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Exhaustion 5e condition

How the exhaustion condition works in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1) and the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2), what changed, and which spells and monsters cause it.

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Exhaustion in the 2014 rules (SRD 5.1)

Some special abilities and environmental hazards, such as starvation and the long-term effects of freezing or scorching temperatures, can lead to a special condition called exhaustion. Exhaustion is measured in six levels. An effect can give a creature one or more levels of exhaustion, as specified in the effect's description.

LevelEffect
1Disadvantage on ability checks
2Speed halved
3Disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws
4Hit point maximum halved
5Speed reduced to 0
6Death

If an already exhausted creature suffers another effect that causes exhaustion, its current level of exhaustion increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.

A creature suffers the effect of its current level of exhaustion as well as all lower levels. For example, a creature suffering level 2 exhaustion has its speed halved and has disadvantage on ability checks.

An effect that removes exhaustion reduces its level as specified in the effect's description, with all exhaustion effects ending if a creature's exhaustion level is reduced below 1.

Finishing a long rest reduces a creature's exhaustion level by 1, provided that the creature has also ingested some food and drink.

Exhaustion in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)

While you have the Exhaustion condition, you experience the following effects.

Exhaustion Levels. This condition is cumulative. Each time you receive it, you gain 1 Exhaustion level. You die if your Exhaustion level is 6.

D20 Tests Affected. When you make a D20 Test, the roll is reduced by 2 times your Exhaustion level.

Speed Reduced. Your Speed is reduced by a number of feet equal to 5 times your Exhaustion level.

Removing Exhaustion Levels. Finishing a Long Rest removes 1 of your Exhaustion levels. When your Exhaustion level reaches 0, the condition ends.

Worked out for each level:

Exhaustion levelD20 TestsSpeed
1−2−5 feet
2−4−10 feet
3−6−15 feet
4−8−20 feet
5−10−25 feet
6You die—

What changed in 2024

How exhaustion works in the 2014 rules

Exhaustion comes in six levels. Each level adds a new effect on top of those below it, so a creature at level 3 suffers levels 1, 2 and 3 together:

Finishing a long rest removes one level, but only if you’ve had food and drink. That makes it slow to shake off: three levels means three long rests. Greater Restoration removes one level per casting.

Where exhaustion comes from

It’s rarer than other conditions, and most of its sources are the world rather than monsters:

What changed in 2024

The 2024 rules replace the table with one rule. Each level of exhaustion subtracts 2 from every d20 test you make (attack rolls, ability checks and saving throws) and reduces your speed by 5 feet. Level 1 is −2 and −5 feet; level 5 is −10 and −25 feet. You still die at level 6, and a long rest still removes one level.

It’s gentler early, with no disadvantage and no halved hit points, but it grows steadily and touches every roll. The 2024 condition text also drops the requirement to eat and drink before a long rest removes a level.

Common questions

How do you remove exhaustion in 5e?

Each long rest removes one level (with food and drink, in the 2014 rules), and each casting of Greater Restoration removes one. A short rest does nothing, and Lesser Restoration can’t touch it.

Are exhaustion effects cumulative?

Yes. At level 3 in the 2014 rules you have disadvantage on ability checks, half speed, and disadvantage on attacks and saves, all at once. In 2024 the penalty simply grows by −2 and −5 feet per level.

Does exhaustion affect death saving throws?

Yes. A death saving throw is a saving throw, so from level 3 in the 2014 rules you make it with disadvantage, and in 2024 each level subtracts 2 from it.

Does exhaustion affect initiative?

Yes. Initiative is a Dexterity check, so level 1 exhaustion gives it disadvantage in the 2014 rules, and the 2024 penalty of −2 per level applies to it too.

Does a long rest remove all exhaustion?

No, only one level per long rest in both versions. Exhaustion from hunger or thirst also stays until you’ve eaten and drunk the full amount you need.

Can you die from exhaustion?

Yes. A creature that reaches level 6 dies, in both the 2014 and 2024 rules.

Exhaustion compared with similar conditions

ConditionHow it compares
PoisonedDisadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks: close to 2014 level 3 exhaustion without the slow speed or the save penalty, and Lesser Restoration ends it.
FrightenedAlso disadvantage on checks and attacks, but only while the source is in sight, and it usually ends with a save.
RestrainedSpeed 0 like level 5 exhaustion, plus attack penalties, but it ends the moment you break free.
RestingHow short and long rests work. Each long rest removes one level of exhaustion.
Greater Restoration5th level: removes one level of exhaustion per casting. The only SRD spell that names exhaustion as something it cures.

Spells and the exhaustion condition

From the SRD 5.1 spells: no spell causes it directly, and 1 spell can end or prevent it.

Spells that end or prevent it

Monsters and the exhaustion condition

No SRD monster causes it directly.

Monsters immune to it (34)

Rules that mention exhaustion

Other conditions