Loop Hero is the latest hit in the trend of indie roguelike games. True to its genre, Loop Hero is a game that teaches players how to improve by making sure they die a lot. In the first chapter of the game, players are likely to become addicted to the grind and the sense of success at overcoming a difficult challenge. For those players who cleared the opening levels with sheer persistence, Chapter 2 is sure to be a lesson in the importance of knowledge and preparation.
Indeed, success in Loop Hero depends more on preparation than anything. Overcoming the game's difficult second chapter requires an investment of time spent improving the base camp and learning which cards and traits to use during an expedition. That's not to mention the powerful boss that awaits at the end of the chapter. Some clever tactics will be necessary to make it further in Loop Hero.
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The campsite in Loop Hero is the player's source of permanent upgrades. While everything that's done during an expedition is lost upon death or retreat, the player can still feel a solid sense of progression as long as they manage to add something to the Loop Hero camp with each visit. In order to clear Chapter 2, certain upgrades should definitely be made.
The Gymnasium and Supply Depot are must-haves. The Gymnasium unlocks traits during expeditions, which are useful abilities that players won't want to do without. The Supply Depot unlocks the Supply menu in which the player can slot in unique items found during expeditions for permanent buffs. Anyone struggling to progress through Chapter 2 should set out on expeditions with the specific purpose of collecting these useful items, and then quickly retreat back to camp before an untimely death claims the rewards.
Lastly, it is highly advised that the player constructs a Crypt in the campsite. For the sake of defeating the Chapter 2 boss, the Necromancer class is highly recommended. With the Crypt in place, the Necromancer class is unlocked and the player is ready to make a valiant attempt at beating the chapter.
While it's tempting to place any cards that come into the hand right away, it's best to hold on to some cards and even let them be discarded. Rocks typically aren't as useful as Mountains, and playing too many enemy-spawning cards can quickly cause the hero to be overwhelmed before they can be outfitted in worthy gear. Some useful cards that players may want to spend time unlocking from the camp are Rivers, Forests, and powerful Golden cards like the Arsenal.
As for traits, it would be wise to collect as many as four or five useful traits before challenging the chapter boss. Traits can be earned quicker by placing Village cards, which grant the hero an experience-yielding quest with each passage. Placing a Vampire Mansion next to a Village will eventually make for even more rewarding quests, but at great risk. For players who choose to take the advice of using the Necromancer class for Chapter 2, one trait, in particular, that should be sought is the "Edge of Impossible."
If the player lives long enough to fill the boss gauge in Chapter 2, they will encounter the Priestess boss. This can be a very challenging encounter for a hero who isn't properly prepared. The Priestess surrounds herself with up to five windows that have a chance to intercept the player's attacks, as well as an Angel that performs a couple of strong attacks before disappearing. Every 2nd turn, the Priestess will replace a broken window instead of attacking.
With the defensive windows constantly respawning, and powerful Angels raining devastating attacks onto the hero, it stands to reason that the best way to win is to somehow unleash a swift flurry of attacks that can destroy the windows and inflict damage on the Priestess faster than the windows can be reconstructed. That's where the Necromancer class shines.
With multiple skeleton familiars also throwing attacks at the boss, there will be little chance of her windows posing an issue. If the player managed to pick up the "Edge of Impossible" trait during the expedition, they will have even more skeletons and a greater chance at victory.
Loop Hero is available now on PC.