Nightmare Cycle

The Nightmare Cycle is a state of magical flux associated with the Ruins. Nightmare Lights (and Nightmare Fissures) open and close with the cycle, spawning hostile Shadow Creatures, regardless of the player's Sanity.

There are four phases of the Nightmare Cycle: the Calm Phase, Warning Phase, Nightmare Phase, and Dawn Phase. The entire cycle lasts 600 seconds (00:10:00).

Calm Phase

Appearance of Runic Turf during the Calm Phase.

“All is well.”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“Looks normal to me.”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“No bad light.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“I know not what lurks in the shadow.”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“AT CYCLE MINIMUM”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“The levels of ectoplasmic residue seem to be at their lowest.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“I think it's off.”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“The heart of the city is still.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“It's attuned to areas of psychic attack.”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“Nöthing stirs.”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“Everything's dandy.”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“Nothing out of place here.”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“It appears that all is well.”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“All be calm.”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“WILBA 'TIS FEELINGS FINE”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“Quiet now”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“A little too calm around here for my taste.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“I can breathe easy.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

“No games to play today.”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during calm phase.

• The Calm Phase will be active for 285–345 seconds (00:04:45 - 00:05:45)
• Nightmare Lights are closed (Shadow Creatures do not spawn)
• Runic Turf is blue
• No ambient sound can be heard in the background

Warning Phase

Appearance of Runic Turf during the Warning Phase.

“Getting pretty magical around here.”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“It's warning me.”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“The bad light comes soon.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“I can feel the prying eyes.”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“CYCLE MINIMUM HAS PASSED”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“There are low, but increasing levels of vapors containing ectoplasmic residue.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“This thing just turned on!”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“It beats once again.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“It's picking up fluctuations.”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“It's starting...”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“Something's brewing.”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“Woah! Things are really heating up!”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“I feel some magic coming on!”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“Somethin' feels off...”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“SOMETHING ROTTEN IN STATE OF WILBA HEAD”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“Something happening...”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“Something's happening. I don't know what, but definitely something.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“I feel uneasy for some reason.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

“I'm getting so excited!”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during warning phase.

• The Warning Phase will be active for 60–90 seconds (00:01:00 - 00:01:30)
• Nightmare Lights open up slightly (Shadow Creatures do not spawn)
• Runic Turf is gray
• A quiet ambient sound can be heard in the background
• Ancient Statues begin to glow

Nightmare Phase

Appearance of Runic Turf during the Nightmare Phase

“I think it's becoming more concentrated!”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“The fuel is coming to life!”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“The bad light is here and getting stronger.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“They approach.”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“INCREMENTAL INCREASE DETECTED”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“Levels of ectoplasmic residue seem to be increasing.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“It's vibrating!”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“The pulse is quickening.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“It's releasing a pulse. Almost as if it were alive!”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“The magic is heightening!”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“It's getting magickier!”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“It's gaining strength!”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“Magic hour!”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“It be buildin'!”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“SOMETHING WICKED'D THIS WAY COMES!”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“Getting scary”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“Things are getting... interesting.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“The air's all prickly.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

“Ooo, it's picking up!”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waxing nightmare phase.

• The Nightmare Phase will be active for 150–210 seconds (00:02:30 - 00:03:30)
• Nightmare Lights open up completely (Shadow Creatures will spawn)
• Runic Turf cracks glow red
• A loud ambient sound can be heard in the background
• Ancient Statues are distorted, glowing brightly
• Splumonkeys transform into hostile Shadow Splumonkeys

“It seems to be staying steady.”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“It's almost humming.”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“I think bad light not get stronger.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“They're all around me!”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“LEVELS ARE HIGH AND MONOTONIC”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“The levels of ectoplasmic residue seem to be at their peak.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“It's going crazy!”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“The pulse is holding steady.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Hohoo! I'm being hit with fluctuating psychic attacks!”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“The magic pöwer hölds steady.”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Stable, for now.”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“I think it's keeping consistent.”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Steady on.”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Th'nightmare's at its peak!”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“NOW IS WINTER OF WILBA DISCONTENT”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Bad! Really bad!”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“I wanted an adventure. This is definitely an adventure.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“It can't possibly get worse.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

“Hyuyu! What fun!”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during steady nightmare phase.

