[Beginner Guide] New Game Routing (a.k.a.: Going to the correct maps)

Feeling lost? Don't know where to go next? Clicking through the wiki like a Maniac in search of answers?

Well, let me help you out.

Orientation is a weird thing in Dead Cells. No Compass, no world map.
And where the heck do I use that new ability I just unlocked?

Let's make it simple!

I present to you: My innovative "New Game Routing Plan".
You can simply follow it to make constant progress in the game.
No compass required.


A Guide for Dead Cells [version 2.3]

For Beginner Players

 Last Update: May 2021 

Guide Updates

Febr 2021
- Added an alternative route to the 5th Run

Notes & Infos about the Ability Runes

• This Routing includes maps from all DLCs.

• I slightly shortened the map names, but they should all be identifiable.

• The Runes that you can collect during your runs on a specific map are listed in (brackets) behind the map names.
The 4 Core Runes open new ways for you on consecutive runs.
After collecting one of the 4 core ability runes it is technically safe to die, because these ability runes will open new paths on other maps that require you to start over anyway.


The Core Ability Runes you want to obtain (in this order) to be able to access most maps are:

• Vine Rune
  
• Teleportation Rune
  
• Ram Rune
  
• Spider Rune

Other Runes are:

• Custom Rune
  
• Challenge Rune

which are less important early on

• Explorer Rune

which is very helpful, so try to get it early as well

• Homunculus Rune

which is obtained automatically after beating the game once

► New Game - Optimal Routing

If you die before obtaining the next Ability-Rune, you have to re-do the respective Run (1-4)
until the Ability-Rune is obtained. Run 5 is the final full run.
The Explorer Rune can be obtained during different Runs.

-- 1st Run --

1. Quarters
2. Promenade (Vine Rune) (Safe to die and restart now)

optional:
3. Ramparts (Custom Rune)
4. Bridge [Boss] (Challenge Rune)
5. Village
6. Clock Tower
7. Clock [Boss]
8. Castle

-- 2nd Run --

1. Quarters
2. Toxic Sewers (Teleport Rune) (Safe to die and restart now)

optional:
3. Ramparts
4. Bridge [Boss]
5. Village
6. Forgotten Sep. (Explorer Rune)
7. Clock [Boss]
8. Castle

-- 3rd Run --

1. Quarters
2. Promenade
3. Ossuary (Ram Rune) (Safe to die and restart now)

optional:
4. Bridge [Boss]
5. Village
• 6. Clock Tower <or> 6. Forgotten Sep. (Explorer Rune [if not already obtained])
7. Clock [Boss]
8. Castle

-- 4th Run --

1. Quarters
2. Tox. Sewers
3. Ancient Sewers
4. Crypt [Boss]
5. Sanctuary (Spider Rune) (Safe to die and restart now)

optional:
6. Forgotten (Explorer Rune [if not already obtained])
7. Clock [Boss]
8. Castle

-- 5th Run | First Full Run --

1. Quarters
2. Arboretum
2+ (optional) Prison
• 3. Morass <or> 3. Ossuary
• 4. Nest [Boss] [from Morass] <or> 4. Bridge [Boss] [from Ossuary]
• 5. Village <or> 5. Shrines
6. Clock Tower
7. Clock [Boss]
• 8. Castle <or> 8. Distillery
9. Throne [Boss] (Homunculus Rune)

-- alternative route --
(for when you want to fight the Crypt Boss and grab the Graveyard exclusive loot)

1. Quarters
2 Tox. Sewers
2+ (optional) Corrupted Prison
3. Anc. Sewers
4. Crypt [Boss]
5. Graveyard
6. Forgotten (Explorer Rune [if not already obtained])
7. Clock [Boss]
• 8. Castle <or> 8. Distillery
9. Throne [Boss] (Homunculus Rune)

-- After beating the Hand --

1. Quarters (Cavern Key)
2. Tox. Sewers
2+ (optional) Corrupted Prison
3. Ancient Sewers
4. Crypt [Boss]
5. Graveyard
6. Cavern
7. Haven [Boss]

optional:
• 8. Castle <or> 8. Distillery
9. Throne [Boss]


-------------------------


After all this you're basically ready for NG+ (Boss Cell 1),
but instead you should consider to farm more Blueprints
and Cells, and to visit the remaining maps on BC0.

[felipefrdly]

super helpful

[TheseOldThumbs]

thanks for this, I kept running myself into the forgotten sept level and dying.
got frustrated and quit playing, lol

[jozef_the_grey]

Due to all the updates and major changes I was thinking of rerolling my save game and starting fresh after almost 200h. This is actually useful, thanks!

[drtbkrder3]

This is nice for beginners. I also really recommend pouring cells into the restock ability. It's so helpful for NG+ runs.

[pigeon]

Thanks, should be useful next time around

[neko我婆]

thanks

[Escuder55]

Thanks