ItemMaskAsset — Mask Clothing Definition

Advanced15-20 minutesWindowsVisual Studio

Overview

ItemMaskAsset defines a wearable mask/face item in Unturned. It inherits from ItemGearAsset (hair/beard override), which inherits from ItemClothingAsset (armor, proof system, movement speed), which inherits from ItemAsset. Masks occupy the EItemType.MASK slot and provide several unique features beyond basic clothing: earpiece radio functionality, gas mask filter degradation rate, and (for PRO items) mythic cosmetic aura preview.

Masks load a "Mask" 3D prefab from the master bundle and provide it through the ClothingPrefab virtual property. Unlike hats, shirts, pants, and vests, masks are not eligible for armor damage reduction in the BuildDescription system — even if an Armor value is set in the .dat file, it does not apply to incoming damage.

Source code location: Unturned/Bundles/ItemMaskAsset.cs (96 lines), inheriting from ItemGearAsset.cs (88 lines), ItemClothingAsset.cs (304 lines), and ItemAsset.cs (base).

Inheritance Chain

ItemAsset
  └─ ItemClothingAsset (abstract) — armor (not applied to MASK), proof, movement speed, visuals
       └─ ItemGearAsset (abstract) — hair/beard override, legacy Hair/Beard flags
            └─ ItemMaskAsset — mask prefab, earpiece, filter degradation, mythic preview

---

Class Definition

public class ItemMaskAsset : ItemGearAsset
{
    protected GameObject _mask;
    public GameObject mask => _mask;

    private bool _isEarpiece;
    public bool isEarpiece => _isEarpiece;

    public float FilterDegradationRateMultiplier { get; protected set; } = 1.0f;

#if UNITY_EDITOR || DEVELOPMENT_BUILD
    public ushort cosmeticPreviewMythicId;
#endif
}

---

Mask Prefab Loading

if (!Dedicator.IsDedicatedServer)
{
    _mask = loadRequiredAsset<GameObject>(p.bundle, "Mask");

    if (Assets.shouldValidateAssets)
    {
        AssetValidation.ValidateLayersEqual(this, _mask, LayerMasks.ENEMY);
        AssetValidation.ValidateClothComponents(this, _mask);
    }
}

Aspect	Detail
Load key	"Mask" GameObject from master bundle
Required	Yes — loadRequiredAsset fails if missing
Server skip	Dedicated server skips prefab (visual only)
Layer validation	All children must be on ENEMY layer
Cloth validation	Warns about misconfigured Cloth components

The ClothingPrefab override returns the mask:

internal override GameObject ClothingPrefab => mask;

---

Earpiece Functionality

if (isPro)
{
    // mythic preview (see below)
}
else
{
    _isEarpiece = p.data.ContainsKey("Earpiece");
}

The Earpiece flag enables radio earpiece functionality. When isEarpiece is true:

• The mask acts as a radio receiver
• Players can hear voice chat from their group without needing a separate radio item
• The mask occupies the face slot, freeing up inventory space

Property	Detail
.dat key	Earpiece (flag — presence enables it)
PRO restriction	Only available on non-PRO items
Default	false

PRO restriction: Earpiece functionality is gated behind non-PRO items. If isPro is true, the _isEarpiece field is never read — it remains false regardless of the .dat file. This prevents cosmetic-only mask items from providing gameplay functionality.

Description display:

if (isEarpiece)
{
    builder.Append(PlayerDashboardInventoryUI.FormatStatColor(
        PlayerDashboardInventoryUI.localization.format("ItemDescription_Clothing_Earpiece"), true),
        DescSort_ClothingStat + DescSort_Beneficial);
}

The earpiece stat appears as a beneficial (green) stat in the inventory tooltip.

---

Filter Degradation Rate Multiplier

public float FilterDegradationRateMultiplier { get; protected set; } = 1.0f;

This field controls how quickly deadzones deplete a gas mask filter's quality:

.dat Key	Type	Default	Range	Behavior
FilterDegradationRateMultiplier	float	1.0	0.0+	2.0 = doubles depletion speed, 0.5 = halves it

A value above 1.0 causes filters to deplete faster (worse mask), below 1.0 causes slower depletion (better mask). This allows tiered gas mask items: a basic cloth mask might have FilterDegradationRateMultiplier 2.0 (depletes twice as fast), while a high-end military gas mask might have 0.5 (lasts twice as long).

Description display:

if (FilterDegradationRateMultiplier != 1.0f)
{
    builder.Append(PlayerDashboardInventoryUI.localization.format(
        "ItemDescription_FilterDegradationRateMultiplier",
        PlayerDashboardInventoryUI.FormatStatModifier(FilterDegradationRateMultiplier, true, false)),
        DescSort_ClothingStat + DescSort_LowerIsBeneficial(FilterDegradationRateMultiplier));
}

The stat is formatted with LowerIsBeneficial sorting — lower multiplier values are better (filter lasts longer).

