Slough Creek/Quests/Classic

This section is intended as a full guide for Slough Creek's missions and is specifically written for versions 2.0.X up to and including 2.5.1. Due to changes between major game revisions, this section is not suitable for newer versions.

• Mission 1: Find a Den
• Mission 2: Mark your Territory
• Mission 3: Train your Pups
• Mission 4: Defend your Pups
• Mission 5: Grow your Pups
• Mission 6: Final Journey
• Future of the Pack

This section is intended as a full guide for Slough Creek's progressive missions and is specifically written for all versions of 2.7.X. Information may be unsuitable or invalid for both older and newer versions.

Introduction

“

Spring is breaking in the high valleys of Yellowstone National Park. After a bitter winter, you and your mate know the time has come to start a family. Since other packs have already claimed the slopes of Amethyst Mountain as their own, you have ventured across the Lamar River in search of your own territory. The meadows and hills around Slough Creek look promising. Tucked somewhere into the hills and woods here is a den site for your pups. An ideal den site should be close to food and away from danger such as rival packs. If you can't find this ideal, you will have to decide whether food or safety is more important to you.

”

Free Real Estate

(Click to enlarge.)

Upon accepting the mission, the player can now begin to explore the snow-covered Slough Creek. To the north-west, north-east and south-east are three den sites. A fourth den site — initially locked and inaccessible to newer, less-experienced wolves — lies directly far east of the Little Butte spawn.

No territory is truly safe and each den site offers its own ups and downs.

Territory	Perks	Flaws	Den Type & Terrain	Location
Saddle Meadows	Relatively safe from stranger wolf intrusions Short rendezvous journey	Grizzly bear spawner inside territory	Cave; rock formation Dense hillside woodland	North-eastern territory
Bison Peak Cutoff	Close hunting grounds Relatively safe from stranger wolf intrusions	Moderate distance to reach the cattle ranch Long rendezvous journey	Tree; dugout burrow Sloping hilly woodland	South-eastern territory
Aspen Heights	Reduced rate of stranger wolf intrusions Moderate proximity to the Cattle ranch Close to the dönerface rock landmark	Hunting grounds take slightly longer to reach Longest rendezvous journey	Cave; rock formation Hilltop, Sparse woodland	North-eastern territory
East Creek	Safest from stranger wolf intrusions Close to the cattle ranch	Locked until 7,500+ experience Slightly farther from hunting grounds Long rendezvous journey	Tree; dugout burrow Dense woodland slope	North of Bison Peak Cutoff

Achievement Hunting Note: Visiting each territory (with the exception of East Creek) will grant unique achievements the first time they are visited. Visiting all three before settling at one will award the Just Being Thorough achievement.

Gallery

Click an image to enlarge.

Mission #1 splash

Mission #1 instructions

Mission #1 complete

The second objective of Survival of the Pack is to establish the pack's territory by marking the new home with -- you guessed it -- urine scent marks. 

File:Sc-m2 (2.7).png

A new map interface will be added, displaying the strength of the territory's scent marks. Over time they will fade, so players are encouraged to frequently re-mark their territory to decrease the likelihood of intruding stranger wolves and other predators trespassing into the pack's territory and posing a threat to the pack and player-wolf.

Increasing Territory Claim

A territory with well-established scent markers.

Throughout your stay in Slough Creek, your territory is going to be not only you and your mate's home, but also home to your puppies! As such, it's important to maintain strong markers to maintain low odds of predators invading or being challenged by unfamiliar wolves from rival wolf packs.  The yellow bar displayed on the badge indicates the current strength of your territory's markers.

There are two methods of strengthening markers:

1. Urinating in each territory 'segment'.
2. A full, uninterrupted pack howl.

Be aware that this merely decreases the odds of predators or other wolves. The territory will still be trespassed even with a high percentage, albeit at a lower rate. A prompt to re-mark the territory will appear when its strength begins to wane.

The third objective of Survival of the Pack is to begin training the pups.

File:Sc-m3 (2.7).png

As parents, the player-wolf and their mate will be responsible for teaching, growing, and protecting their pups as they mature. It's important that the pups do not stray too far from the den, or else they'll be an easy meal for any nearby trespassing predators!  

Teaching Safety

The player-wolf's mate will autonomously pick up and drop pups near the den when they are not searching to provide food for the pups. While feeding the pups won't increase pack affinity, there are three methods that will slowly but surely increase overall affinity during the course of this mission.

1. Picking up pups and laying them near the den increase the affinity of the pack, represented by a blue bar on the badge.
2. Howling will also increase pack affinity.
3. Playing with pups (using emotes) will also increase pack affinity.

Once the puppies have learned not to stray, they will stay within range of the den. However, watchfulness is still necessary for invading predators and stranger wolves.

The fourth objective of Survival of the Pack is to ensure the pups' survival.

