In The Binding of Isaac, the Devil Room is a crucial aspect of any run, offering powerful items that can significantly enhance your character’s abilities. However, these items come at a cost, usually trading your heart containers. Understanding which Devil Room items to prioritize can make the difference between a successful run and an early defeat.
Devil Room Mechanics
The Devil Room typically appears after defeating a boss on floors between Basement II and Womb II. To maximize your chances of accessing this room, avoid taking red heart damage on the floor or boss fight, and consider holding items like the Goat Head, which guarantees the Devil Room’s appearance.
Devil Room Item Pools
The Devil Room item pool is vast, containing a mixture of passive, active, and familiar items. These items are exclusive to the Devil Room unless accessed through other means, like Red Chests or specific item synergies.
Top Devil Room Items to Consider
When you enter the Devil Room, the items available can dramatically alter your run. Here are some of the top items you should prioritize:
1. Brimstone
- Type: Passive
- Effect: Grants a powerful, continuous laser attack that replaces your regular tears. Brimstone is universally considered one of the best items in the game due to its high damage output and synergy potential.
2. Twisted Pair
- Type: Familiar
- Effect: Spawns two floating familiars that shoot alongside you, effectively doubling your damage output. Twisted Pair is invaluable for its consistent damage boost.
3. Mom’s Knife
- Type: Passive
- Effect: Replaces tears with a throwable knife that deals massive damage. While the change in playstyle might take some getting used to, the damage increase is undeniable.
4. Incubus
- Type: Familiar
- Effect: Mirrors Isaac’s tears, effectively doubling the damage. Incubus is particularly powerful in synergy with tear-enhancing items, making it a top-tier pick.
5. The Pact
- Type: Passive
- Effect: Increases damage and tears rate while also granting two soul hearts. The Pact is a solid choice for a straightforward power boost, especially in the early stages of a run.
Strategic Considerations
When deciding whether to take a Devil Room item, consider the following:
- Health Cost: Most Devil Room items require you to trade red heart containers, which can be risky. Always weigh the potential benefit against your current health situation.
- Synergies: Certain items work exceptionally well together. For example, Brimstone combined with Homing Tears or other damage multipliers can create an unstoppable force.
- Playstyle: Some items, like Mom’s Knife, significantly change how you play. Ensure you’re comfortable with these changes before committing.
Items to Avoid
Not all Devil Room items are worth the heart containers they cost. Some items can be situational or downright detrimental:
- Ouija Board: Grants spectral tears, which are often not worth the trade unless you have specific synergies.
- Monster Manual: Summons a random familiar for the current room, which is unreliable and not worth the health cost in most cases.
Mastering the Devil Room and its items is essential for any serious Binding of Isaac player. By prioritizing high-impact items like Brimstone, Twisted Pair, and Incubus, while avoiding lesser options, you can ensure that your runs are as powerful as possible. Remember, the right item choice can turn a challenging run into a victorious one.
