In Dead Cells, mutations are a vital part of shaping successful runs. They boost survivability, amplify damage, and provide tactical advantages based on your chosen build. This guide explains how mutations work, when to swap them, and how to use them strategically across different playstyles and biomes.

---

Mutation Mechanics Explained

1. Initial Selection

After the Prisoner’s Quarters, you can choose one of 11 initial mutations:

• 3 per main stat: Brutality (Red), Tactics (Purple), Survival (Green)
• 2 colorless: Flat bonuses unaffected by scroll scaling

These choices give you early direction and synergy with your weapon loadout.

---

2. Scaling with Stats

• Stat-colored mutations scale with the number of scrolls you’ve collected in that stat.
  • Example: Blind Faith starts at 2.8s cooldown reduction with 1 Survival scroll, scaling up to 6s at 32 scrolls.
• Colorless mutations offer flat bonuses and do not scale with scrolls.
  • Notable exceptions: Frostbite and Instinct of the Master of Arms scale with your highest stat, regardless of color.

---

3. Mutation Slots & Rerolls

You unlock a new mutation slot after each of the first three biomes. You can reroll at the mutation station:

• 1st reroll: 1,000 gold
• 2nd reroll: 2,000 gold
• 3rd reroll: 4,000 gold
• Further rerolls: 8,000 gold each

Strategic rerolling allows adaptation between exploration, elite fights, and bosses.

---

Choosing the Right Mutations

Stick to Your Stat Color

Stat-aligned mutations scale better and offer stronger synergy:

• Brutality:
  • Combo: Boosts melee DPS after kills
  • Adrenaline: Lifesteal on melee crits
• Tactics:
  • Support: Boosts damage near deployables
  • Tranquility: Bonus damage while at range
• Survival:
  • What Doesn’t Kill Me: Heal from parries
  • Blind Faith: Reduces skill cooldowns on successful parries

---

When to Go Off-Color

Some off-color mutations remain effective regardless of scroll investment:

• Brutality: Vengeance gives 30% damage reduction and retaliation damage
• Tactics: Point Blank gives 30% bonus to close-range attacks — useful on many builds
• Survival: Armadillopack grants automatic parries during rolls — excellent utility

Tip: Avoid flat-damage off-color mutations like Ranger’s Gear if you’re not investing scrolls in that color.

---

Biome vs. Boss Strategy

Adapt Through the Run

• Use biome-friendly mutations like Killer Instinct (reduces skill cooldown on kills) for map clearing.
• Before major boss fights, switch to survival-focused mutations like:
  • Disengagement: Negates fatal damage once per biome
  • Masochist: Reduces trap damage, ideal in areas like the Clock Tower or Cavern
  • Gastronomy: Boosts healing from food, saving flask charges

---

Staple Mutation Picks (“Holy Trinity”)

• Masochist – Limits trap damage and grants a speed boost
• Disengagement – Grants temporary invincibility when you drop below 15% HP
• Gastronomy – Enhances food healing and adds bonus effects from cursed food

These three are reliable on almost any build, especially when learning new areas.

---

Special Synergies and Utility Picks

Unique Interactions

• Open Wounds (Brutality): Triggers bleeding based on your weapon’s highest stat — practically colorless
• Frostbite: Synergizes with slow effects, ideal for freeze builds
• Instinct of the Master of Arms: Great in multi-skill spam builds — cooldown reduction based on crits

---

Mutation Swap Examples

• Pre-Boss:
  • Switch Killer Instinct to Disengagement
  • Drop Tranquility for Masochist if you expect traps
• Post-Biome:
  • If you’re taking too much damage, reroll to Gastronomy or Ygdar Orus Li Ox (extra life)

---

Closing Advice

• Stay aligned with your build color for best performance.
• Experiment with colorless and cross-color picks to find unique combos.
• Adapt mutations based on biome, enemy types, and your current items.

With over 50 mutations in the game, your options are nearly endless. Use this guide as a foundation and refine your choices as you gain experience. Good luck out there—and may your flask stay full!