Cooking Mechanics

Overview

Cooking transforms raw food into safer, more nutritious meals. Cooked food provides better hunger restoration, improved morale, and eliminates food poisoning risks.

Cooking Requirements

Basic Requirements

1. Fire: Active campfire required
2. Ingredients: Raw food materials
3. Time: 1 hour base duration
4. Tools (for some recipes): Pot for boiling/stews

Cooking Benefits

Safety

• Raw food: 20% risk of food poisoning
• Cooked food: 0% risk of food poisoning
• Boiled items: Safe to consume

Nutrition Enhancement

Cooking improves food value and provides additional benefits:

• Increased hunger restoration
• Morale bonus
• Nutrition balance (protein, carbs, vitamins, fats)

Food Types

Raw Meats & Fish

• Raw Meat (0.3kg, value 7)
• Raw Fish (0.25kg, value 6)
• Must be cooked to avoid food poisoning risk

Wild Edibles

Cultivated Produce

Cooking Actions

Basic Cooking

• Command: cook or use Cook Food button
• Duration: 1 hour
• Fatigue: 0.25
• Requirements: Fire, raw food
• Output: Prepared food portions

Boiling Water

• Command: boil [amount]
• Duration: 1 hour
• Fatigue: 0.25
• Requirements: Fire, Pot, raw water
• Output: Clean, safe drinking water
• XP: 2.5 base (higher than cooking)

Advanced Recipes

Some recipes create special items:

• Stew: Multiple ingredients combined
• Pie: Berries/fruit + special preparation
• Kebabs: Meat + peppers + sticks
• Feast dishes: For events/morale

Nutrition System

Nutrient Types

1. Protein: From meat, fish, beans, mushrooms
2. Carbohydrates: From grains, tubers, vegetables, fruit
3. Fats: From meat, nuts, honey
4. Vitamins (Vitamin C): From vegetables, fruits, herbs

Balanced Diet

A balanced diet provides:

• Better morale
• Improved health regeneration
• Resistance to illness
• Enhanced energy

Cooking Skill

Experience Gain

• Base XP: 0.5 per cook action
• Boiling XP: 2.5 (better XP than cooking)
• Modified by skill level and complexity

Skill Bonuses

Higher cooking skill provides:

• Better yield from ingredients
• Reduced cooking time
• Improved nutritional value
• Access to advanced recipes

Skill Levels

• Novice (0-19): Basic cooking
• Competent (20-39): Efficient cooking
• Proficient (40-59): Advanced recipes
• Expert (60-79): Master chef capabilities
• Master (80+): Maximum efficiency and quality

Recipe Ingredients

Common cooking ingredient types:

Food Preparation Tips

1. Cook raw meat/fish immediately: Prevents spoilage and food poisoning
2. Save honey and pine nuts: Can be eaten raw safely
3. Batch cook: Prepare multiple portions when fire is lit
4. Use all ingredients: Bones for broth, fat for energy
5. Season wisely: Herbs and salt improve taste and morale
6. Boil water first: Always priority for survival
7. Keep a pot: Essential for boiling and stews
8. Diversify diet: Balanced nutrition improves overall health

Special Food Items

Prepared Food

• Weight: 0.2kg per portion
• Value: 8
• Effect: Safe, nutritious meal
• Storage: Can be stored and transported

Water Ration

• Weight: 0.5kg
• Value: 5
• Effect: Emergency hydration
• Source: Found or crafted

Canned Food

• Weight: 0.35kg
• Value: 10
• Effect: Ready to eat, long shelf life
• Source: Scavenged from ruins

Fire Management for Cooking

Fire Duration

• Base: Up to 18 hours with fuel
• Affected by wood supply
• Weather can impact efficiency

Multiple Actions

While fire is active, you can:

1. Cook food
2. Boil water
3. Stay warm
4. Dry clothing

Strategy: Plan multiple cooking/boiling actions when lighting a fire to maximize efficiency.

Food Poisoning

Risk Factors

• Eating raw foraged food: 20% chance
• Eating raw meat: High risk without cooking
• Eating raw fish: High risk without cooking
• Iron Stomach perk: -75% risk
• Sensitive Stomach perk: +100% risk (2x chance)

Prevention

• Always cook meat and fish
• Cook foraged items when possible
• Use medicine if poisoned
• Maintain hygiene to reduce infection risk