weapons. I typically roam alone, in no more than reinforced leather so armour isn't really an issue in weight terms and I'm packing the jury rigging perk which means repairing [censored] isn't an issue. My safe houses are located in the Nipton mayors office, the el ray motel and, naturally, the Novac hotel room. Anywhere else is so close to the Strip I only need throw my caps around to be fed like a king.

So here's my question, fellow Mojavians: what tricks have you perfected to stay alive?

Water is pretty easy, a number of places dispense clean water.
Food is generally readily available; gecko steak is usually my foodstuff of choice.
Sleep is no problem, you can use any unowned bed.

Not rreally any major tricks involved; I won't play in anything other than hardcoe mode, but it doesn't cramp my style much. Aside from needing a doctor when I get hurt.

Lots of Nuka Cola and Coyote Tabbaco Chew in my possession. And I drink from sinks regularly. Haven't had to use a toilet yet lol I have the classic pack, so the vault 13 canteen is handy too. Won't solve all of your water problems, but it definately cuts the hassle of looking for water, in half. Plus its a great way to slowly regenerate your health if you are moving through the wasteland. can save stimpacks after you cleared out a battle zone.

Gecko kabob: 0.25 pounds each, and they give a good amount of both H2O and food.

The only "rare" ingredient is jalape?os, bit there's usually a dozen or so plants on the dry lake bed, and around bitter springs.

Desert Salad is another winner, but pinyon nuts are a little more difficult to come by.

The only other "trick" for me is to limit myself to a single weapon, and modest amounts of ammo (100-200 rounds at a time, the rest stored at home base) to conserve weight.

-Be on the lookout for "Prickly pear fruit" and "Nevada agave fruit". Both are everywhere in the Mojave at 2 units per plant, heal HP, H2O and Food. Long as you are picking these you can forget bringing Water bottles.

-Grab ED-E ASAP. If you are going to rush to New Vegas, bypassing the starting foreplay plot, go to Prim first and pick him up. He's indispensable in HC mode as a floating backpack and the perk.

-Don't overuse the "Wait" function. Go find something else to do instead of waiting three days in front of Gun Runners.

-Think light. Some weapon systems are just not practical in HC mode due to the weight of both the weapon and enough ammo to be usefull. Brick heavy armors also apply here. Let ED-E carry your AMR, and 40-50 rounds of ammo, when you don't need it.

-Grab the "pack Rat" perk. You'll thank me.

-Burn into your brain the locations of Rad free water. Then take the 10 seconds to use them when you are near regardless if you need it or not. You'll pass by NCR Sharecroppers allot in the game and that not the only place this applies.

-For your companions give them some Super Stimpaks. They won't die much, if at all, if you do. Regular Stimpaks just are not powerful enough now in combat.

-Last of all work that Survival skill up to 100. 100 Survival is better to have than 100 Medicine.

Instead of carrying one big stack of one kind of food carry several different types (along with water and both kinds of pop). The heal over time effect from each will stack so instead of healing 4-5 hit points per second you can heal 20 or more.

Poisons can be a god send for fighting critters with high DT like giant rad scorpions. You can apply them to thowing weapons so you can keep your distance. Again, use different types as the effects will stack.

Even with low melee/unarmed skill keeping a fast one handed weapon like a Tire Iron/Lead Pipe or set of Spike Knuckles can be a good idea. Quite a few critters like scorpions and lower level geckos have slow attacks and can killed by backing away as you punch or strike. Even some low level gunmen can be overwhelmed and unable to fire back if you rush them and keep smacking them fast enough. This will save your ammo for the really tough fights.

There are beds you can "own" that, even in hardcoe mode, will heal your wounded limbs and give you Well Rested status for the bonus exp. These include faction Safehouses, the motel room in Novac and the room you can rent at the Atomic Wrangler in Freeside. The one in Novac costs 100 caps (or will be given to you free if you do enough quests in that town) but it's yours thereafter and can be used to safely store your goods. The one at the Atomic Wrangler costs only 10 caps but you have to pay for it again each time you leave the Wrangler.

If you use a Doctor's Bag to heal crippled limbs in a fight it's a one time effect and your limb can be re-crippled as the fight wears on. Hydra, Healing Poultice's and Weapon Binding Rituals (requires 25 Melee skill) are heal over time effects so they'll keep removing the cripple effect even if they don't get the chance to heal the limb fully