Lantern Lighting

[henroe32]

Currently in game the storm lantern can be ignited an infinite number of times providing fuel is present. On the other hand, matches in the game as well as fire strikers are of limited number and usage as you will eventually use them all up. The alternative to these is the magnifying lens which is rare but can provide a source for an infinite number of fires in the right weather conditions. During the late game many may be dependent on this source for starting fires however this limits the availability of fires. 

For many this added difficulty may be considered important to maintain gameplay difficulty however it is my belief that the lantern should be given a greater role in the game through uses as a fire starter. There are two main ways to do this. 

A) Lanterns now have hinged doors so that they may be used to light a torch or stick in order to light a fire. This may make it too easy to start fires. 

B) My suggestion - the ability to craft an item at a forge known as a makeshift portable stove. To craft this the player requires scrap metal and a storm lantern (with high condition) as well the usual heated forge and a heavy hammer. The makeshift portable stove is an oil based cooking stove with 1 cooking slot. The storm lantern can no longer be used as a held light source. The stove is useful as it does not require a starter, tinder or conventional fuels to function which is useful for playthroughs where these have become rare. The stove also possesses a windshield for its flame so it may be used in windy conditions (but not blizzards). The device may be used indoors. The device also has a slightly faster cooking time. The device can be used to light torches to use for lighting fires. 

The downside to the makeshift portable stove is the weight of it, only one cooking slot, poor thermal energy output for the surroundings and it can only run on oil. The device cannot be used to foods without containers such as meats directly and they require a cooking pot to be cooked.

Any thoughts?

[Doc Feral]

Lanterns are the only reliable source of light in the game, and you pay for this by not being able to use them for flame. Sometimes I craved the chance to smash a lit lantern in a bear's face, but luckily it's not happening. The portable stove is fascinating, but the ability to carry embers (it's not like we lack tin cans) would be more likely for a survival situation.