Fell and Sell's altars change the state of a run. Shrink and Midas Touch are official Steam feature text; manic and depressed are official Steam combat-state text. The right altar choice depends on the weapon in hand and the run's risk posture. Safer blessings beat drawback-carrying prayers on a short run; carry drawback-carrying prayers only when the run is already stable.
How altars change a run
Altars apply a state change to the run rather than a one-shot buff. Shrink reduces the player's hit volume, Midas Touch raises the value of banked haul, and the manic and depressed states change the combat pacing in opposite directions. The state-change framing is attributed to guide sources; the existence of Shrink, Midas Touch, manic, and depressed is official Steam feature text.
The Shrink effect
Shrink reduces the player's hit volume, which means fewer incoming hits land during a run. Shrink pairs well with short, fast-weapon runs where the player wants to minimize damage taken and bank the haul quickly. The pairing is attributed to guide sources.
The Midas Touch effect
Midas Touch raises the value of banked haul, which means the same haul prices at a higher tier when it reaches the shop. Midas Touch pairs well with runs that plan to bank a large haul and price it on a low-demand day. The pairing is attributed to guide sources.
Manic and depressed combat states
Manic raises swing speed and aggression at the cost of stamina stability; depressed lowers swing speed in exchange for stamina recovery. Manic fits fast-weapon, high-pressure runs; depressed fits heavy-weapon, steady runs where stamina recovery is the binding constraint. The trade-offs are attributed to guide sources; the existence of manic and depressed is official Steam combat-state text.
Safer blessings versus drawback-carrying prayers
Divine Prayers split into safer blessings and drawback-carrying prayers. Safer blessings are the right call on a short run or when the unbanked haul is at risk. Drawback-carrying prayers are the right call on a stable run where the drawback is offset by the run's existing momentum. The framing is attributed to guide sources.
Matching altar effects to the weapon in hand
Altar effects amplify an existing build rather than replace it. A fast-weapon run pairs with Shrink or manic; a heavy-weapon run pairs with depressed or Midas Touch. The matching rule is attributed to guide sources and is the simplest way to keep the altar system from destabilising a run that was already working.
FAQ
What does the Shrink altar effect do?
Shrink reduces the player's hit volume, which means fewer incoming hits land during a run. It pairs well with short, fast-weapon runs.
What does the Midas Touch altar effect do?
Midas Touch raises the value of banked haul, so the same haul prices at a higher tier when it reaches the shop. It pairs well with runs that plan to bank a large haul.
How should I match altar effects to my weapon?
A fast-weapon run pairs with Shrink or manic; a heavy-weapon run pairs with depressed or Midas Touch. Altars amplify an existing build rather than replace it.