Schedule 1: 8 Beginner Tips

Source: Schedule 1: 8 Beginner Tips

Introduction

When your small-time drug-dealing business with your uncle gets compromised by the authorities in Schedule 1, you find yourself starting over in a new town. Whether playing solo or with up to three friends, these beginner tips will help you rebuild your operation and dominate the drug market in Hyland Point.

1. Keep Your Pockets Clean

Your business isn't exactly the cleanest line of work in the city, and the police are a significant threat to your endeavors. When the police stop you for a search, they'll thoroughly examine every slot of your inventory.

How to Handle Police Searches:

• You can hide items in your inventory, but only one item at a time by holding it in its slot
• When an officer holds their light over an inventory slot, they're currently looking at that spot
• This gives you time to grab an illegal item in another slot to hide it from their flashlight
• The more incriminating items you have, the more difficult this becomes

Whenever possible, only carry what you absolutely need when traveling around town. Use your properties as safe storage locations for your products and cash.

2. Visit the Hardware Store First

The Hardware Store is an essential part of Schedule 1. To start growing marijuana, you'll need to visit the store and purchase several important supplies:

• A tent for growing plants
• A watering can for plant maintenance
• A bag of soil for planting

Later, you'll acquire seeds, which are the fourth and final ingredient needed to grow marijuana plants. Remember that the Hardware Store only accepts credit card payments, not cash, so make sure you have a card with you when shopping.

3. Only Take Orders You Can Fulfill

When dealing with customers, it might seem logical to accept every order that comes your way. However, Schedule 1 penalizes you for failing to deliver orders on time, which can damage your reputation and business relationships.

Before Accepting an Order:

• Take stock of how much product you have on hand
• Consider the time needed to prepare fresh batches if necessary
• Factor in travel time to meet the customer
• Account for potential delays like police encounters

Schedule your orders with plenty of time between them, especially when playing solo, as you'll need to manage production, distribution, and supplier meetings simultaneously.

4. Marketing Is Important for Business Growth

Expanding your customer base is crucial for growing your business in Schedule 1. The game implements a marketing system through free samples:

• Offer free samples to potential new customers you meet around town
• This builds your reputation and establishes new client relationships
• Focus on high-quality products to make a good first impression
• Track customer preferences and cater to their specific needs

Word of mouth is powerful in Hyland Point—satisfied customers will lead to more business opportunities and potentially introduce you to new dealers and suppliers.

5. Recruit Dealers Early

Expanding your distribution network is essential for scaling your business. Early in the game, you'll have the opportunity to recruit dealers who can handle sales on your behalf.

How to Recruit Benji:

• Complete the early missions and visit all 10 new customers in Northtown
• Uncle Nelson will call you about a dealer named Benji
• Build a reputation with Chloe Bowers until she gives you information about him
• Find Benji in Room 2 of the Motel (next to your starting room)
• Pay the $500 signing bonus he requests
• Assign at least three clients to him (maximum of 8) to make the arrangement profitable

Dealers take a 20% cut of sales but dramatically increase your distribution capacity, allowing you to focus on production and expansion rather than making individual sales.

Troubleshooting: If interacting with Benji glitches, restart the game, clear your cache, restart Steam, and validate the game files.

6. Understand Customer Preferences

Different customers in Schedule 1 have specific preferences for drug effects. Understanding and catering to these preferences will maximize your profits and customer satisfaction:

• Some customers prefer calming effects
• Others seek energizing or euphoric experiences
• Some have unusual requests like "balding" or "schizophrenic" effects
• Many customers have specific combinations of effects they desire

Keep track of each customer's preferences and develop products that match their requirements. This attention to detail will build loyalty and increase your reputation in Hyland Point.

7. Invest in Money Laundering

As your illegal cash accumulates, you'll need legitimate businesses to launder it. Invest in money laundering operations as soon as you can afford them:

1. Laundromat ($10,000): Daily laundering limit of $2,000
2. Post Office ($16,000): Daily laundering limit of $4,000
3. Car Wash ($20,000): Daily laundering limit of $6,000
4. Taco Ticklers ($50,000): Daily laundering limit of $8,000

Start with the Laundromat as your first investment, then upgrade to higher-capacity businesses as your cash flow increases. Remember that laundered money is essential for purchasing properties and legitimate items in the game.

8. Master Time Management

Everything in Schedule 1 takes time to complete, making efficient time management crucial for success:

• Balance time between growing, processing, selling, and expanding
• The day/night cycle affects customer availability and business hours
• Plan routes to minimize travel time between locations
• Use dealers to handle sales while you focus on production
• Consider the time required for plant growth, processing, and delivery

By efficiently managing your time, you can maximize productivity and profits while minimizing risks and delays.

Conclusion

Schedule 1 offers a deep and engaging simulation experience that rewards strategic thinking and careful planning. By following these eight beginner tips, you'll be well on your way to building a successful drug empire in Hyland Point. Remember that patience and focus are key—start small, automate when possible, and gradually expand your operation as you master the game's mechanics.

Note: This information is based on the game as of April 2025.