Wasn't even using MAX so changed to just a simple BOOST variable that can become a config.

lights.cpp

@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ namespace lighting {
   }
 
   int LightRender::light_level(int strength, float distance, size_t x, size_t y) {
-    int new_level = distance <= 1.0f ? strength : strength / sqrt(distance);
+    int boosted = strength + BOOST;
+    int new_level = distance <= 1.0f ? boosted : boosted / sqrt(distance);
     int cur_level = $lightmap[y][x];
     return cur_level < new_level ? new_level : cur_level;
   }
 
-
   void LightRender::reset_light() {
     matrix::assign($lightmap, lighting::MIN);
   }

lights.hpp

@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@
 namespace lighting {
   using components::LightSource;
 
+  // THESE ARE PERCENTAGES!
   const int MIN = 20;
-  const int MAX = 135;
+  const int BOOST = 10;
 
   class LightRender {
     public: