Degrading Tools

Problem

How do I make a tool or workstation wear out and eventually break after repeated crafting use?

Short answer

Author the tool once in the crafting system’s Tools library with the Limited uses breakage mode and a Max uses limit, choose what happens when it breaks (destroy it, mark it as broken, or replace it with a broken variant), then require the tool from the recipe (or a step or ingredient set).

This replaces the old recipe-side Catalyst workflow. The Catalyst concept was retired in version 0.6.0. Existing catalyst data is converted to Tools automatically. See Tools.

Steps

  1. Add the tool component. In your crafting system’s Components tab, add the tool item as a managed component. If you plan to replace the tool with a broken variant on break, also add that broken-tool variant as a separate component.
  2. Open the Tools library for the system and click Add tool. Pick the tool component and optionally set a display label.
  3. Pick the Limited uses breakage mode and set Max uses to the number of crafts the tool survives (for example 50). Leave it blank for unlimited uses (still tracked).
  4. Pick what happens when it breaks:
    • Destroy item. The tool is removed from inventory when it breaks.
    • Mark as broken. The tool stays but is flagged as broken and cannot be used until a GM clears that mark.
    • Replace with…. Swap the tool for a broken variant you can repair through a recipe.
  5. Save, then require the tool from the recipe (or from a step or ingredient set).

How usage is tracked

A Limited uses tool counts how many times it has been used in crafting on the owned item. The count goes up before the break is checked, so a Max uses of 5 lets the tool survive its first five uses and break on the sixth.

Learn more

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