---

PRO Mythic Cosmetic Preview

#if UNITY_EDITOR || DEVELOPMENT_BUILD
public ushort cosmeticPreviewMythicId;
#endif

The mythic cosmetic preview ID is a compile-time conditional field only available in UNITY_EDITOR or DEVELOPMENT_BUILD configurations:

if (isPro)
{
#if UNITY_EDITOR || DEVELOPMENT_BUILD
    cosmeticPreviewMythicId = p.data.ParseUInt16("CosmeticPreviewMythicId");
#endif
}

.dat Key	Type	Condition	Purpose
CosmeticPreviewMythicId	ushort	PRO + Editor/Dev build only	Mythic item ID for aura preview

This field is a development hack for previewing the "aura" visual effect of mythic cosmetic items. It is not present in release builds and has no gameplay effect. The field stores the MythicAsset ID for use in the editor cosmetic preview system.

---

Armor — Not Applied to Masks

A critical distinction: masks are excluded from the armor system in BuildDescription:

if (type == EItemType.HAT || type == EItemType.SHIRT || type == EItemType.PANTS || type == EItemType.VEST)
{
    if (_armor != 1.0f) { /* show armor */ }
}

The type check only includes HAT, SHIRT, PANTS, and VEST. Even if a mask .dat file sets Armor 0.5, the armor value:

• Is still parsed and stored (in _armor)
• Is NOT displayed in the inventory tooltip
• Does NOT reduce incoming damage at runtime

The armor field is set by ItemClothingAsset.PopulateAsset regardless of slot type, but the game only applies it for the four eligible types. This design quirk means masks can have an armor value in the data that is silently ignored by the gameplay systems.

---

Inherited Behavior: ItemGearAsset

Hair and Beard Override

Masks can replace the character's hair and beard materials, though this is less common for masks than for hats:

.dat Key	Type	Purpose
Hair_Override	string	Child mesh body to replace with hair material
Hair_Override_NonGoldColor	Color32?	Non-Gold hair color fallback
Beard_Override	string	Child mesh body to replace with beard material
Beard_Override_NonGoldColor	Color32?	Non-Gold beard color fallback

Legacy Hair/Beard Keys

hairVisible = p.data.ContainsKey("Hair");
beardVisible = p.data.ContainsKey("Beard");

The legacy Hair and Beard keys control visibility. Most masks should hide both (the mask covers the face), so a typical mask sets neither Hair nor Beard in the .dat. The base ItemClothingAsset defaults hairVisible and beardVisible to true via Hair_Visible/Beard_Visible.

---

Inherited Behavior: ItemClothingAsset

Proof System

Masks are the most common carrier of proof flags. A gas mask with Proof_Radiation is the primary radiation protection item. A firefighter's mask with Proof_Fire provides burn immunity.

Movement Speed

Masks can modify movement speed. Heavy gas masks might slow the player, while lightweight face wraps might provide a minor speed bonus.

Wear Audio

Masks default to the sleeve rustle sound (not zipper):

wearAudio = new AudioReference("core.masterbundle", "Sounds/Sleeve.mp3");

Cosmetic Priority

Masks use the default cosmetic priority (GetDefaultTakesPriorityOverCosmetic returns false). The cosmetic mask takes priority over the real mask unless Priority_Over_Cosmetic is explicitly set in the .dat. Unlike ItemGlassesAsset, masks do not override this based on any functional property.

---

PopulateAsset Call Chain

ItemAsset.PopulateAsset
  └─ ItemClothingAsset.PopulateAsset  — armor (stored, not applied), proof, movement, visuals
       └─ ItemGearAsset.PopulateAsset  — hair/beard flags, hair/beard override
            └─ ItemMaskAsset.PopulateAsset
                 ├─ FilterDegradationRateMultiplier (always parsed)
                 ├─ Load "Mask" prefab (client only)
                 ├─ Layer + cloth validation (if validateAssets)
                 ├─ PRO path: cosmeticPreviewMythicId (editor/dev only)
                 └─ Non-PRO path: _isEarpiece flag

---

BuildCargoData — Wiki Export

Masks contribute to three Cargo tables:

Clothing table (from ItemClothingAsset)

GUID, Armor (stored but not applied), Armor_Explosion, Falling_Damage_Multiplier, Proof_Water, Proof_Fire, Proof_Radiation, Prevents_Falling_Broken_Bones, Movement_Speed_Multiplier, Mirror_Left_Handed_Model, Priority_Over_Cosmetic.

