As such it is always a good idea to take low quality items out of containers when leaving a location for some time to avoid losing supplies. On the other hand, items that have been placed inside containers WILL DISAPPEAR if their overall decay reaches 0* and they are not removed before then (such as low quality food and clothing decaying in storage). Some containers can be searched hundreds of days after a playthrough has started and yield 0* Ruined items, but these items will not disappear if left inside instead of taking them. Items that reach 0* will dissapear if placed inside any container. Items with 0* decay will feature a red RUINED message in the inventory menu and cannot be repaired, only broken down for materials or disposed of (although food items can still be eaten). A white number signifies item decay ranging from 100-25.01*, yellow for 25-10.01*, and red for 10-0*. Tools degrade only when used, while food, clothing, and some materials decay over time.Īll materials, tools, clothing, and food items have a condition amount ranging from 100-0* (* is used in game instead of %). Most items will gradually decay over time in The Long Dark.