Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Wiki

Chаllenges are unique runs in the game. Isaac typically starts each challenge with one or more specific items which makes normal play more difficult. With few exceptions, Treasure RoomTreasure Rooms are not available during challenges. Each challenge unlocks new content for the game, such as runes, when completed. Players, with the advent of modding, have created their own Custom Challenges too.

Generаl Strаtegy[]

Most challenges are designed to increase the difficulty of the game in a unique fashion. This doesn't mean all challenges are especiаlly difficult. Challenges like Computer Savvy can be quite easy to beat, other challenges compensate for this by being especiаlly punishing; Solar System being a good example of this. Each challenge has certain strategies that can be employed to make the run eаsier. However, there аre а few strаtegies thаt can apply to all challenges.

  • Chаllenges can be played in co-op, allowing a second player to contribute to the run without being hindered in the same way Isaac is. This is especially useful in any challenge where Isaac is Blindfolded, as the second player will be allowed to fire tears normally.
    • (in Repentance) If other players join the game in the first room for true co-op, they will not get to select a character and will be forced to play as the character the challenge has you play as, ex. for Blue Bomber, all players will be forced to play as ??? no matter what. (This excludes untrue co-op because of co-op babies.)
  • Due to the lack of Treasure RoomTreasure Rooms, Devil RoomDevil Rooms become much more valuable. Some challenges can be made much easier by making just one deal, but it is worth noting that other challenges reduce Isaac's health to the extent that Devil Deals become too risky.
    • Some rooms (including Crawl SpaceCrawl Spaces) may have Treasure Room items by default. Since these items are random, results can vary from run to run.
    • *(in Repentance) It makes We Need To Go Deeper! useful, since it can open Crawl SpaceCrawl Spaces each floor.
    • Because locked Treasure Rooms won't spawn, keys can be used far more liberally. Also, trinkets and items that generate more coins, along with upgraded ShopShops, can help Isaac acquire a greater range of powerful items.
  • The Bible instantly kills Mom and Mom's Heart / It Lives. All challenges require defeating Mom, and most require defeating Mom's Heart or It Lives, making this an extremely powerful item, especially in challenges where Mom or Mom's Heart / It Lives is the final boss.
  • Curse RoomCurse Rooms can spawn items, making them valuable.
  • In some challenges, Dice RoomDice Rooms and the D4 are very useful, allowing that challenge's starting items to be rerolled, thus removing most of the difficulty. NOTE: This changes depending on the challenge. Most challenge pages contain details on the results of rerolling.
    • (in Afterbirth † and Repentance) Butter!Butter! can also remove starter items.
  • Blindfolded challenges are arguably the most difficult challenges due to Isaac's inability to fire tears. There are several methods to work around this.
  • (except in Rebirth) Chaos is a powerful item in challenges, as it can allow powerful items to be found more commonly, such as in the Shop or after defeating bosses.
  • Defeating a boss beyond the specified end of the challenge (e.g. defeating Mom's Heart when the goal is to defeat Mom) will still spawn the trophy.
    • (in Afterbirth and Afterbirth †) In some longer challenges (e.g. XXXXXXXXL), using a Sacrifice RoomSacrifice Room until it teleports Isaac to the Dark RoomDark Room is a viable strategy. Once in the Dark Room, the trophy can be spawned by defeating The Lamb.
      • In a similar vein, all runs can be completed by killing Delirium, meaning that the player can beat a challenge through an alternative method such as defeating Hush then traveling to The VoidThe Void; however, this is generally extremely difficult given the restrictions challenges place on the player.

Notes[]

Challenges List[]

Name Conditions Goal Unlocked by Unlocks
1. Pitch Black

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Curse of Darkness
Curse of the Unknown
: yes
: no
Default Rune of Hagalaz Rune of Hagalaz
2. High Brow

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Number One
E. Coli
Butt Bombs
Flush!
Petrified PoopPetrified Poop
: no
: yes
Default Rune of Jera Rune of Jera
3. Head Trauma

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Tiny Planet
Soy Milk
The Small Rock
Iron Bar
: no
: yes
Default Rune of Ehwaz Rune of Ehwaz
4. Darkness Falls

