How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden Character Collection Guide

Introduction to Character Collection

In How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden, you will encounter a cast of eccentric characters who either help or hinder your quest to build a nuclear device in your backyard. Collecting these characters is not just about filling a roster; each one offers unique perks, rare parts, or critical information. This guide covers every character, their locations, and the best strategies to add them to your collection without raising suspicion.

Main Characters and Their Roles

The game features five primary characters that are essential to the main storyline. They are tied to the core progression and cannot be missed, but their full potential is only realized through specific interactions.

• The Professor: Your initial contact, found in the university library. He provides the basic blueprint and the first set of instructions. To unlock his full character entry, you must complete his three side quests involving retrieving old textbooks.
• The Scrapyard Sally: A gruff but helpful woman who runs the local scrapyard. She sells common parts and offers a discount if you bring her rare scrap metal. Her character card is unlocked after your first purchase of a significant component.
• The Suspicious Neighbor: A nosy character who lives next door. He appears randomly and can report you to the authorities. Instead of avoiding him, you can befriend him by giving him baked goods. This unlocks his character and grants you a "lookout" ability that warns you of incoming patrols.
• The Federal Agent: An undercover agent who poses as a gardener. If you fail to manage your secrecy, he will confiscate your parts. However, if you successfully complete a series of stealth missions to plant fake evidence, he becomes an ally and provides access to government-grade materials.
• The Chemist: A reclusive figure living in a bunker. He requires a specific code (found in a hidden note) to be let in. Once inside, he can synthesize rare isotopes for your bomb, making him the most valuable character for the endgame.

Unlockable Side Characters

Beyond the main cast, there are several side characters that appear only under specific conditions. These are often tied to random events or hidden locations.

• The Drifter: Found near the train tracks at night. He offers a rare part in exchange for a ride to the next town. You must have a vehicle (upgradeable in the garage) to complete this.
• The Librarian: A quiet character in the town library. She holds a book on nuclear physics that is essential for the final assembly. To unlock her, you must return three overdue books scattered around the map.
• The Conspiracy Theorist: A paranoid character who lives in a shack in the woods. He gives you a "tin foil hat" item that reduces suspicion gain by 10%. You need to solve his riddle to gain his trust.

Character Collection Rewards

Completing the character collection yields tangible benefits for your playthrough. Each character card you unlock provides a permanent passive bonus that carries over even if you restart the game.

• Full Collection Bonus: Unlocks the "Master of Disguise" achievement and a special outfit that halves the suspicion rate from all NPCs.
• Professor's Lore: Unlocks a hidden ending where you successfully launch the bomb without any casualties.
• Chemist's Formula: Grants access to a more powerful, compact bomb design that requires fewer parts.

Tips for Efficient Collection

To collect all characters efficiently, follow this step-by-step strategy:

1. Early Game Focus

   Prioritize the Professor and Scrapyard Sally. Their quests are simple and provide the tools needed for later, more complex character interactions.

2. Manage Suspicion

   Keep your suspicion meter low by avoiding public assembly of parts. Befriend the Suspicious Neighbor early to gain the lookout perk, which helps you avoid patrols.

3. Explore at Night

   Characters like the Drifter and the Conspiracy Theorist only appear at night. Use the night cycle to explore the map without attracting too much attention from day-walking NPCs.

4. Trade and Bribe

   Always carry a stock of common items (like food or scrap metal). Many characters require a bribe or a trade to unlock their dialogue options.

5. Complete Side Quests

   Side quests are the primary way to unlock character cards. Check your journal regularly and complete them as soon as possible to avoid missing timed events.

For more foundational tips, see our Beginner Tips Guide. If you are stuck on a specific character's quest, the Walkthrough Guide may have the solution.