Unlocking All Completion Marks in The Binding of Isaac: A Comprehensive Guide
The Binding of Isaac is a notoriously challenging roguelike that rewards persistence, skill, and a deep understanding of its mechanics. One of the most significant measures of progress within the game is the acquisition of all completion marks for each character. These marks signify the successful completion of various endgame challenges with a specific character, unlocking powerful items and secrets along the way. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough on how to obtain every completion mark, offering strategies and tips to conquer each boss and challenge.
Understanding Completion Marks
Completion marks are awarded for defeating the final boss of each major path in The Binding of Isaac with a particular character. These paths include:
- Mother (Corpse)
- The Beast (Home)
- Mega Satan (Sheol)
- Hush (Blue Womb)
- Delirium (Void)
- Isaac (Cathedral)
- Satan (Sheol)
- Lamb (Dark Room)
Each character has their own set of completion marks to earn, and unlocking all completion marks for a character unlocks unique items or abilities, contributing to the overall progression of the game. The interface in-game displays these marks, letting you easily see which challenges you’ve conquered.
Character-Specific Strategies
Each character in The Binding of Isaac has unique starting items and abilities, requiring tailored strategies for success. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach unlocking all completion marks with some of the more challenging characters:
Isaac
Isaac is the base character, providing a relatively balanced starting point. His ability to use the D6 (unlocked by defeating Isaac with ???) to reroll items makes him versatile. Focus on building a strong offensive and defensive synergy. Early game survivability is key. Don’t be afraid to use bombs to find secret rooms for extra resources. Aim to acquire angel deals for powerful items like Holy Mantle or Sacred Heart.
Magdalene
Magdalene starts with the Yum Heart, providing a reliable source of healing. This allows for more aggressive play. Focus on health-boosting items like the Piggy Bank or the Habit (if unlocked) to maximize Yum Heart’s effectiveness. Prioritize defensive strategies to leverage her inherent survivability. Consider angel deals to boost her overall power.
Cain
Cain starts with a key and the Lucky Foot, increasing his chances of finding consumables and good items. This makes him excellent at resource management. Focus on maximizing your luck stat through items like the Magic 8 Ball or the number 7 trinket. Explore every room for consumables and secret rooms. A balanced build is crucial, but leaning towards offensive power is generally beneficial. Successfully obtaining all completion marks with Cain often hinges on efficient resource utilization.
Judas
Judas starts with high damage but only one heart container, making him a glass cannon. A risky but potentially rewarding playstyle. Focus on maximizing damage output through items like Brimstone or Mom’s Knife. Avoid taking unnecessary risks and prioritize dodging enemy attacks. Devil deals are almost mandatory to survive. Plan carefully to avoid getting hit. Achieving all completion marks as Judas requires precision and a bit of luck.
??? (Blue Baby)
??? starts with only soul hearts, making him vulnerable to health-down pills and curses. Focus on acquiring more soul hearts and items that grant invincibility frames, such as the Holy Mantle or the Book of Shadows. Angel deals are highly desirable to mitigate his health limitations. Avoid taking devil deals unless absolutely necessary. Successfully completing runs with ??? requires a defensive mindset and careful item selection. Getting all completion marks with this character is a true test of skill.
Eve
Eve starts with the Whore of Babylon and the Dead Bird. The Whore of Babylon activates when she has one heart container or less, granting a significant damage boost. Focus on maintaining low health to maximize the Whore of Babylon’s effect. Items that grant temporary invincibility, such as the Book of Shadows, are invaluable. A balanced build is crucial for her survival. Prioritize damage above all else. Players aiming for all completion marks with Eve must master her aggressive playstyle.
Azazel
Azazel starts with a powerful short-range Brimstone attack and flight, making him strong in the early game. Focus on maximizing his damage output and range. Items that grant health are essential to compensate for his short range. Devil deals are a good option, provided you can maintain some health. Use his flight to your advantage to avoid enemy attacks. He is one of the easier characters to unlock all completion marks with.
