Status Effects

Preview of all status effects (buffs and debuffs) that can affect the player character.

Negative Status Effects (Debuffs)

Injuries & Physical Damage

Bleeding

• Cause: Combat injuries, accidents, falls, animal attacks
• Effect:
  • HP loss: 0.9 + (bleeding×0.6) HP/hour (max 4.5 HP/hour)
  • Morale penalty: -0.6/hour
• Natural Recovery: -0.25 bleeding/hour (slow)
• Treatment:
  • Bandage: Stops bleeding immediately
  • Tourniquet: Emergency bleeding stop
• Fatal: Yes - can bleed to death if HP reaches 0
• Duration: Until treated or naturally stops

Fracture (Broken Bones)

• Cause: Falls, heavy combat, accidents, crushing injuries
• Effect:
  • Movement penalty: +1.5 fatigue per move
  • HP damage: 12% chance of -0.8 HP/hour
  • Morale loss: -0.4/hour (12% chance)
  • Action limitations
• Treatment: Splint (Wood + Cordage + Fabric)
• Fatal: Yes - untreated fractures can kill
• Duration: Until splinted and healed

Injury (General)

• Cause: Various accidents, combat, environmental hazards
• Effect:
  • Morale drain: +0.08/hour per injury level
  • Infection risk if conditions are poor
• Levels: 0-100 scale
• Treatment: Rest, medicine, bandaging
• Recovery: Gradual with rest and proper care

Infections & Diseases

Wound Infection

• Cause:
  • Injuries in wet conditions (precip > 1.5)
  • Injuries when cold (warmth < 45)
  • Chance: 8% + (injury×0.2%) per hour
• Effect:
  • HP loss: -0.4/hour
  • Thirst drain: -0.5/hour (fever)
  • Hunger drain: -0.3/hour
• Treatment:
  • Antibiotics: Instant cure
  • Rest in clean house: Chance-based recovery
  • Disinfectant: Preventive/treatment
• Fatal: Yes - can die from infection
• Progression: Worsens if untreated

Skin Infection

• Cause: Low hygiene (< threshold)
• Effect:
  • HP loss: -0.2 every 5 hours
  • Morale loss: -0.3 every 5 hours
• Recovery: 20% chance per 5 hours when hygiene > 65
• Prevention: Maintain hygiene through washing
• Fatal: Yes - if severe and untreated
• Duration: Until hygiene improves

Infection Stage (Progressive)

• Variable: infectionStage (0-3)
• Levels:
  • Stage 0: No infection
  • Stage 1: Mild infection
  • Stage 2: Moderate infection
  • Stage 3: Severe infection → Sepsis risk
• Progression: Worsens without treatment
• Treatment: Antibiotics, rest, hygiene

Sepsis

• Cause: Advanced infection (stage 3+)
• Effect: Critical life-threatening condition
• Treatment: Urgent medical intervention required
• Fatal: Yes - high mortality without treatment
• Severity: Most dangerous infection state

Gastrointestinal

Stomach Bug (Food Poisoning)

• Cause:
  • Raw food: 20% base chance
  • Contaminated water: Variable risk
  • Spoiled food
  • Iron Stomach perk: -75% risk
  • Sensitive Stomach perk: 2× risk (40%)
• Effect:
  • Severe dehydration: -5.0 thirst/hour
  • Appetite loss: -4.0 hunger/hour (paradoxical drain)
  • HP loss: -2.5/hour
  • Morale loss: -2.0/hour
  • Vomiting messages every 4 hours
• Recovery: 28% chance during rest or sleep
• Fatal: Yes - dehydration can kill
• Duration: Until recovery event triggers

Dysentery

• Cause: Contaminated water (15% if contaminated source)
• Effect: Similar to stomach bug - severe dehydration
• Treatment: Rest, clean water, medicine
• Fatal: Yes - through dehydration

Malaria

• Cause: Stagnant water consumption (3% chance)
• Effect: Recurring fever, weakness
• Treatment: Specific medication
• Fatal: Potentially

