Decoding The Binding of Isaac Completion Marks: A Comprehensive Guide
The Binding of Isaac, a roguelike dungeon crawler created by Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl, is renowned for its deep gameplay, intricate secrets, and demanding challenges. One of the most recognizable aspects of the game is its system of completion marks. These marks signify the successful completion of a run with a specific character against a specific boss. Understanding these marks is crucial for players looking to unlock all the game’s content and achieve true mastery. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of Binding of Isaac completion marks, explaining what they are, how to obtain them, and why they are so important.
What are Completion Marks?
Completion marks are visual indicators displayed on the character selection screen that represent the successful completion of a run with a particular character against one of the game’s final bosses. Each character has a grid where these marks are displayed. A mark appears when you defeat a specific boss (Mom, Mom’s Heart/It Lives, Isaac, ???, The Lamb, Mega Satan, Hush, and Ultra Greed/Ultra Greedier) with that character. The presence of a completion mark indicates that you have unlocked something new—be it an item, a trinket, a challenge, or even another character.
The specific bosses required to obtain all completion marks will vary depending on which version of the game you are playing (Rebirth, Afterbirth, Afterbirth+, Repentance). Repentance introduces new and harder completion marks and also changes some of the unlock requirements.
Why are Completion Marks Important?
Completion marks are not merely cosmetic achievements; they are integral to unlocking a significant portion of The Binding of Isaac’s content. Each mark unlocks a new item, trinket, or other gameplay element, enriching the overall experience. For completionists, obtaining all completion marks is the ultimate goal, signifying a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and a mastery of each character’s unique playstyle.
Furthermore, some of the most powerful and game-changing items in The Binding of Isaac are locked behind completion marks. Therefore, players aiming to optimize their runs and increase their chances of success must prioritize obtaining these marks.
How to Obtain Completion Marks
To earn a completion mark, you must first select a character. Then, you must successfully complete a run, defeating one of the required bosses. The difficulty level of the run (Normal or Hard) does not affect whether you receive a completion mark. However, playing on Hard mode unlocks additional items and content, making it the preferred choice for experienced players.
Boss Requirements
The bosses required for completion marks are:
- Mom: The first major boss in the game.
- Mom’s Heart/It Lives: Mom’s Heart appears before unlocking “It Lives!”, after defeating Mom’s Heart 10 times, you will fight “It Lives!” instead.
- Isaac: Found in the Cathedral after defeating Mom’s Heart/It Lives.
- ??? (Blue Baby): Found in Sheol after defeating Mom’s Heart/It Lives.
- The Lamb: Found in the Dark Room, accessible after defeating Mom’s Heart/It Lives and using a specific item or condition to open the portal.
- Mega Satan: Found in either the Chest or the Dark Room, requiring specific key pieces to unlock the door.
- Hush: Found in Blue Womb, accessible by defeating Mom in under 30 minutes.
- Ultra Greed/Ultra Greedier: Found in the Greed Mode’s final floor, requiring a key to activate the boss fight. Ultra Greedier is found in Greedier Mode, unlocked by donating 510 coins to the Greed Machine.
Note that the specific bosses and unlock conditions may vary depending on the version of The Binding of Isaac you are playing. Repentance, in particular, significantly alters some of these requirements.
Tips for Earning Completion Marks
Earning completion marks can be challenging, especially with certain characters. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Understand Each Character: Each character has unique starting items, stats, and abilities. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective strategies.
- Prioritize Survival: Focus on avoiding damage and maintaining your health. Items that provide defensive benefits, such as health upgrades or damage reduction, can be invaluable.
- Learn Enemy Patterns: Familiarize yourself with the attack patterns of different enemies and bosses. This will allow you to anticipate their moves and avoid taking unnecessary damage.
- Utilize Item Synergies: Experiment with different item combinations to discover powerful synergies. Some items, when combined, can create devastating effects.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t be discouraged by early failures. The more you play, the better you will become at navigating the game’s challenges.
Character-Specific Strategies for Completion Marks
Some characters are inherently more challenging to play than others. Here are some character-specific strategies for earning completion marks:
Isaac
Isaac is the default character and is generally considered to be well-balanced. His starting item, the D6, allows him to reroll items, providing a significant advantage. Use the D6 strategically to reroll undesirable items and increase your chances of finding powerful upgrades.
