Deltarune is Toby Fox's followup to Undertale, released in episodic chapters starting in 2018. It blends a fixed party RPG with bullet hell dodging in battle, and your choice to fight or spare shapes the tone of each encounter.
Starting Deltarune can feel overwhelming. This guide tells you exactly what to focus on during your first hours so you don't waste time on things that don't matter yet. For the full progression path, see our walkthrough.
What Kind of Game Is This?
Deltarune is a rpg game built around Bullet dodging battles and ACT and mercy system. The core loop involves mastering these systems to progress through increasingly challenging content.
What to expect: Time investment in learning mechanics, experimentation, and gradual mastery. The game rewards patience and knowledge.
Choosing Your First Build
| Build | Beginner Rating | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Kris the silent vessel | Excellent for beginners | Balanced approach |
| Susie the reckless bruiser | Excellent for beginners | Balanced approach |
| Ralsei the healer prince | Excellent for beginners | Balanced approach |
| Noelle the ice mage | Excellent for beginners | Balanced approach |
| Berdly support | Excellent for beginners | Balanced approach |
Our recommendation: Start with Susie the reckless bruiser. It offers the most forgiving experience while teaching core mechanics.
Avoid Berdly support as your first pick. It requires deep knowledge of game systems to use effectively. Once you're ready, check our classes guide for all options.
First Session Step-by-Step
Step 1: Learn Bullet dodging battles
Defending means steering a heart through bullet patterns, so dodging skill protects the whole party each turn.
This is the foundation. Spend your first 15-30 minutes getting comfortable with how Bullet dodging battles works before worrying about anything else. Our combat guide breaks this down further.
Step 2: Head to Hometown
The cozy overworld where Kris lives, connecting the chapters and townsfolk.
Clear the main content here before moving on. Everything teaches fundamentals you'll need later. See our maps guide for all locations.
Step 3: Get Your First Upgrade
Look for Susie's axes: it's the most accessible early upgrade. The jump from starting equipment to your first upgrade is the biggest relative power spike in the game.
Step 4: Understand ACT and mercy system
You can ACT on enemies to calm them and then spare instead of killing, opening a pacifist route.
This is the system most new players overlook. Invest time here early. It pays off throughout the entire game.
Step 5: Push to Field of Hopes and Dreams
The opening Dark World area of Chapter 1 where Susie and Ralsei join.
Essential Mechanics Explained
Bullet dodging battles
Defending means steering a heart through bullet patterns, so dodging skill protects the whole party each turn.
ACT and mercy system
You can ACT on enemies to calm them and then spare instead of killing, opening a pacifist route.
Tension Point magic
Grazing bullets and defending build TP, the resource that powers healing and attack spells.
Party of three combat
Unlike Undertale's solo battles, you command a three character party each with distinct spells and roles.
Branching route choices
Decisions and an optional hidden route change events, dialogue and the darker Weird Route outcomes.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Attacking every enemy out of habit and missing the recruitable pacifist outcomes
2. Spending TP carelessly so you lack the resource for healing in a long boss fight
3. Ignoring defense turns and taking avoidable damage instead of building tension
4. Rushing past Dark World rooms and missing chests, items and secrets
5. Entering bosses with an empty item inventory and no healing buffer
First 5 Hours Checklist
- Understand Bullet dodging battles and ACT and mercy system
- Choose Susie the reckless bruiser as starting build
- Clear Hometown main content
- Acquire Susie's axes or equivalent upgrade
- Reach Field of Hopes and Dreams
- Spare enemies after ACTing them down if you want the intended pacifist route and its lighter tone.
- Build TP by grazing bullets close and defending, then spend it on healing and key spells.
Tips for New Players
- Spare enemies after ACTing them down if you want the intended pacifist route and its lighter tone.
- Build TP by grazing bullets close and defending, then spend it on healing and key spells.
- Use Ralsei's Pacify and heal spells to clear fights without killing and to keep the party alive.
- Defend on turns when patterns look dangerous, since survival builds TP for the next attack.
- Explore every Dark World room, since hidden chests and secrets reward thorough searching.
- In Chapter 2 lean on Noelle's IceShock for tough fights once you have enough TP saved.
- Talk to townsfolk between chapters, since their dialogue changes with your choices and progress.
- Manage your item inventory before bosses so you carry enough healing into long battles.
- Watch enemy bullet patterns for a beat before reacting rather than panicking into hits.
- Save before major decisions if you want to see how different choices change events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Undertale first?
No, Deltarune stands on its own, though Undertale fans will catch returning characters and references that add extra meaning.
How many chapters are there?
Toby Fox is releasing Deltarune in chapters over time, with the early chapters available and more in development as a full multi chapter game.
Can I get a no kill route?
Yes, you can ACT enemies down and spare them for a pacifist style path, which is the intended way to play most encounters.
What is the Weird Route?
It is a hidden darker path triggered by specific choices, especially involving Noelle in Chapter 2, that changes events significantly.
Is it free?
Early chapters have been released free, with the project planned as a paid full release once more chapters are complete.
More Deltarune Guides
- Deltarune Deltarune Overview
- Deltarune Best Builds
- Deltarune Tier List
- Deltarune Walkthrough
- Deltarune Tips & Tricks
- Deltarune Weapons Guide
- Deltarune Combat Guide
- Deltarune Boss Guide
- Deltarune Maps & Locations
- Deltarune Crafting Guide
- Deltarune Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Deltarune, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Beginner's Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Beginner's Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Beginner's Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
