Lamp

Lamp is an early-game light source used to improve Decor and provide illumination with very little Power. It requires first-tier research, which makes it one of the first practical ways to add light to a colony’s living and work areas. Because it is cheap to run, it is often used before more advanced lighting options become available.

Its main practical value is in rooms where a Ceiling Light would be less effective, especially low-height spaces. A common placement is in the middle of Algae Terrariums, where the extra light improves their efficiency. Since Bristle Blossom growth requires light, Lamps are also useful anywhere those crops are being grown. In work areas, lit machinery operates faster, with a working speed bonus of +15% when illuminated.

The Lamp emits light from its upper tile. For this reason, if you want to maximize the ground light radius, it technically needs to be buried one tile into the ground. In practice, its effective lighting footprint should be checked in the light overlay, which shows the light radius emitted by any building.

• Best used early in a colony when low-cost lighting is needed.
• Useful in cramped rooms where ceiling-mounted lighting is a poor fit.
• Can be placed to support Algae Terrariums by improving their efficiency.
• Enables Bristle Blossom growth by supplying light.
• Improves machine operation speed when the area is lit.
• Its light radius is visible in the light overlay, making placement easier to optimize.