Chiku's 0 to Early late-game Progression Guide (Updated as of 2025)

I am Chiku and I enjoy helping others enjoy this game.
When playing DD1 my first time through, and even now when watching others getting carried or trying to progress on their own, it is difficult to figure out what you can and cannot do. Difficult to find upgrades. You can have a single level 100 hero in this game and it will mean nothing because in the endgame you need a team of heroes. The RIGHT heroes even. So this is my updated guide for the 9.1.2 version of the game. I'm betting on most of this guide staying relevant for a long time. I recommend reading through the whole thing at least once because I drop important information as it becomes relevant in the playthrough.
Also check out my Achievements Guide as you progress~ I make achievements much more clear as to what you need to do by providing lists and some extra knowledge that the wiki doesn't have.

Want to reset your account? Game Doesn't Work? Common Issues~

Resetting your account

Local Saves
1. Turn off steam cloud
2. Delete the Dundefheroes.duns and DunDefheroes.dun.bak files here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata(Your personal Steam ID)\65800\remote
3. Delete the Dundefheroes.duns and DunDefheroes.dun.bak files here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dungeon Defenders\Binaries\Win32

Ranked Saves
•The only real way to reset your account is... to somehow corrupt it. I don't know how. All ways I've previously knew of have been removed for good reasons.
•Alternatively you can soft reset by deleting everything basically. Delete heroes, items, make a mana token and drop it in a match... this won't reset map progression or achievements, but why do you need them reset?
•Another option is to simply get another steam account and either buy the game again or "family share" your current one.

Common Issues

There's a lot of things that can cause this game not to work or work properly, here's a few, and possible solutions to the problems:

•Before everything else: Basic Troubleshooting - Verify game files in steam, Restarting the Computer or Reinstalling the game are always an option for attempting to fix the game. I feel like people often forget these things so I'll mention it here, haha.

•Steam maintenence - Every Tuesday around 5pm CST Steam maintenence will kick all players off the server, just wait for it to come back up. It usually takes 5 minutes but sometimes it takes much longer.

•Can't Host Game but can join games - Himachi(or any other tunneling engine... VPN... or anything else... network adaptors that makes a second connection of some kind) will interfere with hosting a game. DD1 will always chose the wrong one. Go into your control panel > Network and sharing centre > Change adaptor settings and disable everything there but your main source of internet. Note: As of the 9.4.3 update, this should no longer be a problem anymore!
---Having special characters in your steam name can also cause this issue so I've heard.


•Intro scene is fine but no game sounds - Bluetooth headphones or speakers will more then likely cause DD1's intro/cut-scenes to work fine but then you'll not hear any other game sounds.
-Now I personally don't understand how to fix this entirely but from what others have told me... disabling the headset device as both recording and playback so its only uses the headphones device is a solution.

•Crashing on Launch - Sound issues can also just cause DD1 to crash as soon as the intro cut-scene pops up.
-If you head to: Sound Control Panel > Click properties on your main playback device > advanced > and change the frequency to 44khz it might stop the crashing... if you simply unplug/disable your sound devices you can also just test to see if it is a sound problem causing crashes.

•Random Crashing while playing - Another way to fix a random crashing error would for you to open command prompt and type in "sfc/scannow" and if you find corruptions make sure to verify game files and restart your PC

•If you are crashing every ten minutes or so and get something like this error: "Your network connection has been lost. Online features are disabled until you connect to the network" In Steam, right click Dungeon Defenders, go into properties and you have "launch options". Type "-tcp" in there and that should fix it.

•Zfighting or flickering characters or Black Screen Multi-box:
-to fix this go into you're NVITA control panel and toggle the anti-aliasing.

•Package Mismatch Errors - The most common way to run into mismatch errors is either having played a workshop map or trying to join on someone who has played a workshop map. The general way to fix this is for both parties to restart their game.

•Some workshop maps can cause a few different problems by just having them installed, in which case you should click DD1 in your steam library and click workshop... then huvor over "your files" and click "subscribed items". You can unsub from all your workshop maps there then go find the "cooked mods folder" and either delete the whole folder or delete all the files in that folder. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dungeon Defenders\UDKGame\CookedMods

•"Banned from the Current Game Session" - does not mean you are banned, lol... it just means you tried to join a game you were kicked from or tried to join a game that was hidden.

•If you're experiencing random crashes or you're being sent back to main menu repeatedly, you can try deleting your local save, it very well could be corrupt.

•Did you try reinstalling the visual studio packages? Can also solve random issues you may be having.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist?view=msvc-170

•Lost all progress randomly? Save Corrupted? Don't keep logging in! Fill out this form and wait: https://forms.gle/TtWMBKBu5S3MUqJK9 If you keep logging into your account you will keep creating saves and lose your progress for good.

•Banned from ranked? (There will be a message literally telling you that you are banned)
Contact: https://support.chromatic.games/hc/en-us/requests/new and they might do an unban, but only five years after the ban. Your ranked save will be wiped.

Before Starting - DLCs, Settings and Hotkeys

First, I cannot stress this enough but PLAY ON THE RANKED SERVER. The only excuse you can use is if you simply don't have good enough internet. It's the same game... you can play privately or with whoever you want. Ranked has clouded saves that you can copy-paste to open/local at any time. That alone is reason enough. If you need a couple more... you'll find community on the ranked server and you can only earn steam achievements on the ranked server. That's about it. That's all the differences.

