Hey there! Here are a few tips to help new and returning players to Dark and Darker!

1. This is first and foremost a Player vs Player game! While you can have a fun experience killing mobs and looting treasures, there is ALWAYS the threat that you will die at the hands of another player and lose what you've brought into the dungeon/found during the raid. Try not to take it personally and always be wary of others! Betrayal from a seemingly friendly player may happen and you can only blame yourself if you decide to be trusting. (Though don't let that stop you from doing it. I've had way more nice interactions with people than I've been backstabbed)

2. Movement is important in Dark and Darker! Wearing heavier armour slows you down a bit, as does holding your weapon in your hand. Performing actions like swinging a weapon, drinking a potion, casting a spell, and TAKING damage will also slow you. Sheath your weapons ('x' key by default) to run faster. Holding Forward(W), Right(D), and left(A), don't give you a movement penalty but holding backwards(S) WILL slow you down greatly. Getting into the habit of using D or A to move away quickly while also keeping an eye on your target is a very useful skill. Movement penalties aren't applied while you're in the air either, so jumping right before you pull out a weapon or to quickly take a glance behind you for a tiny bit more distance before you're slowed.

3. The monsters in this game can kill you in just a few hits and healing can be hard to come by at the start! Learning the attack patterns of monsters will help you avoid or block attacks and let you find openings for attacking! Most basic monsters have 1 or two attacks that they'll choose from so learning the patterns is fairly straight forward. Weapons that will block if you hold right click while they're held out are - Any shield, Quarterstaff, Spear, Bardiche, and Longsword. Longsword actually has a powerful 2 hit combo if you right click following a successful block! (flute does too and has a riposte but please don't rely on that). The hitboxes vary greatly between each weapon so learning where you have to aim to actually stop an attack is another skill to learn.

4. You're going to die a LOT. Especially at the start, some people have a hard time escaping the dungeon. Luckily, you'll retain ALL the experience you've gained during the match! Additionally, some quest progress doesn't require you to escape(usually the kill x amount of mobs quests). Always read the quests carefully though as many quests will require you to leave successful from the match for it to count. You do get more experience per item you escape with but any loot is always lost if not retrieved by a teammate.

5. When you're just starting out, loot everything. Don't worry about if it's expensive or if you can wear it. Escaping a dungeon with items will give you more xp and let you sell them for some gold to let you bring in better items and healing stuff for future rounds. Looting chests, killing mobs, and escaping with items will all net you experience. Dropping lower tier items for higher grade items is always good since they sell for more but ONLY if you don't have room. Rarities from lowest to highest are Grey, White, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Yellow.

6.Look over each classes' abilities, perks and weapons! Even if you don't play that particular class, knowing their limitations and utilities will help you both in fighting against them; as well as when they're your teammates! It doesn't feel good to approach someone and not quite understand HOW you died.

7. Utilize the wiki! The people in charge of it have done a TON in terms of adding helpful stuff there! GO there to look up stuff about monsters, where treasures and exits are, and most importantly - https://darkanddarker.map.spellsandguns.com/map/Crypt-01-N - MAPS!

8. Quests are super beneficial to get done as they increase your rep with certain merchants who will sell you better gear, let the squire give you better/more starting equipment, and be able to craft super strong gear for you as well!

9. Don't take every fight you see! If you're not confident, running is always an option. You might get chased across the entire map or run into mobs and die but sooometimes you'll get away and live to loot more!

10. Try to have fun. Seriously. This is a CHALLENGING game where you can get absolutely destroyed. It's EA and there have been bugs in EVERY patch Ironmace has put out. There are broken mechanics, situations where it feels like there's nothing you could have done, and the looming fear of losing your gear if you die. Always try to take a step back sometimes if you find you're more frustrated than enjoying it and take breaks.


Thanks for reading these tips! Hopefully they help and feel free to ask more in the comments!



- I have over 1000 hours on Dark and Darker, not counting the play tests I joined!
I've reached Demigod Twice as Solo Self Found - First with Barbarian and more recently with Warlock.
I've just started making content again so feel free to check me out if you're interested in seeing SSF Dark and Darker content and possibly guides
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/bunbunhd
Dark and Darker Youtube - https://youtube.com/@notbunbun