Ascension

Ascension is a game mode that adds new challenge modifiers to runs for added difficulty.

In order to unlock Ascension 1 for one character, you need to beat all three acts with that character.

Winning a run in each Ascension will unlock the next Ascension for that character only.

Losing a run will NOT reset any progress or decrease your Ascension number. Losing a run in Act 4 will still unlock the next Ascension.

You may play any Ascension level you have unlocked.

All Ascension levels can be played in Custom Mode, but completing them there will not count for your progress in the game.

The negative effects from each Ascension level are cumulative. For example: If you are on Ascension 3, the disadvantages of Ascension 1 and 2 will be in effect as well.

Modifiers

1. Elites spawn more often.
2. Normal enemies are deadlier.
3. Elites are deadlier.
4. Bosses are deadlier.
5. Heal less after Boss battles (75% of missing health)
6. Start each run damaged (-10% health)
7. Normal enemies are tougher.
8. Elites are tougher.
9. Bosses are tougher.
10. Start each run cursed. (Ascender's Bane)
11. Start each run with 1 less potion slot.
12. Upgraded cards appear less often. (50% less)
13. Bosses drop less gold. (25% less)
14. Lower max HP. (-5 for Ironclad, -4 for Silent, Defect, and Watcher)
15. Unfavorable events.
16. Shops are more costly. (10% more)
17. Normal enemies have more challenging movesets and abilities.
18. Elite enemies have more challenging movesets and abilities.
19. Boss enemies have more challenging movesets and abilities.
20. Double boss. (Fight 2 bosses at the end of Act 3.)

