Ballast Flora Calculator
Eradication Planner & Resource Estimator
Don't Let the Spores Win: A Guide to Flora
Ballast Flora is one of the most insidious threats in Barotrauma. It starts as a small spore, infects your pumps, and eventually hijacks your submarine's systems to drown you. This calculator helps you determine exactly how much firepower you need to purge it before it's too late.
💡 The Golden Rule: Cut the Power
Ballast Flora thrives on electricity. Before you attack the root, disconnect the wire powering the infected pump or turn off the reactor. If you don't, the Flora will defend itself by releasing burning gas and acid, making removal significantly harder.
Understanding Infection Stages
- Stage 1 (Spore): Visible only as small particles. Can be pumped out if caught immediately.
- Stage 2 (Root Established): The pump is infected. You must burn the root inside the pump to kill it.
- Stage 3 (Branching): Vines spread to Junction Boxes. It can now control doors and turrets.
- Stage 4 (Critical): The sub is overrun. Acid burns are likely. Evacuation recommended.
⚠️ Warning: Explosives Inside
Using Frag Grenades inside the ballast is a common rookie mistake. While they damage the flora, they also blow a hole in the hull. This floods the room, extinguishing any fires you started and feeding the flora more water. Use Incendium Grenades or Flamers instead.
Weapon Efficiency Guide
Not all fire is created equal. Here is the efficiency breakdown:
- Flamer + Incendium Fuel: The gold standard. Fast, controllable, low hull damage.
- Plasma Cutter: Reliable backup. Slower than a flamer but unlimited "ammo" if you have oxygen tanks. High risk of hull damage if you miss.
- Welding Tool: Emergency use only. Very short range means you take acid damage while using it.
- Steam Cannon: Highly effective but requires specific talent trees to craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
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