How to Obtain the Flamethrower
The Flamethrower is an advanced weapon that becomes available after surviving the first 20 nights. It must be crafted using rare components found throughout the forest.
Crafting Requirements
To craft the Flamethrower, you'll need to upgrade your Crafting Bench to at least Tier 3 and gather the following materials:
Crafting Process Advanced
Effects: Creates a weapon that shoots flames, setting enemies on fire and causing area denial.
Crafting Time: 8 minutes
Alternative Acquisition Method
During special events like the Cave Update, there's a small chance that Flamethrowers can be found in hidden caches within the new cave systems. However, these are extremely rare finds.
Upgrading the Flamethrower
The Flamethrower can be enhanced at a Tier 4 Workbench using rare materials. Each upgrade increases its damage, fuel efficiency, and area of effect.
Upgrade Paths
Enhanced Nozzle Tier 2
Effects: Increases range by 20% and direct damage by 15%.
Upgrade Time: 4 minutes
High-Pressure Tank Tier 3
Effects: Increases fuel capacity by 50% and burn damage by 25%.
Upgrade Time: 6 minutes
Dragon's Breath Tier 4
Effects: Flames leave burning patches on ground. Significant area increase and damage over time.
Upgrade Time: 10 minutes
Special Modifications
Once fully upgraded, the Flamethrower can be further enhanced with special modifications:
- Napalm Mix: Enemies continue burning for 50% longer
- Backdraft Valve: Chance to create a small explosion when killing burning enemies
- Purifying Flame: Fire deals extra damage to corrupted and cultist enemies
Combat Strategies
Mastering the Flamethrower requires understanding its strengths and limitations. It excels at area control but has limited range and high fuel consumption.
Optimal Use Cases
- Horde Defense: The Flamethrower is exceptionally effective against swarms of weaker enemies like zombies and small creatures.
- Area Denial: Create fire barriers to control enemy movement and protect choke points around your base.
- Cultist Encounters: The purifying flame is particularly effective against cultist enemies who are vulnerable to fire.
- Cave Exploration: The Flamethrower provides both light and protection in the dark cave systems added in recent updates.
Advanced Techniques
To maximize the Flamethrower's effectiveness:
- Use short bursts instead of continuous fire to conserve fuel
- Target groups rather than single enemies for maximum efficiency
- Create fire barriers between you and approaching enemies
- Combine with other area denial tools like traps for layered defense
Weapon Combinations
The Flamethrower pairs well with:
- Long-range weapons: Handle distant threats while the flamethrower deals with close approaches
- Slowing effects: Keep enemies in the flames longer for maximum damage
- Light sources: The flamethrower's light is temporary, so carry backup illumination
Enemy Effectiveness
The Flamethrower performs differently against various enemy types in the forest. Understanding these interactions is key to survival.
| Enemy Type | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zombie Animals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Extremely effective; fire stops their regeneration |
| Cultists | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very effective; they're vulnerable to purifying flame |
| Bat Entity | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moderately effective; its mobility makes targeting difficult |
| Wendigos | ⭐⭐ | Less effective; they're resistant to fire and require specialized weapons |
| Swarm Enemies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Extremely effective; perfect for clearing groups quickly |
| Corrupted Beings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very effective; fire purifies their corruption |
Special Interactions
The Flamethrower has unique interactions with certain enemy mechanics:
- Regenerating Enemies: Fire prevents health regeneration
- Darkness-Based Enemies: The flame's light weakens them
- Ice/Cold Enemies: Fire deals extra damage against cold-aligned creatures
Class Synergies
The Flamethrower performs exceptionally well when paired with certain classes, enhancing their abilities and creating powerful combinations.
Pyromancer Specialist
The Pyromancer class has exceptional synergy with the Flamethrower:
- +30% flame duration and spread
- Fuel consumption reduced by 20%
- Chance to ignite nearby enemies when taking damage
- Burning enemies occasionally drop health or fuel pickups
Engineer
Engineers can maximize the Flamethrower's potential:
- Can repair and refuel the flamethrower faster
- Access to special fuel mixtures that enhance performance
- Ability to create automated turrets that cover the flamethrower's blind spots
Guardian
Guardians can create impenetrable defensive positions with the Flamethrower:
- Increased knockback resistance while firing
- Can establish defensive perimeters with flame walls
- Allies near you take less damage from your flames
Team Compositions
In multiplayer, the Flamethrower user can fill specific roles:
- With Snipers: Control close approaches while snipers handle distant threats
- With Healers: Maintain front-line position with healing support
- With Builders: Defend constructed fortifications with area denial