Rain Water Collector
crafting
Catches rain. The easiest renewable water after the shutoff; boil it before drinking.
Variants
| Variant | Tier | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Collector Barrel | — | 6 planks, 5 nails, 4 garbage bags |
| Collector Crate | — | 4 planks, 4 nails, 4 garbage bags |
About the rain water collector
A rain water collector catches and stores rainfall, giving you a renewable water supply after the in-game water shutoff eventually stops the taps. It's a cornerstone of any long-term base, since once the mains go dry it becomes your main source of water for drinking, cooking, and farming.
Placement & defense tips
- ▸Place collectors outdoors and uncovered so rain actually fills them; a roof or upper floor directly above blocks the catch.
- ▸Position them right next to your kitchen, garden, or a connected sink so you don't carry water across the base by hand.
- ▸Set up multiple collectors before the water shutoff so you have buffer storage going into the dry period, especially if you farm.
- ▸Keep them inside your fenced perimeter or close to the wall so refilling doesn't expose you to the street.
- ▸On the ground floor or open balconies works; just confirm there's open sky above the tile for collection.
Choosing a variant
- ▸The Collector Barrel is the bigger build: 6 planks, 5 nails and four garbage bags (or a tarp) at Carpentry 5. Stockpile garbage bags early.
- ▸The Collector Crate is the earlier option: 4 planks, 4 nails and four garbage bags (or a tarp) at Carpentry 3. There's no metal rain collector to build, so for bigger reserves just add more collectors.
- ▸A practical approach is to start with wood barrels for immediate coverage and upgrade or supplement with metal drums for higher capacity as your base matures.
Common mistakes
- ✕Building the collector indoors or under a roof so it never fills from rain.
- ✕Waiting until after the water shutoff to set up collection, leaving a gap with no stored water.
- ✕Building just one small collector for a base that also waters crops, then running dry during a drought.
Frequently asked
Do rain collectors need to be outside?
Yes, they must have open sky above them to catch rain, so anything covered by a roof or floor won't fill. Place them outdoors or on an open rooftop.
Is collected rain water safe to drink?
Tainted or unboiled water can make you sick, so it's safest to boil collected water before drinking. Boiling on a stove or campfire purifies it.
Should I build a wood barrel or metal drum collector?
Both craftable collectors are wooden: start with the Collector Crate at Carpentry 3, then add Collector Barrels once you reach Carpentry 5. Each needs four garbage bags or a tarp, so grab those on supply runs.