Tools

Tools are items that are used in the game either to modify other items. These items change your hominid ancestors from just using their bare hands to manipulate items to using much more specialized skills. These tools allow for the creation of a number of unique items unavailable without tools. An example would be grinding an item to make a more potent medicinal version of that item.

Mechanics

Many tools can perform the same function but some tools are better than others. Trying to butcher a carcass with a blunt rock isn't going to be as successful as using a sharp stone designed much better for the task.

Using more specialized tools also allows for the faster (and more successful) creation of new items. There is no need to waste energy and effort to swing a blunt rock a dozen times when a sharp rock does it much faster.

Some tools like the Dead Branch, Stick, Sharpened Stick, the various rocks, and the precious stones also double as weapons.

Learning specific neurons increases your abilities with tools.

Stone

• Basalt
  • Basalt Chopper
• Granite Rock
  • Granite Grinder
• Obsidian
  • Obsidian Scraper

Wood

• Dead Branch
  • Stick
    • Sharpened Stick

Plants

• Aloe Leaf
  • Aloe Sap
    • Aloe Sap Paste
• Horsetail Leaves
  • Horsetail Paste
• Kapok Fiber
• Natal Grass Cycad
  • Natal Grass Cycad's Stem
• Thornbush

Precious Stones

• Blue Agate
• Emerald
• Ruby
• Sphalerite
• Tourmaline

Other

• Hard Bone
• Meteorite
• Mud

Neurons

The following neurons impact tools.

Image	Neuron	Neuronal Branch	Genetic Mutation?	Description
	Applied Force (DE 06)	Dexterity	No	The success rate of all alteration modes is increased. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with your bare hands or with a tool.
	Controlling Strength (AL 01)	Dexterity	No	The success rate of an alteration using a tool is increased. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Controlling Strength (AL 02)	Dexterity	No	The success rate of an alteration using a tool is increased. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Controlling Strength (AL 03)	Dexterity	No	The success rate of an alteration using a tool is increased. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Dopaminergic Pathways (DP 04)	Orrorin Tugenensis	No	More dopamine is generated after discoveries or after creating and using a tool.
	Dopaminergic Pathways (DP 08)	Ardipithecus Ramidus	No	More dopamine is generated after discoveries or after creating and using a tool.
	Dopaminergic Pathways (DP 12)	Australopithecus Afarensis	No	More dopamine is generated after discoveries or after creating and using a tool.
	Fine Motor Skill (AL 07)	Dexterity	No	The success rate of all alteration modes is increased. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand or bare hand.
	Gross Motor Skill (DE 05)	Dexterity	No	The success rate for using a tool successfully is increased.
	Manual Dexterity (BB AL 01)	Dexterity	Yes	Fewer hits are required to successfully craft items using a tool. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Manual Dexterity (BB AL 01-2)	Dexterity	Yes	Fewer hits are required to successfully craft items using a tool. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Manual Dexterity (BB AL 01-3)	Dexterity	Yes	Fewer hits are required to successfully craft items using a tool. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.
	Manual Dexterity (BB AL 01-4)	Dexterity	Yes	Fewer hits are required to successfully craft items using a tool. TAP (button) to switch an item from one hand to the other. HOLD (button) to take position to alter, then follow the steps proposed by the Contextual UI, with a tool in right hand.