Celeste is a precision platformer by Maddy Makes Games, built by Matt Thorson and Noel Berry and released on 25 January 2018. Madeline climbs a mountain with three tools: a jump, a wall grab limited by stamina, and a single air dash that only recharges when she touches ground or a crystal. Every screen is a self-contained problem, deaths restart the screen instantly, and the game counts your deaths without ever punishing them. An Assist Mode ships in the options menu and lets you change speed, stamina, dash count and invincibility, and Chapter 9, Farewell, was added free in September 2019.
Choosing the right role shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Best Weapons | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story climber | A | Balanced | Dash | Yes |
| Strawberry completionist | A | Clear a chapter for the story first, then return through chapter select and sweep the side rooms with the layout already in your head. | Wall climb | Yes |
| Assist Mode climber | A | Balanced | Wall jump | Yes |
| B-Side cassette runner | A | Finish an A-Side, grab its cassette, then run the B-Side while the chapter's central mechanic is still fresh. | Dream Block | Yes |
| Golden Strawberry runner | B | Practise the individual hard screens through chapter select until they are automatic, then attempt the full run and expect dozens of resets. | Feather | No |
New player? Start with Strawberry completionist. See our beginner's guide for why.
Story climber
Story climber is a strong option in Celeste.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Dash |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | One air dash with eight directions |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Dash
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Forsaken City to learn Story climber-specific mechanics
- Focus on One air dash with eight directions. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Dash as your first major upgrade
- See our full Story climber build guide for the optimal gear progression
Strawberry completionist
Targets all 175 ordinary strawberries across the eight chapters. Winged strawberries escape the moment Madeline touches the ground, and seeded strawberries need every seed in the room collected first, so both demand a route rather than improvisation.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Clear a chapter for the story first, then return through chapter select and sweep the side rooms with the layout already in your head. |
| Best Weapons | Wall climb |
| Stat Priority | Route knowledge first, then air control, then dash conservation |
| Core Gear | Chapter select for replays, a route plan per chapter, patience with winged variants |
| Key Mechanic | Climbing on a stamina meter |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Clear a chapter for the story first, then return through chapter select and sweep the side rooms with the layout already in your head.
- Pairs well with Wall climb
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Forsaken City to learn Strawberry completionist-specific mechanics
- Focus on Climbing on a stamina meter. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Wall climb as your first major upgrade
- See our full Strawberry completionist build guide for the optimal gear progression
Assist Mode climber
Assist Mode climber is a strong option in Celeste.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Weapons | Wall jump |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Assist Mode toggles in the options |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Wall jump
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Forsaken City to learn Assist Mode climber-specific mechanics
- Focus on Assist Mode toggles in the options. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Wall jump as your first major upgrade
- See our full Assist Mode climber build guide for the optimal gear progression
B-Side cassette runner
Each chapter hides one cassette tape, and collecting it unlocks a much harder remixed version of that chapter. B-Sides drop the story and hand you dense rooms built around a single mechanic taken to its limit.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Finish an A-Side, grab its cassette, then run the B-Side while the chapter's central mechanic is still fresh. |
| Best Weapons | Dream Block |
| Stat Priority | Dash precision first, then wavedash and hyper consistency, then stamina discipline |
| Core Gear | Cassette from each chapter, comfortable super and hyper inputs, chapter select |
| Key Mechanic | Strawberries, hearts and cassettes |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Finish an A-Side, grab its cassette, then run the B-Side while the chapter's central mechanic is still fresh.
- Pairs well with Dream Block
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Forsaken City to learn B-Side cassette runner-specific mechanics
- Focus on Strawberries, hearts and cassettes. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Dream Block as your first major upgrade
- See our full B-Side cassette runner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Golden Strawberry runner
A Golden Strawberry asks you to clear an entire chapter from the first screen to the last without dying once. It is the hardest thing in the game outside the community mod scene, and it turns a forty minute chapter into a single unbroken attempt.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Practise the individual hard screens through chapter select until they are automatic, then attempt the full run and expect dozens of resets. |
| Best Weapons | Feather |
| Stat Priority | Consistency over speed, then route optimisation, then advanced movement tech |
| Core Gear | Full route memorised, consistent hypers and wavedashes, no assists enabled |
| Key Mechanic | Momentum tech: hypers, supers and wavedashes |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Practise the individual hard screens through chapter select until they are automatic, then attempt the full run and expect dozens of resets.
- Pairs well with Feather
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Forsaken City to learn Golden Strawberry runner-specific mechanics
- Focus on Momentum tech: hypers, supers and wavedashes. It's this role's primary system
- Prioritize Feather as your first major upgrade
- See our full Golden Strawberry runner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Role Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Strawberry completionist is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Story climber is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Dash for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Golden Strawberry runner offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another role.
For Group Play
B-Side cassette runner shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Celeste Guides
- Celeste Celeste Overview
- Celeste Best Builds
- Celeste Tier List
- Celeste Walkthrough
- Celeste Beginner's Guide
- Celeste Tips & Tricks
- Celeste Weapons Guide
- Celeste Combat Guide
- Celeste Boss Guide
- Celeste Maps & Locations
- Celeste Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy Celeste, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Classes Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Classes Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Classes Guide: action game with similar mechanics
