Don’t Starve Together’s Lights Out mode is often perceived as a hardcore challenge, forcing players to navigate a world of perpetual darkness. While that’s partially true, what many don’t realize is that Lights Out offers unique advantagesthat can make survival easier in many ways.

From easier mob farming to no wildfires, this mode presents an entirely new way to experience the game. Whether you’re playing for the challenge or seeking a unique survival twist, this guide will show you how to master Lights Out mode.

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Early Game Advantages: The Unexpected Perks of a World in Darkness

1. Permanent Access to Fishing

• In normal gameplay, frogs spawn from ponds during the day, making fishing an annoying and often dangerous task.
• In Lights Out, frogs never spawn, meaning you can fish at any time with no interruptions.
• More fish = more Surf ‘n’ Turf, an excellent sanity-boosting meal.

2. Sleeping Mobs = Easy Hunting

• Many neutral creatures sleep constantly in Lights Out, making them easy prey:
  • Beefalo – Shave them anytime without waking them.
  • Volt Goats – Can be easily killed for electric milk.
  • Koalefants – The easiest early-game meat source.
  • Gnarwails – Fall asleep immediately after spawning, making them easy to kill.

3. No Sinkhole Bats

• Normally, opening a sinkhole spawns bats that respawn regularly.
• In Lights Out, bats spawn once and never return, making caves safer.
• No need to waste resources on Bunny Towers or guano cleanup.

4. Easier Beefalo Taming

• Beefalo will rarely shake their saddle at night.
• You don’t have to feed them twigs as often to prevent them from bucking.
• Trick for Saddling: Bond with the Beefalo Bell, run away, and sneak in twigs when it follows you.

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World Effects: How Lights Out Changes the Seasons

1. Summer is No Longer a Threat

• Wildfires do not exist since they require daylight to trigger.
• No need for Flingomatics, Oasis bases, or retreating to the caves.
• Heat is far less dangerous, and simple cooling methods last much longer.

2. Barnacle Farming is Now Easy

• Barnacles are always asleep, meaning you can harvest them whenever you want.
• Just use a Razor to collect barnacles without resistance.
• Makes Barnacle Linguine a reliable sanity-restoring dish.

3. Pearl is Always Available

• Pearl never goes inside—her weather-related quests are easier to complete.
• No more waiting around in the rain or snow for her to wake up.

4. Bunnymen Are Always Out

• Bunnymen never return to their houses, making them fantastic for spider farming.
• They can also be used in boss fights like Bee Queen without worrying about daytime canceling their attacks.

5. Powder Monkeys Stay Inside

• Moon Quay pirates never leave their huts.
• You can reach Moon Quay Island safely without dealing with a pirate infestation.

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Bosses: How Lights Out Changes the Meta

1. The Twins of Terror

• You can summon them at any time with the Terrarium.
• No need to plan around day-night cycles.
• Caution: If the fight lasts too long and the boss unloads, the Terrarium may reset.

2. Moose/Goose & Moslings

• Moslings sleep constantly unless attacked.
• You can land a few hits at a time, let them sleep, and repeat.
• Makes the fight significantly easier.

3. Shadow Pieces

• Can still only be summoned on New Moon.
• But you get a full New Moon cycle to start the fight, making scheduling easier.
• You can farm multiple Shadow Atriums this way.

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Late Game Advantages: Farming & Automation in Lights Out

1. Infinite Glow Berries & Light Bulbs with Forest Stalkers

• Forest Stalkers never die unless you kill them or a treeguard intervenes.
• This means unlimited glow berries, foliage, and tree-chopping power.
• Pro Tip: Trap them on a boat dock—they can’t escape, making them an endless light source.

2. Pig Skin Farming is More Involved

• Pigs never leave their homes—making pig skin farming trickier.
• Full Moons force them out, but you can also burn their houses and extinguish them with a watering can.

3. Running the Moonstone Event for Infinite Pig Skins

• The Moonstone event can be exploited to farm werepigs.
• Canceling the event mid-spawn forces pigs to turn into moonrock statues.
• Restarting the event revives the pigs, allowing you to farm them repeatedly.

4. Turning Lights Out into Lights On with Moonstorms

• Activating Moonstorms results in permanent full moons.
• This essentially removes the challenge of night.
• A great way to transition into a normal survival playthrough.

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Best Characters for Lights Out

Some characters are naturally better suited for Lights Out due to their abilities and sanity management:

1. Maxwell

• Insanity management is easier because his passive sanity drain counters the darkness drain.
• His shadow minions farm resources without needing light.

2. Wickerbottom

• Can use her Lunar Grimoire to force a full moon every night.
• With a bookcase, she can cycle between multiple fake full moons.
• Downside: High sanity costs—bring sanity restoration items.

3. Wanda

• Her timepieces provide light, making early-game survival easier.
• Time magic helps with quick escapes and travel.

4. Winona

• Her generators provide infinite light for base-building.
• Catapults are great for farming mobs that constantly respawn in darkness.

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Final Thoughts: Is Lights Out Worth It?

Lights Out is far more than just a challenge mode—it’s a unique way to play the game with its own perks and rewards.

✅ No wildfires in summer
✅ Easier fishing & neutral mob farming
✅ Safer caves with no sinkhole bats
✅ Bunnymen & Powder Monkeys never leave their homes
✅ Some bosses are easier to fight

With the right setup and character choice, Lights Out can be just as rewarding—if not more so—than a standard DST world.

So, why not give it a try? You might find that life in eternal darkness is surprisingly bright.