Badtide Drain

Badtide Drains are natural terrain features that discharge Badwater during Badtide events, adding additional sources of contamination to the map beyond the standard Water Sources and Badwater Sources. These drains activate only during Badtide weather, releasing toxic Badwater that flows across the terrain and can contaminate nearby crops, waterways, and beaver pathways. During Temperate and Drought seasons, Badtide Drains remain inactive, making them easy to overlook during periods of calm weather.

The activation of Badtide Drains during hazardous weather means that players must account for additional contamination vectors beyond the obvious Water Source and Badwater Source conversions. A settlement that is well-protected against contamination from its main river system might still be vulnerable to Badwater flowing from a nearby Badtide Drain that was not factored into the defensive plan. Identifying all Badtide Drain locations on the map before the first Badtide arrives is essential for building comprehensive contamination barriers. Players should construct levees, diversion channels, or floodgates around these drains to redirect their toxic output away from critical areas.

Because Badtide Drains only activate during Badtide events, they represent a hidden hazard that can catch unprepared players off guard. During the long Temperate and Drought seasons, these features blend into the landscape and may be forgotten. Experienced players mark their locations and build containment infrastructure around them proactively, ensuring that when a Badtide warning arrives, the colony is already prepared to handle the additional contamination. On maps with multiple Badtide Drains, the combined output can significantly amplify the overall Badwater threat, requiring more extensive defensive measures than maps with fewer drain points.