Can I get some spoiler-free tips?

[GamingNomad]

For some reason I see this game in my library, I definitely bought it long ago because I played it (today) and have no recollection of it at all.

Anyway, this game doesn't play nice. I saw the post about saying this game being too hard (to encourage other players to speak up) so now I'm encouraged; man this game is hard. It seems very cryptic like I'm missing something important that I don't know about. Any spoiler-free tips would be extremely helpful.

What I know so far;

-there are wands (I don't know what shuffle means), many of them.

-I have no idea which wand to choose since most of the time the difference is pretty minimal. I only pick a wand if I want a spell on it.

-I almost always use my starting wand because I'm a hoarder and I don't want to waste my uses. Like, how am I going to past the second level if I only have a sparkbolt and 3 uses of the bomb spell?

-I *think* there are areas. I've used a portal, I thought it was a secret area but apparently the portal moves to the next stage which is necessary.

-Is the portal the only way to heal!? This is just crazy.

-Finally, I've only reached 2 or 3 levels so far.

-Oh, I'm not sure what to do with the different potions. This game doesn't explain much.

Sorry for the long post, I would appreciate some help.

[Khan Boyzitbig of Mercia]

Shuffle on a wand means it will cast any spell on the wand at random until all spells have been cast once then it recharges.

There are other ways to heal, you will discover them by playing normally don't worry.

Some potions are dangerous, others put out fires and a few provide buff/debuffs. Water/Swamp/Brine/Mud/Blood potions can be used to extinguish yourself.

A good wand will depend on what you want it to do, for spark bolt you want low cooldowns and high regen rate for mana but better combos exist (that is simply a reliable combo early on). A wand needs enough mana to cast a spell.

[Archon]

you can right click to drink potions, drinks like 5% at a time and all the effects will show on the side. Left click sprays the potion. Moving your spark bolt to your bomb wand (and vice versa) can be nice early on. And patience is key

Also, Snape kills Dumbledore

[GamingNomad]

Thank you guys for the answer. If I have more than one spell on a wand, how do I choose which spell to use?

[traevanon]

- The general layout stays the same from game to game but the details are generated randomly.
- You can pour a potion onto the floor by selecting it and holding the left button.
- Holding a potion filled less than 100% under a fluid will fill the rest of the potion bottle with that fluid. It may contain several fluids at once.
- Pouring out a potion with multiple fluids inside empties each ingredient at an equal rate. Thus a potion bottle with 75% water and 25% Berserkium will become a 50% full Water Potion (only) if half emptied. You can use this to separate fluids.
- Some fluids combine into new liquids, but only in the world. In your potion bottle they will stay separated.
- Liquids that don't combine have a density statistic. They will separate. Some will sink, some will float. You can use this to separate liquids.
- Water is arguably the most important potion to have. Some creatures are even killed by contact with water.

[traevanon]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Thank you guys for the answer. If I have more than one spell on a wand, how do I choose which spell to use?

You dont. Assuming the wand isnt Shuffle and casts 1 spell per cast it will always cast left to right until the end, then it will start over after the refresh timer. Changing wands resets it to begin at the left again.

Bombs are very good at clearing terrain. I use them to open closed areas with valuables or to get to the portal more quickly.

[Khan Boyzitbig of Mercia]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Thank you guys for the answer. If I have more than one spell on a wand, how do I choose which spell to use?

Spells are used from left to right in order unless the wand has the Shuffle modifier or lacks enough mana to cast the spell at that time (the spell will be skipped until you have enough mana to cast it.).

[Boksha]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Thank you guys for the answer. If I have more than one spell on a wand, how do I choose which spell to use?

If it's a non-shuffling wand, after selecting the wand, you'll cast the first spell first, then the second one. Then the wand will reload (which may take anywhere from an instant to several seconds depending on the wand and the spells cast) and it'll start from scratch.

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

-Is the portal the only way to heal!? This is just crazy.

As some others have said there ARE other ways to heal, but that's not really relevant to a new player. In general, assume the heart in the area after each portal is the only way to heal. This means two important things:
1. Try to avoid damage as much as possible. Don't take risks.
2. If you're badly hurt, exit the level.
If you want to get a little more advanced, you can tack on a third:
3. If you exit a level but you're not hurt, don't pick up the heart: you can pick it up later when you are hurt.

[I deify]

fire is bad, cover yourself in water

[GamingNomad]

Thanks for all the help people.

Final Q, is there anything to keep after runs? Like a universal progress that you have in games like Risk of Rain, Hades, etc?

[Boksha]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Final Q, is there anything to keep after runs? Like a universal progress that you have in games like Risk of Rain, Hades, etc?

Nothing close to that. There are unlockable spells, but they're both pretty hard to unlock, and unlocking them doesn't make the game much easier. It's closer to a classic roguelike where, if you die, you just start over, and progress is made by building a better understanding of what works and what doesn't.

[GamingNomad]

Since everyone's being so helpful, why are some spells based on use and others are reusable? Is a specific spell only this or that or can they spawn both ways?

[RiggedQuarter]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Thanks for all the help people.

Final Q, is there anything to keep after runs? Like a universal progress that you have in games like Risk of Rain, Hades, etc?

Yes there's unlockable spells along with cosmetics for completing a few puzzles. Another good hint whether you play keyboard or controller, have a bind for your main wand and your water potion (which you should almost always have on you) That's easier to reach so that you are always prepared at a moments notice.

[RiggedQuarter]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Since everyone's being so helpful, why are some spells based on use and others are reusable? Is a specific spell only this or that or can they spawn both ways?

There is a perk that makes most limited use spells unlimited. Some wands also carry an "always cast" modifier that can sometimes be a limited use spell made infinite.

[toroid]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Thanks for all the help people.

Final Q, is there anything to keep after runs? Like a universal progress that you have in games like Risk of Rain, Hades, etc?

You have a progress screen that shows what perks, spells and enemies you've interacted with. There is also a little bit of persistent gameplay progression and some unlocks to discover, but don't expect it to be obvious or to begin happening anytime soon.

[DivineEvil]

Originally posted by GamingNomad:

Since everyone's being so helpful, why are some spells based on use and others are reusable? Is a specific spell only this or that or can they spawn both ways?

Generally because limited-use spells are more powerful/specific for the mana they require and the depth they're found on. Unlimited spells are mostly basic combat spells of various kind or utility spells of lower caliber. For example, the most lucky starting wand has an Energy Sphere, that can kill most common monsters at the first level with one shot but does no damage to surroundings. A limited spell that can be given at start, Magic Missile, will instantly kill anything on that level with its immense explosive damage, and it allows to carve through most obstacles apart from metal walls.

Like have been said, under some conditions limited spells can become unlimited with few exclusions. Otherwise, all the spells either can be unlimited or have a set amount of charges, which can be replenished with Spell Refresher pickup.