What is the fastest early Hydration item?

Hydrobulb is a commonly recommended early consumable, giving 15 Hydration.

What do Aqua Fluid and Aqua Gel do?

Aqua Fluid grants 28 Hydration and 10 Toxicity; Aqua Gel grants 75 Hydration.

How do I unlock Aqua Fluid / Aqua Gel?

They are typically unlocked via Recipe Station research costs (Aqua Fluid: 30 Hydrobulbs + 20 Star Tears; Aqua Gel: 60 Hydrobulbs + 25 Grubblers).

How do I reduce Toxicity?

Purplant removes 40 Toxicity but also removes positive effects, so use it when you’re done benefiting from buffs.

Is this guide version-sensitive?

Yes. StarRupture is in Early Access, so balance and recipes can change—double-check your in-game tooltips if anything differs.

Guide • Water & Hydration

Water & Hydration (StarRupture)

Goal: help a new player fix Hydration in under 5 minutes, then point you toward the first “real” upgrades. Early Access warning: if your in-game UI disagrees with any numbers, treat the UI as the final truth.

Quick Answer

Eat Hydrobulb for a fast Hydration bump (15 Hydration).

Upgrade Path

Unlock better drinks via Recipe Station research: Aqua Fluid → Aqua Gel.

Don’t Ignore Toxicity

Some consumables add Toxicity. Keep a “cleanup” option ready (e.g., Purplant).

Step-by-step: the beginner hydration loop

Loop: gather Hydration items → top up → bank extra supplies → repeat. The biggest beginner mistake is overextending “one more node” while Hydration is already trending down.

Carry 2–3 emergency consumables before you roam far.
Prioritize Hydrobulb as an early “panic fix” (15 Hydration).
If Toxicity is rising, consider Purplant (removes 40 Toxicity, but also removes positive effects).

Best early Hydration items (simple & reliable)

Hydrobulb

+15 Hydration. Classic early-game hydration stabilizer.

“Food that helps Hydration”

Some foods help stabilize the run even if they’re mainly for Calories. Example: Polifruit gives 11 Calories (great for not needing two separate trips).

Toxicity management (don’t get baited by “big numbers”)

Star Tears

Heals 20 HP but adds 5 Toxicity. Treat it as a situational heal, not your daily snack.

Purplant

Removes 40 Toxicity and also removes positive effects. Use it when you’re done benefiting from buffs.

First real upgrades: Aqua Fluid & Aqua Gel

These are commonly pursued as early hydration upgrades once you can access the Recipe Station (often described as tied to Moon Energy Corporation Level 2 progression).

Aqua Fluid (effect)

+28 Hydration and +10 Toxicity. Stronger than basic items, but don’t spam if Toxicity is already high.

Recipe Station research cost (commonly listed): 30 Hydrobulbs + 20 Star Tears

Aqua Gel (effect)

+75 Hydration. Big swing—ideal for “I’m going deep” expeditions.

Recipe Station research cost (commonly listed): 60 Hydrobulbs + 25 Grubblers

FAQ

Is Hydrobulb always the best early hydration?

It’s one of the most consistently recommended because it’s simple and gives +15 Hydration. If your build has alternatives with better availability, use those—availability often beats “best”.

Why do my “good” consumables feel risky?

Because Toxicity can trade short-term wins for long-term pain. Prefer steady loops, and use detox items when needed.

Do Aqua Fluid/Aqua Gel recipes change?

They can. This is Early Access—double-check your Recipe Station UI if costs differ.