Environmental Extremes

Frostbite

• Variable: frostbite (0-100)
• Cause: Extended exposure to extreme cold (warmth ≤ 0)
• Effect:
  • Tissue damage
  • Mobility reduction
  • Progressive worsening
  • Permanent damage if severe
• Treatment:
  • Immediate warming
  • Medical attention
  • Fire/shelter
• Prevention: Maintain warmth > 0, proper clothing
• Fatal: Can lead to death if combined with hypothermia

Heat Stroke

• Variable: heatStroke (0-100)
• Cause:
  • Excessive heat exposure
  • Dehydration in hot conditions
  • Overexertion in heat
• Effect:
  • Severe dehydration
  • HP damage
  • Confusion/disorientation
• Treatment:
  • Immediate cooling
  • Hydration
  • Rest in shade
• Prevention: Hydrate, avoid exertion, seek shade
• Fatal: Yes - can be deadly without intervention

Mental & Psychological

Sleep Deprivation

• Variable: sleepDeprivationLevel (0-100)
• Cause: No sleep for 36 hours (24h with Light Sleeper perk)
• Effect:
  • Fatigue snaps to 100
  • Hallucinations at high levels
  • Disorientation
  • Impaired judgment
• Variable: hallucinating (boolean)
• Treatment: Sleep
• Fatal: Indirectly (through accidents, poor decisions)

Low Morale

• Threshold: < 30
• Effect:
  • 22% chance of disorientation when moving
  • Reduced efficiency
  • Slower HP recovery
  • Negative mental state
• Causes: Multiple factors (see mechanics_survival.md)
• Recovery: Good food, shelter, success, rest

Loneliness

• Variable: loneliness (0-100)
• Cause: Extended isolation without NPC contact
• Effect: Mental health degradation
• Mitigation:
  • Companion presence (-0.5 drain bonus)
  • NPC interactions
  • Successful activities
• Fatal: No, but affects survival ability

Trauma

• Variable: trauma (0-100)
• Cause: Violent encounters, witnessing death, combat
• Effect: Mental health impact, morale penalties
• Recovery: Time, safe environment, positive experiences
• Fatal: No, but impairs survival

Cabin Fever

• Variable: cabinFever (0-100)
• Cause: Extended time indoors without variety
• Effect: Morale penalties, restlessness
• Recovery: Outdoor activity, exploration, variety
• Fatal: No

Physical Condition States

Over-Encumbrance

• Cause: Carrying > 60% of weight capacity
• Effect:
  • Fatigue: +(overEffort×0.08)/hour
  • Hunger drain: -(overEffort×0.02)/hour
  • Thirst drain: -(overEffort×0.03)/hour
  • Injury risk: 10% chance of +1 injury if overEffort > 20
• Treatment: Drop items, increase carry capacity
• Prevention: Manage inventory weight

Microsleep

• Trigger: Fatigue ≥ 95
• Chance: 30% per action
• Effect:
  • Lose 0.5 hour
  • 20% chance of injury
  • Temporary blackout
• Prevention: Rest before fatigue reaches 95
• Fatal: Can cause dangerous situations

Disorientation

• Triggers:
  • Fatigue > 80 (22% chance)
  • Morale < 30 (22% chance)
  • Sleep deprivation/hallucinations
• Effect:
  • Movement in random directions
  • Lost time
  • Failed actions
• Recovery: Rest, improve triggering condition
• Duration: Single action (sporadic)

Poor Hygiene Effects

• Threshold: Below ~50-60
• Effect:
  • 6% infection risk per hour
  • Skin infection risk
  • Morale penalty
• Restoration: Wash (+4 hygiene)
• Prevention: Regular washing, avoid dirty activities

Positive Status Effects (Buffs)

Companion Bonus

• Source: Having a recruited NPC companion
• Effect:
  • Morale: +0.5/hour
  • Loneliness: Reduced
  • Combat assistance
  • Potential skill bonuses
• Duration: 7 days after recruitment
• Stacking: No (one companion at a time)

