One of the most unique features in Darkest Dungeon 2 is the Stress mechanic. Players don't just have to keep an eye on their team's health, they also have to manage the grueling effects that adventuring has on their heroes. Neglecting proper attention and care to a hero can lead to them succumbing to the overwhelming Stress, resulting in a devastating Meltdown. This will reduce their health dramatically, and severely damage their relationships with their fellow heroes. Meltdowns can often be run-enders in Darkest Dungeon 2, as they put the player into an incredibly vulnerable position.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways for players to provide their heroes with Stress Relief - they just need to look in the right places. These are some of the best tips for Stress Relief in Darkest Dungeon 2.
10 Use Stress Healing Combat Items
There are various Combat Items in Darkest Dungeon 2 that players can use mid-battle to keep their party's Stress low. Some of these items include Mineral-Rich Spring Water, Laudanum, Neutralizing Powders, Ablative Powders, and Clotting Powders.
These items are always great to have as a backup, just in case something happens to the party's main Stress healer, whether they're blocked from using their abilities, or if they unfortunately die mid-run. This can also allow the Stress healer to make use of their other abilities, by taking some of the pressure off them as the only source of Stress heals.
9 Focus On Stress Dealers First
In Darkest Dungeon 2, Stress-inducing enemies primarily focus on inflicting Stress damage onto the player's heroes, as opposed to damaging their health. Allowing a Stress dealer to remain alive can be detrimental to a player's party. Stress can quickly pile up, especially if the enemy can apply Horror. If left unmanaged, it can escalate rapidly and become too difficult to negate. If a hero's Stress becomes too high, they could have a Meltdown, drastically reducing their health and damaging their relationship with the rest of the party.
By focusing on the Stress dealers first, players should quickly be able to remove them from the battle. Once they've been dealt with, the player can continue the fight without having to worry as much about their party's increasing Stress levels.
8 Pay Attention To Where The Party Wants To Go
While the Stagecoach is traveling through each region, the player will sometimes have to decide which route they would like to take. Initially, they may wish to choose the route that benefits their plan most. However, if their party is suffering from high Stress levels, they should reconsider.
Selecting a path that a party member doesn't want to take can inflict some Stress on them. This doesn't matter as much if the party's Stress levels are relatively healthy, but if they're already suffering, the player could inadvertently start their next battle with their hero immediately going into Meltdown.
7 Work The Jester Into The Party
The Jester is one of the best Stress healers in Darkest Dungeon 2. He can be particularly tricky to master, as a lot of his abilities include moving the party, and himself, around. However, with the right build, he can be an invaluable asset to any team.
If the player is attempting a run where they know they'll be struggling with a lot of Stress, they should seriously consider bringing The Jester along with them. One of his best abilities, Inspiring Tune, can significantly reduce a hero's Stress, and, once upgraded, remove Horror as well.
6 Stay On Top Of Stress To Keep It Low
Players trying to keep their party's Stress under control in Darkest Dungeon 2 should try to maintain Stress levels to no higher than 4/10. Once they have passed this point, their heroes will start to act a bit more erratic, and will occasionally insult each other. This will damage their relationships and inflict Stress on other party members as well.
It's at this point players may find their Stress management spiraling, and become too difficult to stay on top of. It's for this reason that players should focus on maintaining low-Stress levels as much as they can.
5 Make Use Of Tanks
Darkest Dungeon 2 players can make effective use of their tanks to keep Stress more manageable on one hero, as opposed to it being spread across their entire party. This means that the rest of the party can safely continue to focus on dealing damage to the enemy, while the team's support only needs to Stress heal the tank.
Players may find this is a much more effective way of dealing with certain enemies and bosses who can deal massive bouts of Stress with their attacks, such as the Focused Fault.
4 Keep Those Relationships Positive
Positive Relationships in Darkest Dungeon 2 are incredibly important to a team's success. When heroes have a Positive Relationship with one another, one of their abilities will be selected at random. This ability will then inflict a positive status effect on the other hero whenever it's used. One of these status effects is Stress Reduction.
Unfortunately, the same will occur when heroes have a Negative Relationship, and they will inflict negative effects on one another, including Stress. It's for this reason that players should prioritize keeping their Relationships nice and positive to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
3 Use Inn Items Before Entering A New Region
There are certain Inn Items players can use that will help reduce a party's Stress levels before they enter a new region. Items that can be used on individual heroes include the Whittling Tools and Meditative Totem. Items that will reduce multiple heroes' Stress include the Whiskey Barrel, The Wine, Roast Pig, Song of Rousing Tunes, and Pipeweed.
If players upgrade The Jester enough, they will have a chance to find his Signature Inn Item, the Oddly-Tuned Lute. This item provides the entire party with a huge -10 Stress and +10% Stress Resistance until the next Inn!
2 Don't Overlook Stress Healing Abilities
Many of the heroes in Darkest Dungeon 2 have Stress healing abilities, and it's important not to overlook them. Some of these abilities are for personal Stress Reduction, whereas others can heal their party members instead. While it can be tempting to just fully send all the party's damage abilities onto their enemies, players need to carefully consider the effects this will have on them in the long run.
It's important to give the party a breather and take some time to reset with these incredibly helpful abilities. Some helpful Stress relieving abilities include Man-at-Arm's Bolster, Hellion's Raucous Revelry, and Jester's Inspiring Tune.
1 Bring Along The Orphan Wolf Cub
The Orphan Wolf Cub is the first pet players will unlock in Darkest Dungeon 2 and is actually one of the best. This adorable cub will provide +5% Stress Resistance per Luxury Gear equipped and +10% Positive Relationship Chance.
Luxury Gears often have effects that help with Positive Relationships, making them combine really well together with the Orphan Wolf Cub's bonuses. By increasing the team's Stress Resistance, and increasing their chances for a Positive Relationship, they play will be able to nurture an environment where their heroes are incredibly unlikely to be the source of their own Stress.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is available now for PC.