Gear table (from ItemGearAsset + ItemMaskAsset override)

CargoDeclaration data = builder.GetOrAddDeclaration("Gear");
data.Append("GUID", GUID);
data.Append("FilterDegradationRateMultiplier", FilterDegradationRateMultiplier);
data.Append("Earpiece", isEarpiece);

Note: ItemMaskAsset overrides BuildCargoData to add mask-specific columns to the Gear table. It does NOT create a new table — it appends to the Gear table that ItemGearAsset already declared. This means the Gear table for masks contains: Hair (from ItemGearAsset), Beard (from ItemGearAsset), FilterDegradationRateMultiplier, and Earpiece.

---

.dat File Reference — Mask-Specific

.dat Key	Type	Default	Category
Armor	float	1.0	Stored but NOT applied for masks
Armor_Explosion	float	equals Armor	Stored but NOT applied
Falling_Damage_Multiplier	float	1.0	Fall damage
Proof_Water	flag	—	Water breathing
Proof_Fire	flag	—	Fire immunity
Proof_Radiation	flag	—	Radiation immunity
Prevents_Falling_Broken_Bones	bool	false	No fall bone breaks
Movement_Speed_Multiplier	float	1.0	Movement speed
Hair_Visible	bool	true	Show hair through mask
Beard_Visible	bool	true	Show beard through mask
Visible_On_Ragdoll	bool	true	Visible on death
Mirror_Left_Handed_Model	bool	true	Mirror model
Earpiece	flag	—	Radio earpiece (non-PRO only)
FilterDegradationRateMultiplier	float	1.0	Filter depletion rate
CosmeticPreviewMythicId	ushort	0	PRO mythic preview (editor only)

---

Master Bundle Asset Requirements

Bundle Key	Type	Required	Purpose
"Mask"	GameObject	Required	3D mask prefab with SkinnedMeshRenderer
"CosmeticPreviewOverride"	GameObject	Optional (PRO)	PRO cosmetic preview model

---

Modding Example — Basic Gas Mask .dat

GUID a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8c9d0e1f2a3b4c5d6
Type Mask
Rarity Rare
Size_X 2
Size_Y 2
Proof_Radiation
FilterDegradationRateMultiplier 1.0
Hair_Visible false
Beard_Visible false

Creates a standard gas mask that:

• Provides radiation immunity (deadzone protection)
• Depletes filters at standard rate (1.0×)
• Hides hair and beard
• Rare rarity

---

Modding Example — Military Gas Mask with Earpiece .dat

GUID f1e2d3c4b5a69788796a5b4c3d2e1f0a
Type Mask
Rarity Epic
Size_X 2
Size_Y 2
Proof_Radiation
Proof_Fire
Earpiece
FilterDegradationRateMultiplier 0.5
Movement_Speed_Multiplier 0.95
Hair_Visible false
Beard_Visible false

Creates a high-end military gas mask with:

• Both radiation AND fire immunity
• Earpiece radio functionality
• Filters last twice as long (0.5× rate)
• Slight 5% movement penalty for the heavy mask

---

Modding Example — Simple Bandana .dat

GUID d4e5f6a7b8c9d0e1f2a3b4c5d6e7f8a9
Type Mask
Rarity Common
Size_X 1
Size_Y 1
Hair_Visible true

Creates a simple face covering with:

• No proof flags (no gameplay function)
• No filter mechanics
• Hair still visible (bandana doesn't cover head)
• 1×1 inventory size

---

Common Issues

1. Armor not applying: Masks are excluded from the armor system. Setting Armor 0.5 in a mask .dat stores the value but it never reduces damage. Use proof flags instead for mask protection.

2. Earpiece not working on PRO mask: The Earpiece flag is gated behind non-PRO items. PRO (cosmetic-only) masks ignore the Earpiece key entirely.

3. Filter depleting too fast/slow: The FilterDegradationRateMultiplier multiplies the base depletion rate. At 2.0, a filter depletes twice as fast. At 0.5, it lasts twice as long. A value of 0 would mean infinite filter (though the game engine may handle this edge case unexpectedly).

4. Mask clipping with hair: Set Hair_Visible false and Beard_Visible false if the mask covers the full face. Hair and beard visibility defaults to true from ItemClothingAsset.

5. Mythic preview ID in release builds: CosmeticPreviewMythicId is only available in editor/development builds. It has no effect in release builds and will not be parsed.

6. Layer rendering issues: Like hats, masks should be on the ENEMY layer. Run -ValidateAssets to check layer assignments.

Document history

Version	Date	Author	Notes
1.0	2026-07-28	57 Studios	Initial publication. Full mask asset documentation including earpiece, filter degradation, mythic preview, and armor exclusion.