Status effects
Status icons appear in the status bar above the map as things happen to you. Some such as poison go down slowly over time. Some such as heat slowly go up. Some are simply on or off. Press and hold any icon in the game for help.
Poison
Poison slowly does damage over time. It is cured by eating or drinking anything.
Many beasts are venomous. They poison even if no damage is done. Caves have pits with poison spikes. Poison affects beasts faster than it affects the hero.
Heat
Staying in the desert for 3 turns or more causes heat damage. The hot sun is shown with sun icons.
Move out of the desert to reset the counter. Some items keep you cool. Armor makes heat worse. Many beasts take heat damage too so lure them into the desert.
Drowning
Drowning happens if you are underwater too long. Air bubbles show how long you have. Damage starts at 3 bubbles and goes up over time.
Heroes drown in cave water tiles. Heavy armor can make them drown above ground too. Drop armor and leave the water. Flying or floating prevents drowning.
Flying
A bird icon shows flight. Your hero flaps or floats. Grounded creatures cannot attack you. Fliers land when they interact with others or enter buildings. It takes a move to get airborne again.
Mounted
A steed icon appears when mounted. Steeds absorb combat and spell damage and contact effects for the rider. Steeds move for the rider and hold them out of water. Heat and drowning affect both rider and steed.
Confused
Confused creatures lose control of their movement. Most wander randomly.
A confused hero can still stay still and rest. Tap the direction you want to go to struggle that way. Otherwise you move randomly. Water cures confusion.
Stunned
A stunned creature is helpless and takes no action. It is shown with three stars. Stun may last a single round or several. Some weapons like the crossbow cause stun when used. Others like the hammer stun on hit.
Frozen
Being frozen is like being stunned but with a cluster of ice around the victim. It usually lasts a few rounds. Creatures frozen while in the water die instantly.
Blind
Blind creatures cannot see the world around them and may get lost.
A blind hero cannot see any terrain. Walls in a cave show up by feel but water and floor are invisible. Wash your eyes with water. Other blind creatures wander randomly.
Hallucinating
Unusual chemicals make creatures hallucinate. A hallucinating hero sees random items and creatures in place of what is really there. Seek water. Other creatures just wander randomly.
Protected
A magic shield blocks combat damage but not other kinds of damage.
Enraged
An enraged hero smashes all enemies around them and can break things like doors.
Sick
A sick hero cannot heal by resting and health slowly drops to half a heart. Some heroes get sick when a special meter runs out.
Afraid
Something or someone hidden is nearby and makes you tremble. Tiny heroes also feel afraid near big beasts that could trample or swat them. Run away.
Hero-specific effects
Some heroes have their own meters and conditions. The vampire craves blood. The raider needs junk food. The mummy's bandages wash away in water. The ettin's two heads bicker. These are explained on each hero page.