Vampire Survivors is one of the video games that literally smashed the end of 2022. It was developed by Poncle, whose real name is Luca Galante. Despite being created by a single person, Vampire Survivors recently won Best Game Award at BAFTA Games Awards.
Even though Vampire Survivors is classified as a casual video game, it is more complex than it might seem. The game has over 100 collectable items, tons of enemies, bosses, and multiple DLCs that can diversify the gameplay, making Vampire Survivors even more exciting.
Photo: Poncle
We prepared a Vampire Survivors beginners guide for these and several other reasons. It includes getting started, gameplay explanation, and the best tricks that might make things easier.
Gameplay
Vampire Survivors is a roguelike survival game made in a gothic horror casual style. Playing the game, you’ll appear in the middle of hell, surrounded by thousands of monsters trying to kill you.
Photo: Poncle
Your main goal is to survive as long as possible but with a limitation of 30 minutes. After that, The Reaper will appear and slay your character to end your run. The next level will be unlocked.
While the developers do not state it, Vampire Survivors also has a dose of RNG. Dying a few seconds before the end of the countdown, getting the set of the worst weapons or getting killed by the wave of monsters spawned on your back is typical for this video game.
Still, it all means nothing when you eliminate the horde of monsters trying to kill you. It gives an inexpressible feeling of victory, which is why people call Vampire Survivor an addictive video game.
Photo: Poncle
Stages
Progression in Vampire Survivors is completed by finishing different stages. Each stage is a unique playing field designed in the horror style. Vampire Survivors has five main stages:
Photo: Poncle
- Mad Forest
- Inlaid Library
- Dairy Plant
- Gallo Tower
- Cappella Magna
Also, there are bonus levels and challenges. Check out the list below to learn their names.
- Il Molise
- Moongolow
- Holy Forbidden
- Green Acres
- The Bone Zone
- Boss Rash
- Bat Country
- Tiny Bridge
- Eudaimonia M.
More content can be added to the game by purchasing DLCs. They are available on Steam and in the Xbox Store. Mobile players can buy DLCs directly in the game using the DLC Store.
Photo: Poncle
Game Modes
If you get bored of completing ordinary levels, Vampire Survivors has four unlockable game modes: Hyper, Hurry, Inverse, and Endless. Check out the article below and learn more about each game mode.
Photo: Poncle
Hyper
Hyper Mode is focused primarily on increasing the game’s difficulty levels. It increases the following parameters:
- Character’s and Enemies’ Move Speed
- Projectile Speed
- Gold Multiplier
- Luck Bonus
- HP Level
The modifiers depend on the specific level and stage. You can find more details in the Stage Selection menu.
Hurry
Are you lacking time to survive for 30 minutes? Use Hurry mode and speed up the game by 100%. Normal stages will finish in only 15 minutes, and all time-based events won’t be affected.
Inverse
The inverse is the funniest game mode in Vampire Survivors. It makes the stage layout upside down and adds minor visual changes depending on the stage. Regarding the gameplay, Inverse applies the following changes:
- +200% Gold Gain Increase
- +20% Luck Bonus
- +200/5% Max Health
- +0,5% Movement Speed per minute
Endless
Endless mode is for those who don’t like having a limitation on the run time. When the last minute of a stage is reached, the enemy waves will restart from minute 0, completing a “cycle”.
Moreover, each cycle affects the gameplay in the following way:
- +100% Enemies’ Max Health
- +50% Enemies’ Spawn Frequency
- +25% Enemies’ Damage
- +1 Player’s Max Damage Cap
Characters
Characters, also known as heroes in Vampire Survivors, are what the player controls while playing the game. There are 57 playable characters in the game, which gradually increases over time.
Photo:Poncle
Each hero has a unique stat and boost. You cannot get bored even if you tried 56/57 characters. And below, you can learn about each Vampire Survivor hero.
Standard Characters
Photo: Poncle
Right below are all the classic characters in Vampire Survivors.
- Antonio Belpaese
- Imelda Belpaese
- Pasqualina Belpaese
- Gennaro Belpaese
- Arca Ladonna
- Porta Ladonna
- Lama Ladonna
- Poe Ratcho
- Suor Clerici
- Dommario
- Krochi Freetto
- Christine Davain
- Pugnala Provola
- Giovanna Grana
- Poppea Pecorina
- Concetta Caciotta
- Mortaccio
- Yatta Cavallo
- Bianca Ramba
- O’Sole Meeo
- Sir Ambrojoe
- Iguana Gallo Valletto
- Divano Thelma
- Zi’Assunta Belpaese
- Queen Sigma
Secret Characters
Photo: Poncle
Below are listed all the secret characters in Vampire Survivors. They can be unlocked for free, but it takes time and effort.
- Exdash Exiviiq
- Toastie
- Smith IV
- Random
- Boon Marrabbio
- Avatar Infernas
- Minnah Mannarah
- Leda
- Cosmo Pavone
- Peppino
- Big Trouser
- missingN
- Gains Boros
- Gyorunton
- Mask of the Red Death
- Scorej-Oni
Legacy of the Moonspell (DLC) Characters
The listed characters below can be obtained only if you purchase Legacy of the Moonspell DLC.
