Risk of Rain 2 is one of the most punishing and addictive roguelike experiences out there—and that’s exactly why players love it. It’s chaotic, strategic, and always different, luring you in with the promise of a god-tier run that might finally come together if RNG is kind. But when it comes to Monsoon difficulty, the game pulls no punches.

If you’re looking to improve your survival rate and push deeper into runs, this guide is for you.

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1. Start with Drizzle and Rainstorm

Jumping straight into Monsoon is a quick way to burn out. Instead:

• Drizzle Mode teaches core gameplay: movement, combat flow, and how items synergize.
• Rainstorm introduces more pressure without being overwhelming. You’ll feel time-based scaling but still have breathing room to recover.

Master these first to build mechanical skill and game sense.

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2. Stay Mobile or Die

Monsoon doesn’t forgive mistakes. The key to survival: never stop moving.

• Always sprint, jump, and dodge to avoid damage.
• Learn enemy attack patterns and never stand still unless it’s safe.
• Don’t rely on tanking—agility is your lifeline.

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3. Time Is the Real Boss

The timer in the top-right isn’t cosmetic. Difficulty scales constantly with time.

• Ideal Stage Clear Times:
  • Stage 1–4: Under 3 minutes each.
  • Faster clears (around 2 minutes) help you stay ahead of enemy scaling.

Don’t loot every chest. Speed > greed.

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4. Stage Progression Flow

🧭 Step 1: Find the Teleporter Fast

• Look for red particles or learn spawn patterns on each map.
• Use vertical movement characters or equipment to scout quickly.

💰 Step 2: Loot Smart

• Grab 1–2 chests on your way to the teleporter.
• Only detour if loot is directly on your path.
• No loot? Brace yourself for a tougher boss.

🧨 Step 3: Activate & Survive

• Focus on dodging and boss damage.
• Don’t overcommit to adds—surviving the boss is more important.

🏃‍♂️ Step 4: Grab & Go

• Post-boss, grab nearby loot fast.
• Leave quickly—hanging around makes the next stage exponentially harder.

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5. Skip Stage 5 Using Artifact Teleporter

Sky Meadow is infamous for ruining good runs. Here’s the trick:

• Use the Artifact Teleporter to input any artifact code.
• It skips Stage 5, stops the timer, and lets you restock items safely.

Bonus: you can pick your artifact or use Command for experimentation.

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6. Adjust for Late-Game Stages (6–8)

The difficulty spike is real. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Stage 6–7: Take up to 1 minute to loot essentials.
• Stage 8: Skip looting—rush the teleporter unless your build is solid.
• Always prioritize mobility and survivability items over pure DPS.

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7. Recovering from Mistakes

Monsoon punishes everything. A few ways to rebound:

• Use Cautious Slug, Rejuvenation Rack, or Leeching Seed to stabilize out of combat.
• Reposition and slow down to regain control.
• Review what went wrong: Was your positioning bad? Did you overstay? Were you item-starved?

Every death is a lesson.

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8. Use Artifact of Command (Optional)

For newer players or those testing builds:

• Artifact of Command lets you choose every item you pick up.
• It removes RNG but teaches synergy and strategy effectively.
• Purists may scoff, but it’s a great learning tool—and a way to regain confidence after bad runs.

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Final Thoughts

Monsoon is brutal—but that’s why it’s so satisfying to beat. Every death teaches, and every close call builds experience. One day, you’ll hit the perfect run: the one where skills align, RNG blesses you, and you walk out of that teleporter with Monsoon skins unlocked and pride intact.

Good luck out there, survivor. Keep moving, stay sharp, and may the RNG gods smile on your next run.