Hunger Buff
The Hunger buff is a status effect that gradually increases the player's hunger level over time, leading to negative effects if not managed properly.
Description
Hunger is a status effect that accumulates over time. As the hunger level increases, the hero's health gradually decreases. If the hunger level reaches the “Starving” threshold, the hero will start taking damage each turn.
Mechanics
Hunger Thresholds:
Damage: When starving, the hero takes damage equal to max(1, effectiveSTR() - 10) in higher difficulties (difficulty ≥ 3)
Recovery: Eating food items reduces the hunger level by the food's energy value
Special Effects: In difficulty 3+, starving also has chances to apply Weakness or Vertigo
Step Rate: The rate of hunger accumulation varies based on character class (Rogues accumulate faster) and whether in safe areas (dungeons only)
Rings: Ring of Satiety reduces the rate of hunger accumulation
Food Values
Ration: Provides 280 energy units (Hunger.HUNGRY value)
Overpriced Ration: Provides 140 energy units (Hunger.STARVING - Hunger.HUNGRY)
Rotten Ration: Provides 60 energy units (calculated as (HUNGRY - STARVING)/2)
Frozen Carpaccio: Provides 60 energy units (Hunger.STARVING - Hunger.HUNGRY)
Mystery Meat: Provides 60 energy units (Hunger.STARVING - Hunger.HUNGRY)
Chargrilled Meat: Provides 60 energy units (Hunger.STARVING - Hunger.HUNGRY)
Pasty: Provides 400 energy units (Hunger.STARVING value)
Pumpkin Pie: Provides 400 energy units (Hunger.STARVING value)
Christmas Turkey: Provides 400 energy units (Hunger.STARVING value)
Strategic Considerations
Higher difficulties accelerate the hunger rate and cause more significant damage when starving
Carrying multiple food items is essential for survival in deep dungeon runs
Food can be preserved by storing it in special containers to prevent spoilage
Using a Ring of Satiety will slow down hunger accumulation
Safe areas (shops, etc.) stop hunger accumulation
Data Validation
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Constants verified in code implementation: HUNGRY = 280f, STARVING = 400f
Last updated: December 2025
Source Code References
String Resources
<string name=“HungerBuff_Name1”>Hungry</string>
<string name=“HungerBuff_Info1”>You\'re hungry!</string>
<string name=“HungerBuff_Name2”>Starving</string>
<string name=“HungerBuff_Info2”>You\'re starving! You need to eat food!</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Hungry_0”>You are hungry.</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Hungry_1”>You are hungry.</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Hungry_2”>You are hungry.</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Starving_0”>You are starving!</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Starving_1”>You are starving!</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Starving_2”>You are starving!</string>
<string name=“Hunger_Death”>You starved to death…</string>
</code>
See Also