This play-through requires DLC.
While I recommend getting all the DLC(when the game goes on sale), these are the most important ones in order:

1. The Quest for Lost Eternia Shards DLC unlocks the Nightmare Difficulty(pretty much mandatory unfortunately, not having access to nightmare difficulty locks you out of a ton of content and power. You can technically jump into people's games to access nightmare but this is a guide for solo play ;)
2. The Series EV character is probably the most important hero for mid to late-game.
3. The Summoner character is very useful in the late-game minions are used more like self-healing walls. The ability to have ONLY armour drop is also too good to pass up.
4. Jester character is a very good DPS, very fast base cast rate(mostly used for upgrading things quickly) and has one of the better utility abilities for combat in the game.
5. The Tinkerers Lab DLC Map is a great map for levelling up very quickly at any stage you're at in the game.
6. Hermit adds to the late-game meta, makes tanky mobs easier to take out. One of the best earlygame heroes.
7. Hero Pack is just nice to have. None are required but adds more heroes for more fun and a bit more variety.

Settings

Consider Toggling off
•Show Tutorial
•Auto show Level Up
•Camera Shake
•Step Toward Melee Target
•Enemy Spawn Notifications
•Auto Adjust Camera

Consider Toggling On
•Fast Gameplay Menu Transitions
•Enable Censor Items(If you're streaming or making videos for content or posting screenshots of rare items)
•I also have my FOV zoomed out almost all the way in my videos, this doesn't really matter... it only really helps with fighting against the Great Old One boss (and all its variants). Might make it annoying with the top-down building view being zoomed out too far.

Hotkeys

There are a lot of hotkeys in the game that you will never know about unless you're either told or you somehow figure out on your own. here's a good list of Dungeon Defenders Hotkeys and other tricks you can do:

Menu's
Escape - Menu
•Tab - Chat
•F1 - Chat + Chat Log
-----"killme" in chat - kills player(unstuck command)
•F2-F8 - Ingame Emulator(details next page)
•F11 - Toggles windowed/fullscreen
•1-0 - number hotkeys
---Changing number hotkeys - Hover over the option you want in the hero wheel and Hold the number you want to change it to.
•1-8 to select heroes in hero selection
•9 and 0 to change pages in hero selection
•Hold Alt in Main Menu Hero Selection - Swaps around characters
•Hero stats - hold Shift to upgrade up to 5 at a time or Ctrl for up to 100 at a time.
•Item stats - hold Shift to upgrade up to 10 at a time or Ctrl for up to 50 at a time.
•U - Opens trade Window
•L - Toggles locking a single item you're hovering over in item box
•T - While in a trade, adds/removes an item from trade
•Ctrl+T - Adds/Removes a Page of items to trade
•Ctrl+Drag - Moves full page of items into a folder in your item box
•[Unequip All Gear(UAG) button in the Character stat screen] -> unequip all
•Ctrl+[UAG] -> unequip accessories
•Shift+[UAG] -> unequip armor

Defending a Dungeon
•O - Toggle mob cards
•G - Readies up for the wave
•Ctrl+G - Force Start the wave as the host
•V - Skips Boss Timer
•Control+Shift - Show a minimap at all times on the left of the screen.

General Gameplay
•Mouse wheel - Zooms in and out
•Middle mouse button -Opens hero wheel
•T - Opens Hero Wheel
•Plus/Minus buttons - While placing auras and traps, changes trap and aura sizes
•Plus/Minus buttons and "e" - Swaps between selected towers when hovering over multiple for Selling, Upgrading, Repairing, etc.
•P - Toggle towers on map
•Q - Lets you look around
•R - Same as rightclick on mouse
•U - Opens trade
•i - Character Information/Level up screen
•H - Hud
•L - Toggles locking a single item you're hovering over in item box
•Shift - Open Map
•X - Swap weapons(Series EV/Jester only)
•C - Pings
•B - Toggles item colour beams
•M - Drop mana
•N - Drop half your mana
•Ctrl+M - Locally drop mana
•Ctrl+P - Toggle green arrows
•Ctrl+C - Toggle Censer Items
•Ctrl+B - toggle EV beams snap to DU
•Hold Ctrl - Moves Camera with mouse
•Ctrl+Drag - Moves full page of items into a folder in your item box
•Ctrl+O - Toggle item quality borders
•Ctrl+Z - Toggle Step Toward Melee Target

Summoner Overlord Mode
•Mouse Wheel Scrolling/R3 on Controller will change the camera height
•Click and drag to move items around in your tavern
•Casts abilities where courser is
•You can cast each different minion, repair, upgrade and cast abilities all at the same time as long as you have the mana for it
•Pick up items in build phase(Mouse Only)
•With controller - R3(Down on the right joystick) opens/closes map
•You can click on the Map and move your camera to that location

Tower Stacking
If you are host... you can stack towers by hitting the hotkey for a tower and space-bar near at the same time(timed correctly) you can keep doing this to place towers inside each other. Some people use a macro to do this, I've always done it manually and more recently figured out how to get my controller to do it using Steam's Controller Input stuff.
•Alternate/easier way to stack minions - In Overlord mode, you can place minions inside each other as long as you don't move your mouse.

So here's Washy's youtube video for setting up that script: https://youtu.be/fveBB6p4qBE Do note that automating the game will earn you a game ban and Chromatic is not kind with their bans.

If you're a controller player like me, I will show you how to add more buttons to it so you can theoretically use any button on the keyboard with your controller instead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-VCz1znUho&t=1s


I demonstrate a lot of these hotkeys and tricks in this youtube video but the game has had some updates since I posted this so it will not have everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB29ZSxF4XA&list

Good Information Sources

•The Dungeon Defenders runs and givaways Discord is the heart of the DD1 Community. If you have questions about DD1, they can answer them. https://discord.gg/FE4cRCs
•DunDefPlanner is great for builds: https://dundefplanner.com/list.php
•Dungeon Defenders Wiki: Wiki: https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Dungeon_Defenders_Wiki is alright for looking up general information.

A Built-in Emulator!

(I've been told this is worth mentioning on a seperate tab from the hotkeys).
If you're returning to the game you probably remember using multiple controllers or a third party emulator, well, you don't need those anymore!

