Flares and torches

[I'll be the one]

In reading another discussion made me think " I have given up on using flares and torches to scare wolves." When we had brandishing a flare or torch that is what I used ( Brandishing was when instead of throwing the torch or flare the player would wave it around scaring the wolf that way.)

Are you happy with throwing the flare or torch? Now I either retreat, light a fire or kill the wolf.

[Lenny Rat]

Originally posted by I'll be the one:

Are you happy with throwing the flare or torch? Now I either retreat, light a fire or kill the wolf.

Me too...I NEVER bother throwing a torch or flare. Not certain enough for a tactic.

[IvantheFormidable]

I use flares when I either really don't want to or can't afford to take a detour, or if I can't afford a struggle with multiple wolves. Generally, I just light a flare and continue on my way to wherever I was heading, and stop in at a building or shelter to get the wolves off my back.

[Axz]

I never throw torches or flares (anymore), although to be fair the main reason I don't throw them is because you can only throw them like a 5 year old girl. In fact, no, I've seen 5 year old girls throw things further than that, you can only throw things like you're intentionally trying to make yourself look weaker than a 5 year old girl.

A competent throw would be nice, I mean really, 3 - 4 meters? That's the sort of throw you'd laugh at someone for.

Luckily(?) it doesn't matter as from what I hear there's a 99.999% chance that it'll do nothing anyway, so it's all moot.

There was once a time when you could basically scare *EVERY* wolf just by throwing a flare at it, it was OP because it was basically garunteed to work, so I'm glad they rduced the chance to succeed, but did they have to gimp the throw distance this much?

[TOMMY]

i also never throw the flares/torches but its not even nessasary. just go your way backward and look at the wolve, my experience says that you have a ~80% chance that the wolve wont attack you and stay a little bit more on distance. probably my charakter is just ugly i dont know..

[Ogre]

I was unable to scare wolves with torches on my multiple attempts when I did a lower difficulty run. The only one I've personally seen scared by a torch walked right over the top of it while it was laying on the ground. I was chaining torches across the Muskeg and had a wolf following me. I threw a torch that was getting low out ahead of me and lighted the next off of it on the way by. When the wolf walked over that torch on the ground he yelped and ran off.

Now my curiosity is aroused. I think I'll do some experimenting on one of the non-loper runs I still have saved to see if I can achieve a consistent result.

[Axz]

Originally posted by Ogre:

I was unable to scare wolves with torches on my multiple attempts when I did a lower difficulty run. The only one I've personally seen scared by a torch walked right over the top of it while it was laying on the ground. I was chaining torches across the Muskeg and had a wolf following me. I threw a torch that was getting low out ahead of me and lighted the next off of it on the way by. When the wolf walked over that torch on the ground he yelped and ran off.

Now my curiosity is aroused. I think I'll do some experimenting on one of the non-loper runs I still have saved to see if I can achieve a consistent result.

It might be burning the wolf rather than scareing it, if I ever have to make a firepit outside somewhere that's not safe I try and put it somewhere that a wolf will have to walk OVER the firepit to get to me. Only once was I attacked while speed-cooking but it worked perfectly, the wolf (in fast forward) ran at me, touched the fire, wimpered and then ran away.

Can you burn yourself by walking over a torch?

[I'll be the one]

Originally posted by I'll be the one:

In reading another discussion made me think " I have given up on using flares and torches to scare wolves." When we had brandishing a flare or torch that is what I used ( Brandishing was when instead of throwing the torch or flare the player would wave it around scaring the wolf that way.)

Are you happy with throwing the flare or torch? Now I either retreat, light a fire or kill the wolf.

Now on my present run I think I have maybe 25-30 flares lying around. What I use F&T's now is light fires so I can get to Level 5 ASAP.

[EN16M471C]

Torches are life! :)

I use them a lot. I chain them to get warmth while traveling, saving matches for starting fires and of course last but not least scaring wolves off, especially early on while I still don't have other means of scaring them off. Just this session I torched off 2 wolves at the FM. I keep flares for windy days and those panic moments I guess.

Torches are basically "free" wolf repelent. Start a fire, do some cooking, pull out 4-6 torches (@40-50%) out, go out on a trip and you're golden. That is if it's not too windy.

Originally posted by Axz:

Can you burn yourself by walking over a torch?

Never tested it extensively, but I've never burned myself on a torch and I did went over it for sure.

[gnusjunkie]

No - I generally retreat, or bait the wolf. I've tried throwing a torch once or twice but I don't often happen to have a lit torch when I'm facing a wolf (there are two places it's likely I'll have a lit torch: in a dark place like a transition cave where I need it for light, or because I'm next to an active campfire and I can pull one out 'for free'. Neither of these are prime wolf-encountering scenarios).

Flares ... I honestly don't think I've used half a dozen flares in more than 1600 hours of playing. They are handy in that you don't need a match, I guess, but other than that, they are unreliable as wolf-repellants, heavy to haul around and I don't like using their garish red light in dark places to see by. I still collect them by reflex when I see them but they are one of the first things to get dumped when I need to get rid of excess weight/gear.

[bili00777]

i usualy have a flare in backpack, but whenever its possible i walk around with a lit torch as EN16M471C said, for chaining them, for the lil heat bonus and to start a fire if needed. As a tool against wolf? First i see if i can "outrun" them, then bait, then start fire. If i dont have any sticks to start a fire (thats almost impossible i always have a few atleast) then i would throw the torch against the wolf a guide the wolf to step on the torch. Reaction is the same as when you light a fire its just not 100% to work...

So in short against wolfes flares/torches CAN be usefull, but are not my 1st choise ;)

[konzacelt]

Yeah I carry a single flare for dual emergency use as a last resort wolf-repellent, and a flame/light during high winds/poor lighting. The latter is the real reason.

Torches are similar, like a poor-man's flare. Basically free, but not wind-proof and a bit heavier.

However, both tend to make you easier to spot by the wildlife.

For me, the best anti-wolf mechanic is not carrying any raw meat/guts unless I have to. I can (usually) avoid most wolves just by observing/knowing their patrol behavior and routes. :P


I also agree that throwing either at a wolf rarely works.

[wiarumas]

I don't find torches or flares to be effective enough. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I either fight or flee. Drop decoy if I have any, then gun, bow, or knife them if I can't get away. Bow if I feel its a safe risk. Gun if I feel uneasy and want a sure shot.

I don't even find them particularly dangerous. I'm more concerned about damaged clothing and repair cost(s).