Drought

Drought is one of the two hazardous weather events in Timberborn, characterized by the complete cessation of water flow from all Water Sources and Badwater Sources across the map. Described as "relentlessly sunny, with zero chance of flowing water," Droughts force beaver colonies to survive entirely on stored reserves. Rivers dry up, lakes shrink through evaporation, and crops wither without irrigation. The severity of Drought depends on the game difficulty: on easy settings, Droughts last roughly 1 day, while normal difficulty brings 2 to 3 day Droughts, and hard difficulty can see Droughts lasting anywhere from 3 to 6 days. Critically, Drought durations increase progressively after each occurrence, making late-game Droughts significantly more punishing than early ones.

Surviving Drought requires extensive preparation during the preceding Temperate season. Water tanks, reservoirs formed behind dams and levees, and deep water storage are all essential for maintaining a supply of drinking water through extended dry periods. Without water, beavers will quickly become dehydrated and eventually die, so ensuring your Water Pumps have access to stored water is the top priority. Crops will also fail without irrigation, making pre-Drought food stockpiling critical. Players should maintain large reserves of processed food items such as bread, grilled potatoes, and maple pastries to sustain the colony when farms go dormant. The Iron Teeth faction has a unique advantage during Droughts, as their Badwater Discharge structures can force Badwater Sources to continue flowing even when natural flow has stopped.

Strategic water retention is the key to thriving through Drought cycles. Building dams at strategic chokepoints along rivers creates reservoirs that persist long after sources stop flowing. Floodgates allow precise control over water release, letting players ration their stored supply across the entire Drought period. Underground water storage through Aquifer Drills provides an additional buffer, as Aquifers can supplement water supplies during dry spells. Players should also consider the placement of their agricultural districts relative to water retention areas, ensuring that irrigated land stays moist as long as possible. After five consecutive Droughts without a Badtide, the probability of a Badtide event increases sharply to 70 percent, and after seven consecutive Droughts it becomes guaranteed, so players must always be prepared for both types of hazardous weather.