Do Items despawn?

[Rada]

Hi

I wanted to know if items can despawn. I dropped a ton of items on the ground in my light house because I don't have enough storage.

Is it a problem to drop them on the ground?

Thx for any help!

[Bill Tarling]

Items decay, so when they reach 0% yes they can despawn.

[Rada]

without even using them?

[Bill Tarling]

Yes, once you have taken an item, the decay timer starts on it. For wildlife kills, the decay timer starts right away.

[Rada]

Ok thank you! No I'm going to find a place to store my items Will the items decay slower when they are stored, like meat?

[cekivi]

I'm not sure if storage slows down the decay timer but almost all items, once picked up, do decay. There are a few exceptions but the only one I remember is the magnifying glass.

If you want to be sure an item doesn't despawn then don't pick it up (don't left click it) until you actually need it. The item will maintain its condition indefinitely as long as the player doesn't interact with it. The decay timer (and eventual despawning) only begins after that left click.

[Thelek]

ALL items that degrade do slower when stored in any container. there are many items that do not degrade when not in use and just stored, wether in an container or not. i have performed many experiments and was quite frankly surprised by the results. however, if you wish to learn wich items do not decay, you will have to conduct your own experiements.

[Rada]

Thanks to both of you Yes I will find it out!

[elloco999]

An easy rule of thumb is: all items that only degrade on use (like tools and weapons) are safe to drop on the ground. Also all items that don't degrade at all (like the magnifying glass, the fire starter and logs etc) are safe to drop on the ground. If an item degrades while you have it in your inventory, it will degrade slower in a container and faster when dropped on the ground.

[ThresholdSeven]

The only items that decay on their own are matches, meat, some of the packaged food and clothing. Everything else can be placed on the floor and will stay there forever.