Stress (Darkest Dungeon II)
“ | The mind cannot hope to withstand such a protracted assault. | „ |
~ The Academic |
Stress is a mechanic in Darkest Dungeon II that represents the mental strain suffered by Heroes during combat and travel. Higher levels of stress will cause increasingly negative effects, reducing heroes' effectiveness in combat and directly impacting their Relationships with other heroes. For this and other reasons, managing Stress and maintaining good relationships between party members is essential for the long-term success of the expedition.
Stress Levels
Stress is represented by a number from 0 to 10. As accumulates, heroes will begin to say more Negative Banter, which causes further and also causes the heroes to lose Affinity with one another. This can easily lead to a snowballing effect.
Stress Level | Effects |
---|---|
0-3 | No Negative Banter |
4-9 | Some Negative Banter |
10 | Meltdown, Resolute, or Toxic |
Certain skills and items provide RES, giving heroes a chance to avoid damage.
Horror
Some enemy attacks inflict Horror, a status effect that inflicts over time.
Meltdown
When a hero reaches 10 in combat, there is an 80% base chance that they will suffer a Meltdown, with the following effects:
- Reduce the to 10%
- -15% RES (until next Inn)
- +40% RES
- with all other party members.
- Add a Negative Quirk (40%)
Related Quirks
Quirk | Effects |
---|---|
Shattered Will | |
Cowardice | |
Darkly Curious |
|
Doomsayer+ |
|
Fragile+ | |
Hypochondriac+ | |
Nervous | |
Pacifist+ | |
Soft | |
Terrified+ | |
Thanatophobia | |
Weak Hold On Life |
Resolute
Alternatively, when a hero reaches 10 in combat, there is an 20% base chance that they will become 'Resolute, with the following effects:
- Heal 50%
- +15% RES (until next Inn)
- +40% RES
- +50% RES
- with all other party members.
- Add a Positive Quirk (40%)
Related Quirks
Quirks | Effects |
---|---|
Ascetic |
|
Calm+ |
|
Clutch Hitter+ | |
Deadly+ |
|
Death Seeker+ | |
Defiant+ | |
Iron Constitution+ | |
Iron Stance+ | |
On Guard+ | |
Resilient+ | |
Robust+ | |
Steady | |
Unyielding |
Toxic
Upon reaching 10, the Flagellant cannot become Resolute nor suffer a Meltdown, but will instead become Toxic, with the following effects:
- Add Toxic token.
- with all other party members.
- Clear all skill cooldowns.
- -10% RES (until next Inn).
- All paths except Scourge: Set to 30%.
- Scourge: Set to 45%.
- Scourge: +1 Dealt (until end of combat).