Sephiria is a top down action roguelite from TEAM HORAY, the studio behind Dungreed. You play a bunny climbing a demon filled tower to stop Bunnyville being wiped out on the Day of Destiny, and it left Early Access on 31 July 2026 after starting that run on 3 April 2025. A full climb covers six chapters, more than 60 enemy types and over 10 bosses, with six weapons carrying more than 50 upgrades each.
Combat in Sephiria rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Artifact and Tablet inventory grid
Artifacts and Tablets share one inventory grid, and Tablets read whatever sits next to them. Where a piece goes matters more than its rarity, which is why the community built placement solver tools for it.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each
Sword and Shield, Greatsword, Dagger, Katana, Crossbow and Staff each carry over 50 upgrades. Anvil nodes inside a run only evolve the weapon you are currently holding, so splitting upgrades across two weapons leaves both unfinished.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Destiny Inscription meta progression
Destiny Inscription is the permanent skill tree between runs, bought with Sapphires. You earn Sapphires when you die, scaled to how deep you reached and how many bosses you killed, and the same currency also buys items in the tower's Pocket Dimension.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. One Miracle per run from the Root node
The Root node appears exactly once per run and grants a single Miracle out of 18. It never overlaps with a shop, has no fights and offers no alternative choice, so the run reshapes itself around whatever you get.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. Costumes chosen before each run
You pick a costume before entering the tower and most of them change your starting stats, with some adding a starting item. There are 17 in total: 8 unlocked by default, 6 earned through specific tasks and 3 hidden.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Artifact and Tablet inventory grid + Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each
Artifacts and Tablets share one inventory grid, and Tablets read whatever sits next to them. When combined with Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each, sword and shield, greatsword, dagger, katana, crossbow and staff each carry over 50 upgrades. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Destiny Inscription meta progression + One Miracle per run from the Root node
Destiny Inscription is the permanent skill tree between runs, bought with Sapphires. Paired with One Miracle per run from the Root node, the root node appears exactly once per run and grants a single miracle out of 18. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Costumes chosen before each run as a Multiplier
You pick a costume before entering the tower and most of them change your starting stats, with some adding a starting item. There are 17 in total: 8 unlocked by default, 6 earned through specific tasks and 3 hidden. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Costumes chosen before each run optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Ice element build (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Sword and Shield Primary mechanic: Artifact and Tablet inventory grid
Ice element build offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Critical strike build (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Greatsword Primary mechanic: Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each
Critical strike build offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Dash trigger build (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Dagger Primary mechanic: Destiny Inscription meta progression
Dash trigger build offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Companion build (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Katana Primary mechanic: One Miracle per run from the Root node
Companion build offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Physical melee build (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Crossbow Primary mechanic: Costumes chosen before each run
Physical melee build offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit Artifact and Tablet inventory grid for maximum damage windows
- Chain Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each and Destiny Inscription meta progression for combo damage
- Use One Miracle per run from the Root node to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Every floor after the first has a fixed store in its starting room. Sell whatever does not fit your grid there instead of carrying dead artifacts into a boss room.
- Position using Artifact and Tablet inventory grid to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Six weapons with over 50 upgrades each: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Bunnyville but will get you killed in Anvil nodes.
More Sephiria Guides
- Sephiria Sephiria Overview
- Sephiria Best Builds
- Sephiria Tier List
- Sephiria Walkthrough
- Sephiria Beginner's Guide
- Sephiria Tips & Tricks
- Sephiria Weapons Guide
- Sephiria Boss Guide
- Sephiria Maps & Locations
- Sephiria Crafting Guide
- Sephiria Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Sephiria, check out these related guides:
- Risk of Rain 2 Combat Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Hades Combat Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
- Darkest Dungeon Combat Guide: roguelike game with similar mechanics
