Cool Pool Biome

Cool Pool Biome is a variant group of the Tide Pool / Ocean Biome that appears in multiple temperature variants: Base, Hot, Deep, Slush, and Frozen. It is defined by abundant salt water and related salt deposits rather than metal ores, and it appears with a variety of terrain features that change by variant. In the game code the Tide Pool Biome is referred to as Ocean, and the biome yields no Metal Ores.

The Base and Deep variants present habitable, warm conditions for humans, with temperature bands of 24.85 ↔ 39.85 °C. The Hot variant is warmer, classified as Human Hot with temperatures 39.85 ↔ 49.85 °C. The Slush variant is colder than Base and converts part of the Salt Water to Brine; it is classified as Cool with temperatures -16.15 ↔ 6.85 °C. The Frozen variant is colder than Slush, has no terrain features, and freezes all liquids into Brine Ice; it is classified as Cold with temperatures -46.15 ↔ -16.15 °C. In low-temperature pockets of the Tide Pool, Salt Water will turn into Brine.

Typical solids, liquids, gases, plants and critters that appear in the biome vary by variant. Salt Water is the primary liquid in the Base, Hot, and some Deep terrain; Brine appears in Slush and Frozen variants. Plants and critters may spawn depending on the specific seed and variant used in the map generation.

Distinct terrain features associated with the Cool Pool Biome:

• Bleach Stone deposit: a pocket that contains Carbon Dioxide, Sand and Salt. This deposit appears in some variants and provides access to Salt and Sand along with CO2.
• Salt Deposit: a Carbon Dioxide pocket surrounded by Salt, Carbon Dioxide and Sedimentary Rock. The Deep and Hot variants include Salt Deposit features.
• Salt Water Pool: pockets of Salt Water accompanied by Carbon Dioxide, Sand, Fossil and Sedimentary Rock. The Hot variant includes Salt Water Pool features.

Gameplay notes and strategy considerations:

• The biome contains no Metal Ores, so metal extraction must come from other biomes or meteorites.
• Salt and Sand are common in the biome’s deposits and pools, making it a reliable source of Salt for industrial uses.
• Cold variants convert salt water into Brine or Brine Ice, which affects plumbing and liquid handling; plan insulation and heating accordingly.
• The Hot variant provides warmer temperatures and additional Salt Water Pool features, which can aid in early resource gathering but requires cooling for many base systems.
• The Slush and Frozen variants demand thermal protection for duplicants and machinery; liquids are partially or fully frozen and must be thawed or bypassed if needed.
• Plume Squash appears as a viable food alternative within these biomes and can supplement other crop choices when present.

When planning bases that access a Cool Pool Biome, prioritize temperature management, salt-handling infrastructure, and alternative metal sources due to the absence of Metal Ores.