Magdalene
Magdalene starts with the Yum Heart, which heals her for one full heart. This makes her a good choice for beginners. Focus on maximizing your health and defensive capabilities.
Cain
Cain starts with a key and the Lucky Foot, which increases his luck stat. This makes him more likely to find better items and avoid negative effects. Utilize his increased luck to your advantage.
Judas
Judas starts with high damage but only one heart container. This makes him a high-risk, high-reward character. Focus on dealing damage quickly and avoiding taking damage yourself. Consider taking Devil Deals to further increase your damage output.
??? (Blue Baby)
??? starts with only soul hearts, making him vulnerable to damage. Focus on finding ways to generate soul hearts and avoid taking damage to your red heart containers.
Eve
Eve starts with the Whore of Babylon and the Dead Bird. The Whore of Babylon activates when she has one or fewer heart containers, increasing her damage and speed. Use this to your advantage by intentionally taking damage to activate the Whore of Babylon.
Samson
Samson gains damage as he takes damage. Focus on finding ways to mitigate damage while still benefiting from his passive ability.
Azazel
Azazel starts with a short-range Brimstone attack and the ability to fly. This makes him one of the most powerful characters in the game. Use his Brimstone attack to quickly dispatch enemies and bosses.
Lazarus
Lazarus starts with one pill and can revive once with an extra heart. Play cautiously and use his revival ability strategically.
Eden
Eden starts with random items and stats each run. This makes him unpredictable but also potentially very powerful. Adapt your strategy based on the items and stats you receive.
The Lost
The Lost starts with no health and can only be hit once before dying. However, he can fly and starts with the Holy Mantle, which provides one free hit per room. Focus on avoiding damage at all costs and utilizing his flight ability to your advantage.
Lilith
Lilith starts with the Incubus familiar, which fires tears for her. This allows her to focus on positioning and avoiding damage. Use the Incubus to your advantage and prioritize items that synergize with familiars.
Keeper
The Keeper starts with only two coin hearts and cannot gain red heart containers. This makes him extremely vulnerable. Focus on finding ways to generate coins and protect your coin hearts.
Apollyon
Apollyon starts with the Void, which can absorb active items and turn them into stat upgrades. Use the Void strategically to improve your stats and create powerful synergies.
The Forgotten
The Forgotten is a melee character who starts with a bone club and a soul. He can switch between the bone club and the soul at will. Use the bone club for close-range combat and the soul for ranged attacks.
Bethany
Bethany cannot pick up red heart containers but starts with the Book of Virtues, which creates wisps when she uses soul hearts. These wisps provide various benefits, such as dealing damage or providing protection. Focus on generating soul hearts and utilizing the wisps to your advantage.
Jacob & Esau
Jacob & Esau are two characters that are controlled simultaneously. This makes them challenging to play but also potentially very powerful. Coordinate their movements and utilize their unique abilities to your advantage. Try to split them up to cover more ground, but be wary of taking damage to both simultaneously.
Tainted Characters
Repentance introduces Tainted versions of each character, each with unique abilities and challenges. Mastering these characters requires a deep understanding of their mechanics and a willingness to experiment with different strategies. For example, Tainted Isaac can only hold 8 items at a time and must constantly choose which items to keep, while Tainted Magdalene gains a damaging hug aura.
Conclusion
Completion marks are a fundamental aspect of The Binding of Isaac, representing the successful completion of runs with specific characters against specific bosses. Obtaining all completion marks unlocks a significant portion of the game’s content and signifies a mastery of its mechanics. By understanding the requirements for each mark and utilizing character-specific strategies, players can increase their chances of success and unlock the full potential of this challenging and rewarding game. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of The Binding of Isaac, understanding Binding of Isaac completion marks is crucial for maximizing your enjoyment and achieving true completion.
The pursuit of all completion marks is a testament to a player’s dedication and skill, and the rewards are well worth the effort. So, dive into the depths of The Binding of Isaac, master each character, and conquer the challenges that await you. Good luck, and may your runs be filled with powerful items and successful boss encounters!
[See also: Understanding Item Synergies in The Binding of Isaac]
[See also: Best Characters for Beginners in The Binding of Isaac]
[See also: How to Unlock All Characters in The Binding of Isaac]