Dropped Items
When Players drop items on the ground, the game creates a temporary wooden box where the item is stored. If another item is dropped within 5m of that box the item is stored inside it, if it is further away a new box is created. Players can interact with it like with any other storage by pressing E. Every type of item stacks inside those boxes. The boxes despawn after a while following certain conditions.
The mechanic was added to reduce lag from item clutter on the ground.
The box isn't solid and doesn't block movement, but it can prevent structure placement when building.
Lifespan
The box is temporary and automatically disappears after some time. The lifespan of the box depends on a few criterias:
- If the box is empty or contains only starter kit equipment (Hammer, Ferro 879 pistol, Ahti Model 2 pistol, or 8mm mags) it will disappear after 5 seconds.
- If the box contains any other type of item it will disappear after 10 minutes of existence if no player is within 5m of it. As long as there is at least one player next to it the box won't disappear but as soon as that changes the box disappears in less than 5 seconds (if the box is more than 10 minutes old).
The lifespan is not affected by:
- items being added or removed from the box (unless this changes the criterias met above)
- Quantity of items
- Cost of items
Large Items
The only items to not use the dropped items box system are the Large Items. They have their own models when dropped on the ground and they last exactly 5 minutes if not picked up (except Critically Wounded Soldier which lasts 1 minute).
Other Dropped Boxes
Vehicle/Structure Storage Box: When a vehicle or structure is destroyed, it drops its inventory on the ground in a box called "vehicle storage" or "structure storage". This box behaves exactly like a dropped items box.
Dead player backpack: When a soldier dies they drop a backpack on the ground containing their items. The backpack also behaves exactly like a dropped items box.
Dropping items on Ship Decks
Except for starter kit equipment, all items dropped on the deck of any ship or the rear bay of Landing APCs behave differently. They all last exactly 5 minutes and instead of being deleted they are automatically submitted to the vehicle's inventory. If it is full then the items that can't fit are deleted. For Large Ships the dropped items are submitted either in its normal stockpile or its ammo rooms, whichever is closest. If the item doesn't fit in the stockpile it is placed in the inventory, if the inventory is full then it is placed into the next closest stockpile onboard.
Tips
- Like Field Weapons, the "Dropped Items" boxes are invisible in the dark, behind solid structures, or in bushes (from more than 10m away).
- If you want to despawn enemy supplies without them being found, you can drop them in a bush.
Gallery
Menu of the "Dropped Items" box
