Refrain from carrying around a fully loaded gun or too many arrows (unless hunting moose then youвЂ™ll need to bring extra).

2-7+ charcoal (2 if youвЂ™re prone to get lost, more than that if youвЂ™re planning to explore unmarked areas).

If you have both a rifle and bow, bring both (with no more than 5 bullets and 7 arrows).

At least 1,50 l of water (preferably more) and 1500+ calories of food (also preferably more).

4 tablets of painkillers and antibiotics, a bottle of antiseptic (always bring the same bottle as itвЂ™s weight decreases by use) OR 2 cups of reishi tea and rose bud hip tea, 2 old manвЂ™s beard lichen wound dressings + 2 bandages and 1 instant stim.

Bed roll (trust me, it WILL save your life).

Tinder (unless level 3 fire starting or higher).

8+ matches (and/or fire striker + magnifying glass).

You cannot climb up or down ropes if over-encumbered.ДЇor one whole day of exploring the great outdoors, I always bring: Be prepared to deal with tiredness or possibly exhaustion immediately or soon afterwards. If youвЂ™re not in a dire situation, save the sprinting until youвЂ™re sure youвЂ™re out of harms way.Д¬limbing up ropes is extremely tiring.

It drains your calories and your fatigue. Establish a safe house (or at least a snow shelter, though these can quickly become ruined and rendered unusable and thus a complete waste of energy and supplies) in each region to stash unnecessary items you find along the way to lighten your load. If you plan on surviving an extended amount of time, youвЂ™ll probably want to travel between regions. Even the shortest of trips can become a death trap if youвЂ™re unprepared. Plan your trips outside! Never ever wander outside without checking and double checking that you have everything you might need on your person.

You will probably die by stupid, minute mistakes even when youвЂ™ve gotten the hang of it.

You will probably die by stupid, minute mistakes multiple times before you get the hang of it.

On top, underneath, besides, and so on, and do it WITH a light.

Precise and efficient looting is key to precise and effective survival.

Oh, and вЂњsparinglyвЂќ is a good overall theme to keep in mind.

Planning, being observant and careful is 75% of your success.

You are not on top of the food chain anymore.

Hostile wildlife is not to be trifled with.

Everything you find can be used to ease your survival.

Well, forget all that (Except if you play The Oregon Trail, then remember some of it, like the risk of dysentery) and follow these mindsets when throwing yourself into the world that is The Long Dark: If youвЂ™re coming from most other open world games, youвЂ™ll probably have learned that parts, crafteables and items respawn, enemiesвЂ™ powers are below yours, food is more of a burden than a necessity, health can be fixed in seconds, death is only temporary, etc etc.

The long dark condition