In the game, your character can become wet due to various reasons such as rain, sweating, or exertion. Being wet can increase the risk of your character getting a cold, and the Outdoorsman and Resilient traits can reduce this risk. There are four stages of wetness: damp, wet, soaking, and drenched. Each stage has its own description and effects:
- Damp: The character is slightly wet from being in the rain for too long, or from overexertion. This stage has no effects yet. It occurs at 15% total body wetness.
- Wet: The character is somewhat wet from being in the rain for too long, or from overexertion. This stage has no significant effects. It occurs at 40% total body wetness.
- Soaking: The character is quite wet from being in the rain for too long, or from overexertion, and may become sick as a result. It occurs at 70% total body wetness.
- Drenched: The character is very wet from being in the rain for too long, or from overexertion, and is likely to become sick as a result. It occurs at 90% total body wetness.
If your character is only slightly wet, they can wait for the wetness to dissipate on its own. If they are wet, soaking, or drenched, they should try to dry off as much as possible. Some ways to do this include going indoors and out of the rain, standing near a heat source, using a towel, or wearing waterproof clothing such as ponchos or rain jackets. The Outdoor trait will also help your character withstand the elements better.
Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself down. When you sweat, your body releases water and salt through your pores. This helps to regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating. Sweating can be a problem when you are wearing heavy clothing or working out, as it can make you wet and cold.
Wearing wet clothes has decreased insulation, which makes getting cold more likely. To dry your clothes, you can either let them dry passively or use a clothes dryer.
Also, check How to clean and dry clothes in project zomboid
