The post-apocalyptic landscape of Once Human is filled with dangers and opportunities for survivalists. Among the many tools and technologies players can acquire, the Atomic Lighter stands out as a unique crafting-type Deviant for those who favor explosive solutions. While not a direct combat tool, this base-bound device provides the essential materials for creating some of the game's most powerful and unpredictable area-of-effect weaponry. As of 2026, mastering the Atomic Lighter remains a key goal for players focused on crafting and tactical PvP engagements, offering a pathway to high-risk, high-reward gameplay.

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Obtaining the Atomic Lighter: The Securement Silo EX1 Challenge

The journey to acquire the Atomic Lighter begins in the Chalk Peak region, specifically at the Securement Silo EX1 dungeon located on the map's southern border. This instanced activity follows a familiar pattern for veterans of Once Human's silo runs: navigate through hostile environments, eliminate threats, and confront a final boss. The key difference lies in the reward; upon defeating the dungeon's guardian, players have a chance to find the Atomic Lighter spawn next to the standard reward chest. Its acquisition is not guaranteed, adding an element of chance that may require multiple runs.

The Securement Silo EX1 is notably shorter than many other endgame activities, which is a blessing for those farming the Deviant. A common speed-running strategy involves bypassing most enemies, with one critical exception. Immediately after descending the initial elevator, players encounter a large room with a locked door. Here, progress is halted until one of two conditions is met:

  • Defeat All Enemies: Clear the room of hostiles to proceed.

  • Alternative Route: Wait for the first cell on the right to open, revealing a blocked doorway that can be destroyed with explosives.

Unless players are specifically farming for resources like Acid, they can skip subsequent combat encounters and head directly for a portal. This portal transports them to one of the dungeon's most distinctive and challenging mechanics.

Upon passing through the portal from the jail area, players are teleported to a vast chamber dominated by a system of enigmatic traffic signals. This puzzle tests patience and precision. The rule is simple yet strict: when the lights turn red, all movement must cease. Any attempt to change position will result in an immediate teleport back to the entrance portal's front. Crucially, players are still free to perform other actions during the red phase, such as:

  • Rotating their camera to survey the room.

  • Aiming and shooting at potential targets.

  • Using items or abilities.

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The trick is to move forward only during the green phases. Mastering this stop-and-go rhythm is essential for crossing the room and reaching the boss chamber, where the chance for the Atomic Lighter awaits.

Crafting and Utility: The Power of Fusion Lighters

Once secured and placed at a player's homestead, the Atomic Lighter serves a singular, powerful purpose: it generates Split-Core Cotton. This specialized material is not used for conventional crafting but is the sole ingredient for manufacturing Fusion Lighters at a Supplies Workbench.

Fusion Lighters are not your ordinary grenades. They represent a significant upgrade, boasting two defining characteristics:

  1. High AOE Damage: Their explosive power scales with the player's Psi Intensity stat, making them particularly potent for characters built around psychic abilities.

  2. Random Damage Multiplier: This is the feature that sets them apart. Each Fusion Lighter is subject to a random damage multiplier upon detonation. The outcome is a gamble:

    • It might deal damage equivalent to a standard grenade.

    • Or, it could unleash devastation several times greater, capable of wiping out clustered enemies or decisively altering a PvP encounter.

This inherent unpredictability makes every throw an exciting moment of chance.

Strategic Applications in 2026's Meta

In the evolving meta of Once Human, area-of-effect weapons hold specific strategic niches. Grenades, in general, excel in scenarios with dense enemy populations. They are exceptionally effective during base defense operations, particularly when purifying Cortexes and dealing with swarming threats.

However, given that most standard PvE enemies can be dispatched efficiently with primary weapons, the true value of the Fusion Lighter's high-yield, random-damage profile shines in player-versus-player conflicts. Its primary strategic uses include:

  • Flushing Out Opponents: The threat of massive, unpredictable AOE damage can force entrenched players out of cover or fortified positions.

  • Zone Control: Denying area access or punishing groups of players attempting to capture an objective.

  • High-Stakes Engagements: Serving as a potential game-changer in clutch situations where a high-roll on the damage multiplier can secure a victory.

For the dedicated crafter and tactical player, the Atomic Lighter is more than just a furniture piece; it's a gateway to a playstyle defined by calculated risks and spectacular, explosive results. The pursuit of this Deviant and the mastery of its volatile products continue to be a rewarding endgame pursuit for those looking to leave a lasting impression on the battlefield of Once Human.