You’re dropped in the desert. You’ve got a beat-up RV, a mentor in a wheelchair, and absolutely zero street cred. If you’ve spent any time in the gritty, neon-soaked streets of Hyland Point, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Uncle Nelson is the catalyst for everything that happens in the drug-empire simulator Schedule 1. He’s the guy who teaches you the ropes before the sirens start wailing and everything goes sideways.
Most players treat the opening minutes of Schedule 1 like a standard tutorial. Big mistake. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to what Nelson says—and more importantly, what he leaves behind—you’re basically sabotaging your mid-game before it even begins.
The Man, The Myth, The Wheelchair: Who is Uncle Nelson?
In the world of Schedule 1, Uncle Nelson isn't just flavor text. He’s your bridge from being a "nobody" to becoming a kingpin. The game kicks off with a tutorial that feels almost cozy, despite the illicit nature of the business. You’re learning to cook, learning to pack, and learning how to avoid the heat.
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Then the hammer drops.
Nelson gets pinched. He goes to prison, the RV goes up in smoke, and you’re forced to relocate to Hyland Point. This transition is where a lot of people get stuck. They arrive in the city with a few bucks and no direction. But here’s the thing: Uncle Nelson didn't leave you empty-handed. He left stashes. These stashes are the difference between spending three hours grinding low-level dime bags and jumping straight into automated production.
Finding the Dead Drops
Uncle Nelson has three specific stashes hidden around Hyland Point. You don’t have to find them to play, but you’d be a bit of a masochist to skip them.
- The Canal Stash: Located near the Gas Mart by Hyland Auto. You’ve gotta jump into the canal and look for a white "X" near a sewer grate. It’s about $80—chump change later, but a godsend when you're broke.
- The Town Hall Stash: This one is right under the nose of the law. Look for the bright purple graffiti by the fountain across from the police station. It’s worth $120.
- The Supermarket Stash: Tucked behind the pallets at the back of the Supermarket. This is the big one, netting you $175.
Totaling $375, these "Uncle Nelson Schedule 1" stashes provide the seed money for your first real batches of product. Without them, you’re basically walking everywhere, which in Hyland Point, is a great way to get mugged or busted.
Cracking the Chemistry: Uncle Nelson's Legacy
Once you’re settled in your first motel room, the game’s complexity spikes. Schedule 1 uses a "seed" and "recipe" system that can feel like a chemistry final if you aren't careful. Uncle Nelson’s early advice hints at the "multipliers" system, but he doesn't give you the spreadsheets.
Basically, every drug you manufacture—from "Snow" to "Rock Candy"—can be tweaked with additives. We’re talking about things like Horse Juice, Banana Poke, and Mega Beans.
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It sounds ridiculous. It is ridiculous. But the math is serious.
For example, a standard "Snow" mix using Banana, Horse Juice, and a Mega Bean can hit price points over $400 per unit if you get the purity and effects (like Cyclopian or Electrifying) right. If you’re just selling raw product, you’re leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
Automation and the Mid-Game Shift
Eventually, you can’t do everything yourself. You'll need to hire. This is where the community-favorite "Uncle Nelson’s Guide to Building Your Empire" comes into play. Expert players recommend a very specific ratio for your properties:
- 10 Employee Cap: Most properties can only hold 10 people.
- The 2/2 Split: You usually want at least 2 Chemists and 2 Handlers.
- The Station Math: As of the latest patches (v0.3.3 and beyond), one Chemist can effectively manage up to 4 stations.
If you don't automate, you'll spend your whole life clicking on mixers instead of expanding your territory. Uncle Nelson might be in a cell, but his "philosophy" of scaling up is the only way to beat the rival cartels that start breathing down your neck once you hit a certain heat level.
Avoiding the Heat: Lessons from the Tutorial
The Police Station in Hyland Point is basically the Final Boss. In the early game, you can usually just run. But as your empire grows, the cops get smarter. They’ll set up roadblocks and curfews.
The biggest lesson Uncle Nelson teaches—though players often forget it—is discretion.
Just because you can sell to a guy standing right next to a patrol car doesn't mean you should. Your "Wanted" level is cumulative. If you keep pushing your luck, you’ll end up in the cell next to Nelson. Use the "Dead Drops" for your own deliveries whenever possible. It keeps your hands clean and your heat low.
The Beta and Cartel Updates
It’s worth noting that Schedule 1 is constantly evolving. The recent "Cartel Update" changed how you interact with families like the Benzies. They’ve even added a new mission specifically involving Uncle Nelson that unlocks the "Hotbox" vehicle and the sawed-off shotgun.
If you're playing on an older version, you're missing out on the "Uncle Nelson's True Identity" questline, which—without spoiling too much—adds a lot of flavor to why he was in that desert RV in the first place.
Actionable Insights for New Players:
- Don't skip the stashes: Go straight to the Supermarket and Town Hall as soon as you hit the city. The $375 is non-negotiable for a fast start.
- Invest in a vehicle early: Walking is for victims. Buy a cheap car or even a skateboard to cut your delivery times in half.
- Experiment with mixers: Don't just sell base products. Adding "Paracetamol" or "Coke" to your mixes can create "foggy" or "glowing" effects that customers pay a premium for.
- Watch the clock: Certain NPCs only show up at 4 AM near locations like the North Apartments or the Chinese Restaurant. Use your phone to track their habits.
- Check the Steam Workshop: There are dozens of "Schedule 1" mods that fix the UI or add "Uncle Nelson" themed equipment that makes the game much more playable.
Focus on getting your first 10 employees hired and assigned to a warehouse. Once the money starts coming in passively, you can focus on the "diplomacy" (read: gunfights) required to take over the rest of Hyland Point.