There's an emulator built into the game now!
This emulator swaps your controls to the hero you want to play. It even has controller support!

Built in emulator:
•F2 - Swaps to player 1
•F3 - Spawns in and/or swaps to player 2
•F4 - Spawns in and/or swaps to player 3
•F4 - Spawns in and/or swaps to player 4
•F6 - Spam in Splits(the first few heroes listed)
•F7 - Rids of all Splits
•F8 - Hides Splits, shows only player 1 (By far the best feature added to the game! I love it!)
•If player 2,3 or 4 has a right click attack, hold right-click and swap to player 1 to have that hero auto-fire... can also hold left+right click to autofire with an apprentice. This only works with one hero at a time. Alternatively, you can use this method to hold open your map too.

Other Creators Showing What You Can Do!

There are guides out there for many different things DD1. Here's a collection that might keep growing(of course I asked permission if I could link these here ;3

Pat made a really nice tips video for newer players! I've tried to do something like this but I'm so out of touch with the newer player side of things I do believe it takes a new player to spread information like Pat has done in this video. Also check out his playthrough if you want to see how a new player with little to no game knowledge plays DD1 <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUHRBD6n-Ks&lc

Meshak made a youtube guide for changing your name's colours... usually meant for when you want to forge an item(the final upgrade).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1DbnI6PBos

Since the 9.1.0 update, you can change your upgrade priority! Changing what your mouse essentially snaps to when you hit the upgrade button. Meshak made a great video explaining it. Requires going into the game files.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUhAWZ6ZLyI

Washboard has also ran an early game rout different to how I did it and
has many build videos where he completes a large portion of the maps in DD1 if you need some inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmmIBWNLAu8

Theoran has made a collection of little guides from using multiple accounts on a single PC to changing the colours of your gear outlines by dabbling in the settings, information on how the lategame economy in DD1 works... and more... here's the list.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLqnxbq9ao4C0bHmPtVNTZePgpmj9PPHR

Level 0 - First Hero + Main Campaign

To clarify things. If I write "Step 3"(for example), that's the route I suggest you try out. If I write "Step 3.5" That .5 is an alternate route or a step you could take to make the next step easier. Optional.

Step 1 ~ You start by picking your first hero. You only need one for now. I highly recommend Hermit, Series EV, Jester, Apprentice/Adept or Countess/Squire. Not in that order, they all have their ups and downs. Series EV and Jester makes some of the early campaign maps super easy but later they become a little harder to use because you need to be precise on placements. Apprentice/Adept builds can be a little complicated and Hermit, or Squire/Countess are probably the easiest. I personally enjoy Adept in this rout the most. I like complicated :3

The heroes I didn't mention all make this rout a LOT harder and you would basically need to farm up to double the stat requirements I will mention going forward.

Step 1.5 ~ After selecting your first hero an optional thing to do right from the start is a little bit of cheese. Open up the Halloween Invasion Map on Nightmare Hardcore difficulty and just start opening chests for items. You can do this till your satisfied, or you can go till you get a weapon with some damage. I usually go for a staff with damage and a good knock-back... which also translates to the radius of your slam attack. Find one with a super low level requirement, maybe even one you can use right away at level 1! High level items are garbage and not worth picking up. Just hit G or Ctrl G(if you're hosting a group) when you're done and restart as many times as desired. You can also use the extra mana to purchase a pet from the pet shop for the extra DPS.

Step 2 ~ Jump into the main campaign, specifically the first 4 maps. Pretty simple, but I also recommend doing it on Hard Hardcore for more experience and better items in general. You want to beat Alchemical Laboratory and unlock the challenge map. It should be very possible to complete the first 4 maps without failing as long as you're dumping all your level up points into tower damage. Of course if you fail, that just means try again... all that did is kill some time in exchange for more character experience and items.

If you struggle with map building, here's some example builds. READ THE DESCRIPTION below otherwise it will look like an abomination.
Deeperwell Hard Hardcore ~ https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1955
Foundries and Forges Hard Hardcore ~ https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1956
Magus Quarters Hard Hardcore ~ https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1957
Alchemical Laboratory Hard Hardcore ~ https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1958

This is the beginning to my youtube series. I run all the maps mentioned if you prefer a visual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnWt6RUq1-Y&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod
Hermit Early-Game Progression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XILiuYA9p0M

Level 20~ish - Challenge: Raining Goblins

After completing Alchemical Laboratory you can now run Raining Goblins on Nightmare Hardcore.
Nightmare Buffs Tower Damage, and Raining Goblins has trash mobs... at least for a couple waves, this makes it easy to build and defend against weak goblins even this early in progression.

Step 3 ~ Challenge: Raining Goblins Nightmare Hardcore is my go-to early-game item farm map. You can get items here with up to 50 in a stat + 50 upgrades on TOP of that for a very low level hero. It's not common, but possible. You can repeat this map until you get the desired stats or you can go until you beat it to obtain a very good staff for a level 60 hero. Your aim is to get around 200-350 in tower damage with some in other tower stats. You don't need to beat the map, just farm items. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1019

Step 3.5 ~ Level 15 Jester Strategy... Challenge: Ogre Crush is an alternate way to do the same thing as in raining goblins, however you would roll Jester's Wheel of Fortuna ability to hit: Sword, Sword, Blue Crystal to insta kill the first ogre and then loot 2nd build phase chests. Restart, Repeat. This strategy also requires beating more maps in the main campaign till you beat Castle Armoury.

Second Episode to my youtube series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYY33AIXt0A&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=2

Level 22~ish(200-350 Tower Damage) - Tinkerers Lab Power Leveling

After farming Raining Goblins till you've hit 200-350 in tower damage. You can run Tinkerers Lab on nightmare hardcore!

