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Beginner's Guide

Every escape attempt is a fresh run — you keep the resources and permanent upgrades, not the boons. Dying is progress. Here's how to make each attempt count.

How a run works

  1. Pick a weapon & keepsake

    Choose an Infernal Arm at the courtyard and equip a Keepsake for a starting bonus.

  2. Clear rooms, take rewards

    Each chamber shows its reward on the door — Boons, Centaur Hearts (max HP), Poms (level up a boon), Darkness, Gold. Plan your route.

  3. Beat the biome boss

    Tartarus → Asphodel → Elysium → Temple of Styx, each ending in a boss fight.

  4. Die, spend, repeat

    Death sends you home. Spend Darkness at the Mirror and resources on upgrades, then dive again — stronger each time.

Beginner habits

  • Build around one damage source: pick a god early (e.g. Zeus or Ares) and stack their boons.
  • Always grab Centaur Hearts and Poms of Power when offered.
  • Keep at least one Death Defiance in reserve going into a boss.
  • Spend Darkness on the Mirror first — Death Defiance and Shadow Presence are the best early buys.
  • Give Nectar to NPCs; almost everyone rewards you with a Keepsake.
  • Don't panic-dash into damage — the dash has brief invulnerability, time it.
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