What I suggest to to improve new biomes mechanic to make it more enjoyable:
Completing each objective in the biome badge increases the duration of time before taking biome damage by 30s
To get the badge instead of just going to relevant trader, you also need to complete a quest in that biome. Tier 2 quest for burnt forest, Tier 3 for desert and so on. Completing the quest gets you the badge, failing means you need take another quest.
Upon completing the badge in addition to the existing effects it buffs the relevant smoothie, with 10% additional damage in that zone and 50%(maybe lower) reduced storm damage for that zone.
This gives the a easier opportunity to complete the badge without the smoothie but completing the badge quest within the time limit without using a smoothie would be difficult. It makes each step feel way more rewarding than a few exp points. It keeps the smoothies relevant post badge and allows storms to be mitigated but not ignored unless you're unprepared. And it gives more knobs to adjust the balance with.