Step 3.7 ~ First, however, there's an optional path to earn some levels if you prefer to level up some more first before taking on Tinkerers Lab(so you can use some of the higher level requirement gear you've probably collected or seen). By running the first couple waves of Dread Dungeon on insane hardcore you can earn exp enough to reach level 45 or more.

Step 4 ~ Tinkerers Lab Nightmare Hardcore is the map you can run till you have a full team of heroes. Power level your other heroes to level 74 here and after the first wave, loot chests for mythical gear. First wave, loot chests, repeat. This single map will take you to 500s in all your stats. Maybe even more if you have a complete armour set(all 4 pieces being Leather/Chain/Mail/Plate or Pristine).
https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1018 (READ THE DESCRIPTION below otherwise it will look like an abomination.)
If you have a friend in this map with you, make sure they spawn in splits first(since the game only allows non-host to spawn in up to player 4) then host can spawn in players 5 and 6.

Step 4.5 ~ Deeperwell Easy Survival is an optional thing to run before(less so after) doing Tinkerers Lab(easier if you already have a few heroes). You would run this for a meme pet called: Nessie. Nessie is adorable, but what you're after is the flat 100s it gives you across all your stats. Very handy and just makes Tinkerers and the next step a little easier. I don't have several reliable builds for this. Using your main tower hero + Monk auras + EV beams is generally the way to go if you need an idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWdAhk5_LM8&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPgPuzI9J-Y&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIHGJZ-Qu6Q&list=PLDezMHET__jZqXXaZAwMYnWINOZ9X1wVY&index=6

Upgrading and Recommended Heroes based on Meta

Upgrading
For Builders: Generally when I state something like: "Damage>Rate>Range>HP>Cast Rate)..." I mean all upgrades on items first go into damage and if you cap damage on that piece of gear then go rate... and just make sure those pieces already have range. The HP should probably not be completely ignored and Cast Rate is just nice to have. (So, a rough example, you could eventually end up with stats like: 7000Tower Damage > 4000Tower Attack Rate > 3000Tower Range > 2000Tower HP > 2000Cast Rate... after everything is upgraded, level up points into damage.

If you are lacking in a stat you can always use your hero level up stats to make up for it. (At level 100 that's 985 stat points). If you aren't lacking, you can just boost your main stat more. These are easily respec'd where needed. Items cannot be reset since the previous state of those items aren't saved within the game, it just can't happen.

Every hero that you have in during the wave will need resistances to survive(Support or DPS). Preferably "capped" resistances. The easiest way to get capped resistances is to have a full armour set and upgrade them till they hit 41%. With all 4 pieces or armour at 41% resistance, your hero will have 90% resistance on the nightmare difficulty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6hAEEZ4-yg


If you're building meta heroes, this is generally a good base list and what they're used for:

Builders

•Series EV(Damage>HP>Rate=Range) - Used for Buff Beams and protecting your towers. (Default Costume)
•Adept/Apprentice (Damage>Rate>Range>HP>Cast Rate) - Your main source of damage. (Apprentice any small hero Costume, adept costume doesn't matter). Apprentice has a specific build that caters to Lightning Towers specifically. Generally you want close to a 6:5 ratio between Damage and Attack Rate. Usually you can just make up for it with the level up points if you have to so I still recommend capping that damage first. And if you want to cater to Deadly Striker Towers instead, just respec level up points into damage.
•Monk/Initiate(Range>Damage=HP>Rate) - Mainly rids enemies of their elemental immunities but also slows and takes out trash mobs. (Any small monk costume, initiate costume doesn't matter)
•Summoner(HP>Damage>Rate=Range) - Mainly used as self-healing walls and to throw webs on enemies(doesn't matter which summoner costume)
•Huntress(Range>HP=Rate>Damage) - Range build is mostly used alongside towers for stalling with gas traps or to rid enemies of elemental immunities with darkness traps. Huntress can also be built(Damage>Rate>Range=HP)... Damage build is for other meta builds that don't use towers and instead rely on agro to lure enemies into the traps with minions. (just not the legendary huntress costumes).I personally have a (Damage=Range) setup because I like traps with some damage and still use it as a range build too, a hybrid between the two of sorts.
•Hermit(Damage>Range>HP>Rate) - This hero has solidified it's position in the meta making it much easier to kill tanky mobs, and in some cases making it easier to tower-kill bosses that weren't usually tower-killed before. Golem might be a bit broken for earlygame, but later you still can't really compare it to the already existing meta, it simply adds to it.

DPS

•Monk(Resistances>Damage>AB2) - Normal costume for now(Super Legendary optional for later)
•Series EV(Resistances>Damage>AB2) - Normal costume for now(EV 1.75 later)

Supports

•Monk for Tower Boost(Resistances>AB1) - Normal costume for now(Super Legendary later)
•Jester for Upgrading/Wheeling(Resistances>Cast Rate><AB2... Specifically you want AB2 at 3726 eventually cause that's when Triple Swords maxes out at 50% Damage... then the rest into Cast Rate for upgrading towers faster) - Doesn't mater which jester costume
•Adept for Upgrading(Resistances>AB1) - Doesn't matter which Costume
•Summoner(s) for holding guardians(Resistances>AB2>HP) - Doesn't matter which Costume

Countess and Jester can also be DPS heroes but these generally won't come into play until after you're done with this guide. There are obviously more heroes for nich situations but these are what I will stick to.

Wiki for Costume Stats - https://dungeondefenders.fandom.com/wiki/Costume_Stats

Good Information Sources

•The Dungeon Defenders runs and givaways Discord is the heart of the DD1 Community. If you have questions about DD1, they can answer them. https://discord.gg/FE4cRCs
•DunDefPlanner is great for builds: https://dundefplanner.com/list.php
•Dungeon Defenders Wiki: Wiki: https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Dungeon_Defenders_Wiki is alright for looking up general information.

