Not sure what to do next; unable to progress past first inverse stage

[Rogue]

I've mostly been using the unlocks menu as a guide to figure out what to do and at about 150/174(?), I think the next thing to do is start tackling inverse stages. My problem is the character and build I've used to clear everything so far do not do enough damage to survive even halfway through.

I used Imelda with Magic Wand, King Bible, Santa Water, Fire Wand, Lightning Ring, and Clock Lancet. As for accessories; Empty tome, Spellbinder, Attractorb, Spinach, Duplicator Ring, and Torrona's Box.

This build carried me through the whole game up until now but it's just not doing enough damage. I'm feeling a little lost at this point and looking at the unlock menu, it seems like I should be doing these inverse stages but I'm nowhere near strong enough. Aside from Curse, there's nothing left for me to power up and I don't have any other stages available.

I thought maybe a character like Pugnala might help, since she gains 1% might every level but I couldn't make it past level 30 or 40 with her, even with a crown.

Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed?

[Moonbane]

Sounds like you are not ready for Inverse. You need to unlock more characters, accessories, arcanas and weapons.

https://vampire-survivors.fandom.com/wiki/Arcanas There is a lot powerful ones to unlock.

Also make sure you have all relics so far.
https://vampire-survivors.fandom.com/wiki/Relics

Edit: Also, Toronas box at max lvl adds 100% curse. Most banishes it by 8/9 to not get the curse bits.

Edit2: Do you have the yellow sign relic?

[Rogue]

I have all of regular arcanas, three darcanas, and of the stages I have unlocked, it says I've collected the available relics. Yes, I have the yellow sign.

[Moonbane]

Make the Infinite Corridor and Crimson Shroud weapons. Requires Clock Lancet and Laurel. Then take both metaglios and gold and silver rings. Or summon them to you with Mad Groove. The first halves the hp of all enemies, and Crimson Shroud reduces incomming damage to 10 damage per hit.

Edit: I am reminded, now that you have Yellow Sign, you can aquire this secret character.
https://vampire-survivors.fandom.com/wiki/Minnah_Mannarah Incredibly tough.

And have you unlocked Bat Country?
https://vampire-survivors.fandom.com/wiki/Bats_Bats_Bats
This character is one of my favorites. Starts with an extremely powerful weapon that goes well with divine bloodline arcana. And Bats gains extra amount from revives.

[Rogue]

I've used both Infinite Corridor and and Crimson Shroud before but never in the same run. But both of those things will take up three slots each, right? I feel like there's not much room left for weapons and other essentials. I haven't tried playing with Minnah yet because the description was something like "Stats change every level", so that kind of turned me off but I'll give those a shot, thanks.

And about Bat Country. I do not have Bat Country. Looking at the Unlocks menu, I see "Reach level 80 on inverse Mad Forest" to unlock Hyper Bat Country. Is that the same stage? If so, no I don't have it unlocked. Currently, I can't make make it past level 30~40 in inverse.

[superfid2006]

I like Moonbane's suggestion to aim for Infinite Corridor and Crimson Shroud. Grab both of them in a run and see what happens as you play through a stage. preferably the Library.
Make sure it is not inverted, and see how the stats change with Hyper mode enabled or not - if the enemies do not grow stronger, leave it on to profit off of the higher movement speed.

Items lying around a stage, like the rings and sigils, can be picked up even once you have six weapons or passive items, letting you break the limit of 6/6. It could be worth it trying to fill out your slots quickly, then grabbing them to get levelling ASAP so you can finish all six items needed before the 30min mark.

EDIT: Even if you grab them early, like when using Mad Groove, as long as you can manage to kill enemies to finish the two evolutions you'll be golden since once you have them, you are set for the remainder of the run

[Moonbane]

Originally posted by Rogue:

I've used both Infinite Corridor and and Crimson Shroud before but never in the same run. But both of those things will take up three slots each, right? I feel like there's not much room left for weapons and other essentials. I haven't tried playing with Minnah yet because the description was something like "Stats change every level", so that kind of turned me off but I'll give those a shot, thanks.

And about Bat Country. I do not have Bat Country. Looking at the Unlocks menu, I see "Reach level 80 on inverse Mad Forest" to unlock Hyper Bat Country. Is that the same stage? If so, no I don't have it unlocked. Currently, I can't make make it past level 30~40 in inverse.

The metaglios and the rings are accessories, NOT weapons. I recommend taking them AFTER youve filled the basic 6 slots. Stage items, as in visible on the stage can exceed the normal limitation 6 weapons or accessories.

Infinite corridor and crimson shroud only takes 1 weapon slot each.

Yes, looks like you need some inverse play first. But once you get a hold of making these items it should go much better for you.

[Rogue]

All right, I think I've got a plan going forward. Thanks!

[Rogue]

Originally posted by Moonbane:

Infinite corridor and crimson shroud only takes 1 weapon slot each.

Yes, looks like you need some inverse play first. But once you get a hold of making these items it should go much better for you.

Hey, just following up to say I found a build for Minnah that I adjusted to make room for the Laurel and Clock. https://danmer.github.io/vs-build-planner/#minnah,garlic,water,cross,laurel,lancet,cooldown,luck,recovery,magnet,torrona,area,arcana13,arcana6,arcana16

I played Inlaid Library normal mode and it was absolute carnage! No one came near me, cleared the screen very easily all the way to the end, hit level 200, AND managed to kill the reaper. I had suspected Infinite Corridor had something to do with it and I'm guessing the Crimson Shroud combo made it possible. Thank you for turning me on to Minnah!

So this leads me to wonder if only certain characters and builds are viable for inverse stages. I'm not sure I could do this with Imelda.

[Moonbane]

More weapons and characters unlocked will help a lot.
I will also recommend looking into aquiring this guy.
https://vampire-survivors.fandom.com/wiki/Avatar_Infernas