Energy is a useful micro resource. Health is in Marloth is a macro resource that is only renewed between levels, while energy can be renewed multiple times within each level.

Energy pickups are placed throughout the level. Scenarios are configured such that players do not have enough energy to reach the end of the level and back without using energy pickups.

That structure forces players to carefully select routes based on energy pickups.

This mechanic can be maximized by having a low energy maximum and a high item refill amount, punishing the player for grabbing an energy refill at a point when his energy is not low.

This mechanic is scalable. Classes with a higher max energy and/or slower energy consumption rate are less concerned with energy utilization and more concerned with other challenges.