Level 74(stats at 500s) - Fish

Without upgrading items from Tinkerers Lab you should be sitting around 450-600 in all your tower stats. Lets double those stats with 1 single pet.

Step 5 ~ Moonbase Hard Hardcore is where you get the Fish in a Bowl pet. It doesn't do anything but it can provide stats up to 500-600 in each stat. This requires a secret where you hit two buttons, dance on a DDR machine, click on the fish and beat the map. We pick Hard Hardcore difficulty because it's the easiest you can complete it and the fish are already top tier(the difference between hard hardcore fish and nightmare fish are barely visible). https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1083

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRaata2Ij8&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=5

Level 74(1k stats) - Dread Dungeon

After acquiring a Fish in a Bowl pet... or a bunch... you are what I would consider mid-game and should be around 1k in all your tower stats. We are going to jump straight into farming better armour.

Step 6 ~ Dread Dungeon Nightmare Hardcore - Clear this to unlock survival. The first wave is sorta tough and there's a couple different ways to do it. I would start with auras, and swap to adept builder for in-wave building/spamming out towers when I can while avoiding spiders. If you have a genie pet by now this becomes a lot easier to collect mana.
Another way to do it is to level up a DPS weapon and DPS your way through the first wave. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1021

Step 7 ~ Dread Dungeon Nightmare Hardcore Survival(mix mode too will help) - Around wave 17 is when Transcendent items will start dropping. You can keep your heroes out to level up to 78 but I would recommend limiting the weapons that can drop to 1-2 types so more armour can drop in general. Don't have a Jester out, for example, since Jester can use all weapon types. Alternatively you can have multiple summoners in play to force ONLY armour to drop, but I recommend at least going for level 78 here first by limiting the weapon types for now. You can farm this map until you are satisfied. The next step will require 2500 tower damage and the step after that will need closer to 4k tower damage. Good upgraded sets of transcendent will get you pretty close to 4k.

Step 7.5 ~ Alternative maps for farming armour at this stage will all be harder but also better. King's Game is a solid option that doesn't have a boss. Mistymire Forest has an easy boss and this map also drops really good stat weapons. I'd say Moraggo Desert Town is do-able, harder boss kill(Mana Bomb works). A tiny step up from Mistymire. Aquanos is about equal with King's Game and Sky City is the best option here but Aquanos and Sky City have pretty tough bosses without having any sort of DPS hero with proper resistances.
https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=2198

Fish and Dread Dungeon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkRaata2Ij8&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=5
Marrago Desert Town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAhXwvUVg&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=12
Mistymire Forest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc1rO0Q-epo&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=13

Level 78(2.5k Tower Damage) - Arcane Library

After getting transcendent items and just more stats you should be around 2.5k-4k in tower damage. These maps can be done with 2.5k but the more you have the easier they will be. I also heavily start using a tower boost monk now, highly recommend making one for maps going forward if you haven't already.

Step 8 ~ Arcane Library Nightmare Hardcore - Arcane is one of the best accessory farms in the game, it is great for exp and after completion it rewards random stuff... which can include guardian pets which are really useful for later, but most of all, it has the potential to reward a really good genie pet. I recommend getting a genie for a Tower Booster Monk, second for your Upgrader Hero(and maybe a third for your tower building adept). Arcane also has a lupin bow drop which is really good for having on a Jester or EV in combination with a Genie for upgrading towers really fast. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1482

Step 8.3 ~ Moonbase Nightmare Hardcore is a tiny bit harder then Arcane Library but it also has the random rewards. Moonbase also has DPS weapons for each hero, but mainly a great Staff and a Gun... and more fish. You can also try and get the Treadmill on Treadmill pet here by beating DDR with a score of exactly 42 but the pet has a level 100 requirement so it's not worth your time, at least not yet. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1083

Step 8.7 ~ Halloween Spooktacular 1 Ruthless Hardcore is an easy clear that rewards DPS weapons for Level 70 heroes! All qualities are for level 70! Random rewards from here too. These weapons hit just as hard as some of the best in the game they are really that good. Heavily recommend, but not required.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uIu44WZB8E&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-9nY-t_uO0&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=8

Level 78(3k Tower Damage) - DPS Pets

In order to get out of mid-game and into late-game we'll need DPS strong enough to take out tough Nightmare Bosses. So we're going to get a DPS pet and toss it onto a DPS monk since monk not only has a boost for increasing pet damage(Hero Boost or AB2) but he also has the strongest base damage for pets in general.

Step 9 ~ Magus Citadel Insane (Hardcore) - We are mostly completing Magus Citadel to unlock the survival but it also rewards Accessories and Weapons. A DPS Staff which is nice, but mostly a monk weapon that has 10 projectiles and shoots through walls... great for your tower boost monk. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1876
Alternate easier build: https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1264

Step 10 ~ Magus Citadel Insane Hardcore Survival - Our aim here is wave 30 for Harpoon Pets but wave 25 rewards random Guardians and wave 35 rewards Deadly Striker Tower pets which are nice for levelling up heroes. The extra rewards for completing the map are also nice. Harpoon pet is probably the best pet for content below nightmare difficulty. You can use it for every early
achievement that needs a DPS. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1115

Step 10.3 ~ Volcanic Eruption Insane Hardcore is a map super easy to do with a Harpoon Pet you don't even need a build, Nightmare might require a build or stronger heroes. This map rewards a weapon of each weapon type, but the one I'm after is The BF Drill.

Step 10.5 ~ Lab Assault Nightmare Hardcore is pretty trivial with The BF Drill. Rewards are mid-tier accessories of all types, random Pets and armour. Some of the best armour can drop here, so you could technically make this your armour farm(you'll have to run it MANY many times probably). The best DPS Series EV Skin is a reward upon completion(the main reason I'd run this map). This is also one of the better maps to farm mana if you're playing solo and not trading other players... can just reward a lot of items quickly that you can sell if you're consistent at beating it.

