All roguelike games share similar staples, but they each have their own areas where they shine as individual projects. Rotwood is already very polished and very fun, especially when players have some friends to play alongside. However, it is still a roguelike that is in Early Access.

Being in Early Access means there are many things that could change. In fact, some elements of the tips below would be different for earlier builds of the game that had a different way of managing the game’s in-game currencies. But for now, here's what players should know when they pick up Rotwood for the first time.

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5 It's Not Necessary To Beat The Boss For Every Run

Have A Set Goal For Each Expedition

Rotwood free gift from ???

Not every run is about completing the current location to unlock the next. In fact, it is very unlikely that a player will succeed on any of their first attempts at a location. For their first couple of runs, focus on learning enemy patterns, getting Corestones to get new pieces of armor and weapons, and practicing how to get to the boss arena with both a full health bar and an available potion.

Players should not call it quits once they get to the boss arena, as they will still need to fight the boss to learn how it will behave in combat. They will also need to know when a boss will create openings for being attacked. Making an attempt at the boss will help players decide on the best armor choices and weapons for the job. For example, players will want their weight class to be Power when they go to beat Owlitzer, as this weight class will be better suited against its use of wind.

4 Try Out Every Weapon

Masteries Will Help Improve Combat Prowess

Rotwood With Weapons

Early on, players will meet Toot at the hub location. Next to her will be an arrangement of weapons that have different costs to unlock. Players should unlock these weapons early on, as each of them comes with its own Masteries that will reward more Corestones than the cost to unlock the weapon. Completing these Masteries will help players understand how to use weapons, and help them improve by using them while out on Expeditions.

Different weapons shine in different areas and have their own Hit Focus, which will cause them to deal even more damage. It is worth trying out all of these weapons and completing their Masteries to truly master the game.

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Each weapon also comes with its own lineup of combo attacks. Players should spend time at the hub location with the training targets to improve their skills. These targets are arranged with some close by and some an arm's length away. It's the perfect spot to practice treating these as how actual enemies will be positioned when fighting in clearings.

3 Know The Value Of The Currencies

Different Currencies Buy Different Upgrades

Rotwood Buying Armor

Players will collect different items throughout the game, and a lot of them will act as currencies. Firstly, there is Teffra. This currency will be used on each individual run, and will not accumulate when players go back. Teffra can be used to refill a portion, upgrade the various powers a player is using for a specific run, and purchase certain items at Alphonse’s shop. The important thing to keep in mind is that Teffra is run-specific. Players should use it all on the current run, as it will have no use after the run comes to an end.

Corestones are a more permanent currency. All weapons and armors cost Corestones, and once bought, they can be changed for free at the hub location. Lastly, there is upgrade material. Different locations will offer different materials, and when any gear is inspected for possible upgrades, it will show which locations a player can launch an expedition at to get more of that material. These materials will make the gear bought with Corestones even better than before.

2 Follow The Compass

Each Clearing Has A Different Marker

Rotwood Shield Build

Many Roguelikes have impressive art styles, and these can provide great visual aids while in the game. Whenever a clearing is completed, players will have one or more paths to choose between in order to go to the next clearing. Each of these will have a marking on the ground in front of it. Pay close attention and remember what each marker provides, as this will hit at what lies ahead. If a player no longer has their healing potion, but does have 75 Teffra, they can follow a path with a potion symbol in front of it to refill the bottle.

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Players will also see a compass on the left side of the screen when they complete a clearing. This will more clearly show what each path offers, so they don’t choose one by mistake. A circle around a marker means there are enemies in the clearing, while a detailed circle means it will be a particularly challenging group of enemies. This can be useful to know if a player has sustained damage prior to their choice.

1 Get The Most Out Of Power Upgrades

Get Multiple Free Upgrades From Alki

Rotwood Free From Alki

Alki will tell the player character that the first upgrade is always free, and that they will need to spend Teffra for follow-up upgrades. He will say this whenever they encounter him on a run, but it is actually possible to get multiple freebies from Alki. The free upgrade is not limited to once per run, but instead once per clearing. This means that if encounter Alki twice in the same run, they can get two free Power upgrades.

This can be the same for ???? when they feel generous and give out a free item. While practicing to see how each Power works, and if upgrading is worth it, players can use this method to speed up their first-hand experience for when it is time to go for a serious run.

Rotwood Tag Page Cover Art
Rotwood

Platform(s)
PC
Released
April 24, 2024
Developer(s)
Klei Entertainment
Genre(s)
Action , Dungeon Crawler