Spelunky 2 is a tough yet addictive roguelike that often feels punishing—but always leaves you saying, “just one more run.” If you’re new to the game or struggling to make progress, these beginner tips will help you survive longer and push further into the depths.

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🗡️ Combat and Whip Mechanics

1. Master the Whip

• The whip is your default weapon. It strikes:
  • The tile directly in front of you.
  • Slightly above and behind during the wind-up.
• For faster attacks, turn your back to the enemy and use the wind-up hit.
• Learn the timing to hit airborne or elevated enemies without moving.

2. Alternative Attacks

• Jumping on enemies stuns or defeats them.
• Throw objects (rocks, pots) to damage from a distance.
• Use special weapons like machetes or shotguns for stronger attacks when available.

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⚠️ Trap Navigation

3. Avoiding Traps

• Trigger arrow traps by tossing objects (rocks, skulls, etc.).
• Use bombs or ropes to bypass dangerous areas, but conserve them wisely.
• Let enemies trigger traps when possible to save your resources.

4. Pots: Risk and Reward

• Pots may contain gems—or enemies.
• Always throw them away from yourself to avoid surprise attacks.

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🗺️ Level Exploration

5. Always Carry a Rock

• Rocks are multipurpose tools:
  • Trigger traps.
  • Knock out enemies.
  • Break barriers.
• Retrieve and reuse them whenever you can.

6. Be Careful with Falls

• Ledge-grab to reduce drop damage.
• Press down while near ledges to look below before jumping.

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🐶 Pets and Healing

7. Rescue Pets

• Every level has a hidden pet (dog, cat, or hamster).
• Delivering them to the exit gives you +1 HP—if they remain alive.
• Keep them safe from traps and enemies.

8. Sacrifices and the Kapala

• Offer living pets or stunned enemies to Kali altars.
• Two good sacrifices earn you the Kapala, a powerful item that collects blood to heal you.
• Live sacrifices are more valuable than corpses.

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💎 Items and Hazards

9. Ghost Jar Warning

• Breaking the ghost jar releases a diamond but summons the ghost.
• Only smash it if the exit is nearby—or you’re ready to run!

10. Skeleton Safety Check

• Jump on skeletons before picking them up.
• If they move or bounce, they’re alive; if not, they’re safe projectiles.

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🛒 Shopkeepers and NPCs

11. Never Anger Shopkeepers

• Shopkeepers are lethal when provoked.
• Avoid stealing or accidentally damaging their goods.

12. Handle Turkeys Carefully

• Hurting the turkey NPC’s birds can trigger aggression.
• Avoid attacking turkeys near him unless you’re prepared for a fight.

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🧠 General Survival Tips

13. Be Observant

• Pause often to assess your surroundings.
• Watch for traps, enemies, and treasures before moving forward.

14. Watch the Clock

• Each level must be cleared within 3 minutes before the ghost spawns.
• Triggering the ghost jar starts the countdown early—be ready to exit fast.

15. Accept the Learning Curve

• You’ll die—a lot.
• But each run teaches you something new. Embrace failure and keep experimenting.

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🎯 Final Thoughts

Spelunky 2 is about calculated risk, observation, and adaptation. These tips will help you get past the first level and start enjoying deeper runs. There’s so much more to discover—from hidden secrets to advanced items—but survival starts with mastering the basics.