Everything you need to get started in Dead Cells.
Guide by Jake Green Contributor
Updated on
Dead Cells sees players controlling a parasite which has overwhelmed the body of a dead prisoner. The gameplay is just as mad, offering up souls-like combat punctuated by loot and map-unlocking upgrades. it is a difficult game from the outset, so having a few key bits of info fresh in your mind will be a real advantage. Luckily, we've pulled together this Dead Cells Tips Guide. It's got details on where Runes are, what they do, as well as general tips and tricks to help you stay alive.
We’ll be adding more to this guide as we spend more time with the game so be sure to check back regularly. If there’s anything you’d like any help with in the game, let us know in the comments below.
Dead Cells Guide
Dead Cells combines elements of roguelikes and Metroidvania. It tasks players with controlling a dead prisoner, re-animated by a mass of powerful cells. It’s your classic Metroidvania fare, as players collect weapons and upgrades which allow them to access previously inaccessible areas of the map. Dead Cells is meant to be challenging, garnering comparisons to the Souls series where combat is concerned.
Dead Cells Tips and Tricks
Dead Cells is designed to be an incredibly tough game. But while the combat is tough to get your head around at first, there are some general tips that you should keep in mind as you play. Here are some Dead Cells Tips and Tricks to help you survive:
- Treat every enemy like you would a boss - Even common enemies can kill you easily if you’re not careful.
- Use doors as battering rams - You can rush through doors to slam them into enemies, stunning them in the process.
- Roll - Use the roll to get behind enemies after they’ve attacked, you can do huge damage this way.
- The skills stat kinda sucks - The skills stat is by far the worst one to invest levelling up in.
- Stomp! - Hold down and jump while in the air and you’ll perform a stomp. This can be used to dodge, or as an attack.
- Don’t be afraid to run - Just like in Dark Souls, sometimes running to the next area is the best option you will have.
- Early on, focus on Blueprints and Runes - You won’t get all that far without good weapons and Runes to get you through.
- Experiment with builds - there are a lot of different play styles that you can go with in Dead Cells, be open minded and try them out.
- Never stop moving - There are timed doors in some areas which will trigger as you enter, keep moving and you’ll always be prepared to beat them. They offer great rewards, so worth pursuing.
- The Shield is your friend - make use of the game’s parry function, it can negate damage and stun enemies if done correctly.
- early on, focus on the more general upgrades like health and gold, this will allow you to survive for longer, and make each run more lucrative. It also means that you can spend a little time with the combat system before wasting upgrades on elements you are not going to use after a while.
- At present, Dead Cells on Switch can be a little framey when undocked. Keep this in mind when playing.
- Enemies will get more powerful the more scrolls you find. Certain members of the community are suggesting that you actually stop collecting them early on, as the damage you'll take will be super low.
Dead Cells Runes - How to Get Every Rune
Runes are incredibly important in Dead Cells. They unlock permanent upgrades that you will need in order to fight harder enemies. Runes grant everything from wall running to being able to smash through weak floors. Here’s how to get every Rune in Dead Cells:
Dead Cells Vine Rune
The Vine Rune unlocks the ability to sprout vines from green blobs located around the map, here’s how to get it:
- In the Promenade of the Condemned.
- Look for a door found at the base of a large overhang.
- Defeat the Undead Archer
- Claim the Rune
Dead Cells Teleportation Rune
The Teleportation Rune unlocks the ability to teleport between pairs of coffins, here’s how to get it:
- Head to the Toxic Sewers, you’ll need the Vine Rune to get there
- Look for a switch-operated door
- There’s a room beneath it
- Defeat the slasher
- Collect the Rune
Dead Cells Belier Rune
The Belier Rune or Ram Rune allows you to break weak floors marked with a yellow sign. Here’s how to get ahold of it:
- Head to the Ossuary
- Find a door that can only be opened by breaking the fragile ground above a button
- The Rune is in that room
- Defeat the Elite Slasher
Dead Cells Challenger Rune
The Challenger Rune is massively useful in Dead Cells. It opens the daily run door in the Prisoner’s Cells.
- To get the Challenger Rune, head to The Black Bridge
- Defeat the Incomplete one
- Collect the Rune
Dead Cells Spider Rune
The Spider Rune let’s you stick to walls, and is needed to access certain areas, here’s how to get it:
- Defeat the Elite Orb Caster located in the Slumbering Sanctuary
- To get there, head through the Insufferable Crypt, and clear the Watcher boss fight
- Collect the Spider Rune
How to Find Secrets in Dead Cells - Hidden Challenge Portals
There are plenty of secrets to find in Dead Cells, though you’d be forgiven for not knowing where to look. Well, secrets in Dead Cells are actually located by finding single squares in the environment that have a faint blue glow to them. Breaking these blocks will give you Gold or Food, so they’re definitely worth keeping an eye out for. They can also summon hidden portals when broken, if they are under the ground that is. These hidden portals will transport you to Challenge Areas.
That’s all of our tips on getting started in Dead Cells. The key thing to keep in mind is that you are supposed to die, a lot. Just keep pushing towards new blueprints and Runes and you’ll start to gain the upperhand.
