Radiation—an invisible threat that looms over every map in Zero Sievert. Whether you’re scavenging through dense woods, diving into underground bunkers, or casually looting a mall on a Sunday stroll, radiation is your constant companion. But like any danger in the game, once understood, it becomes manageable.

This guide aims to walk you through everything you need to know about radiation: how to monitor it, what each radiation level means, how the debuffs work, and what gear or items can save your life when the sieverts start stacking.

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The Ever-Present Threat

Radiation isn’t something you can avoid entirely. It’s on every map. But the key detail is this: radiation is not immediately lethal. It builds up over time, and its effects only begin to show once certain thresholds are crossed. If you’re attentive and prepared, it won’t ruin your hunt.

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Monitoring Your Radiation Levels

There are three primary ways to track your exposure:

1. Vitals HUD (Top Left) – A radiation icon sits next to your energy, hunger, and thirst meters. The icon changes color based on severity.
2. Hover for Info – Hovering your cursor over the radiation icon provides a real-time breakdown of your current radiation level in sieverts.
3. MSVU Reader (PDA) – Found on the right-hand side of your PDA, this underused tool gives you a needle-style reading and the precise number of millisieverts being absorbed while in a contaminated area. It’s immersive, and highly useful when navigating uncertain ground.

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Radiation Levels and Their Effects

Radiation is broken into four levels, each marked by a color-coded icon and increasing risk.

1. Not Irradiated (Green)

• 0 to 0.4 sieverts
• No debuffs
• This is your starting condition—completely safe

2. Slightly Irradiated (White)

• 0.4 to 2 sieverts
• Still no debuffs
• While the icon turns white, this stage is essentially a warning that you’re starting to absorb radiation—but you’re not in danger yet

3. Irradiated (Yellow)

• 2 to 5 sieverts
• 2.77% chance of spontaneous bleeds
• The chance is rolled up to three times (once for each potential bleed)
• Debuffs begin here, and if left unchecked, they will drain your health and supplies fast

4. Dangerously Irradiated (Orange)

• 5 to 10 sieverts
• 4.17% chance of spontaneous bleeds
• 0.93% chance of vomiting
• Vomiting reduces 25 energy and 35 hydration—a major threat if you’re mid-combat or deep into a run

5. Fatally Irradiated (Red)

• 10 to 15 sieverts
• 5.55% chance of bleeds
• 1.39% chance of vomiting
• 0.27% chance of instant death

Note: These debuffs stack with exposure time, meaning the longer you remain in radiation without treatment, the higher the odds of compounding problems.

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Staying Alive: How to Treat Radiation

If you find yourself deep in the red, there’s one item that can truly save your life: the Anti-Rad Stim.

• Within 15 seconds of use, this stem will reset your radiation to zero, taking you from fatally irradiated back to green.
• Always carry at least one, especially in high-risk areas.

There are other items and methods to reduce radiation over time, but none work as quickly or completely as the anti-rad stim. Think of it as your panic button. Don’t hesitate to use it.

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Smart Radiation Management

• Don’t ignore the white zone: Use it as a signal to reposition or check your gear.
• Keep an eye on hydration and energy: Vomiting in high-rad areas can leave you exposed and unprepared.
• Watch your MSVU meter when exploring new territory. Radiation zones aren’t always obvious until it’s too late.
• Prepare before deep dives: Always bring backup water, energy food, and a stim.

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Final Thoughts

Radiation in Zero Sievert is more than a background threat—it’s a living, breathing mechanic that punishes carelessness and rewards preparation. But it’s not designed to scare you away. Instead, it pushes you to be smarter, more deliberate in your hunts.

From mild exposure to instant death, every level of radiation has its own identity and challenge. Once you understand what the levels mean and how to counter them, radiation stops being a fear and becomes another system to master.

So take that Sunday stroll through the Mall, dive into those hidden Forest caves, and keep that MSVU reader in check. With a little knowledge and a lot of caution, radiation won’t stop your hunt.

Stay sharp, stay safe, and—until next time—have a drink of vodka, Hunter. You’ve earned it.