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Dehydration is a derived statistic in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics[]

Dehydration is measured by the H2O bar only in Hardcore mode.

Dehydration increases over time, and can be affected by certain consumables. Much like radiation, it has increasing effects with each increment of 200. It primarily affects Endurance, though Perception, Intelligence, and Agility will also suffer with more severe dehydration. A level of 1000 means instant death. Without outside interference, it will take three days to reach fatal levels of thirst. It is the fastest-acting stat in Hardcore mode, accumulating twice as fast as food and about five times as fast as sleep.

Different foods and beverages have different effects on hydration. Any type of water will reduce dehydration. A drink from a water fountain, or any body of water will increase Hit Points, but may also incur radiation damage. Most food has no effect on dehydration/thirst, however, some farmed or wild fruits and vegetables and crafted recipes may reduce dehydration too. Alcoholic beverages, soda and some food may also increase dehydration.

Maize, Nevada agave fruit and prickly pear fruits are some of the grown food that reduce dehydration, and Caravan lunch, Desert Salad and gecko kebabs are crafted recipes that reduce dehydration. Beer, Nuka-Cola, Sunset Sarsaparilla and Pork n' Beans are examples of food and beverages which increase it.

Stages of dehydration[]

Stages Value Effects
Minor Dehydration 200-399 Endurance -1
Advanced Dehydration 400-599 Perception -1, Endurance -2
Critical Dehydration 600-799 Perception -2, Endurance -3, Intelligence -1
Deadly Dehydration 800-999 Perception -2, Endurance -3, Intelligence -1, Agility -2
Fatal Dehydration 1000 Death

Notes[]

  • Carrying water—whether it be purified or not—is the easiest way to combat thirst.
  • The Survival skill enhances the hydration/dehydration amounts of all consumables. A higher Survival skill will make it necessary to carry less water, but will also increase how much consumables, such as alcohol and pork n' beans, will add to dehydration.
  • Carrying the Vault 13 canteen is good way to stave off dehydration without having to carry multiple bottles of purified or dirty water. However, it is not totally reliable, as it only reduces dehydration by 25 points every five minutes.
  • Water sources, such as lakes and water fountains, will reduce dehydration by 200 points per drink (230 if one has the Camel of the Mojave perk).
  • The amount of dehydration reduced by using sources of water other than aid items (such as food items, bottled water, etc.) is not affected by the player character's Survival skill.

See also[]

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