This guide should help anyone finish at least normal mode. A lot of this is basic information, however some of it I have found invaluable through personal experience.

The fun of this game is the variety of things your character can be and can do. At first you may hate this game because it can be very hard and random. But keep playing, and remember dying is good! Yes I said it, dying is good.

I really like the simplicity and variety this game has to offer. I only hope the developers make a sequel. I hope the tips below give some sort of guide into what to expect. Have fun playing!


NOTE: I would recommend starting on easy and work your way up.

When starting out, experiment with different characters. They each have a unique set of perks and usually a unique wand. Some may have a poison wand. Others a stunning wand. Some characters have perks which make you immune to divine punishments.

Bottom line, find a character that suits your play style. Do you want someone that has a lot of perks per level, or someone who is fast? Or maybe someone that never seems to run out of mana.

Remember, you can use the "U" key to view the characters pre determined perks. Find out the characters strengths and play to them.

LEVEL UP!

When you fill your experience bar at the bottom of the screen, you will get more health and you get to choose a "perk". A perk is one of the cards in your perk deck. It will give you bonuses or even some penalties in exchange for a bonus. Choose wisely! Some characters even give multiple perks per level!
Note: You get a larger health max when leveling up.

DYING IS GOOD

In this game dying is a good thing. When you die, you will get a new perk added to your virtual deck of level upgrade perks.

Some perks are really good such as the ability to gain life contstantly. Many perks add bonuses to certain items or abilities such as faster attack rate for staff, or faster fire rate.


HOW MANY PERKS?

When you level up, you may get one or more perks. Some characters have more to choose from when you level up. Some even increase the amount of perks you get when leveling up. Getting perks is probably the most important part of the game. So use them wisely and do whatever possible to increase your experience bar for a level up.

OVERVIEW

There are 4 main types of weapons.*
First is your wand which is slightly different for each character. It is weak but it replentishes mana continously and does not require mana crystals.

The last three you have to find along the way. You have the spell book, staff and the alchemy weapons. Each one has a separate mana bar for each. When your mana bar is empty for that type/category, you are out of ammo. You can replentish your mana with mana crystals found when enemies die. Also there is a right-click alternate attack. Most have different abilities or effects, in exchange for a longer cooldown and more mana drained. Use the alt-attacks when you absolutely need something to DIE!

Each category has strenghts and weaknesses as follows...

*Sometimes via perks, you can weaponize yourself or even experience crystals. Imagine poisoning any enemy you touch!



SPELLS

Generally, spells are good for multiple enemies or for long range. Some even home in on enemies. Some are lame, some are more effective. I'll leave it to you to decide.

STAVES

Staves have a higher rate of fire and some have high damage. Some have status effects on enemies such as poison or freezing. You will use the staff a lot in conjunction with normal wand. Some are extremely effective, some not so much. If it isn't working out, try a different staff next time.

ALCHEMY

These are heavy hitting "guns" or cannon-like projectiles. Usually slow and sometimes dangerous to use. Don't step in your own fire. Most use a form of explosion, fire or even ice for long lasting damage. I like using the alternate attack with the magma blaster to destroy obelisks quickly. One even has a poison effect. If used at the right time and way, these weapons will be your friend.

BASIC ENEMIES

Most basic enemies can be killed in only a few hits, however they are numerous. Run! Never stand in one place for long. When killed, enemies will drop experience or mana or health potions. Be quick though since these will disapear after a short amount of time.
Note that some perks will allow you to gather drops from a distance or decrease the time they take to disapear.

Most basic enemies have some sort of projectile. Some spit acid which persists on the ground for some time and can damage you when you walk through it. Some throw fire.

Strategy:
I like to kill them from a distance before they even reach me. One such effective spell is the wraith rings. Another strategy is to poisen them and run until they die. Whatever you do, do not get swarmed and backed into a corner. Running and dodging are your best weapons. Did I mention the shift key makes you run? There are perks to give you greater speed, I would recommend it.



TOUGHER ENEMIES

Some enemies when killed spawn other lesser enemes. Some have giant shields and can be hit only right after they attack. Some have devestating fireball projectiles. Some are armoured like knights of old and are hard to kill. Some can only be killed when they open up such as the man eating plants.

WARNING: If you see a salamander or demon, give them everything you have and kill them right away.Salamanders look like a T-rex body mixed with a rooster head. Salamanders have long range heavy hitting homing fireballs, do not engage long range. Demons look like a superhero with red lobster claws that shoot red projectiles. Demons are hard to kill and shoot many projectiles at you dealing a lot of damage. The magma blaster alternate attack should take these out easily, or something that freezes them.



STAGE BOSS

Every stage has a boss that can be summoned only with the portal key which is found somewhere else on that level.

The boss stage is usually just a large room or space. A boss is likely to summon other monsters. Luckily the room is large and will have cover. Throw everything you got at the boss. Avoid the boss enemies and minions. Most of them are very straightforward and pose no issues.



LAST STAGE BOSS

This is not a spoiler but don't read this if you don't want to know how to beat the last boss.

Still here?

Ok good.

The last boss will summon A LOT of enemes. You will be tempted to run in fear like other boss stages.

DON'T. Get in her or his face (hard to say with the mask on), and alt fire everything you have. Do NOT lose sight of the boss, keep attacking. Use amulets, alt-fire and any other tricks you have.

THE GOOD

The first room:
The first room of each level has a weapon, but I don't guarantee you will want it! If just starting the game and the initial weapon is weak, start a new game and see what weapon you get.

Secret rooms:
Look for walls with huge cracks in it. Blast it open with your main wand with several alternate attacks. Inside you will find a perk card and something else pretty cool. No spoiler here.


THE MOSTLY BAD

Most rooms have enemies or traps.

God Shrines:
I put this room in the mostly bad section because sometimes the gods curse you. Some curses will even limit your health or take an item or worse. Generally I stay away from these. Not only that you have to pay a sacrifice such as health or mana. It is basically gambling. Pro tip. If you use the cleric he has the Oracle perk which makes you immune to divine punishments. This perk can be found by other characters as well.

Treasure rooms:
Some rooms have treasure in a box sitting innocently. Most of the time it opens and gives a room full of nasty enemies. Sometimes there is an amulet or other prize.

Obelisk rooms:
In these rooms you will find multiple stone spires with white jewels in them. KILL THEM. THey do not attack you however they spawn more enemies. Use your alt attack or whatever attack does the most damage, do not worry about draining mana. When destroyed it will spawn a lot of mana and health and experience items to refil your mana. Kill all the obelisks and clear the remaining enemies.

Scavenge Rooms:
Run!!! You will find that throughout the arena there are some purple blobs on the ground. Collect them to fill the bar at the top of the screen. Once filled, and only then, can you kill all the enemies. They also seem to give you experience which is nice.

Danger rooms:
These rooms usually have some sort of obsticle like a long football field of lava or several traps to dodge in a row. For new players, only attempt when you have a lot of health. The treasure box at the end will give you an amulet usually or a perk card or even a new weapon.

Crazy rooms:
Some rooms come with a strange modifier such as being very dark, or only being able to shoot when jumping in the air etc. I hate these rooms.