The six official starting paths

PathOfficially described focusMain stated risk context
GunsmithWeapons and shop tradePermits, modifications and inspections
ChemistChemicals and guarded recipesAddiction and product consequences
Water MerchantTested and filtered waterLiability
FenceGoods with questionable originsContraband and raids
FarmerFarming and productionProduction-chain management
Rock BottomA named low-start pathNo official numeric details listed

The focus and risk column summarizes the official store description. It does not claim a starting inventory, cash amount, recipe set or difficulty modifier.

Choosing without invented rankings

Choose the product questions you want to solve. Water Merchant centers testing and filtering. Gunsmith puts permit and inspection pressure close to the core loop. Fence aligns with contraband risk. Farmer points toward production systems.

Chemist and Rock Bottom are official options, but the reviewed material does not publish enough starting detail to rank their difficulty or economy responsibly.

Starting path versus later work

The game also describes additional jobs and advanced licenses. A starting path is an opening condition, not proof that every later profession is locked to it.