Risk of Rain 2 presents players with a thrilling challenge filled with intense combat, procedurally generated stages, and a constant push for survival. As you progress through the waves of enemies, you’ll eventually reach a critical choice do you beat the game by confronting the final boss, or do you choose to obliterate yourself and end the run on your own terms? This key decision changes not only the outcome of your current playthrough but also affects unlocks, achievements, and the overall story progression. Understanding both paths is essential for players aiming to master Risk of Rain 2 and explore everything the game has to offer.
Understanding the Core Objective
Endgame in Risk of Rain 2
Unlike traditional linear games, Risk of Rain 2 allows for multiple endings. The two main endgame paths are:
- Beating the game by defeating the final boss at Commencement.
- Obliterating yourself at the Obelisk in the Hidden Realm: A Moment, Fractured.
Each of these outcomes provides different benefits and unlocks, and your choice depends on your goals for the run. Do you want to test your skills in the final showdown, or are you aiming for specific character unlocks and achievements that come from obliteration?
Progression Toward Endgame
To reach either endgame choice, you’ll first need to survive several stages, each increasing in difficulty. As you loop or move forward, you’ll collect items and level up, preparing yourself for what lies ahead. Most players will first become familiar with the boss route, but both options are equally valid and rewarding in their own way.
Beating the Game at Commencement
How to Reach Commencement
To beat the game in Risk of Rain 2, you must progress through five stages and then reach Sky Meadow, the fifth environment. On this map, instead of using the Teleporter in the usual way, you’ll interact with the Primordial Teleporter located on a raised platform. The teleporter will appear with blue ptopics swirling around it, indicating that it’s been aligned to the Moon Risk of Rain 2’s final level. Activate the teleporter and defeat the boss to proceed to Commencement.
Facing Mithrix, the Final Boss
Commencement is home to Mithrix, the King of Nothing. The battle against him is challenging and takes place across several phases, requiring mobility, awareness, and a strong build. The fight includes:
- Phase 1: Mithrix attacks using melee combos and slams.
- Phase 2: Adds will spawn, adding pressure and chaos to the arena.
- Phase 3: Mithrix temporarily steals all your items, drastically weakening you.
- Phase 4: The final push, where you recover your items and finish the fight.
After defeating Mithrix, you’ll need to escape the Moon by reaching the rescue ship before the planet collapses. Succeeding completes the game and grants achievements or character unlocks tied to beating the final boss.
Choosing to Obliterate Yourself
How to Access the Obelisk
To obliterate yourself, you must reach a Celestial Portal, which appears after completing the third loop or reaching certain stage milestones, often after stage 8 or beyond. These portals are blue and appear similarly to the Lunar Portal. Entering one takes you to A Moment, Fractured, a quiet and surreal Hidden Realm filled with floating platforms and serene music.
Interacting with the Obelisk
In A Moment, Fractured, you walk along a straight path to find the Obelisk at the end. Interacting with it twice gives you the option to obliterate yourself. Choosing this option ends your run but provides specific rewards:
- Unlocking the Mercenary survivor on your first successful obliteration.
- Progressing toward certain alternate skins or challenges.
- Accessing the Eclipse game mode after obliterating while using the Artifact of Command.
This method is particularly useful for players focusing on completion or when the current run has peaked in strength and fun.
Comparing the Two Endings
Rewards and Unlocks
Each ending has unique benefits. Beating the game rewards you with item logbook entries, achievements tied to the final boss, and sometimes alternate skins. Obliteration focuses more on unlocking characters and game modes. Neither ending is inherently better than the other it depends entirely on your goals for that run.
Replay Value and Strategy
Both choices contribute to the game’s immense replay value. Beating Mithrix offers a climactic conclusion, while obliteration allows for a quick exit that still contributes to progression. Strategically, you may choose to obliterate if your build isn’t ideal for the boss, or pursue the boss route if you’re well-equipped and ready for the challenge.
Tips for Deciding Which Path to Take
Evaluate Your Build
If your item loadout is strong, with a solid balance of damage, survivability, and mobility, heading to Commencement is a good choice. If your build is more experimental or weaker due to poor item rolls, obliteration might be the safer and more efficient option.
Know Your Objectives
Before starting your run, set a goal. Are you unlocking a survivor? Then aim for the Obelisk. Are you chasing the final boss achievement? Push through Sky Meadow to Commencement. Aligning your actions with your goal helps keep your run focused.
Watch for the Celestial Portal
Celestial Portals can be easy to miss if you’re rushing through stages. If you’re aiming to obliterate, keep a close eye out after Stage 8. Once it appears, make sure not to miss your chance it won’t always spawn again soon.
Thematic Implications
Story and Lore Considerations
Risk of Rain 2 features scattered lore logs and item descriptions that hint at a larger universe. The endings, while mechanically different, also tie into this lore. Beating the game confronts you with the power behind the loop, while obliteration suggests surrender, acceptance, or escape. These subtle differences give each ending its own emotional weight.
Character Arcs
Characters in Risk of Rain 2, while silent during gameplay, have backstories and implied motivations. Choosing to obliterate may align with certain character arcs, while defeating Mithrix fits others. This adds another layer of meaning for players interested in narrative depth.
Risk of Rain 2 challenges players not only to survive but also to choose how their journey ends. Whether you decide to beat the game by facing the mighty Mithrix at Commencement or to obliterate yourself at the Obelisk, both options offer satisfying conclusions to your run. Each path has its own rewards, challenges, and lore significance, making them worth exploring. By understanding how to trigger these endings and what each offers, players can make informed decisions that align with their goals, whether they seek unlocks, achievements, or simply the thrill of survival in a beautifully chaotic roguelike world.