File:Sc-m4 (2.7).png

As parents, the player-wolf and their mate are responsible for the protection of the pups as they continue to grow and thrive. It is important that the pups stay close to the den while intruding predators are fended off, lest they become an easy meal. Coyotes must be killed, and cougars and Grizzly bears must be chased off to ensure safety.

Kill or Be Killed

The player-wolf's mate will continue to autonomously pick up and deposit pups near the den whenever they are not busy scavenging/hunting to provide them with food, but driving out Grizzlies and killing coyotes is entirely the player-wolf's responsibility. It should be noted that predators will appear more frequently throughout this mission.

Grizzlies require three bites to drive away. Due to their speed, this can be difficult to accomplish with it running circles around your den. Fortunately, standing within a close proximity to your pups prevents the bear from closing in and killing its targeted pup, giving the player-wolf a slight advantage. Try to steer the bear away from the pups and the den before attempting to attack it. This decreases the chance of a pup dying provided it is kept at a distance. It also helps their safety to get back to the den/territory before the bear does. After three bites, it will flee.

Coyotes are easier. It is essential to kill intruding coyotes. Driving them out of the pack's territory will not stop them from rebounding, no matter how much distance is put between it and the pack.

Cougars may also trespass into territory belonging to the player in order to harass the den and prey on pups, and must be chased off similar to bears.

After repeating this a few times, the mission will be completed and the pack can proceed to the next mission.

The fifth objective of Survival of the Pack is to ensure the gradual fattening up of the pups in preparation for a long and difficult journey.

File:Sc-m5 (2.7).png

The player-wolf and their mate have ensured the survival of their pack thus far, but the pups aren't yet big enough to endure a journey which will take them from the territory to a new home, where the pack will spend the summer. As such, the player-wolf and mate are now responsible for feeding them to increase the weight of the pups. As before, it is important that the pups stay close to the den and that the player-wolf and their mate continue to defend them in between fetching food and feeding them.

Growing The Pups

Depending on how far or near the den is to elk hunting grounds, consider the strategy for this mission. Settlers at East Creek or Bison Peak Cutoff could make full use of the cattle ranch, while this is not advisable for players who settled at either Saddle Meadows or Aspen Heights without putting their pups at risk.

If choosing to travel there, be aware that upon leaving the ranch, the player-wolf's mate will teleport to them, leaving your pups exposed to the threat of predators!

Another option is hunting elk in nearby elk hunting grounds, though this can be tricky as the mate will be more inclined to guard the den while the player-wolf is exploring or otherwise outside of your territory's vicinity. Another alternative is scavenging for elk carcasses, which takes much less energy and time thanks to scent vision. However, this means the player-wolf will be spending more time looking for carcasses after exhausting any found nearby, and potentially traveling longer distances to find more. A possible strategy involves feeding one pup all of the collected food, then the next until they each weigh 15lb.

The third option is to simply leave hunting and scavenging to the player-wolf's mate at the cost of them feeding the hungriest pup(s) before the others. If focusing on one pup at a time, this can be useful, however it requires patience enough to wait for the mate to return and help with the process.

Focus is still needed on maintaining the territory's strength to help prevent stranger wolves from attacking. When feeding the pups, keep in mind that their weight increases when their health reaches 100, not every time they are fed.

The sixth and final objective of Survival of the Pack is to ensure the pack survives the journey from your territory to the designated rendezvous site.

File:Sc-m6 (2.7).png

  Once started, there is no going back to the territory chosen at the beginning of this episode! You can opt not to start this mission if you don't want to end the game, allowing you to play at your own pace and dedicate less focus to the main objective (but focusing on secondary objectives, such as surviving, driving predators away and feeding your pups) until such a time comes when you are content to progress with the campaign.

---

The pups are now prepared for the journey that awaits the pack. The den has been useful, but it can't sustain the pack forever; it is time to travel to a more suitable home where the pups will continue to grow and prosper in the seasons yet to come. After confirming readiness to begin the mission, the next prompt will be to howl.

Relocation, Relocation

Depending on which den was chosen and how many pups have survived up to this point, the final journey can be easier or harder. Once this mission is started, a new marker will appear on the map and compass within a clearing amidst the trees at Douglas Fir Slopes.  

The Eagle

As if Grizzlies and coyotes weren't bad enough, the pack will be out in the open throughout this mission, exposing their vulnerable pups to golden eagles amidst the usual predators. While it poses no direct threat to the player-wolf or their mate, it can be chased away temporarily. Like other predators, it will only target one pup at a time.

It is worth noting that unlike Grizzlies and coyotes, the eagle can snatch a targeted pup out of their parent's mouth. It is impossible to retrieve a pup once the eagle has picked it up and flown away; the pup will die shortly after it has been carried away.

Stranger Danger

If East Creek or Bison Peak Cutoff dens were chosen, it will be required to cross the creek in order to avoid trespassing on the newly-expanded stranger wolf pack territory. Trespassing will spawn a stranger wolf pack which will drive the player-wolf's pack from the territory. The only way of avoiding it will involve using the shallows at Sandbar Crossing and staying on the opposite side of the creek.

