However, since you're here reading this guide, you're probably trying to improve your win rate. The fourth option, "Lose your starting Relic Obtain a random boss Relic", is a gamble.This means taking 15 damage for something that may be only equal to option 2 is probably not worth it. Moreover, because we're opting to take either Path 1 or Path 2, we're only going to have 2 guaranteed chances to pick up cards before our first elite fight. However, since the Relics are random, it's hard to say if a random Rare is going to be much better than a random Common this early into the game. Losing 15 HP for a Relic (especially a rare Relic) is a really good trade. The third option, "Take 15 damage Obtain a random rare Relic", is generally a net positive bonus.The second option, "Obtain a random common Relic", is also a guaranteed positive bonus.However, the value is minimal as the only cards we have remotely worth upgrading are Survivor and Neutralize. The first option, "Upgrade a Card", is a guaranteed positive bonus.Now, go back to looking at our starting bonus options: Of those, Path 1 gives you the option of the guaranteed store if you need it for some reason. Since we don't really care about early shops, I would choose to take either Path 1 or Path 2. Paths 1 and 2 allow us to hit four campfires and two elites. Paths 3 and 4 allow us to fight a maximum of 3 elites but there will only be three campfires on that path (if we have to get at least two elite fights). Thinking back, we said that we would like to fight at least two elites this run. Path 3 and 4 are pretty similar to each other, except Path 4 gives a double early store. Path 2 is pretty much the same as Path 1, but you cannot visit that early store. However, our starting bonuses do not give us any gold and we're unlikely to be able to buy anything good with just ~110 or so gold. Numbering the four paths on the right 1-4 (from left to right), Path 1 allows you to visit a store really early on. Seeing that the left-most path involves fighting the flaming elite as the first elite, you would pick this route if you want to start over right away to get that "enemies in your next three combats have 1 HP" buff for your next run. I won't go into the details on that (you can google it. It is also important to note that the first 3 hallway fights of this act are taken from an "easier" pool. You should plan to fight at least 2 elites in this act, but with a little leeway (so that you can opt to fight an extra or one less depending on how the run is going). Note that there are 5 starting positions in this map, 1 of which (left-most) that only gives you a singular path until near the end of the Act. Many thanks to Siri for providing us with this image. You will be offered either 2 options (if you did not reach the first boss in your last run) or 4 options (if you did) for starting bonuses.Ĭonsider your starting options carefully, as they may have a significant impact on your early routing. Starting:When you start your run, you are offered a starting bonus by Neow (henceforth referred to as "Deceptively Awesome Teammate of Aspiring Spire Slayers" or DATASS for short).