What to do when it's raining

[Razmataz (DayZ) 5]

I already feel uncomfortable when I'm out in the rain in Dayz, even though I know it doesn't really affect me in any way. Once we have diseases in Dayz, rain should change the game drastically. I have two suggestions concerning rain, and I would like to hear what you think about them.

1) Rain Ponchos

Everybody should have one from the start. You spawn on the coast and it's raining, you put on your poncho. I guess we could get a nice animation for putting in on and off. It's a civilian poncho, probably yellow, perhaps with a reflective surface. It'll make you easy to spot, even at night. You'll be happy to eventually find a blue poncho, let alone an olive one.

Ponchos will make you less agile. They will slow you down to the point that you can no longer outrun zombies. If you don't want to risk having to fight a zombie, you either stay in the wilderness or hide inside a building. (The downsides, conspicuity and drop in agility, serve as incentives to take off the poncho when the rain stops, and should give you that feeling of relief which you experience IRL when the sun finally comes out again.)

If we choose to wait inside until the rain has stopped, we need something to do for that period of time. Here's my second suggestion:

2) Amateur-Radio.

Everybody has a radio in their backpack, but it's pretty useless, because in order to use it you need to put away your gun first. Even if you were willing to do so, most people wouldn't, so probably there would be nobody listening.

But once it's started to rain and people are sitting safely inside with nothing else to do, they might want to use their radio and kill some time chatting with other survivors. Share their stories, information, and disinformation. you can use the opportunity to call for help if you need it.

The radio should have that amateur-radio feel to it. Switching through frequencies hoping to find another soul. (not the side chat spam feel we have now)

Listen closely to the sound of rain hitting on a plastic poncho, so you won't be surprised by a bandit while you're using the radio.

That's all I can think of for now. Maybe those who aren't hiding alone want a deck of cards to kill some time?

Feel free to post constructive criticism or add your ideas on how rain should influence the gameplay.

[major.skrewup@gmail.com 177]

why would a rain poncho... http://www.armynavysuperstores.com/ponchocamo1.jpg

slow down a survivor.... its a garbage bag with 3 holes cut in it....

[Razmataz (DayZ) 5]

The downsides, conspicuity and drop in agility, serve as incentives to take off the poncho when the rain stops, and should give you that feeling of relief which you experience IRL when the sun finally comes out again.

^This is the main reason.

If you think it's not authentic/realistic that a poncho would slow you down, i don't understand you. I'm positive it would. You shouldn't be restricted to walking, but maybe to crouch jogging (the x-button speed). Running at full speed with a poncho? I don't think so.

[Atom Quark 437]

All I want is no vehicle dust trails while it is raining.

[DayZoey 110]

As it is right now the dust trails are just an oversight due to the fact that it's a mod, not a stand alone game. That being said, if it was raining and you're driving on anything but concrete there would still be trails being flung up in the form of earth and gravel dug in to by the tires of your vehicle, mud being flung backwards and even on a concrete road you'd still have mist clouds of the rain water being sprayed backwards by the tires.

That being said, ponchos are a great idea but I don't really have anything to add to improve the idea. Still though, you got my beans for a good idea OP =)