Beginner's Guide

Basic Controls

  • Use WASD or arrow keys to move your character
  • Auto-attack nearest enemy
  • Press Spacebar to use special abilities
  • ESC key to open menu

Early Game Progress

  • Prioritize movement speed and dodge abilities
  • Collect experience gems to level up
  • Maintain health by collecting supplies
  • Stay away from large enemy groups

First 10 Minutes Strategy

The opening moments are crucial for establishing a strong foundation. Here's your step-by-step survival plan:

Minutes 1-3: Initial Setup

  • Focus entirely on movement - avoid combat when possible
  • Collect any weapons you find, but don't rely on them yet
  • Learn the basic monster spawn patterns
  • Stay near the center of the map initially

Minutes 4-6: First Upgrades

  • Upgrade movement speed as your first priority
  • Take any damage upgrades that complement your starting weapon
  • Begin engaging smaller monster groups
  • Collect health pickups strategically

Minutes 7-10: Building Momentum

  • Start combining weapons for better damage output
  • Learn to kite larger groups of enemies
  • Upgrade your most effective weapons first
  • Prepare for the first mini-boss around minute 8

Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ Standing Still While Fighting

Movement is life in Monster Survivors. Even when shooting, keep moving in circles or figure-8 patterns to avoid damage.

❌ Upgrading Damage Too Early

Speed and survivability should come first. A dead character deals zero damage.

❌ Ignoring Weapon Synergies

Some weapons work better together. Experiment with combinations rather than maxing out single weapons.

❌ Not Learning Monster Patterns

Each enemy type has predictable movement and attack patterns. Study them to anticipate and avoid damage.

Essential Hotkeys & Controls

Movement Controls

Move Up: W / ↑
Move Down: S / ↓
Move Left: A / ←
Move Right: D / →

Action Controls

Special Ability: SPACE
Pause/Menu: ESC
Fullscreen: F11
Auto-Attack: Automatic

Progression Tips for First Hour

Your first hour of gameplay sets the foundation for long-term success. Focus on these key areas:

✅ Master the Basics First

Spend your first few games just learning movement and basic survival. Don't worry about high scores yet.

📚 Study Each Death

Every death is a learning opportunity. Ask yourself: What could I have done differently? Which upgrade path might have helped?

🎯 Set Small Goals

Start with goals like "survive 5 minutes" or "try 3 different weapon combinations" rather than aiming for high scores immediately.

Equipment Choice

  • Sword and shield combo recommended for beginners
  • Ranged weapons require more skill
  • Focus on upgrading main weapon first
  • Use defensive gear to improve survival

Survival Tips

  • Keep moving, never stay still
  • Use terrain to avoid enemies
  • Watch for item indicators on minimap
  • Retreat from strong enemies when needed