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.
This walkthrough takes you from your first session to endgame content. Each phase has specific goals, priorities, and milestones. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Progression Summary
| Phase | Area | Focus | Build | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Start | Hometown | Bullet dodging battles basics | Susie the reckless bruiser | 1-2 hours |
| 2. Early | Field of Hopes and Dreams | ACT and mercy system mastery | Susie the reckless bruiser | 3-5 hours |
| 3. Mid | Cyber World | Tension Point magic + gear | Kris the silent vessel or Susie the reckless bruiser | 5-10 hours |
| 4. Late | Card Kingdom | Build optimization | Kris the silent vessel | 5-10 hours |
| 5. Endgame | The Dark Fountains | Min-max | Kris the silent vessel or Berdly support | Ongoing |
See our maps guide for detailed area breakdowns.
Phase 1: Getting Started (Hometown)
The cozy overworld where Kris lives, connecting the chapters and townsfolk.
Level/Difficulty: Story hub Key Rewards: Character moments, side quests, shops
What to Do in Hometown
- Learn Bullet dodging battles. Defending means steering a heart through bullet patterns, so dodging skill protects the whole party each turn. Spend your first session getting comfortable with this.
- Pick Susie the reckless bruiser as your starting build. See our builds guide for why.
- Spare enemies after ACTing them down if you want the intended pacifist route and its lighter tone.
- Acquire your first equipment upgrade: Susie's axes or whatever's available.
- Clear all main content before moving on.
Phase 1 Checklist
- Understand Bullet dodging battles fundamentals
- Susie the reckless bruiser selected and functional
- Hometown main content cleared
- Ready for Field of Hopes and Dreams
Phase 2: Early Game (Field of Hopes and Dreams)
The opening Dark World area of Chapter 1 where Susie and Ralsei join.
Level/Difficulty: Chapter 1 Key Rewards: Party members, first puzzles, tutorial fights
What to Do in Field of Hopes and Dreams
- Work on ACT and mercy system. You can ACT on enemies to calm them and then spare instead of killing, opening a pacifist route. This system becomes critical from here on.
- Farm for Susie's axes if you haven't already. It's the key upgrade for this phase.
- Build TP by grazing bullets close and defending, then spend it on healing and key spells.
- Complete all objectives before pushing to Cyber World.
- Consider whether Kris the silent vessel might suit your playstyle better than Susie the reckless bruiser.
Phase 2 Checklist
- ACT and mercy system integrated into gameplay
- Susie's axes acquired
- Field of Hopes and Dreams fully cleared
- Ready for Cyber World
Phase 3: Mid Game (Cyber World)
The neon Chapter 2 Dark World built around Queen and Noelle's arc.
Level/Difficulty: Chapter 2 Key Rewards: Noelle ally, mech battles, new spells
What to Do in Cyber World
- Master Tension Point magic. Grazing bullets and defending build TP, the resource that powers healing and attack spells. This unlocks a new layer of gameplay.
- Start working toward Kris's various swords. It's the best equipment and becomes accessible around now.
- Use Ralsei's Pacify and heal spells to clear fights without killing and to keep the party alive.
- This area is the main skill check. If you can clear it, you're ready for late game.
- Start investing in Party of three combat for the tactical depth you'll need going forward.
Phase 3 Checklist
- Tension Point magic mastered
- Kris's various swords acquired or in progress
- Cyber World fully cleared
- Ready for Card Kingdom
Phase 4: Late Game (Card Kingdom)
The card themed kingdom ruled by King, the heart of Chapter 1's climax.
Level/Difficulty: Chapter 1 Key Rewards: King boss fight, story resolution
What to Do in Card Kingdom
- Finalize your build. You should be running Kris the silent vessel or Susie the reckless bruiser with optimized gear.
- Kris's various swords should be your primary. If you don't have it yet, prioritize getting it.
- Defend on turns when patterns look dangerous, since survival builds TP for the next attack.
- Branching route choices optimization starts here. Small improvements compound into massive advantages.
- Farm this area for the resources needed to push into The Dark Fountains.
Phase 4 Checklist
- Build fully optimized
- Kris's various swords upgraded to max
- Card Kingdom fully cleared
- Ready for The Dark Fountains
Phase 5: Endgame (The Dark Fountains)
The mysterious fountains whose spread drives the overarching plot.
Level/Difficulty: All chapters Key Rewards: Story progression, lore, central mystery
What to Do in The Dark Fountains
- The Dark Fountains tests everything. Come prepared with your best build and gear.
- Explore every Dark World room, since hidden chests and secrets reward thorough searching.
- The endgame loop: run The Dark Fountains, optimize gear, push harder content.
- Experiment with Berdly support for a fresh take once you've mastered the standard builds.
- This is where Branching route choices mastery separates good players from great ones. See our tips guide for advanced strategies.
Phase 5 Checklist
- Endgame content on farm
- Best-in-slot gear acquired
- The Dark Fountains fully cleared
- Ready for challenge content
Common Progression Mistakes
- Attacking every enemy out of habit and missing the recruitable pacifist outcomes.
- Spending TP carelessly so you lack the resource for healing in a long boss fight.
- Ignoring defense turns and taking avoidable damage instead of building tension.
- Rushing past Dark World rooms and missing chests, items and secrets.
- Entering bosses with an empty item inventory and no healing buffer.
Key Tips for Smooth Progression
- 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.
For more advanced strategies, see our tips & tricks guide.
More Deltarune Guides
- Deltarune Deltarune Overview
- Deltarune Best Builds
- Deltarune Tier List
- Deltarune Beginner's Guide
- Deltarune Tips & Tricks
- Deltarune Weapons Guide
- Deltarune Combat Guide
- Deltarune Boss Guide
- Deltarune Maps & Locations
- Deltarune Crafting Guide
- Deltarune Classes & Characters
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