How To Find Matches And Long Term Survival

[StandardHotpockt]

I'm new to the game, ive played like 13 games where I have only survived 2 days or so. I've finally survived in ML till day 30... But now I'm out of matches!!! Is there any way to start a fire without them? I know about the magnifying glass, but does that work indoors? Ive also heard of something called a firestarter. I havent found either of the two items, but can anyone tell me where I can find them? And how they work?
Thanks, and may your wrists not be sprained :)

[just_hamzah]

Assuming you're not on interloper, any fire starting equipment (match/striker/mag) can be found quite abundantly within the map. Its hard to suggest a place cus I don't know where you have/have not been, but a good bet to obtain those equipment Camp office, trapper's homestead, forestry lookout, the 2 hunter's blind and the carter hydro dam (dam is almost a certainty in obtaining fire starting items but.........shall not spoil).

Another note to take would be to check the corners carefully when you loot, certain items can be quite well hidden if you don't crouch or look behind certain objects.

Mag lens cant be used indoors but you can use them in a fishing hut. One trick would be to start a fire outside and take a brand to light a fire indoor.

[sevo]

glass dont work indor? oh but u can bring indor fire from outside :P all matches in 30 day nice :)

[carl johnson]

Originally posted by Rusty The Keyboard20:

I've finally survived in ML till day 30... But now I'm out of matches!!!

Even without a lens or a firestarter you shouldn't be out of matches on day 30. Did you start a fire every day? Actually, there is no neet to do so. You can melt & boil a large amount of water with just one fire, and you don't need to cook fresh meat every day.

[StandardHotpockt]

Yeah Ive never used this many matches before... because I havent ever survived this long! Ive always started a fire pretty much every day to harvest carcass, boil water, cook meat, tea, warmth when trapped outside. As of now, Ive looted Forestry Lookout, trailers, Cache near Trappers Homestead. I camped there for many days, and then moved to Camp Office. I looted that place and Mystery Lake, I got attacked by bear on lake. I have the rifle, but is that enough to take down Fluffy in Hydro Dam?

[StandardHotpockt]

Oh and will flare scare away Fluffy

[StandardHotpockt]

Also, any tips for survival?

[just_hamzah]

Originally posted by Rusty The Keyboard20:

Also, any tips for survival?

For starters, you should learn to ration your matches. 2 matches shld be able to last you a week minimum for you to hunt and boil water (1 match if you do both at the same time). Not a hard and fast rule, just a guideline.Actually, ration everything unless you're a hundred percent sure you can start spoiling yourself.

1 rifle with 1 bullet is all you need, I leave it to your imagination as to where you'll place yourself to kill fluffy. Be patient and the crouch button is your best ally against any wolf.

There are way too many tips to give, ask away if there is anything dire you need help with.

[Voilodion]

Light a storm lantern when you explore semi-dark interiors like trailers and cabins. Often there will be things like an energy bar or a book of matches by itself in the back corner of a low shelf, or at the bottom of one of the wooden crates tucked in a corner. Crouch and look under tables and beds.

If you find a car (in some zones other than Mystery Lake), look in the back seat, the front seat, the glove box, the trunk (might need a crowbar), and the sun visors.

Magnifying glasses and firestarters work exactly like matches, in terms of the user interface. Click the right and left triangles to change which firestarting option you want to use. Magnifying glass needs clear skies (or relatively so) outdoors during the daytime.

It is worth dealing with Fluffy (if he/she even spawns, which isn't guaranteed) early, one way or another, in order to get the plethora of supplies of all sorts scattered throughout the dam. The flare should scare Fluffy away temporarily but you're going to need a more permanent "solution" to give yourself free and safe access to the whole dam interior, not to mention the zone beyond.

[carl johnson]

Originally posted by Rusty The Keyboard20:

Also, any tips for survival?

Sticks are your friend. They require neither calories nor time to harvest. Whenever you see a stick grab it.

[StandardHotpockt]

Thanks so much! I found some matches and I use them now... Should I go to the Dam or explore Pleasant Valley?

[spatulaodoom]

To get to Pleasant Valley from Mystery Lake you have to go through the dam anyway. Watch out for the one way door. If you're on stalker difficulty, I'd suggest avoiding PV until you're a little more comfortable with the game. Coastal highway is a lot easier, and much more abundant resources.

[Andi]

An easy way to save matches is to gather a lot of food and wood and wait for one sunny day. Often, the very early morning hours ("less than one hour of darkness remaining" or hours of daylight) are sunny, even when they day will be not. Cook all your food and at least 10 litres of water. That will last until the next sunny day. Im on interloper day 70 currently and used exactly 1 match. You get so used to it, you'll forget you have any soon.

[mr_bman]

The Camp Office almost always has a mag lens - might be under a bunk, behind the crates upstairs, next to shelves on the floor - could be anywhere but usually it's under a bunk bed.

[Cougarific]

Others have offered specific advice for conserving matches but in general just try to remember that matches are a finite resource - you *will* run out eventually. But the wood supply is basically infinite, so look for ways to trade wood for matches - keep a fire burning all day and night if you need to, in order to avoid having to use another match to get it going again.

[wutduh]

I think at Fire Starting Level 5 you should be able to learn how to start a fire using a bow drill. Maybe it takes longer, must be limited wind when outdoors, and requires tinder plug.

Not too unreasonable - I learned this in cub scouts when I was 8. It sucks, and can take forever, but it works. If Hinterland wants to make it harder, maybe stash a book that teaches the method somewhere in DP?