Step 11 ~ Crystal Escort: Spring Valley Insane (Hardcore) - With an upgraded harpoon pet and a DPS Monk, you should clear Spring Valley on insane pretty easily. The build at the end shouldn't be that hard either. Spring Valley rewards an accessory, another great monk weapon for tower boosting and most of all it rewards Free Ranged Eggs. Get 10 of these Eggs(rewarded 1/hero upon map completion on insane... or 2/hero on Nightmare Difficulty) and enter your tavern to spawn a Free Ranged Chicken. Free Ranged Chickens are DPS pets on par with end-game pets. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1109

Magus Citadel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAW7NZ80NIY&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=9

Spring Valley, Volcanic Eruption and Lab Assault
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta6TzQCAnIo&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=10

Level 78(4k Tower Damage) - Options

I am keeping it at level 78 but in reality you could be level 100 already with a few heroes depending on how many times you've farmed the previous maps. What level your hero is doesn't matter anymore, it's all about stats.

Step 12 ~ Sky City Nightmare Hardcore you want to clear for survival, achievements and an initiate skin. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1579

Step 13 ~ Sky City Nightmare Hardcore Survival you want a Propeller Cat pet from wave 25. This pet in particular is mandatory later in a lot of late-game DPS content. It can more then double your entire team's hero/pet damage. It's also super nice to have in the next maps but not a requirement yet. It is important enough to mention this is where you could grab one because you'll need one for your DPS Series EV later anyway. A good cat has around 190~ish boost after upgrades. 170 boost is around where it will already double your DPS. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=2141


Now we have our Free Ranged Chicken, we're ready to take on a tough boss. I would recommend close to 4k tower damage at this point as well. The more you have at this point the easier it gets.

Step 14 ~ Infested Ruins Nightmare Hardcore is the map for weapons. Mainly the Honey Gun and Honey Spear for DPS and the Staff for tower stats or DPS(if you get a good one). Honey Gun is used in combination with Series EV for her Proton Charge Blast(AB2). https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1013

Step 14.1 ~ Infested Ruins Nightmare Hardcore Survival is one of the top two survivals for farming armour in the game. Remember to run only summoners to force only armour to drop, you don't need the floor weapons(2 or 3 for efficiency, running 4 heroes just makes mobs tankier rather then add more mobs for more drops). Rewards a Wasp Queen pet at wave 35 which is great for taking out the krakon boss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2WFgVg9UeM&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=32


Step 14.3 ~ Lovers Paradise Nightmare Hardcore is a great optional map for Weapons, Mask Accessories and it also rewards Heart Fragments. Heart Fragments are treated like an in-game currency and you can sell them to other players for... lots of mana. The other thing they're used for is spawning Heart Pets which are pretty and on par with being one of the better tower pets in the game. The survival is do-able with about 5k stats, and it is top three as one of the best armour farm maps in the game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us4vNZFL42o

Step 14.5 ~ Spooktacular Bay Nightmare Hardcore is another optional path to take before Infested Ruins. maybe even my recommended map for farming armour on until Infested becomes easier. Spook Bay rewards a Wizard at wave 25, just a really good all-round DPS Pet, an Eye Pet at wave 30 which is great for Lovers Paradise... and a Pirate Skelly on Treadmill pet for completion of wave 35. Skelly pet requires level 100. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1935 https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1873 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sygUfLF4yXg&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=35

Wintermire

I would recommend having your DPS EV all set up at this point with a pretty good Honey Gun with a base damage(after upgraded) above 300,000. Tower boost monk should have some hero boost stats too... makes it easier then having a separate monk for hero boost(but a second monk for this is also an option).

Step 15 ~ Wintermire Nightmare Hardcore is the map I would consider the DPS check into late-game. The waves themselves can be done with as little as 2,5k stats but the bosses are very tanky and tough to kill. A Series EV equipped with a Honey Gun and a propeller cat, boosted by a monk can do it. Wintermire rewards a decent monk weapon, accessories and coal. Same as Heart Fragments in purpose, coal are currency and can spawn a diamond pet. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=805
Washy's build with Hermit can be done without the need for the Honey gun!
https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=2366 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMHCPmcN6gU&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=39


Step 16 ~ Wintermire Nightmare Hardcore Survival is important and provides some good pets for this stage of the game. The Snowman Pet is great for any DPS content, maybe just a tad worse then Little Wizard. The Christmas Elephant is great at Assault type maps. The Turkey on Treadmill pet is the next tower pet I would recommend going for. Turkey on Treadmill has the best move-speed multiplayer in the game, and it has a level requirement of 93 as opposed to level 100 that other pets at this stage have. https://dundefplanner.com/map.php?load=1581 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq4F0t1L73k&list=PLDezMHET__jbBx4iB93DZBZ3nI55KrAod&index=40

Mana, Late-game and Running Multiple Accounts!

If you have defeated Wintermire on Nightmare Hardcore I consider you early late-game. You are capable of farming most maps in the game now... or at least capable of farming things you need in order to do the end-game content. I could list like half the maps in the game for you to go into next... the game really opens up now.

Acquiring mana is a slow grind if you're not selling or trading for it. One of the most reliable ways to get mana is to farm Coal or Crystal Shards and sell them to other players (20b+ each). Pirate invasion is tough but it's a map designed to give mana. Lab Assault you can run over and over again and sell the items. Survival armour farming is also a great way to get mana, it's the slowest option here but you'll be farming enough to upgrade your armour and weapons! Upgrading accessories will probably have to wait still.


