Need help getting to Boss Rush

[CGoody564]

A lot of my recent runs have been pretty powerful due to the fact I am getting better at using characters special abilities, making smart deals with the devils, etc. However, I always take too long to get to boss rush because I thoroughly explore floors.

Are there any tips you guys could give me to beat mom within the 20 minutes? Such as particular rooms that are good to skip, knowing how powerful is good enough to stop going for items while still being strong enough to beat boss rush, or just any general tips I could use?

[Gallant T Derg]

Getting to the Boss Rush comes down to mostly skill, navigation, and a small amount of luck. As you get better, you'll be able to get to Mom and kill her faster. If you're going for the Boss Rush for the sake of getting the unlocks, you're main priority is to find the Item Room first, then get to the Boss Room without making unnecessary detours. The luck part comes down to what you manage to find before Mom.

[CGoody564]

Does that mean skip curse rooms and such? Obviously I should keep gambling to a minimum.

[Moucheron Quipet]

Just find the Item room, and if you have 15 pennies at least, find the Shop. Else just go to the Boss room.

[NIH]

1st priority = Item room
2nd priority = Boss room
3rd priority (if at all) = Shops (compass)/Sin rooms
4th priority (if at all) = "Arenas"

don't look for secret rooms too much, don't go to the arcade unless you need to really get some hearts or keys.

press and hold "R" in the 1st section of the basement/cellar to "re-seed" it. repeat until there is a sin room or an item room next to your starting spot. See what it is, if it is garbage, you may want to "re-seed" again, because you might have hard time getting to speed in terms of damage. If you get anything that increases your clearing speed, you're set for a potentially good run.

If possible, avoid "curse of the lab".