How to Banish the Zzz’s: Managing Fatigue in State of Decay 2
The “zzz” icon in State of Decay 2 is a constant reminder that your survivor is becoming fatigued, and ignoring it can lead to dire consequences. Unlike some survival games where you can simply have your character sleep, State of Decay 2 handles fatigue in a more nuanced way. Directly eliminating the zzz isn’t possible through a single action; instead, it requires a combination of management strategies and understanding the game’s mechanics. So how do you actually get rid of the dreaded “zzz”? The short answer is you don’t directly get rid of it. Instead you manage it by cycling survivors and utilizing consumables to mitigate its effects.
Understanding Fatigue in State of Decay 2
The “zzz” appearing next to your survivor’s stamina bar indicates they are experiencing fatigue. As they continue with their activities, the zzz will become more prominent, eventually leading to stamina penalties. This means they will tire faster and have less energy to perform actions like running, fighting, and scavenging. Importantly, these penalties are not permanent, but they can severely impact your survival if not addressed.
How Fatigue Accumulates
Fatigue accumulates through a combination of factors:
- Continuous Activity: The longer you play as a particular survivor, the more tired they become.
- Exertion: Physically demanding tasks, such as fighting hordes of zombies or sprinting, increase fatigue.
- Nighttime Operations: Operating during the night seems to accelerate fatigue accumulation.
Managing Fatigue Through Character Cycling
The core mechanic for managing fatigue in State of Decay 2 involves character swapping. While you’re controlling one survivor, the others in your community are effectively ‘resting’. When you switch characters, the one you were just using will begin to recover from fatigue. This is how the game handles sleeping for your survivors. So, if you see the zzz icon getting too bad on a character, it’s time to switch. This method alone will solve the problem if you wait long enough.
Using Consumables to Delay Fatigue
While swapping characters is vital, you can use consumable items to temporarily stave off fatigue and allow you to use a character longer before having to switch.
- Coffee: This provides a temporary boost to your survivor, negating the effects of fatigue for a short time. Coffee can be crafted at a base kitchen.
- Energy Drinks: Similar to coffee, energy drinks provide a quick burst of energy, pushing back the onset of fatigue. These can also be crafted at the kitchen.
It’s important to note that neither of these items fully remove fatigue— they simply delay it. Think of them as a “second wind,” allowing you to accomplish more before you absolutely need to swap survivors.
The Importance of a Kitchen
The ability to craft both coffee and energy drinks makes having a kitchen at your base crucial. It’s not merely about having a place to cook; it’s about maintaining the stamina of your survivors and ensuring their readiness for the dangerous challenges of the zombie apocalypse.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does the “zzz” icon mean on the stamina bar?
The “zzz” icon on the stamina (blue) bar signifies that your survivor is becoming tired and needs rest. The more prominent the zzz appears, the more severe their fatigue is becoming.
2. Can you actually sleep to skip time in State of Decay 2?
No, there isn’t a direct sleeping option in State of Decay 2. You can rest your characters by swapping to others. Your inactive survivors will rest and recover from fatigue while you are not controlling them.
3. How long does it take to recover from fatigue?
The recovery time depends on the level of fatigue. After a few in-game hours, your character will have recovered and be ready for action again. You’ll receive a notification when this happens.
4. Are there any permanent stamina penalties from fatigue?
No, fatigue penalties are temporary. While they can make your character less effective, they will be removed as your character rests. The penalties will only last as long as your character remains fatigued.
5. Are stimulants like coffee and energy drinks a permanent solution to fatigue?
No, coffee and energy drinks are temporary solutions. They delay the onset of fatigue but will not completely eliminate it. They’re a useful way to extend the time you can use a character.
6. Where can I find or craft coffee and energy drinks?
Coffee and energy drinks can be crafted at your base’s kitchen. You will need the necessary materials and the kitchen facility.
7. What happens if I ignore my survivor’s fatigue?
If you ignore a survivor’s fatigue, they will become increasingly less effective, experience stamina penalties, and will be slower and less capable in combat and scavenging.
8. Does nighttime make my survivors get tired faster?
Yes, it appears that operating at night contributes to a faster accumulation of fatigue compared to daytime.
9. Does sprinting contribute to fatigue?
Yes, sprinting and physically demanding tasks quickly accumulate fatigue. Try to use stealth and avoid sprinting long distances.
10. Can the “zzz” icon appear on my inactive community members?
No. The “zzz” icon appears only on the stamina bar of the active character you are currently controlling.
11. Does character specialization affect how they handle fatigue?
Certain character traits or specializations can influence their stamina and how quickly they get fatigued. Be sure to choose characters with traits that mitigate fatigue. For example, the trait “Indefatigable” is an amazing trait for a survivor due to its ability to drastically decrease stamina loss.
12. Can fatigue make a character permanently less effective?
No, fatigue does not lead to permanent changes in your survivor’s stats. As long as you cycle your characters and manage their fatigue, they will always recover to their normal level of effectiveness.
13. How can I prioritize which characters to play as?
Prioritize using your least fatigued or well-rested survivors for any major task or expedition. Using a fatigued character in a mission might result in their death if not monitored closely.
14. Does being injured cause a character to get tired faster?
Yes, injuries and having low health can accelerate the accumulation of fatigue. Keeping your survivors in good condition is necessary for their overall effectiveness.
15. Can I force a character to rest without switching to another?
No, you cannot directly order a character to rest. Resting happens automatically when you switch to control another survivor. The system requires you to swap survivors, there is no manual rest button.
Conclusion
The “zzz” symbol in State of Decay 2 is a reminder of the harsh realities of survival. While you can’t directly make it disappear, understanding how fatigue works and employing smart strategies for its management will ensure your community thrives. By cycling your survivors and making use of coffee and energy drinks, you can effectively mitigate fatigue and keep your team ready for whatever challenges the apocalypse throws at them. Remember that careful management, planning, and the use of all the in-game tools are key to surviving the zombie hordes.