Remove Contamination

[VeteranGary]

Title. I don't have a ton to add to this, but it is just plainly an annoying mechanic. Inconsistent, outdated, and just not fun to deal with. Contamination cannot be removed through any means besides using a washing machine which only a few exist on the Horizon. Some in medical, and some in a locker room on deck 3. Anyone exposed to the two things that can cause contamination which is only chlorine and phoron, assuming they survive has to discard all their stuff and go to medical. Or if they are unlucky and go into paincrit, their clothes they cannot discard will simply slowly burn/poison them to death.

In general the mechanic is just not maintained. It only functionally applies to phoron and chlorine gas leaks, where as other chemical or radiation hazards are not covered by this feature at all. So while it is niche, it's an obnoxious step added ontop of already extremely dangerous hazards, being chlorine and phoron. Both of which can kill you extremely fast already. I think a fair compromise for the case of chlorine is just making it toxic to stand in without a suit, similar to phoron but not as urgently toxic.

[FabianK3]

I pretty much agree. The mechanic as-is is a bit lacking.

I'm very much against removing it though, it should get a bit more fleshed out instead.
Not only the current features of it but as you mentioned other hazards could be integrated into the contamination mechanic as well.

@zha everything broken and I spoke about this before and have some ideas for that.

[VeteranGary]

I rather it function more similarly to the chemical contamination we already have, instead of sticking to clothes/items just have it stick to the mob. You can already be soaked/doused with a chemical and depending what it is, effects you differently. Acids burn, fuel will set you on fire if near an ignition source. More consistent with pre-existing mechanics and simple. Think it's fair that if you go through a cloud of phoron and leave, you can still be potentially flammable. Maybe requiring cardox to safely decontaminate as water would probably react badly with phoron.

[Carver]

I’d like to see more means to cleanse it. A few more washing machines, maybe a sprayable neutralizing agent that leaves armour and clothing safe but awfully heavy until washed (aka major slowdown so it can’t be used in a combat situation).