Should I Have One or Two Heaters in This War of Mine? A Comprehensive Guide
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The biting cold of winter in This War of Mine can be just as deadly as any sniper or raider. Maintaining a stable temperature in your shelter is crucial for the well-being and survival of your group. The question of whether to use one or two heaters, therefore, is a vital one that many players grapple with. The short answer? It often makes sense to use two heaters strategically, especially during the harsh winter months, but it’s not always the best option for every scenario.
The optimal heating strategy in This War of Mine involves understanding both the mechanics of the heaters and the economy of your fuel. It’s a balancing act between immediate warmth, long-term resource management, and the individual needs of your survivors. Let’s delve deeper to figure out when and how to use one or two heaters effectively.
The Case for Two Heaters
Reaching Maximum Temperature
As the text you provided states, two heaters with full fuel stacks (6 fuel each) will guarantee the maximum temperature of 24°C. This temperature is vital during the harshest days of winter, particularly during those extremely cold periods where temperatures can plummet to around -1°C. When the weather hits this frigid point, it’s best you have two heaters burning to avoid sickness that comes with low temperatures. By utilizing two heaters effectively, you’re not just striving for comfort, you’re actively preventing the “Sick” and “Very Sick” conditions that slow your survivors down and lead to higher medical resource consumption.
Strategic Fuel Burning
It’s crucial to recognize that the game has an oddity when it comes to burning fuel in heaters. It is counterintuitive; the less fuel stacked in one heater, the slower the fuel appears to burn. This means that instead of piling all of your fuel into a single heater, spreading it across two can extend the amount of time the shelter stays warm.
By placing a little fuel in two separate heaters, you can create a more economical heating solution, keeping your shelter consistently warm for longer periods using fewer resources. This is particularly helpful when fuel is in short supply.
Faster Warm-Up
Using two heaters will result in quicker warm-up time when the shelter’s temperature drops quickly during a cold snap. If the temperature gets too low the health of your survivors will suffer. In order to prevent sickness or death due to low temperature, two heaters are best.
The Case for One Heater
Early Game Resource Scarcity
In the very beginning of the game when resources are scarce, building a second heater is probably not the best option. If you prioritize resources and are not in the middle of winter, a single heater should be fine. One heater allows you to focus on other important structures, like beds and workshops. Building a second heater too soon can slow your resource collection for other crucial items.
Fuel Efficiency Tradeoff
While we’ve discussed the efficient fuel burn by using two heaters, you may not always have enough fuel to manage both. If you are having a hard time finding fuel, you may want to stick to just one heater at a time until your supply becomes more consistent. It may also be best to only use one heater until the winter season begins.
Overheating
While reaching the 24-degree temperature using two heaters is ideal in mid-winter, you may not always need to use two in the game. If it is the end of winter or just an early start in the game, one heater is likely all you need. Using two heaters when unnecessary can be a waste of resources.
Conclusion: The Right Choice for Your Situation
Ultimately, the decision to use one or two heaters should be based on the current circumstances within your playthrough. In early game and mild weather, one heater may be sufficient. During the deep throes of winter and resource availability allows it, two heaters provide a better option. Flexibility and adapting your strategy based on your needs and resources is key to successfully navigating the challenges of This War of Mine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where do you initially find the first heater in This War of Mine?
When you start a new game, the first heater is already built in the basement of your shelter. You don’t need to construct it; it’s ready to be fueled.
2. How much fuel can a heater hold in This War of Mine?
Each heater can hold up to a maximum of 6 units of fuel. Fuel can consist of wood, books, or other burnable items.
3. How much does one unit of fuel increase the temperature?
A single unit of fuel in a standard heater increases the temperature by approximately 2 degrees Celsius. If you have upgraded your heater, each unit of fuel increases temperature by about 3 degrees Celsius.
4. How effective is an upgraded heater in This War of Mine?
One upgraded heater filled with 6 units of fuel will generally be enough to keep your survivors warm and healthy, even in the heart of winter. This is a more efficient option than two standard heaters. Using one upgraded heater can help save resources and also avoid sickness.
5. What is the coldest temperature in This War of Mine?
The coldest temperature during winter can reach about -1°C. During these periods, you’ll need adequate heating to avoid sickness. The weather condition can be determined via the Radio Weather FM channel.
6. What are the best things to trade in This War of Mine?
Coffee and cigarettes are excellent items to trade with others since they are considered luxury items. Especially useful if you don’t have any smokers in your group, they can fetch a good price when bartering for needed resources.
7. What are the effects of cold temperatures on survivors?
Cold temperatures can make your survivors sick or very sick, slowing them down and requiring medication. In extreme cold, they can also become severely ill or even die if exposed too long.
8. When should you feed your survivors in This War of Mine?
It is best practice to feed your survivors every two days at the very minimum. As survivors at the hungry state can still function, it makes sense to feed survivors once every two days immediately when they reach the second level of the hungry state, or the 1st level of the very hungry state to save food.
9. How often should survivors sleep?
Characters can sleep on a bed during the day and recover one level of tiredness for every 5 hours of sleep. A character with the Determined Father trait only needs 2.5 hours of sleep to recover one level of tiredness.
10. What is the time limit for scavenging in This War of Mine?
Scavenging begins at 8PM and ends at 5AM. If a survivor doesn’t return to the shelter by 5AM, they will return later in the day and possibly return with an injury.
11. Who are the best scavengers in This War of Mine?
Marko and Adam have the Skilled Scavenger skill, which provides them with a larger inventory and a higher chance of looting rare items. Boris also has a large inventory, making them all great for scavenging.
12. What are the best locations to loot for resources?
Some of the best locations to loot include the Military Outpost, Central Square, Shelled School, Construction Site, and Supermarket. Each location provides different resources, and some are more dangerous than others.
13. How do you avoid sniper fire at a sniper junction?
Move quickly between cover locations and wait for the sniper to fire before moving again. Use the destroyed vehicles and cover to reach the other side safely.
14. What is the best way to keep survivors happy?
Happiness can be increased by providing sufficient sleep, food, and comfort items like coffee, cigarettes, or alcohol. Keeping your group comfortable and warm is a great way to increase happiness. Playing the guitar or radio for entertainment is also helpful, as is helping your neighbors.
15. How many days do you need to survive in This War of Mine?
The number of days you need to survive before the ceasefire varies but is usually around 25 to 45 days, depending on which characters you start with. The game ends when the winter ends and there are only a couple of days left.