Special Game Modes

Special Game Modes were added in the final major update (v1.2.0).

These can only be played on an empty save slot.

* Beating a boss will teleport you to a new random biome, with the option to choose a new Contrarian Class.
* Biomes are smaller while holding more Relic rooms and Curio Shoppes.
* You level up by collecting gold, Ore, and Aether, which grants you additional Resolve.
	+ Ore and Aether are converted to Gold.
	+ Every 100 Gold = 1% Resolve, gradually requiring more as the run progresses.
* Boss Chests let you receive a  Transmogrificator, randomizing your kit but giving you more Max Health, damage and Resolve.

### Stats

* Base stats for a Level 1 character. Dex/Focus are increased to 10 and only 200% Resolve.
* Runes:
	+ 2  Magnesis Runes
	+ 2  Lifesteal Runes
	+ 2  Soulsteal Runes
	+ 1  Quenching Rune
* Upgrades:
	+ 1 rank of  Meditation Studies
	+ 1 rank of  Alchemy Lab
	+ 2 ranks of  Institute of Gastronomy
	+ 5 ranks of  Archaeology Camp

### Biomes

* Biomes have randomized hazards and enemies.
* Start with 5 random Burdens, 1 random one is added each biome. Burdens beyond the initial 5 grant +5% Gold Bonus.
	+ Burden of Metal,  Burden of Scale,  Burden of Drain and Burden of Black Root are disabled.
	+ Completing the  Medallion of Genesis enables the  Burden of Cain.
* Relics are curated, meaning relics such as  Diogenes' Bargain will not appear as they serve no purpose.

### Bosses

* At the end of each biome, you fight an empowered version of that biome’s Estuary.
	+ 1st and 2nd biomes = Commander Estuary
	+ 3rd = Twin Commander Estuary with 2 buffs
	+ 4th = Prime Estuary
	+ After the 4th, you will fight Jonah and then Cain in their normal forms.
		- Defeat them to complete the run and earn a Silver Trophy, as well as the "Rogue Rogue Legacy" achievement.

### Bosses - Commander Buffs

Estuaries with Commander Buffs can appear in **True Rogue**. They use a custom version of Commander Buffs to better match the encounter. Some buffs are not used at all: *Blocker*, *Fury*, *Shield Banner*, and *Shredder*.

### The Broken Medallion

* You have the option of assembling the  Broken Medallion by finding a piece of it in each biome. (The Medallion does nothing if not completed.)
* Completing it turns it into the  Medallion of Genesis, enabling the  Burden of Cain and transforming both Jonah and Cain into their Prime forms.
	+ Defeat them to complete the run and earn a Gold Trophy.

### Tips

* Generally, the best way to increase your chances to clear True Rogue is to familiarize yourself with every weapon, talent and spell in the game. If there are certain Fabled Weapons or talents that you avoid for instance, there's a good chance they might show up during your run and you will have to deal with them. You don't need to be a total master to succeed, but it helps to know how to use every ability at least competently.
	+ Note that a significant amount of your stat scaling comes from consuming the power of the Estuaries after every boss fight, which involves randomizing your kit. If you're skipping this option in favor of familiarity, you're going to have to deal with boss fights that last that much longer due to the loss of damage and Resolve.
		- To be exact, skipping the 5 chances means you're missing out on up to 50% Base HP, 35% Damage and 100 Resolve.
	+ Swapping out your weapon, talent or spell at Curio Shoppes is another way to scale via Blessings. Even if you're not great at using a particular ability, you can still take it for the blessing and wait for it to be randomized after the next boss fight.
* Increasing Max HP only does so much. Even using a Barbarian with 900 HP, you will still only be able to take 3 hits or so from the final bosses. Black Root Trees also grow less powerful as the run goes on, often asking you to sacrifice 250+ current HP to gain 36 Max HP.  Consume Nectar is your most powerful healing option as well; don't be afraid to use it if you're near death.
* Do every red portal room you can. At best you can gain 12% Base HP, an extra relic and around 5% Resolve from the chest. Don't be suicidal about it, but if you have health to spare, the rewards are worth it. Even if you take tons of damage, you can still heal yourself with Consume Nectar and gain 5% Resolve from the chest.
* Try clearing the run at least once without assembling the Medallion. It's tempting to take it and go for Gold immediately, but losing 80 Resolve and having to fight both Jonah and Cain Prime is easily the hardest part of the run, and should only be tackled if you know you can handle it.