Completely optional in the lategame to speed up progress, mainly for armour farming, some people will run sandboxie which is a software that allows a second steam account to be ran on the same computer. I am no expert in this, I personally do not use sandboxie(not yet anyway), so here's a video Theoron made that can explain it way better then I ever could: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrNRKEDsJqw

This General Best In Slot Guide looks pretty handy in order to figure out what to do next and where to go in terms of progressing past this guide and increasing your stats further. https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Best_in_Slot_Guide

If you have any questions, concerns, comments or need something expanded on, explained, corrected or even if you want something added. Please mention it below! Or contact me on in the Dungeon Defenders Runs and Giveaways discord here: https://discord.gg/FE4cRCs because steam doesn't really let me directly communicate back ^^ (~and let me know if there are any broken links!)

Maps for Accessories and their Set Bonuses.

A lot of people in the community have been asking for information on what maps are good for accessories. So I figured I'll make a list here. This is bound to be outdated more and more with each update(unless I keep things up to date) but hopefully things on this list will stay viable. The 'effects' accessories have are pure cosmetic, with one exception so far.

The single best accessory in the game is a bracer from True Boss Rush(TBR) Ruthless difficulty. It is the best because it has a small move speed buff by default. It also rolls ult but I don't think that part matters.

Nightmare+ double accessory drops:
•Map - Effect(Set Name) - Additional Information
•Frostdale Wonderland - Falling Snow(Winter/Christmas/Holiday Sets) - Rewards triple accessories with secret.
•Temple Of Love - Hearts(Love/Valentine Set) - Rewards Double Accessories with the Secret and Triple on Ruthless
•Arcane Library - Magic Circle on Back(Arcane Library Set) - Locked Transcendent (No Bracers)
•Wandering Heart - Hearts(Love/Valentine Set)
•Palantir - White Wings(Annatar Set) - Update 9.4.0 made these accessories good again! Shields are part of the random accessories here.
•Challenge: The love Machine - Nothing(Cat Ears) - Target farmable drop. The further you get the more you are rewarded.

Ruthless only double accessory drops:
•Warping Core DLC maps - Butterfly Wings(Zamira) - Each piece is rewarded on a different map. So it's target farmable.
•Jester Spooktacular DLC map - Devil Wings(Cursed Devil Mask) - Target farmable drop.
•Valentine Citadel - Hearts/Skulls(Elegant Pirate Set)
•Return to MoraggoEerie Wisps(Oni Set).
•Forest Ogre Crush - Red Lasers(Goblin Set)
•Tomb of Etheria - Yellow Wings(Cat Set)
•Wintermire/WinterWonderland - Falling Snow(Winter/Christmas/Holiday Sets)

The rest here are still best quality and still just as valid to farm:
•Omenak - Black Wings(Omenak Set)
•Buccaneer Bay/Pirate Invasion - Skull and Crossbones(Pirate Set)
•Embermount Volcano - Fire/Sparks(Ember Set)
•Flames of Rebirth - Fire/Sparks(Ember Set) - Rewards Guaranteed Shield plus 1 other. - Double Shield drops on Ruthless
•Magus Citadel - Magic Circle on Floor(Magus Set) - No Bracers
•Emerald City - Floating Green Crystals(Emerald Set)
•Spooktacular Bay - Flying Ghosts(Halloween/Spooky Set)
•Tavern Defense - Confetti(Party Set) - Locked Transcendent (No Bracers)
•The Striking Tree - Floating Green Orbs(Elf Set)
•Karathiki Jungle - Falling Leaves

I wouldn't recommend farming these maps for just accessories in particular for, hopefully, obvious reasons:
•Greater Turkey Hunt - Feathers(Turkey/Thanksgiving Set)
•Crystaline Dimension - Floating Blue Crystals/Shards(Crystal Set) - Rewards Double Accessories
•Akatiki Jungle - Tiki Mask
•Crystal Escort Spring Valley - Just a Bunny Mask(Double Accessories and weapons on Ruthless only)

This video below is already outdated. I made this when redux was still receiving updates. Most of the sets I said were for "redux only" are already in the normal version of the game now too since normal DD1 has been updated but it still shows off most of the sets you can have and their effects so it's still relevant ^^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvK5qxgfXu0

Dungeon Defenders Wiki(More Information)

The Dungeon Defenders Wiki: https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Dungeon_Defenders_Wiki is a great source for information. I would personally mostly use it for achievments but you can find pet locations, information on the different stats each skin/outfit has, armour set bonuses! A lot of stuff is there, most of the older information is correct but I am aware the wiki still needs a lot of work.

So here's a list of wiki links I think are important that could potentially help out someone newer to the game that doesn't have 90% of this information memorized like I do.

•This one shows you armour set bonuses and even explains how to upgrade resistances efficiently.
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Armor

•Different Costumes have different stats, which is why I suggest certain ones in the "Upgrading and Recommended Heroes Based on Meta" part of this guide.
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Costume_Stats

•A list of the 31 specific pets you need to complete the pet achievement, I frequented this one every time I needed to complete the achievement.
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/I%27ve_Got_Monsters_in_My_Pocket

•The list of achievements also explaining how to complete them.
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Achievements_-_PC

•A list of DD1 Jargon
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Glossary

•The absolute best items in the game for each hero~
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Best_in_Slot_Guide

•Jester Wheel O' Fortuna Abilities.
https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Best_in_Slot_Guide/Jester

And they added my guide there too! <3 https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Guides.

The Guide Continues?

I have finished my youtube series and figured I'd share what I did.
There's many routes at this point in the game you could take and you can basically run whatever you want by this point and farm what you want, but I'll just provide the map list I went into personally for more stats fast. They are all pretty much repeats from previous steps, the difference this time is that I'm actually grinding.