House Completion Bonus

• Source: Building and staying in a complete house
• Effect:
  • Warmth drain: -55% reduction
  • HP regen: +0.35 bonus
  • Morale: +0.25 bonus
  • Fatigue recovery: +1.4× multiplier
  • Condition recovery: +0.3/hour
  • Insulation: ×2.5 multiplier
  • Wolf protection: 95% reduction in attacks
• Duration: While inside house
• Stacking: With other bonuses (multiplicative)

Fire Presence

• Source: Standing on tile with active fire
• Effect:
  • Warmth: +25/hour
  • Morale: Prevents night penalty
  • Cooking ability
  • Light/visibility
• Duration: Up to 18 hours per fire
• Fuel: Consumes wood over time

Well-Fed Status

• Source: Eating high-quality, cooked food
• Effect:
  • Morale bonus
  • Better HP recovery
  • Improved condition
• Duration: Hours after eating
• Nutrition impact: Balanced diet provides best effects

Rested Status

• Source: Full sleep/rest with low fatigue
• Effect:
  • Improved action efficiency
  • Better morale
  • Clearer thinking/decisions
• Duration: Until fatigue builds up
• Optimal state: Fatigue < 30

Achievement Bonuses

• Source: Unlocking achievements through gameplay
• Effect: Permanent stat bonuses
• Types:
  • Max HP increases
  • Resistance bonuses
  • Skill improvements
  • Reduced drain rates
• Duration: Permanent
• Stacking: Yes (multiple achievements)

Successful Action Streak

• Source: Consecutive successful actions
• Effect:
  • Morale boost (+2-2.5 potential)
  • Confidence/efficiency
• Trigger: Random (3% chance per hour)
• Duration: Temporary morale boost

Perks (Permanent Buffs)

See perks.md for complete list. Positive perks include:

• Fast Healer: +50% HP regeneration
• Thick Skinned: -15% damage taken
• Strong Back: +20kg carry capacity
• Keen Eye: +15 tracking/gathering
• Iron Stomach: -75% food poisoning risk
• Cold Adapted: -30% warmth drain
• Efficient Eater: -20% hunger drain
• Water Conservator: -20% thirst drain
• Optimist: -25% morale drain
• Night Owl: No night penalties

Status Effect Interactions

Compounding Conditions

Some effects make others worse:

• Bleeding + Infection: Infection harder to fight
• Fracture + Over-Encumbrance: Extreme fatigue
• Cold + Wet: Accelerated hypothermia
• Starvation + Infection: Rapid death
• Low Morale + Sleep Deprivation: Severe disorientation

Beneficial Combinations

• House + Fire: Maximum warmth recovery
• Rested + Well-Fed: Optimal performance
• Companion + Good Shelter: Best morale
• Achievement Bonuses + Perks: Powerful synergies

Treatment Priority

Immediate Life-Threatening:

1. Bleeding (tourniquet/bandage)
2. Sepsis (antibiotics)
3. Critical starvation/dehydration (food/water)
4. Hypothermia (fire/shelter)

High Priority:

1. Fractures (splint)
2. Infections (antibiotics/disinfectant)
3. Stomach bug (rest + clean water)
4. Heat stroke (cooling + hydration)
5. Frostbite (warming)

Medium Priority:

1. Skin infection (improve hygiene)
2. Sleep deprivation (sleep)
3. Low morale (good food, shelter, success)
4. Over-encumbrance (drop items)

Low Priority/Maintenance:

1. Hygiene (wash regularly)
2. Mental health (variety, social contact)
3. Condition recovery (rest, good nutrition)

Prevention Strategies

1. Hygiene: Wash regularly, especially after dirty activities
2. Injury Prevention: Avoid risks, don't push fatigue
3. Food Safety: Cook all meat/fish, boil water
4. Warmth: Dress properly, maintain fires, build shelter
5. Rest Management: Sleep before fatigue reaches 80
6. Weight Management: Stay under 60% capacity
7. Weather Awareness: Shelter during storms
8. Medical Supplies: Stock medicine, bandages, antibiotics
9. Morale Maintenance: Good food, shelter, success
10. Regular Check-ups: Monitor all stats frequently