Choosing whether to beat the game or obliterate on Monsoon difficulty in Risk of Rain 2 is one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions you’ll face. Monsoon mode pushes players to their limits with faster scaling difficulty, more aggressive enemies, and minimal room for error. This decision between escaping through the final boss or obliterating your character at the Obelisk carries major gameplay implications and speaks to your goals within the run. Understanding the advantages, mechanics, and risks of each choice is crucial if you want to make the most out of your high-difficulty runs.
Understanding Monsoon Difficulty
What Is Monsoon Mode?
Monsoon is the highest base difficulty in Risk of Rain 2, designed for experienced players who want intense combat and punishing scaling. It increases enemy spawn rate, health, and damage significantly compared to Rainstorm or Drizzle. Time is your greatest enemy here; the longer you spend on a stage, the harder things get.
Why Play on Monsoon?
Besides the thrill of extreme difficulty, Monsoon runs are essential for unlocking certain challenges, skins, and achievements. If you’re serious about mastering Risk of Rain 2, playing on Monsoon is the ultimate test of skill, coordination, and item management.
Beating the Game on Monsoon
How to Beat the Game
To beat the game, you must loop through enough stages to reach Commencement, the final stage. There, you face Mithrix, the final boss. Defeating him and escaping via the rescue ship completes the run. On Monsoon, this requires precise movement, careful item selection, and strategic decisions.
Benefits of Beating the Game
- Unlocks: Certain character skins and achievements are tied to completing a Monsoon run by defeating Mithrix.
- Challenge: Finishing the game this way is the full experience, including the climactic boss fight.
- Character Mastery: Completing a run in Monsoon often contributes to character-specific progression.
Challenges of the Final Boss
Mithrix is no joke on Monsoon. His attack phases are fast and deadly, and his ability to steal your items during the third phase can instantly turn the tide. You need a well-balanced loadout that includes healing, mobility, and survivability to stand a chance.
Recommended Items for Beating the Game
- Brainstalks: Useful for burst damage during boss phases.
- Shattering Justice: Reduces enemy armor, helping take down Mithrix faster.
- Old War Stealthkit: Emergency survival tool when your health dips.
- Hardlight Afterburner: Increases mobility crucial for avoiding damage in the final fight.
Obliterating on Monsoon
What Does Obliterate Mean?
Obliterating your character is a form of ending the run early. It occurs when you interact with the Obelisk at the Celestial Portal, which appears randomly after a few stages (usually after stage 8). Selecting ‘Obliterate myself from existence’ ends the run immediately, but often provides unique rewards.
Why Choose Obliteration?
- Unlock Artifacts: It’s required to unlock the Mercenary character and some artifacts or skins.
- Avoid Mithrix: If your build is strong but not optimized for boss fights, obliteration offers a safer conclusion.
- Quick Rewards: Ideal for farming Lunar Coins or unlocking specific achievements.
Accessing the Obelisk
To obliterate, you must find a Celestial Portal, which has a chance to appear after completing the teleporter event. Entering the portal brings you to a special zone called A Moment: Fractured. At the end of this zone lies the Obelisk, where you make your final decision.
Lunar Coins and Obliteration
Obliterating rewards players with five Lunar Coins. If you loop and then obliterate, you may receive even more depending on the run’s length and achievements. It’s one of the more efficient methods for gaining coins used in the Bazaar Between Time.
Beat the Game vs Obliterate: Key Differences
Gameplay Length and Risk
Beating the game often takes longer, with added risk of death during the Mithrix fight. Obliteration can be done mid-run if you feel underpowered or want to end with earned rewards. If time is limited or the run is shaky, the Obelisk is a safe exit.
Rewards and Unlocks
- Beating Mithrix: Unlocks specific alternate skins, endings, and lore content.
- Obliterating: Required for unlocking Mercenary and some challenges, plus rewards Lunar Coins.
Playstyle Consideration
Players who enjoy high-stakes boss fights with tight mechanics will likely prefer beating the game. On the other hand, those who value fast runs, achievements, or risk mitigation may lean toward obliteration. Both offer satisfying conclusions but cater to different player goals.
Tips for Monsoon Runs
Time Management Is Crucial
The longer you spend in a stage, the tougher enemies become. Monsoon punishes players who dawdle. Focus on finding the teleporter early, gather essential items quickly, and move forward.
Prioritize Survivability
- Tougher Times: Increases your chance to block hits, essential on high difficulty.
- Infusion: Extra health as you kill enemies, gradually boosting survivability.
- Foreign Fruit: For active healing in emergency situations.
Know When to Quit
Sometimes it’s wiser to obliterate instead of fighting Mithrix if your build lacks boss-scaling power. Being flexible with your goals can help you earn more unlocks over time and avoid frustrating losses.
Which Should You Choose?
For Completionists
If your goal is 100% completion, you’ll need to do both. Obliterating is necessary for unlocking the Mercenary survivor and some achievements, while beating the game unlocks certain alternate character skins.
For Efficient Farming
Obliterating is faster and more repeatable, making it better for grinding Lunar Coins or completing challenge-based goals without investing 40+ minutes into a full run.
For the Ultimate Challenge
Beating the game on Monsoon is the ultimate test of skill and build optimization. Taking down Mithrix, surviving the gauntlet, and escaping to the rescue ship is a fulfilling conclusion to a long and difficult run.
Whether you choose to beat the game or obliterate on Monsoon in Risk of Rain 2, the experience will challenge your reflexes, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Each path has its own risks and rewards, and both contribute meaningfully to progression. If you’re aiming for a strong endgame and full lore experience, defeating Mithrix is your path. If you prefer a calculated and efficient exit with coin gains and quicker unlocks, obliteration is your best bet. The beauty of Risk of Rain 2 lies in these dynamic decisions so choose wisely, adapt often, and survive the storm that is Monsoon mode.