Full red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Pentagram
Dead Bird
Whore of Babylon
Razor Blade
Sacrificial Dagger
Dark Matter
: no
: yes
Darkness Falls (except in Repentance) Defeat Mom's Heart 11 times and unlock Eve
(in Repentance) Defeat Mom's Heart 11 times and defeat ??? as Eve
Rune of Dagaz Rune of Dagaz
5. The Tank
58.5px
Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Infamy
Bucket of Lard
Thunder Thighs
Yum Heart
: no
: yes
The Tank Have 7 or more Red Heart Containers at one time Rune of Ansuz Rune of Ansuz
6. Solar System

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
Distant Admiration
Forever alone
Halo of Flies
Transcendence
: no
: yes
Solar System Defeat Mom's Heart 3 times Rune of Perthro Rune of Perthro
7. Suicide King
43.5px
Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Ipecac
Mr. Mega
My Reflection
1 random pill
: no
: yes
Suicide King Defeat Mom's Heart 11 times and unlock Lazarus Suicide King Suicide King
8. Cat Got Your Tongue

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull black heartFull black heartFull black heartFull soul heartFull soul heartFull soul heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
Guppy's Hairball
Guppy's Head
Guppy's Tail
: no
: yes
Cat Got Your Tongue Become Guppy Rune of Algiz Rune of Algiz
9. Demo Man

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Dr. Fetus
Remote Detonator
Match StickMatch Stick
: no
: yes
Demo Man Defeat Mom's Heart 9 times Chaos Card Chaos Card
10. Cursed!
58.5px
Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Blue Map
The Compass
Raw Liver
Treasure Map
Yum Heart
Child's HeartChild's Heart
Curse of the Cursed
: yes
: yes
Cursed! Have 7 or more Red Heart Containers at one time Credit Card Credit Card
11. Glass Cannon

Full red heart
Starts with:
Epic Fetus
Loki's Horns
: no
: yes
Glass Cannon Beat The Family Man (challenge #19), defeat Lokii, and unlock Judas Rules Card Rules Card
12. When Life Gives You Lemons

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
9 Volt
Habit
Lemon Mishap
1 Lemon Party pill
: no
: yes
Default Card Against Humanity Card Against Humanity
13. Beans!

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
9 Volt
The Bean
The Black Bean
Butt Bombs
Pyro
: no
: yes
Default Burnt Penny Burnt Penny
14. It's in the Cards

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
9 Volt
The Battery
Deck of Cards
Starter Deck
2 random tarot cards
: no
: yes
Default SMB Super Fan SMB Super Fan
15. Slow Roll

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Cupid's Arrow
My Reflection
Polyphemus
: no
: yes
Default Swallowed Penny Swallowed Penny
16. Computer Savvy

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Spoon Bender
Technology
Technology 2
: no
: yes
Default Robo-Baby 2.0 Robo-Baby 2.0
17. Waka Waka

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Anti-Gravity
Strange Attractor
: no
: yes
Default Death's Touch Death's Touch
18. The Host

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
The Mulligan
Spiderbaby
TickTick
: no
: yes
Default Technology .5 Technology .5
19. The Family Man

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
BFFS!
Brother Bobby
Dad's Key
Rotten Baby
Sister Maggy
: no
: yes
The Family Man Pick up both Key Pieces from the Angels in one run Epic Fetus Epic Fetus
20. Purist

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
: no
: yes
Purist Defeat Mom Rune of Berkano Rune of Berkano
(except in Rebirth) 21. XXXXXXXXL

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
: yes
: yes
Every floor is the size of an XL WombWomb floor, but does not combine the floors of each chapter.
XXXXXXXXL Defeat Mom Gold Heart Gold Heart
(except in Rebirth) 22. SPEED!

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
: yes
: yes
Everything is sped up like the Broken Watch effect. After the game timer reaches 16 minutes, Isaac starts taking damage every 10 seconds.
SPEED! Defeat Mom Get out of Jail Free Card Get out of Jail Free Card
(except in Rebirth) 23. Blue Bomber

Full soul heartFull soul heartFull soul heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
Brother Bobby
Kamikaze!
Pyromaniac
Mr. Mega
: no
: yes
Blue Bomber Destroy 10 Tinted Rocks and defeat Mom's Heart 11 times Gold Bomb Gold Bomb
(except in Rebirth) 24. PAY TO PLAY

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Money = Power
Sack of Pennies
50 coins
: no
: yes
Every door costs 1 cent to enter. Isaac drops money when hit. Isaac dies if he run out of money.
PAY TO PLAY Defeat Isaac as Cain and destroy 10 Tinted Rocks 2 new pills 2 new pills
(except in Rebirth) 25. Have a Heart

Full red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heart
Empty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heartEmpty red heart
Starts with:
Charm of the Vampire
: yes
: yes
Pennies drop instead of Red Hearts. Many items that restore Red Hearts have no effect.
Have a Heart Defeat Mom 2 new pills 2 new pills
(except in Rebirth) 26. I RULE!

