Dungeons & Dragons: How Exhaustion Works In The 2024 Player's Handbook

A Fighter, clad in plate armor, feels his stomach rumble during a fierce battle against a Red Dragon. The party, too engrossed in the excitement of their Dungeons & Dragons game, neglected to pack sufficient rations. Three days without food have left him struggling to concentrate, his movements sluggish. He's on the brink of defeat.

Exhaustion is a critical condition in D&D, and the 2024 Player's Handbook simplifies the mechanics for both players and Dungeon Masters. This comprehensive guide covers the updated rules, benefiting both newcomers and experienced players seeking a refresher.

Updated February 16, 2025, by Jack Filsinger: The 2024 Player's Handbook significantly streamlines Exhaustion rules compared to previous editions. However, some groups may still use modified versions. This guide compares the 2014 and 2024 rules to help you implement Exhaustion effectively in your game.

Understanding Exhaustion

Exhaustion is a debilitating condition in Dungeons & Dragons, affecting characters who overexert themselves. Unlike other conditions, Exhaustion is cumulative: a character can suffer up to six levels, each with escalating consequences.

Exhaustion reflects a character's failure to meet basic survival needs, such as rest, food, and water. While characters can survive for a few days without sustenance, the effects quickly become severe.

Exhaustion in the 2014 PHB

The 2024 Player's Handbook simplifies Exhaustion rules. The 2014 edition used a tiered system, with each level imposing a different, stacking penalty:

Exhaustion Level

Effect

Exhaustion Level	Effect
1	Disadvantage on ability checks.
2	Speed halved.
3	Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws.
4	Hit Point maximum halved.
5	Speed reduced to zero.
6	Character death.

1

Disadvantage on ability checks.

2

Speed halved.

3

Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws.

4

Hit Point maximum halved.

5

Speed reduced to zero.

6

Character death.

Note that depending on your DM, these older rules might still be in use. Always check with your DM for their preferred ruleset.

The 2024 Player's Handbook, however, presents a streamlined approach, detailed below.

Exhaustion Effects (2024 Player's Handbook)

Exhaustion in the 2024 rules has three key effects:

1. A penalty to all d20 rolls, equal to double the Exhaustion level.
2. A reduction in movement speed, five feet per Exhaustion level.
3. Death at level six.

Exhaustion Level	d20 Test Penalty	Movement Speed Reduction
1	-2	-5
2	-4	-10
3	-6	-15
4	-8	-20
5	-10	-25
6	Death

Causes of Exhaustion

Exhaustion can stem from various sources, and each level contributes to the six-level limit.

Dehydration

Insufficient water intake leads to Exhaustion.

1 gallonLarge4 gallonsHuge16 gallonsGargantuan64 gallons

Creature Size	Daily Water Requirement
Tiny	1/4 gallon
Small	1 gallon

Medium

Drinking less than half the daily requirement results in one Exhaustion level at day's end.

Malnutrition

Lack of food causes malnutrition.

1 poundLarge4 poundsHuge16 poundsGargantuan64 pounds

Creature Size	Daily Food Requirement
Tiny	1/4 pound
Small	1 pound

Medium

Consuming less than half the daily requirement necessitates a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. Failure grants one Exhaustion level. After five days without food, an Exhaustion level is automatically gained each day.

Suffocation

Suffocation, from drowning, choking, or lack of air, causes Exhaustion. Creatures can hold their breath for one minute plus their Constitution modifier (minimum 30 seconds). After that, they gain one Exhaustion level per turn, but this Exhaustion is removed upon regaining access to air.

Failing to Long Rest

Some optional rules penalize skipping Long Rests. Failing to Long Rest within 24 hours requires a DC 10 Constitution saving throw; failure results in one Exhaustion level. The DC increases by five for each subsequent 24-hour period without a Long Rest.

Other Sources

While not explicitly in the 2024 Player's Handbook, previous editions and other materials may include additional causes like extended travel, spells, poisons, or environmental factors. Consult your DM for clarification.

Recovering from Exhaustion

A Long Rest is necessary to recover from most Exhaustion, requiring fulfillment of daily nutritional needs for dehydration and malnutrition. One Exhaustion level is removed per Long Rest. The Greater Restoration spell removes one level per casting. Death does not remove Exhaustion; however, resurrection removes one level.

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