DRIFT LIGHT

1. Tuning & Bonding

• Match the Frequency: Every creature ("glim") pulses in one of five colors. Switch your lamp color using 1–5 or Q/E to match the creature.
• Build the Bond: Move close and hold position while matched. A bond ring will fill to complete the bond.
• Caution: Approaching with the wrong color will spook the glim and send it swimming away.
• Species Perk: Bonding with a new species (8 total) grants a permanent passive perk.

2. Battery & Depth Management

• Watch Your Battery: Your lamp drains power over time. If your battery hits zero, your lamp gutters and your movement speed drops by 50%.
• Thermal Vents: Hover near thermal vents to recharge your battery.
• Depth Bands: Descend through three vertical depth bands (Shallows → Midnight → Abyss). Deeper bands unlock as your total bond count increases.

3. Survival & Upgrades

• Siphon Cargo: Hold F near moss and crystal formations to collect materials.
• Craft Upgrades: Press C to open the 4-track Workbench and upgrade your Thrusters, Capacitor, Lamp Coil, and Resonator.
• Beware the Undertow: In the dark depths, low battery attracts the Undertow—a segmented predator that steals your cargo on contact. Trigger a Sonar Ping (Space) to force it back.