Power

This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.199.1. If this is no longer the current patch, you can help by updating it.

This information is reliable as of patch 2.0.199.1.

Energy is a resource that is most often used to power artifacts, weapons, and computerized equipment in Caves of Qud. One unit of this energy is referred to as charge (not to be confused with Charge, the skill).

Despite the focus on electrical energy, energy can also refer to other types.

Energy Types

Energy cells represent only one type of energy type. Items can use liquids and manual effort to store energy as well.

Electrical

One of the most common ways to deliver energy to an item is with an energy cell. For example, the laser pistol, hologram bracelet, and powered exoskeleton are all examples of items that require an energy cell to function.

Electrical energy users and storage are always EMP Sensitive, unless electromagnetically shielded.

Electrical energy can sometimes be found being transmitted by electrical power grids such as those found in Grit Gate, as well as inside and nearby the Tomb of the Eaters.

Liquid-Fueled

Some items are powered by liquid as fuel. One dram of the specified liquid corresponds to a certain amount of charge specified by the object. Energy cells that require liquid are also considered electrical energy because the liquid is used for the purpose of electricity generation.

Clockwork

The carcass kneader uses a hand crank to charge itself. The player may choose to wind it up by interacting with it.

Broadcast

Broadcast power is available on or near the surface, from satellites (this sometimes being interrupted by atmospheric and orbital phenomena), and from the broadcast power station inside Grit Gate. Radio-powered energy cells, Rodanis Y, traipsing mortars, and regeneration tanks can receive broadcast power.

Hydraulic

Energy is sometimes found being carried by hydraulic transmission systems. Grit Gate has one of these, in addition to its electrical power grid.

Mechanical

Mechanical power transmission is also possible. The water wheel and mill in Joppa is an example of this.

Zero Point Energy Collector

The Zero Point Energy Collector (ZPEC) is a reality distorting, infinite electrical energy source that charges depending on the current world that the object resides in. As long as the item is in "JoppaWorld" which is the starting world that the player starts in, the ZPEC will generate a constant amount of charge each turn, which varies depending on the object. Currently, only the ceremonial vibrokhopesh and the grav chair use the ZPEC.

How the ZPEC exactly works is unknown, but is reality distorting and cannot work under the effects of normality. This means that being in a normality field or normality gas will cause the item to stop charging.

Charge Estimates

Unless the player character has a telemetric visor or the optical technoscanner, all types of energy storage include descriptions stating its vague percentage of energy available. They are separated into 6 sections.

	Charge Type
Percentage	Electrical	Clockwork	Light	Kinetic	Tension	Biological
0%	Drained	Run Down	Dark	Stopped	Slack	Exhausted
1-10%	Very Low	Very Run Down	Very Dim	Very Slow	Very Slack	Flagging
11-25%	Low	Fairly Run Down	Somewhat Dim	Somewhat Slow	Fairly Slack	Enervated
26-50%	Used	Somewhat Run Down	Somewhat Bright	Fairly Fast	Somewhat Slack	Fatigued
51-75%	Fresh	Well-wound	Fairly Bright	Nearly Full Speed	Tense	Lively
76-100%	Full	Fully Wound	Bright	Full Speed	Fully Tensed	Vigorous

Note that the fullest value shows up with charge levels as low as 76%. Technoscanning is the only way to see if the cell is completely charged. When seeing the exact percentage, 100% will only display when the cell is truly at max charge.

References

Unless stated, information comes from XRL.World.Capabilities.EnergyStorage