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
The Boomerang
Key Piece 1
Key Piece 2
The Ladder
Mom's Knife
Trinity Shield
: no
: yes
I RULE! (in Rebirth and Afterbirth) Defeat ??? or The Lamb, defeat Satan as Isaac, and unlock The Negative
(in Afterbirth †) Defeat ??? or The Lamb, and defeat Satan as Isaac
(in Repentance) Defeat Mega Satan and unlock The Negative
Poker Chip Poker Chip
(except in Rebirth) 27. BRAINS!

Full soul heartFull soul heartFull soul heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
3 Bob's Brain
Thunder Thighs
: no
: yes
BRAINS! Defeat Isaac 5 times Stud Finder Stud Finder
(except in Rebirth) 28. PRIDE DAY!

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
3 Dollar Bill
Rainbow Baby
Rainbow WormRainbow Worm
: no
: yes
Cannot drop or replace Rainbow WormRainbow Worm.
PRIDE DAY! Defeat Mom D8 D8
(except in Rebirth) 29. Onan's Streak

Full red heart
Starts with:
The Book of Belial
Chocolate Milk
: yes
: yes
Missing a shot deals damage to Judas.
Onan's Streak (in Afterbirth and Afterbirth †) Defeat Mom
(in Repentance) Unlock Judas and It Lives.
Kidney Stone Kidney Stone
(except in Rebirth) 30. The Guardian

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
Holy Grail
Isaac's Heart
Punching Bag
Spear Of Destiny
: no
: yes
Isaac's Heart will follow Punching Bag instead of Isaac.
The Guardian Defeat Mom Blank Rune Blank Rune
(in Afterbirth † and Repentance) 31. Backasswards

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
8-10 random items
: no
: yes
All chapters progress in reverse order, losing 1 item and 1 Red Heart container each floor ascended.
BasementBasement/CellarCellar/Burning BasementBurning Basement I Backasswards (except in Repentance) Defeat ??? or The Lamb
(in Repentance) Defeat Mega Satan and unlock The Negative
Laz Bleeds More! Laz Bleeds More!
(in Afterbirth † and Repentance) 32. Aprils Fool

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
: yes
: yes
The minimap displays the floor's layout accurately but displays Isaac's position inaccurately. Pedestal items and pickups are not what they appear to be. Active items, pills, cards, and rune effects are randomized upon each use, making them very unreliable or deadly (for example Suicide KingSuicide King). Items with no charge time (i.e. How to Jump, IV Bag, etc) can be used repeatedly for random effects. Stonies have a chance of being replaced by a Cross Stoney. Every boss is The Bloat. Isaac's health is not what it appears to be. Inventory pickups numbers are accurate.
Aprils fool Defeat Mom Maggy Now Holds a Pill! Maggy Now Holds a Pill!
(in Afterbirth † and Repentance) 33. Pokey Mans

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Friendly Ball
Mom's Eyeshadow
: no
: yes
Each use of Friendly Ball causes a random monster to be spawned. Friendly Ball instantly charges once the spawned monster is killed.
Pokey Mans Defeat Mom's Heart 11 times Charged Key Charged Key
(in Afterbirth † and Repentance) 34. Ultra Hard

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Key Piece 1
Key Piece 2
Curse of the Labyrinth
Curse of the Blind
Curse of the Lost
Curse of the Maze
: yes
: yes
All enemies spawn as champions if possible. Boss fights will be double trouble if possible. No heart pickups drop.
Ultra Hard (except in Repentance) Defeat ??? or The Lamb. Possession of The Polaroid / The Negative is required, barring getting to Dark RoomDark Room through a Sacrifice RoomSacrifice Room.
(in Repentance) Defeat Mega Satan and unlock The Negative
Samson Feels Healthy! Samson Feels Healthy!
(in Afterbirth † and Repentance) 35. Pong

