At What Pressure Do Duplicants Get Popped Eardrums in Oxygen Not Included?
In Oxygen Not Included, managing the wellbeing of your duplicants is critical for survival, as various environmental hazards can cause health issues, including popped eardrums due to high pressure. This issue occurs when duplicants are exposed to excessive gas pressures in specific areas of your colony. Understanding the mechanics behind gas pressure and the thresholds for popped eardrums can help you prevent this problem.
Understanding Gas Pressure in Oxygen Not Included
Gas pressure in Oxygen Not Included is a measure of the amount of gas present in a given area. High gas pressure can occur when too much gas is compressed into one space, whether it’s oxygen, carbon dioxide, or other gases like hydrogen or natural gas.
Gas pressure affects the gameplay and the wellbeing of your duplicants. While low pressure can cause breathing difficulties and suffocation risks, excessively high pressure can result in popped eardrums for your duplicants, leading to a decrease in their morale and overall productivity.
What Causes High Gas Pressure?
High gas pressure typically happens when there is inadequate ventilation or when gases are intentionally or unintentionally compressed in specific areas, such as through the use of gas pumps, vents, and other machinery. Here are some common causes of high gas pressure:
- Sealed rooms without proper ventilation: Gases build up over time.
- Excessive gas pumping: If you’re pumping large amounts of gas into a confined space, pressure can increase rapidly.
- Natural processes: Some areas, especially near geysers or vents, can have naturally higher gas pressures due to continuous emissions.
The Pressure Threshold for Popped Eardrums
Duplicants experience popped eardrums when the gas pressure in an area exceeds 2,000 g (grams) per tile. Once the pressure surpasses this threshold, duplicants will receive the “Popped Eardrums” status, which can be both uncomfortable and detrimental to their work efficiency.
Effects of Popped Eardrums on Duplicants
When a duplicant’s eardrums are popped due to high pressure, they suffer several negative effects:
- Morale reduction: Duplicants who experience popped eardrums will have a noticeable drop in their morale, making them less likely to perform well or remain satisfied with their work.
- Stress increase: The discomfort caused by the popped eardrums leads to a higher stress level, which can affect the duplicants’ overall performance and their likelihood of breaking down emotionally or mentally.
- Health impact: Although the direct health damage is minimal, the popped eardrums status can persist until the duplicants leave the high-pressure area, creating long-term challenges if not addressed.
How to Prevent Popped Eardrums in Your Colony
To avoid the negative consequences of high pressure and popped eardrums, you should carefully manage gas pressures in your base. Here are some strategies to help keep gas pressures under control:
- Install Gas Vents and Gas Pumps: Proper gas venting systems can help keep pressure levels under control. Make sure to design your base with ventilation in mind to avoid pressure buildup in sealed rooms.
- Use High-Pressure Gas Vents: These vents can tolerate higher pressures (up to 20,000 g/tile), which can prevent over-pressurization in rooms where gases tend to accumulate.
- Monitor Gas Pressure: Keep an eye on gas pressure levels in key areas, especially near geysers, storage rooms, and industrial zones, where gases may build up more quickly.
- Open Spaces: If pressure starts building up in a closed area, open it up to larger spaces so the gas can spread out and reduce its concentration.
Conclusion
Duplicants will suffer from popped eardrums when gas pressure exceeds 2,000 g/tile, causing stress and morale issues that can harm your colony’s efficiency. By understanding the pressure mechanics and actively managing gas levels, you can keep your duplicants safe and happy, ensuring that they can work efficiently without the discomfort of high-pressure environments.
Effective gas management strategies, including ventilation and monitoring, are essential to maintaining a stable and stress-free colony in Oxygen Not Included.