Despair (Hunter: The Reckoning 5th Edition)

Derived

Definition

Despair is the worst thing that can happen to a hunter during the Hunt. It occurs when Desperation Dice betray you -- when one of those extra dice shows a 1 on a failed roll, the hunter's fear, trauma, and overwhelming dread break through their defenses and take control. Despair represents the moment when a mortal's psyche buckles under the weight of confronting the supernatural. Despair is not simply failing a roll. It is a narrative and mechanical crisis that forces the hunter to confront the fundamental horror of what they do. The specific manifestation depends on the hunter's creed: a Martial hunter might freeze in combat, a Faithful hunter might suffer a crisis of belief, an Inquisitive hunter might be paralyzed by the implications of what they've learned. Despair is Hunter 5e's answer to the vampire's Bestial Failure. Where vampires lose control to the Beast within, hunters lose control to the terror without. It reminds players that their characters are mortal, breakable, and in constant danger of being overwhelmed. Recovery from Despair requires the hunter to reaffirm their Drive -- the personal motivation that keeps them hunting despite everything.

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How it works

**Dice Pool Uses**: - Despair is not rolled but is triggered by Desperation Dice **Special Rules**: Despair is triggered when a roll that includes Desperation Dice fails and at least one Desperation Die shows a 1. When Despair occurs, the hunter suffers a creed-specific crisis: Martial hunters freeze or break, Faithful hunters suffer crises of faith, Inquisitive hunters are overwhelmed by knowledge, Entrepreneurial hunters lose confidence in their resources, Underground hunters panic and lose composure. After Despair, the hunter cannot use Desperation Dice again until they redeem themselves through their Drive. The Storyteller and player collaborate on what Despair looks like and how the Drive redeems it.

Tips

**Build Advice**: You cannot prevent Despair entirely -- it is a built-in risk of using Desperation Dice. Mitigate it by: choosing carefully when to add Desperation Dice, building high Composure and Resolve for mental resilience, and establishing a clear Drive that provides a path back from Despair. **Creed Synergies**: Each creed experiences Despair differently. Choose a creed whose Despair manifestation resonates with your character concept. A character prone to self-doubt might suit Entrepreneurial Despair. A character with deep convictions might suit Faithful Despair. **Character Concepts**: Characters with rich inner lives, strong emotional connections, and compelling personal motivations make Despair moments dramatic and meaningful. Flat characters make Despair feel mechanical rather than narrative.

Frequently asked questions

How often does Despair happen?

It depends on how often you use Desperation Dice and the current Desperation level. At low Desperation, it's rare. At high Desperation, it becomes increasingly likely. Players control risk by choosing when to add Desperation Dice.

Can Despair kill a hunter?

Despair itself doesn't directly kill, but it can incapacitate a hunter at the worst possible moment. Freezing in front of a monster, losing the will to fight, or panicking during an escape can all lead to fatal consequences.

How do you recover from Despair?

A hunter recovers from Despair by acting on their Drive -- their core personal motivation for hunting. This might mean protecting an innocent, avenging a loss, discovering a crucial truth, or reaffirming their faith. The Storyteller determines when the redemption is sufficient.

Despair (Hunter: The Reckoning 5th Edition)

Definition

How it works

Tips

Frequently asked questions

Further Reading