Resting is how characters recover from the dangers of the Wasteland. During rest, characters heal wounds, mend injuries, maintain equipment, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Rest is not free — it requires time, food, water, and safety. Managing these resources is a core part of Wasteland survival.
Types of Rest
There are two types of rest:
| Type | Duration | Frequency | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏕 Short Rest | ~1 hour | Once between Long Rests | Eat/drink, minor activities only |
| 🏕 Long Rest | ~6 hours | Once per 24 hours | Full rest activities, ability resets |
Short Rest
A brief pause to catch your breath, eat, and tend to minor needs. You cannot Sleep, Repair/Craft, Read, or Scavenge during a Short Rest. See 🏕 Short Rest for details.
Long Rest
A full rest period with camp setup, activity selection, and ability resets. This is the primary recovery mechanic. See 🏕 Long Rest for details.
Food and Drink
Regardless of rest type, characters should eat 1 food item and drink 1 drink item during each rest period.
Different foods and drinks provide different effects — some restore HP, some grant temporary buffs, and some may have negative side effects (radiation from irradiated food, sickness from polluted water).
Characters with the Wasteland Survivor milestone (Survival +5) can cook food that grants improved recovery and temporary buffs.
Not Eating or Drinking
Characters who do not eat or drink during rest risk gaining 😫 Exhaustion. Even consuming harmful food or drink (irradiated, spoiled, polluted) is enough to avoid Exhaustion — though the side effects may be unpleasant.
See 😫 Exhaustion for full details on the cumulative effects of neglecting basic needs.
Robots and Sustenance
Robots do not eat food or drink water. They are immune to 😫 Exhaustion.
”Once per Long Rest” Abilities
Many abilities, perks, traits, and milestones specify “Once per Long Rest.” These abilities reset and become available again after completing a 🏕 Long Rest.
These abilities do NOT reset after a 🏕 Short Rest.
Ability Resets on Long Rest
The following reset after a Long Rest:
- All “Once per Long Rest” abilities (perks, traits, milestones, Book Perks)
- Luck Points (if the GM decides to replenish them at this milestone)
- Book Perk slots (can reassign Book Perks from Comprehension)
- Any other resources or effects that specify Long Rest as their reset condition