Any tips for surviving early on? I'm trying to get a good game as the Experiment going, I know how to set up stats and such, but what's the best way to survive?
KNIFE SPEAR. Put a point in survival in char gen and you can make KNIFE SPEARS out of the starting shelter, with a little work. KNIFE SPEARS have +1 to hit, block, strike VERY quickly and do decent damage. And they don't get stuck in things easily, having the SPEAR tag.
EDIT:
With alternate starts, its harder to make the KNIFE SPEAR, but still possible. Smash a car for scrap metal or disassemble a steak knife for the spike. Rags and string come from smashing a window and cutting up the resulting sheet with your pocket knife. Heavy sticks are everywhere.
Things you need very quickly:
Bone/Wooden Needle or Sewing Kit
Something with level 1 cutting and some butchering quality
At least a level 2 hammering tool
A crowbar[Makeshift ones can be made from pipes, which you get from smashing lockers]
KNIFE SPEAR[I may have mentioned this one already]
Storage space[Backpacks are preferable, but a trenchoat or cargo pants work too]
Something to boil water in[Frying pan works best, but you may have to settle for a homemade stone pot]
Matches or a lighter
Digging stick, to make a shallow pit to start fires safely in
A gallon jug for storing impure water in.
Somewhere underground to sleep[Basement of starting shelter works well]
This is the stuff that you should have by the end of the first few days. In the latest experimental, I've been having major problems with cold, so a scarf and gloves are pretty important too.