Lazarus
Lazarus starts with an extra life, but his stats are initially poor. Focus on improving his stats through items and pills. His revival form grants a temporary stat boost, which can be used strategically. A balanced build is essential for his survival. Utilize his extra life to take risks and explore opportunities. Achieving all completion marks as Lazarus requires patience and adaptability.
Eden
Eden starts with a random item and random stats each run. This makes him highly unpredictable, but also potentially very powerful. Adapt your strategy based on your starting items. Focus on building a well-rounded build that can handle any situation. Experiment with different item combinations to discover powerful synergies. Getting all completion marks with Eden requires adaptability and a bit of luck.
The Lost
The Lost starts with flight and spectral tears, but he dies in one hit. He also starts with the Holy Mantle after unlocking it. Focus on avoiding damage at all costs. Items that grant invincibility, such as the Book of Shadows, are essential. Angel deals are highly desirable to provide defensive buffs. Play cautiously and prioritize survival. Successfully unlocking all completion marks as The Lost is one of the most challenging achievements in the game.
Lilith
Lilith starts with Incubus, which copies her tears, and Box of Friends. Focus on maximizing Incubus’s damage output through items and familiars. Box of Friends can be used to create multiple Incubuses, significantly increasing her damage potential. A balanced build is crucial for her survival. Prioritize damage above all else. Players seeking all completion marks with Lilith must leverage her powerful familiar.
Keeper
Keeper starts with triple shot, but only two health containers that are coins. Focus on generating and maintaining a steady supply of coins for health. Items that generate coins, such as the Greed’s Gullet, are invaluable. Devil deals are risky, but sometimes necessary. Play cautiously and prioritize survival. Successfully unlocking all completion marks as Keeper requires careful resource management.
Apollyon
Apollyon starts with Void, which can absorb items to grant stat boosts. Focus on absorbing items that provide useful stat boosts. Avoid absorbing items that are already strong on their own. Experiment with different item combinations to discover powerful synergies. Getting all completion marks with Apollyon requires strategic use of the Void.
The Forgotten
The Forgotten starts with a melee weapon and a soul. Focus on using the melee weapon to deal damage and the soul to protect yourself. Items that increase melee damage are highly desirable. Play aggressively and prioritize close-range combat. Successfully unlocking all completion marks as The Forgotten requires mastering his unique playstyle.
Bethany
Bethany can’t collect red heart containers but starts with Book of Virtues. Focus on generating soul hearts and utilizing Book of Virtues to create powerful wisps. Items that grant soul hearts are essential. Angel deals are highly desirable. Play defensively and prioritize survival. Achieving all completion marks as Bethany requires careful management of soul hearts and strategic use of Book of Virtues.
Jacob & Esau
Jacob & Esau are two characters controlled simultaneously. Focus on coordinating their movements and building separate builds for each character. Items that benefit both characters are highly desirable. Play cautiously and prioritize survival. Successfully unlocking all completion marks as Jacob & Esau requires excellent coordination and strategic item allocation.
General Tips for Success
- Learn Enemy Patterns: Understanding enemy attack patterns is crucial for dodging and avoiding damage.
- Master Item Synergies: Experiment with different item combinations to discover powerful synergies.
- Utilize Secret Rooms: Secret rooms often contain valuable items and resources.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Persistence is key to overcoming the challenges in The Binding of Isaac.
- Prioritize Defense: Focus on building a strong defense to survive the later stages of the game.
- Learn Boss Patterns: Each boss has unique attack patterns that must be learned to defeat them.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Restart: If your starting items are poor, don’t be afraid to restart the run.
Conclusion
Unlocking all completion marks in The Binding of Isaac is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each character, mastering item synergies, and practicing consistently, you can conquer the game’s toughest challenges and unlock its deepest secrets. Remember to adapt your strategy to each character and don’t be afraid to experiment. Good luck, and may your runs be blessed with powerful items!
[See also: The Binding of Isaac Item Tier List] [See also: Best Characters in The Binding of Isaac] [See also: How to Beat Hush in The Binding of Isaac]