During the Nightmare Phase, Nightmare Fuel begins to seep from the eyes and mouths of Ancient Statues. If statues are mined during this stage, there is a chance for a Shadow Creature to spawn from them. Earthquakes occur most frequently during this state.

“Feels like it's receding.”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“I think it's turning off.”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Bad light time is ending.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“I think they're leaving.”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“THE CYCLE IS SUBSIDING”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Levels of ectoplasmic residue are high but seem to be decreasing.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“It's settling down.”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“The pulse is waning.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“The pulses are coming less frequently now.”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“It's starting tö retreat!”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Magic go down the hole.”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“It's leaving...”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Subsiding.”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Me pegs feel it be dyin'.”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“THE VEIL 'TIS LIFTING”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Getting better”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Things are getting back to normal. Whatever "normal" is.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“My head's starting to clear a bit.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

“Aw, the chaos is dissipating.”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during waning nightmare phase.

Dawn Phase

Appearance of Runic Turf during the Dawn Phase.

“The nightmare is almost gone!”

–Wilson, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“I guess it's nearly over.”

–Willow, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Good time is soon.”

–Wolfgang, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“It's almost over.”

–Wendy, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“LEVELS ARE LOW AND DIMINISHING”

–WX-78, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“There is very little ectoplasmic residue vapor.”

–Wickerbottom, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“It's nearly still.”

–Woodie, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“It calms once more.”

–Maxwell, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“The psychic attacks are over. What a shame!”

–Wagstaff, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Barely any magic remains.”

–Wigfrid, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Return to us, day!”

–Webber, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“It's almost over...!”

–Walani, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“This nightmare is almost over!”

–Warly, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“It be slippin' away...”

–Woodlegs, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“WHAT VISIONS HAS'T WILBA SEEN'D?”

–Wilba, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Whew”

–Wormwood, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Well, that was fun.”

–Wheeler, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“I'm feeling much better.”

–Winona, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

“Playtime's almost over.”

–Wortox, inspecting a Thulecite Medallion during dawn phase.

• The Dawn Phase will be active for 15–45 seconds (00:00:15 - 00:00:45)
• Nightmare Lights remain open (Shadow Creatures will spawn)
• Runic Turf is gray
• A quiet ambient sound can be heard in the background
• Ancient Statues continue to glow
• Splumonkeys remain hostile Shadow Splumonkeys

Caves

A Fissure in a Cave floor as the Nightmare Cycle leaks through.

The Nightmare Cycle can also leak through to the Caves, in the form of Nightmare Fissures (similar to those found in the Ruins starting area). Nightmare Fissures are cracks in the floor that open and close, spawning Shadow Creatures the same way Nightmare Lights do. They are surrounded by an aura of white light and emit a bright red light.

Don't Starve Together

The duration of the cycles varies in DST.

Calm: 6 to 7.5 minutes

Warning: 1.5 to 3 minutes

Wild: 2.5 to 4 minutes

Dawn: 1 to 2.5 minutes

In Don't Starve Together, the Atrium Biome that was introduced in A New Reign is also affected by the Nightmare Cycle. Upon activating the Ancient Gateway by inserting the Ancient Key, the Cycle will be locked at its peak phase and will not change unless the Gateway is deactivated.

Tips

Using a Bush Hat to avoid Shadow Creatures.

• Players can avoid getting attacked by Shadow Creatures in the Nightmare Phase by remaining away from the Nightmare Lights and Nightmare Fissures. During the Warning Phase, they can move to a location (particularly the Wilds) where they are a safe distance away (slightly past the character's line of sight, and away from Splumonkeys) and remain there until the cycle ends. The Shadow Creatures that spawn will remain by the Lights and Fissures and do not wander, therefore will not seek the character out nor chase them. Standing on glowing Runic Turf is safe.
• A Bush Hat or Snurtle Shell Armour can be used just before the Nightmare Phase starts in order to avoid the Shadow Creatures that spawn. 
• The Nightmare Lights will appear on the map, giving players an overall visual of safe versus dangerous areas.
• Hammering down the Splumonkey Pods and killing the Splumonkeys will permanently remove them. During the Nightmare Phase they become Shadow Splumonkeys, a hostile creature, and chase players until the end of the phase. As a major challenge to the Nightmare Phase it is beneficial to remove them and will allow larger areas of safety, especially when kiting Shadow Creatures.