How Time Flies (and Heroes Die): Understanding Weeks in Darkest Dungeon

In Darkest Dungeon, time is a cruel and unforgiving master. The game operates on a week-by-week system, dictating the progress of your estate, the availability of heroes, and ultimately, your potential descent into madness (or, you know, success). Understanding how weeks pass is crucial for strategic planning and ensuring the survival of your ever-dwindling band of adventurers. Simply put, a week advances every time you complete or abandon a dungeon run, or if your entire party wipes within the dungeon. This means whether you emerge victorious, retreat with your tail between your legs, or become a permanent fixture in the dirt of the Estate, the clock keeps ticking. There’s no stopping it, no pausing time to catch your breath. This constant passage of time necessitates careful management of your resources and the sanity of your heroes.

Delving Deeper into the Mechanics of Time

The seemingly simple mechanic of week progression has profound implications for your gameplay. Each week that passes brings a new influx of hopeful (or hopelessly flawed) recruits to the Stagecoach, offering you a chance to replenish your ranks after inevitable losses. It also allows you to invest in Town upgrades, improving the services offered by the Blacksmith, Guild, Sanitarium, and other vital establishments. However, time also exacerbates certain challenges. The Darkest Dungeon campaign has a built-in timer; take too long (86 weeks or more) and the Heart of Darkness wins. Additionally, some events, like the arrival of the Shrieker, are triggered by specific week milestones.

Therefore, you need to strike a balance between progressing through dungeons, upgrading your town, and managing your roster. A well-planned strategy is essential. Every action has a cost – not just in gold and resources, but also in precious time. Efficiently utilizing each week becomes paramount to achieving victory and preventing the complete annihilation of your heroes. Think of it as a macabre game of resource management meets dungeon crawling, where every tick of the clock brings you closer to either triumph or utter ruin.

Strategic Implications of Week Progression

The unavoidable progression of weeks significantly shapes your strategic choices in Darkest Dungeon.

• Early Game Focus: The game explicitly states and demonstrates how your priority needs to be the stage coach.

• Roster Management: With each passing week, fresh recruits arrive at the Stagecoach. This allows you to replace fallen heroes and experiment with different team compositions. However, maintaining a large roster can be costly, especially when you have a smaller roster. Balancing the need for replacement heroes with your available resources is key.

• Town Upgrades: Weeks are required to pass to upgrade your town.

• Managing the Crimson Curse: The Crimson Curse is a disease that can spread through your roster, requiring you to engage with the Crimson Court DLC content. As you might have figured, weeks pass when you complete the dungeons to fight the bosses.

• Endgame Considerations: In the final stages of the game, time becomes even more critical. With the 86-week limit in place for the main campaign, every dungeon run must contribute to your overall progress. Prioritize missions that advance the main questline and bring you closer to confronting the Heart of Darkness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Weeks in Darkest Dungeon

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of the week system in Darkest Dungeon:

1. Can I skip weeks in Darkest Dungeon?

No, you cannot skip weeks in Darkest Dungeon. Every dungeon run (successful, failed, or abandoned) advances the game by one week. This consistent progression is a fundamental mechanic of the game.

2. What is the maximum week in Darkest Dungeon?

In the base campaign, the maximum week you can reach before automatically failing is week 86. If you are on week 85 you will need to kill the heart in that week. You must complete the final dungeon before the end of week 86. There is no week limit in Endless Harvest mode of the DLC.

3. Does retreating from a dungeon advance the week?

Yes, retreating from a dungeon advances the week. Even if you don’t complete the quest objectives, the act of entering and then leaving the dungeon counts as a week passing.

4. What happens if I reach week 86 in the main campaign?

If you reach week 86 without defeating the Heart of Darkness, you automatically fail the campaign. The estate is lost, and the darkness consumes everything.

5. How many heroes can I lose before failing the game?

You can only lose 11 heroes before failing the game. If the 12th hero dies, then it is game over.

6. Does the difficulty setting affect the number of weeks available?

Yes, the difficulty setting in Darkest Dungeon affects the number of weeks available. On Stygian difficulty, the week limit is reduced to 100 weeks.

7. Does spending time in town advance the week?

No, spending time in town to upgrade buildings, manage your roster, or heal stress does not advance the week. A week only passes when you complete a dungeon run.

8. Are there any events that are triggered by specific weeks?

Yes, certain events are triggered by specific weeks. For example, the Shrieker, a challenging enemy that steals your trinkets, can appear after a certain number of weeks have passed.

9. How does the week system interact with the Crimson Court DLC?

The Crimson Court DLC introduces the Crimson Curse, a disease that can spread through your heroes. Managing this curse requires venturing into the Courtyard, and each Courtyard mission also advances the week.

10. Can I go back to earlier dungeons after leveling up?

Yes, you can always revisit earlier dungeons. However, the rewards will be less significant as your heroes become stronger. It’s generally more efficient to focus on dungeons that match your heroes’ levels.

11. Is there a way to reset a week?

No, there is no way to reset a week in Darkest Dungeon. Once a week has passed, it’s permanent.

12. How does the week system affect the availability of trinkets in the Nomad Wagon?

The Nomad Wagon’s inventory changes each week. So, if you’re looking for a specific trinket, it might be worth checking back each week to see if it appears.

13. Does the game tell me what week it is?

Yes, the current week is displayed in the upper-left corner of the Town screen.

14. How does the speed stat affect turn order?

While not directly related to the week system, speed is critical for combat. Higher speed increases the chance that a hero or monster will act earlier in the turn order. This can be crucial for controlling the battlefield and preventing enemies from unleashing devastating attacks. Speed is determined by a base value depending on class and weapon level, modified by any applicable trinkets, buffs, debuffs, diseases, and quirks.

15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and the impact of games on society?

For deeper insights into game mechanics and the broader impact of games on learning and society, visit the Games Learning Society website. There you can find various resources that will make you a better player, and appreciate video games more as a new form of learning. You can access the website here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Mastering Time, Mastering the Dungeon

Understanding how weeks pass in Darkest Dungeon is essential for effective planning and survival. It influences everything from your hero recruitment strategies to your town upgrade priorities and your overall approach to the game. By carefully managing your time and resources, you can increase your chances of success and prevent the darkness from consuming your estate. So, steel your nerves, gather your courage, and remember – time waits for no one, especially not in the Darkest Dungeon.