Step 17 ~ Tomb of Etheria Nightmare Hardcore is a great map for Accessories, A DPS Pet and Weapons. Every weapon rewarded here is pretty good for something. Gun is a stat stick for builders, Spear can be decent DPS or a Great stat stick, and the Staff is actually really good for the upgrader adept(and I'll be jealous if you get a good one with really good tower stats instead). The only things Tomb of Etheria isn't good for is exp and armour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQnm9qYFuM

Step 18 ~ Spooktacular Bay Nightmare Hardcore Survival was my armour farm until I reached about 5k stats(ran it ten times~ish). Along the way, this map gave me great Pets too, all three of them play a roll really. The eye being the least important but also the one I want a good one of the most for no particular reason XD Little Wizard is currently my best DPS pet and I'm using several Pirate Skellies on my builders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbuRlnT6Bhk

Step 19 ~ Tinkerers Lab Nightmare Hardcore I ran nine times to level up several heroes to 100. From Level Zero it takes about ten runs to get a hero to 100 on this map so it's really good for exp. I was also looking for weapons from beating this map, mainly the Proto Staff for my Upgrader Adept. Tho the Blaster Rifle and Spear are pretty good DPS weapons and potentially stat sticks too (spear more for Hermit DPS). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laj7ycnt61g

Step 20 ~ Lover's Paradise Nightmare Hardcore Survival brought me to 6k stats(also ran it ten times just to change things up). The Cupid pet is great for solo-ing Poly with but otherwise the pets here don't really have any real purpose in the meta but the survival build I used here was much easier and faster to build then the Spook Bay build I used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZTuKz6YZQU

Step 21 ~ Infested Ruins Nightmare Hardcore Survival I ran 10 times, again, mostly just to change scenery again, however, I am also here for the wave 35 rewards. Can always use a better honey spear. Wasp Queen Pets are great vs the krakon boss and Honey Guns are just great for DPS EV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B9yPQdLbOo

After all of that I hit my goal of 7k in tower damage and tackled the rest of the achievements leading to True Boss Rush. My end goal for my youtube series.

Other Useful Information

Gameplay Info

-The more heroes you have in play, the harder the game will be(added mobs, mobs with more HP)... scales only up to 4 players.

-When your builder hero is in play, the towers it built get a 33% damage bonus. If it dies, the bonus is only active until the avatar vanishes.

Unlocks

Experience Orbs

-You need the Ultimate Defender achievement to use exp orbs. You earn one from getting ultimate defender, otherwise you can earn 1 for every True Boss Rush clear.

True Boss Rush(TBR) and Great Old One(Goo)

-To access True Boss Rush, you need to complete the Eternal Defender achievement and have defeated Great Old One in CR3 (the required maps for unlocking Great Old One are Crystalline Dimension, Dread Dungeon, Arcane Library, Buccaneer Bay, Pirate Invasion, Embermount Volcano, Temple of Water, Temple of Polybius and Crystalline Resurgence Parts 1-3 on NMHC). After that, a button will appear next to the Experience Orb in the basement. Press the button to enter the map.

Changing the Tavern

-Requires the Mythical Defender achievement.
-Click the option and re-enter the tavern to successfully change the tavern.

All 1-time rewards

-Entering Your Tavern - Four TF2 Pets + Aperture Science HPD
-Main Campaign Clear - Secret Room + Parents Weapons
-Legendary Defender - Chicken Pet
-Warping Core Pack 1 - Four Zamira Fairies
-Mythical Defender - Tavern Changing[dungeondefenders.wiki.gg]
-Hardcore Mythical Defender - Aperture Science HPD Mk2
-Tropics of Etheria Secret - Wicked Glasses
-Clear all Original Challenges on Nightmare(No Towers Allowed - Monster Fest) - Companion Cube
-Ultimate Defender - Secret Basement Room
-Eternal Defender - Defender's Party Hat, Celebration Horn and Eternal Gift Accessories
-Great Old One - Ultimate Crystalline Defender Shield
-Great Old One - Beat this challenge with no armour equipped(Gloves, Helmet, Chest and Boots) and you'll receive a Glass Accessory Set Needs to be done solo, no splits at all within the match.

Inventory Increases

-Ultimate Defender achievement - 600 slots
-Ultimate Defender + Eternal Defender - 800 slots
-Ultimate Defender + Eternal Defender + Ruthless Defender - 1000 slots

Good Information Sources

•The Dungeon Defenders runs and givaways Discord is the heart of the DD1 Community. If you have questions about DD1, they can answer them. https://discord.gg/FE4cRCs
•DunDefPlanner is great for builds: https://dundefplanner.com/list.php
•Dungeon Defenders Wiki: https://dungeondefenders.wiki.gg/wiki/Dungeon_Defenders_Wiki is alright for looking up general information.

[Glans mauler]

Gotcha, thanks for getting back to me.

I'll go do my homework, cheers boss!

[Chiku]

@Glans Mauler
It really is simply: Don't die.
I do have a video, you can watch what i do

[Glans mauler]

Hey Chiku, thanks so much for this guide!

Currently trying to make my way through NMHC Lab assault, but keep getting dumpstered - any recs for minimum stats or anything like that? Your guide says it should be trivial so I must be doing something wrong.

[Chiku]

Updated Accessory list and made it Prettier

[Chiku]

@kido, it should be unlocked, no idea why it wouldn't be.

[Kibo]

Any idea why Raining Goblins isn't unlocked? I have it unlocked on Local, but on a ranked server after clearing the Alchemical Laboratory and having lots of other challenges, available, it is not available to choose. I cleared Alchemical Laboratory on Hard Hardcore

[Aquanoss]

i wish i knew about items being a 1 time thing because I've sold every single 1 time item excluding the TF2 pets, eternal defender items, and the ultimate crystalline defender shield

[Chiku]

Added a "Other Useful information" Section
Feel free to suggest things that should go in there ^^

[Chiku]

Guide updated for today's patch... added one hotkey and accessory set info.

[derfloh42]

thank you for your consistent and hard work!