Dangers and random events RimWorld Guide

RimWorld has no mercy on colonists that believe that nothing wrong can happen to them.

RimWorld, to a great extend is based on luck - the same goes for danger and random events. The SI writer will determine what to expect. You will face problems with food, constant pirate attacks, and problems with the atmosphere. The most common dangers and issues consist of:

Attacks by hostile parties - very often, your colony will the target of hostile bandits or tribes. It's best to think about security as soon as possible, and build traps that will be very helpful during raids. Equip your colonists with weapons, so they can fight back effectively.

This time your colony was attacked by a wild elephant.

Wild animals - it's another common danger. Once in a while, you will receive a message that a single animal (or an entire group) attacked your colonists. Send a hunter to kill it, or wait the creature comes closer to your defensive line.

Fire - it often takes place due to thunderstorms. The most common targets are your supplies of wood and forests. Make sure that your colonists put the flames out right away. If needed, you can hide them in metal buildings.

Waves of cold/heat - this is a very frustrating random event. During such waves, the temperature will be very high or low and this will affect your colonists in a negative way. Your task will be to adjust the temperature of the colony according to the weather. When it is cold outside, set a higher temperature inside your buildings and do the opposite when it is hot.

Send colonists with high social skills to purchase goods.

Merchants - once in a while, your colony will be visited by representatives of a different planet. You can bargain with them and exchange goods.

Mental health/depression etc. - you your colonists were exposed to unpleasant events, or their mood was low for too long, they may get depressed and e.g. attack others. It's best to prevent such events in advance.

Lack of electricity, lightning discharge - this will cause your batteries to discharge, which can eventually cause a lot of problems.

Illness - sometimes your colonists can get sick. Depending on the type of disease, it make take a lot of time for them to recover.

Some abandoned rooms can include hibernated members of the previous colony.

Excavation - sometimes when you dig among rocks, you may receive a message that your colonists are affected by a negative aura of a room. This may indicate that there is grave danger in front of you. You may be attacked by mechanical foes or hibernated bandits.

Runaways - you can receive a message that a certain colonist is running away from somebody and needs shelter. If you help him, you will gain an additional colonist but you will also have to face some foes.

Psychic waves - for several days, your colonist will hear weird voices that will affect them in a negative way.

Lost animals - you can receive a message that a lost animal joined your colony.

Damaged capsules - capsules will often crash in your planet. They can contain precious resources or a wounded colonist that can join you if you save him/her.