Darkest Dungeon Wiki
Horror Stress

A Vestal taking Horror Stress.

Horror is a stress over time effect, represented by a black skull.

Effects[]

At the beginning of an affected hero's turn, they will take stress equal to the horror strength. Lasts for a specified amount of turns (accessible by hovering cursor over black skull).

In the base game, the only creatures that can inflict horror are the Squiffy Ghast, which deals 5 stress for 4 rounds; Ghouls, which deals 3 stress for 3 rounds and can be resisted; and Madmen, who also apply 3 stress for 3 rounds, but also deal an additional debuff that amplifies all stress damage by the hero taken until next camp (including stress damage inflicted by the same attack that applied the debuff).

Much like Bleed or Blight, Horror attacks can be stacked on top of each other for more stress per turn. Trinkets, buffs and debuffs that increase or reduce received stress also affect amount of stress inflicted by horror.

Horror can be immediately cured by using Laudanum.

The Crimson Court DLC adds even more monsters that can inflict horror.

List of attacks that can cause horror[]

Name Monster Attack(s) Target(s) Effect(s)
Madman Accusation Any 1
  • 3 stress for 4 rds
  • +10% Stress until camp
Ghoul Howl Entire party
  • 3 stress for 3 rds (75% chance)
  • -10 Torch
  • 5% Disease (The Worries)
Squiffy Ghast Offkilter Jig Entire party
  • 4 stress for 5 rds
  • Stress +9
Gatekeeper
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
Elusive Exit Entire party
  • 3 stress for 3 rds
  • Flees Battle
  • Summons 4 Sycophants
Courtesan
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
Careless Whispers Entire party
  • 3 stress for 3 rds
  • -5 ACC
Baron
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
Necessary Discipline Any 1
Countess
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
Metamorphosis Entire party
  • 5 stress for 3 rds
  • Transforms into Bloodlust form
Fanatic
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Crimson Court DLC
Brand the Tainted Any 1
  • 4 stress for 3 rds
  • Mark
The Sleeper
This monster is exclusive to The Color of Madness DLC
This monster is exclusive to The Color of Madness DLC
The Sleeper Stirs 1+2+3+4
  • 100% Blight 4 for 5 rds
  • 3 stress for 5 rds

The Shieldbreaker DLC[]

Upon entering a flashback fight with Rattlers, Pliskins and Adders after camping, the Shieldbreaker receives 20 Horror for 6 rds. It cannot be cured by Laudanum, so her stress can be controlled only by using stress healers, trinkets or camping buffs that reduce stress.

Trivia[]

  • The Horror icon is not shown next to enemy skills that inflict it.

See Also[]