---

The pups are now prepared for the journey that awaits the pack. The den has been useful, but it can't sustain the pack forever; it is time to travel to a more suitable home where the pups will grow and prosper in the seasons yet to come. After confirming that the player is ready to begin the mission, they will be prompted to howl.

Relocation, Relocation

Depending on where the wolf settled and how many pups have survived up to this point, the final journey can be easier or harder. Once this mission is started, a new marker will appear on the map within a clearing amidst the trees at Douglas Fir Slopes. 

The Eagle

The golden eagle. (Click to enlarge.)

As if Grizzlies and coyotes weren't bad enough, the pack will be out in the open throughout this mission, exposing their precious quarry to a golden eagle amidst the usual predators. While it poses no direct threat to the player or their mate, it can be chased away temporarily. Like other predators, it will only target one pup at a time.

It's worth noting that unlike Grizzlies and coyotes, the eagle can snatch a targeted pup out of your mouth. It is impossible to retrieve a pup once the eagle has picked it up and flown away; the pup will die shortly after it has been carried away. If multiple pups are going to survive, it's crucial that the wolf drives it away.

Tactic

A useful way to deal with the eagle involves using the pup it has targeted as bait. When the bird swoops down and slowly inches towards it, charge directly towards it and it will fly away when an adult wolf gets too close. This is only temporary however; it will return at intervals throughout the journey on multiple occasions.

Stranger Danger

If the wolf settled at East Creek or Bison Peak Cutoff, the pack will be required to cross the creek in order to avoid trespassing on the newly-expanded stranger wolf pack territory. Trespassing will spawn a lone, territorial stranger wolf which will drive the player's wolf out of the territory. The only way of avoiding it will involve using the shallows at Sandbar Crossing and skirting around the edge of their land. This is one of two kinds of stranger wolf which does not attack the player at all. The other being dispersal wolves.

Be forewarned that the game will teleport you back to the checkpoint at Sandbar Crossing, even if the pack settled at Aspen Heights or Saddle Meadows. This may be an overlooked bug.

Gallery

Click an image to enlarge.

Rendezvous intro (2.5).png

Mission #6 splash

Rendezvous tutorial (2.5).png

Rendezvous site tutorial

Rendezvous complete (2.5).png

Mission #6 complete

In both legacy and classic versions of WolfQuest, there is no future for the pack to be played in their respective builds. The game simply ends after clearing Slough Creek. A future is planned in the Anniversary Edition remake in the form of the Saga (formerly Episode 3: Tower Fall), though this will not be backported to older versions due to them being discontinued. See Versions.

Trivia

• It is strongly advised to not select East Creek as a den site due to its heavily bugged-and-glitched status.
  • Pups will constantly roam, making the game significantly harder to complete.
• It has been confirmed that 7,500 Experience Points unlocks East Creek.
• If you'd prefer to hunt and feed your pups without (much) assistance from your mate, if you are scavenging, after exhausting all nearby carcasses save and reload the file. This will regenerate carcass spawns, negating the need to go too far from your territory to scavenge. Repeat as needed.

Bugs

• There is a rare bug that happens at the end of this episode called the Final Journey Glitch; once completed and any members of the pack begin to howl BEFORE the ending cutscene starts, the ending dialogue does not appear and the player's wolf cannot move. It is also impossible to save the game once this happens. Closing and re-entering the save file does not appear to stop this bug. This bug was fixed in 2.7.2 P7.
• There is a usually unnoticed bug where after finishing the Grow Your Pups mission, all the weight of the pups reset to 10.
• Multiplayer Only: There is a rare bug that happens at the end of this episode called the Final Journey Glitch; once you've finished it and any of your wolves howl BEFORE the ending cutscene starts, the ending dialogue does not appear. It is also impossible to save the game once this happens. Closing and re-entering the save file stops this bug. However, in Multiplayer WQ Mobile, saving, and restarting the same server from the saved game fixes this. This bug has been fixed as of 2.7.2 P7, however it isn't fixed for all games. It still occurs.
• There is a rare glitch that occurs when still at the den. So far this has only been seen in WQ Mobile 2.7. When a pup dies [more often the white pup is affected by this glitch] the game recognizes it as still alive although the text appears saying the pup has died. The pup has no walk animation and runs/walks at walking speed as a pup. Once this pup has died affected by this glitch, it cannot die again or be attacked again. You cannot feed this pup or pick it up, but it will follow you once you start the rendezvous mission. They are slow however, and will not cross the river as pups avoid the river, making the journey impossible to finish. Saving and reentering the save file has not been tested yet because of the rarity of this glitch.
• There is a bug that despawns the eagle at random. It may/may not come back, making the journey nearly eagle free.
• Sometimes the eagle won't swoop down at all after it spawns.