Maximum Health Reduction

Maximum Health Reduction is a type of Status Effect which reduces the player’s maximum life. A player will typically not lose HP unless the maximum becomes less than their current health. This Status Effect may result from the player taking damage from a specific attack, equipping items or using consumables.

In instances where maximum health is reduced by a player’s own actions, it can be considered a Self-Inflicted Negative Status Effect. Note that decreases in max health from redistributing Stat Points, unequipping items that increase max health, or Temporary Health expiring are not examples of Maximum Health Reduction.

Elden Ring (2022) – Maliketh the Black Blade’s attacks are notable for reducing the player’s max HP temporarily for a few seconds.

ULTRAKILL (Upcoming) – Using the Whiplash arm or taking too much damage quickly will lower the player’s max HP by building “hard damage”.

Risk of Rain 2 (2019) - The “Shaped Glass” item halves the player’s maximum health for as long as they have it, and also doubles their damage.

Dark Souls II (2016) - The player loses 5% of their max HP with each death, capped at 50% of their HP. This can be reversed by using a Humanity.

Status Effect – Supertype of Maximum Health Reduction

Self-Inflicted Negative Status Effect – Occurs in cases where the player inflicts the reduction on themself

Healing – Frequently interacts, as Healing is capped by max health