Update History

• Patch V1.1: The Dealer
  • Ascension description tips are now numbered in English.
  • Ascension level is now an icon + number in the top panel (gold when max level).
  • Rich Presence now contains Ascension level (unless 0).
• Weekly Patch 56: The Collector
  • Book of Stabbing enemy's multi-stab attack strikes 1 less time on Ascension 18.
  • Spire Growth's constrict power nerfed 15 -> 12 on Ascension 18.
  • Writhing Mass' strong hit damage nerfed 34 -> 32. 40 -> 38 (Ascension 2)
• Weekly Patch 54: Loop
  • A Note For Yourself event is now available if you aren't playing your highest ascension AND the ascension level is 14 or less.
• Weekly Patch 53: Blizzard
  • Ascension 20 achievement not unlocking if you die on Act 4 on A20.
  • Spire Spear was incorrectly buffed on Ascension 17 instead of 18.
• Weekly Patch 51: Recursion
  • Ascension no longer increments if the run was seeded.
• Weekly Patch 50: The Final Act
  • Ascension 20 now correctly works on Endless mode.
• Weekly Patch 49: The Designer
  • Reptomancer enemy was receiving the Ascension 18 boost at Ascension 17.
• Weekly Patch 47: Metamorphosis
  • Council of Ghosts event now only gives 3 Apparition on Ascension 15+.
  • Fixed issue where seeded runs allowed ascension unlocks and uploading to leaderboards.
• Weekly Patch 46: Adrenaline
  • Ascension 16 shop price increase lowered from +15% -> +10%.
  • Fixed issue where Transient had HP/damage buffs at incorrect Ascension levels.
• Weekly Patch 44: Chrysalis
  • Hotfix: Certain score bonuses and achievements are no longer checked when beating the first final boss on Ascension 20, but correctly check after the second final boss is defeated.
  • Hotfix: Timer no longer stops on beating the first final boss on Ascension 20.
  • Book of Stabbing enemy on Ascension 18+ now does a single stab sometimes, but still increases its multi-stab count.
  • In Custom Mode, fixed issue where Ascension was on if not set to level 0. (Even if toggled off)
• Weekly Patch 41: Chill
  • Ascension level choosing in custom mode now allows looping around to choose your ascension level quicker.
  • Character select screen now saves your last played Ascension level per character except when you unlock a new level.
• Weekly Patch 40: Forethought
  • Ascension 17 Bear's Dex debuff nerfed 5 -> 4.
  • Ascension 17 Repulsors no longer put 3 dazes into your draw pile.
  • Ascension 18 Book of Stabbing enemy now has modified AI. Now stabs you relentlessly.
  • Ascension 19 Awakened One's Curiousity Power nerfed 3 -> 2.
  • Ascension 19 Champ Strength buff nerfed 5 -> 4.
  • Ascension 19 Hexaghost gets less of a buff (no longer also increased Inferno damage).
  • Darklings defensive move had the incorrect intent on Ascension 17+.
• Weekly Patch 38: Bane
  • Ascension 16 - 20 is now available!
  • Adding Achievement for beating Ascension 20.
  • The Guardian boss' Phase Shift is now 35 starting Ascension 9.
• Weekly Patch 37: Darkness
  • Reptomancer enemy is now affected by Ascension 2 and Ascension 7.
  • Spire Growth enemy is now affected by Ascension 2 and Ascension 7.
• Weekly Patch 36: Power Through
  • Ascension Mode unlock requirement updated. Now unlocked per character when you win. (previously required either winning 5 times or beating every act 3 boss)
• Weekly Patch 31: Custom Mode
  • Increased spacing between floor/ascension and modifiers in top panel.
• Weekly Patch 30: Skewer
  • Added a VFX to let you know when Ascension Mode is unlocked.
  • Ascension no longer increments if you use a custom seed.
  • Fixed Snecko Oil description issues on Ascension 11+.
• Weekly Patch 29: Turbo
  • Hotfix: Fixed Snecko Oil description issues on Ascension 11+.
  • In the Nest event, the non-dagger option steals less gold now (150 -> 99). Ascension 15 -> 50.
• Weekly Patch 28: The Ritual
  • Ascension 11 modifier changed. Instead of weakening potions, the player starts with 1 less potion slot.
• Weekly Patch 25: Building Blocks
  • Snecko Oil wording fix for high ascension levels.
• Weekly Patch 23: Testing Continues...
  • Added the missing the starting damage on Ascension for Defect.
• Weekly Patch 20: Immolate
  • Awakened One nerf. Curiousity is now 2 -> 1. Ascension: 3 -> 2.
• Weekly Patch 19: Seed
  • Fixed issue where Ascension 10 Achievement was unlocked 1 level early.
• Weekly Patch 17: Patched in the Face
  • Ascension 10 now gives you Ascender's Bane rather than Parasite.
  • Fixed issue where Shield Gremlin and Orb Walker had upped values in the wrong Ascension Level.
• Weekly Patch 16: Back to Work
  • Hexaghost slightly nerfed on Ascension 4+. (Deals less damage).
• Weekly Patch 15: Surprise Patch
  • Fixed issue where Gremlin Thief stopped using Ascension 2 damage after first hit.
  • Cleric now shows and uses correct gold costs on Ascension 15.
  • Woman in Blue event now correctly describes what happens on Ascension 15.
• Weekly Patch 12: Lunar New Year
  • Fixed issue where Ascension level up VFX was not occurring when you unlocked the next Ascension.
• Weekly Patch 11: A Library of Features
  • Ascension now goes up to Level 15!
  • Ascension Mode can alternatively be unlocked if you have won at least 5 times across all characters.
  • Updating wording for Ascension mode description and the UI in Character Select.
  • You can now toggle levels for Ascension if you want to play a previous level.
• Weekly Patch 10: Quality of Life
  • Fixed issue where Ascension Multiplier wasn't multiplied with Ascension Level.
• Weekly Patch 9: Ascension
  • Hotfix: Ascension Mode should unlock properly now. Sorry about that! (Exit Steam and Relaunch to force an update!)
  • Ascension Mode
  • This mode can be accessed by defeating all of the Act 3 bosses
  • Afterwards, Ascension Mode will be available in the character select screen after choosing a character.
  • Each Ascension run will get harder as you emerge victorious.
  • But beware, each victory will add another layer of difficulty...
  • Currently, there are 10 Ascension Levels to fight through!
  • Ascension mode does NOT affect winstreaks but wins/losses and leaderboards are still utilized. Each level of Ascension grants a 5% score bonus.