Gameplay
Over the Hill Tools: Uses, Stock and Slot Limits
Compare every Over the Hill field tool, starting stock and uses. Learn how tool slots, cabin refills, planks and portable winch anchors work.
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Every field tool and how to carry it
Over the Hill has 7 field tool types available from the start, and the table below lists every one with its use, starting stock and where to equip it. Your vehicle initially equips 1 tool type; Tool Slot upgrades raise the capacity to 4.
Complete field-tool table
| Tool | Effect | Starting stock | How to get and equip it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp tool | Sets up camp when all players are together, advancing time faster and slightly repairing the vehicle. | 1 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Cloud Clearing Bell | Changes the weather to Clear for a set time. | 1 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Jack | Flips the vehicle upright and repositions it nearby. | 1 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Meteorite Radar | Tracks the closest fallen meteorite on the compass. | 3 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Planks | Places 2 wooden boards around the vehicle to cross gaps or gain traction on rough terrain. | 3 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Portable winch | Places a portable anchor for the vehicle's winch. | 3 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
| Repair kit | Fully repairs the vehicle. | 3 | Available from the start; equip in the Mechanic's Tools menu. |
Tool slots, loadouts and cabin refills
A vehicle starts with 1 tool slot, and each Tool Slot upgrade adds another, up to 4. Starting stock and slot capacity are separate limits: the stock column describes supplies, while slots determine how many tool types you equip. Choose your loadout around the problems you expect to encounter.
Cabins restore equipped tools and repair your vehicle. Make a cabin stop part of your return plan after spending supplies, especially before attempting another demanding route. At the Mechanic, reconsider whether your equipped tools still suit the trip ahead.
Equip and activate a field tool
- Visit the Mechanic and open the Tools menu. Choose the tool types you want to carry within your vehicle's available slot capacity.
- Open the radial menu with Q on keyboard, right stick press on Xbox or R3 on PlayStation, then select Tools. Tools Menu has no default direct binding, but you can assign one in the control settings.
- Select the equipped tool that matches the obstacle. While placing a tool, use Q / E to rotate it on keyboard, LT / RT on Xbox or L2 / R2 on PlayStation.
Use Planks for gaps and rough ground
Planks place a set of 2 wooden boards within a radius around your vehicle. They help you cross gaps and gain traction over rough terrain, making them useful for a short bridge or a difficult step. Look over the obstacle before placing them and line up the crossing you intend to drive.
Recover with a Portable winch anchor
The Portable winch places an anchor that your vehicle's winch can attach to. Choose it when there is no suitable natural anchor nearby; a tree can otherwise serve as an attachment target. Before deploying the anchor, think about the direction you want the vehicle to move.
- Deploy the Portable winch from your equipped tools to place an anchor. Keep the intended attachment within reach of your vehicle's winch.
- Use the manual winch to select an attachment point on your vehicle, then select the placed anchor as the target. This gives you control over the connection.
- Pull with the winch and reassess your approach if you remain stuck. If your recovery tools cannot resolve the situation, open the map and select a discovered cabin to respawn.
Choose the Jack or Repair kit
Use the Jack when you need to flip the vehicle upright and reposition it nearby. Choose the Repair kit when vehicle damage is the problem, because it fully repairs the vehicle. Match the tool to what is preventing you from continuing.
For a traction problem on rough terrain or a slope, try Low Range before spending equipment. Planks or a suitable winch anchor can help when driving alone is not enough. If your tools are unavailable or cannot free you, a discovered cabin remains your respawn fallback.
Camping, clear weather and meteorite searches
Take the Camp tool when you want to advance time during exploration. All party members must be close by to set up camp, and camping also slightly repairs your vehicle. Use it to wait through unfavorable weather or lighting conditions.
The Cloud Clearing Bell changes the weather to Clear for a set time. If the weather is already clear, the game displays a message saying so. Choose the bell when you want clear weather, or consider camping when your goal is to let time pass.
The Meteorite Radar tracks the closest fallen meteorite on the compass. Once you reach the rock, check its player requirement in-game before committing to extraction. Use the vehicle's winch to extract it and earn Pebbles.
Picking up deployed equipment
- Can you pick up placed planks and portable anchors again?
- Plan around cabin refills in the full release. Earlier demo players reported that placed planks and portable anchors could not be collected again; keep that demo behavior separate from the full release. Avoid a route that depends on retrieving deployed supplies, and return to a cabin to replenish equipped tools.