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Cupid's Arrow
Rubber Cement
: no
: yes
Damage fixed at 100, tear delay fixed at 150.
PONG Defeat Isaac 5 times Greed's Gullet Greed's Gullet
(in Repentance) 36. Scat Man

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
The Poop
9 Volt
Skatole
E. Coli
3 Butt Bombs
BFFS!
Thunder Thighs
Dirty Mind
Mysterious CandyMysterious Candy
: no
: yes
Default Dirty Mind Dirty Mind
(in Repentance) 37. Bloody Mary

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
The Book of Belial
Blood Bag
Anemic
Blood Oath
Child's HeartChild's Heart

4 soul charges
: no
: yes
Bloody Mary Unlock Bethany, Blood Bag, and It Lives! Sigil of Baphomet Sigil of Baphomet
(in Repentance) 38. Baptism by Fire

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Blindfolded
Starts with:
Urn of Souls
Schoolbag
Guppy's Paw
Maggy's FaithMaggy's Faith
: no
: yes
Baptism by Fire Defeat Satan as Bethany, defeat Mom's Heart 11 times, and unlock Maggy's FaithMaggy's Faith Purgatory Purgatory
(in Repentance) 39. Isaac's Awakening

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Spirit Sword
Trinity Shield
Mom's Bracelet
: no
: yes
Isaac's Awakening Defeat Mother Spirit Sword Spirit Sword
(in Repentance) 40. Seeing Double

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull red heartFull soul heart
Starts with:
Jacob: 20/20
Esau: 20/20
X-Ray Vision
: yes
: yes
All enemies and bosses are doubled.
Seeing Double Defeat Mother Broken Glasses Broken Glasses
(in Repentance) 41. Pica Run

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Mom's Box
Marbles
Mom's Purse
: yes
: yes
All items are replaced by random trinkets.

Marbles activates on every hit.

Pica Run Defeat Mom's Heart 11 times and unlock Marbles Ice Cube Ice Cube
(in Repentance) 42. Hot Potato

Full soul heartFull soul heartFull soul heart
Blindfolded
: no
: yes
The Forgotten cannot fire tears and explodes every 2.5 seconds. Explosion timer resets upon entering a room or picking up an item.
The Fettered Use Red Key (etc.) to open the hidden closet in (in Repentance) HomeHome as The Forgotten The Chariot The Chariot
(in Repentance) 43. Cantripped!

Full red heartFull red heart
: no
: yes
All cards and pills are replaced with item cards. Enemies also have a chance of dropping an item card when killed. The Bag of Crafting now initially holds a maximum of 3 item cards at once. When picked up, each item card shows a preview of a random Active Item that, when used, activates the effect.

All boss item drops are replaced with Starter Deck, which increases the max card limit by 1 and drops 3 item cards.

The Hoarder Use Red Key (etc.) to open the hidden closet in (in Repentance) HomeHome as Cain Justice Justice
(in Repentance) 44. Red Redemption

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
Dad's Key
Red Key
: yes
: yes
The starting room spawns with no rooms connected to it. Rooms spawn in clusters around the map and must be found via the Red Key. While the Red Key can be used an infinite number of times, it has 20 uses before Dark Esau spawns. Each subsequent 5 uses will spawn another Dark Esau if Tainted Jacob has yet to turn into his lost form. The Red Key cannot be used to open doors to I AM ERRORI AM ERROR rooms.

Each floor generates as a Curse of the Labyrinth floor, with one shop, and two item and boss rooms, except the fourth floor, which has only one boss room. All rooms may be from any floor of the current chapter.

The Deserter Use Red Key (etc.) to open the hidden closet in (in Repentance) HomeHome as Jacob and Esau The Hermit The Hermit
(in Repentance) 45. DELETE THIS

Full red heartFull red heartFull red heart
Starts with:
TMTRAINER
: yes
: yes
All items are randomly generated due to TMTRAINER. The theme of each area, its obstacles per area, and music are randomized. Some obstacle sprites are randomized even within a level and sometimes the music may be missing altogether. Occasionally, even the floor texture might glitch out, replacing it with a plain color. Shop item prices range from 1 cent to 99.

The challenge itself appears under the challenge list without any text, effectively rendering it invisible.

DELETE THIS Unlock Tainted Eden Temperance Temperance