Every run climbs the same four biomes in order — Tartarus, Asphodel, Elysium and the Temple of Styx — before the final gate. Here's what each biome throws at you, how to route through it, and how to come out the other side stronger for the fight ahead.
Tartarus
- The gentle opener — learn enemy tells and take safe Boons to establish a single damage plan.
- Look for a Charon shop and the Well of Charon for cheap upgrades and a temporary item.
- Grab a Daedalus Hammer if one appears — weapon upgrades are build-defining and only two show up per run.
- Boss: Megaera (or a sister). Dodge the whip sweep and the ground AoE circles, then punish the recovery.
Asphodel
- Lava everywhere — never dash into it; use it against knockback-immune foes with Poseidon or Aegis.
- Ranged enemies (Spreaders, Bombers, Brimstones) are the real threat; close distance or deflect their shots.
- Exploding-corpse Numbskulls and the lava make crowd control (chill, knockback, AoE) especially valuable here.
- Boss: the Bone Hydra — kill the side heads while dodging the sweeping beam and the rising lava geysers.
Elysium
- The difficulty spike — shielded Legionnaires and charging Chariots hit hard; save escape options.
- Break Soul enemies fully or they revive; deal with Exalted variants that get a second wind.
- Prioritise defensive Boons (Athena Deflect) and keep a Death Defiance in reserve for the boss.
- Boss: Theseus & Asterius — drop Asterius the Minotaur first, then dodge Theseus's called-down Olympian ultimates.
Temple of Styx
- A hub of branching chambers — clear them for the mini-boss Satyrs, the final upgrades and the Wretched Broker.
- Watch the poison Sludges and cramped rooms; take the chambers with the loot you actually need, not all of them.
- Refill on healing at the fountain before the final door — there's no shop between it and the last boss.
- Boss: Hades — a two-phase fight. Bait the spin and pillar slams, keep your back off the walls, and don't waste your last Defiance early.
Route & pacing tips
- Read the door reward icon before you commit — chase Poms and Centaur Hearts through Tartarus and Asphodel.
- Take Charon's shop rooms when you can afford a Pom, a hammer or health.
- Don't over-clear: leaving the odd chamber keeps your run efficient and your HP high for the boss.
- Spend Obols before the surface — gold doesn't carry between runs, so empty Charon's stock late.
Mini-bosses & optional rooms
- Chaos gates trade a short curse for a lasting blessing — take them when your HP is healthy.
- Erebus gates offer a combat challenge (survive, or kill fast) for a bonus reward — worth it if your build is online.
- You can attack Charon to rob his shop for a big payout, but he fights back hard — only steal when you can win.
- Trove rooms and Infernal Gates add extra loot; grab them when they suit your route.
💬 Community Strategies & Discussion
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