That being said, there are some strategic choices that can make the run easier.

Show/Hide Classes & Relics

#### Classes

* Chef - Applies  Burn on every attack, and Burn does incredibly high damage in True Rogue from the get-go. Easily the most powerful class of all.
* Mage - Applies  Mana Leech on every attack, and has a base Mana Pool of 200. This gives you tons of mana to play around with, giving you the ability to cast spells much more often for extra damage, or delete Large Projectiles with spells like  Freeze Strike, which can make some boss fights significantly easier.
* Boxer - Has a high amount of base health, and his Elusive passive lets you bypass contact damage on enemies who are not attacking. This passive makes some weapons and spells much easier to use, such as  Charon's Scythe,  Kasa-obake and  Flame Barrier.
* Ranger - Has a good balance of HP, as well as a 10% boost to both Strength and Dexterity, making your attacks and Crits hit a bit harder.

#### Relics

* Amaterasu's Sun - As said above,  Burn does tons of damage. Well worth picking it up, especially on slower weapons.
* Ananke's Grace - An extra double jump is invaluable when you only have 1 in True Rogue.
* Body Buffet - Slightly expensive, but can pay off over time. Best if found early in the run.
* Catalyst - Even if you don't apply a status effect at the time, it's still worth picking it up in the chance you will later on. Instant synergy with both Chef and Mage.
* Cloak of Eventide - The most powerful defensive relic at your disposal. If you can play around it, it's unparalleled.
* Coeus' Shell - Great at blocking the damage from Blessings of Life. Is less effective in boss fights but is still a solid pick.
* Corrupting Reagent - While not as generally effective as Burn,  Poison still does significant damage over time. If sustained on a boss, it's even better than Burn. The poison clouds are spammable and can destroy Curse projectiles, making some enemy encounters and boss fights easier.
* Cornucopia - Makes Meat heal 2-3x as much. If you find one of these, other healing relics often aren't needed.
* Demeter's Trial - Very attractive due to the 0 Resolve cost. Risky, but with big payoff if you can handle it.
* Freon's Reward - Reliable and powerful healing. Along with Cornucopia, one of the best healing relics.
* Grave Bell - The final bosses in particular hit very hard. Having even a chance to survive a fatal blow might make the difference between victory and defeat.
* Hector's Helm - Great in boss fights, as you may frequently find yourself under 50% HP.
* Heron's Ring - Going under 100 Resolve isn't as big a deal in True Rogue. The payoff in damage in this case is well worth it without needing to overdo it.
* Lachesis' Measure - Expensive, but strong if you can reliably Skill Crit. Arguably less effective than other healing relics considering the price.
* Lotus Petal - Cheap and a sizable increase to your Mana pool.
* Monkey's Paw - Nearly triples your base rerolls for 20 Resolve. Excellent.
* Pandora's Trial - The risk is well worth it for 50 extra Resolve.
* Raven's Ring - Going under 100 Resolve isn't as big a deal in True Rogue. The payoff in damage in this case is well worth it without needing to overdo it.
* Star Sling - Cheap and powerful, especially with low CD talents like  Combat Roll.
* Tattered Rope - 50 Resolve is huge, and the increase to hazard damage taken isn't too severe.
* Transmogrificator - 7% more damage and 20 Resolve for randomizing your kit. Take on sight.
* War Drum - Stacking damage as your relics grow. Take on sight.
* White Beard - Expensive, but can significantly increase your damage output or utility via spells.
* Zealot's Ring - Cheap, and excellent with classes who have low base mana pools.

## Thanatophobia

* You have 15 lives.
* You can only play each class once.
* Once you’re out of lives, your save file is deleted.
* Complete the mode to earn a Silver Trophy as well as the "Thanatophobia" achievement.
* Complete the mode using 9 heirs or fewer to earn a Gold Trophy.

## Thana-two-phobia

* Same rules as Thanatophobia, except enemy and boss Burdens are applied, meaning more challenging biomes and much more challenging boss fights.
* All Fabled Weapons are unlocked.
* Complete the mode to earn a Silver Trophy as well as the "Thanatwophobia" achievement.
* Complete the mode using 9 heirs or fewer to earn a Gold Trophy.