- Miang Moonspell
- Menya Moonspell
- Syuuto Moonspell
- Babi-Onna
- McCoy-Oni
- Megalo Menya Moonspell
- Megalo Syuuto Moonspell
- Gav’Et-Oni
Tides of the Foscari (DLC) Characters
These characters can be unlocked only via purchasing Tides of the Foscari DLC.
- Eleanor Uziron
- Maruto Cuts
- Keitha Muort
- Luminaire Foscari
- Genevieve Gruyere
- Je-Ne-Viv
- Sammy
- Rottin’Ghoul
Weapons & Items
Photo: Poncle
Once you know how Vampire Survivors works, let’s talk about Weapons and Items – the essential things in the game.
- Weapons – items used to kill monsters, each doing it uniquely. Players can select different weapons as they level up. There is a limitation of six weapons per run.
- Items – non-weapon items that give the player passive bonuses during the round. They are offered alongside weapons as you level up.
There are 32 Weapons and 21 Passive Items in Vampire Survivors, each playing an essential role for the player. The most powerful weapons and items are unlocked as you progress in the game. Sorry to say, but you won’t feel the full diversity of choice initially.
Evolution
To start playing Vampire Survivors, you only need to know about one more mechanic – Evolution. You might already face it in other games like Vampire Survivors. Still, some nuances must be covered in this Vampire Survivors beginners guide.
- Evolution – the unique game mechanic that allows you to evolve your base weapon into the stronger one using a passive item as a catalyst. Evolved weapons have significantly increased attack range, damage, and other stats.
Photo: Poncle
To get your weapon evolved, you must have a fully leveled-up weapon and a suitable passive item (the required level varies by the gun). Once done, players need to collect a Treasure Chest containing the evolved weapon.
Photo: Poncle
While it sounds straightforward, Evolution is the most complex thing in Vampire Survivors. A significant part of your run will always be dedicated to evolving weapons. And below, you can learn all the combinations to evolve weapons in Vampire Survivors.
- Whip + Hollow Heart = Bloody Tear
- Magic Wand + Empty Tome = Holy Wand
- Knife + Bracer = Thousand Edge
- Axe + Candelabrador = Death Spiral
- Cross + Clover = Heaven Sword
- King Bible + Spellbinder = Unholy Vespers
- Fire Wand + Spinach = Hellfire
- Garlic + Pummarola = Soul Eater
- Santa Water + Attractorb = La Borra
- Runetracer + Armor = NO FUTURE
- Lightning Ring + Duplicator = Thunder Loop
- Pentagram + Crown = Gorgeous Moon
- Gatti Amari + Stone Mask = Vicious Hunger
- Song of Mana + Skull O’Maniac = Mannajja
- Shadow Pinion + Wings = Valkyrie Turner
- Flames of Misspell + Torrona’s Box = Ashes of Muspell
- Clock Lancet + Silver Ring / Gold Ring = Infinite Corridor
- Laurel + Metaglio Left / Metaglio Right = Crimson Shroud
Consider that some passive items are unlocked only as you progress in the game. Don’t get surprised if you cannot evolve King Bible or Clock Lancet while completing the first level.
Vampire Survivors: Tips & Tricks
Photo: Poncle
At Playoholic, beginner guides always offer helpful tips to simplify the lives of newcomers. Vampire Survivors beginners guide is not an exception. It also includes valuable tips for every player.
Use Tier List
A Tier List may seem like something only pro gamers with all characters and weapons unlocked would need, but it’s beneficial for beginners too. Tier List is the ultimate thing in any RPG.
Photo: Poncle
Characters and weapons in Vampire Survivors are poorly balanced, with certain ones being overpowered and able to take out monsters more effectively. These weapons are rated as Tier A/S. To show your best result and enjoy killing monsters, we suggest using only high-tier heroes/weapons.
Don’t waste your time and gold on buying and improving weak heroes. While levelling up, prioritise choosing the most potent weapons, even if you don’t like them.
Create a Plan
Photo: Poncle
Before starting a run, decide on multiple weapons you’ll use during the round. Find the area on the map with a wide range of pickable items. Put effort into preparation, and it will be highly rewarded while playing the game.
If you have much free time, you can head to YouTube and watch a walkthrough for the specific level here. Alternatively, let us know if you are interested in guides about Vampire Survivors. We’ll make a short walkthrough for each level if needed.
Learn More About the Game
Photo: Poncle
Vampire Survivors is a casual video game only at first glance. Players must be aware of weapons, heroes, maps, and evolution combinations to play the game effectively, and it’s only the basis of the game.
Learning all this stuff might take time. Thus, we suggest you study through practice. Play the game as much as possible using different heroes and weapons. Even though you’ll fail a lot, it will significantly improve your skill, which is the #1 goal of this Vampire Survivors beginners guide.
Buy Power Ups
If you watched how experienced Vampire Survivors players play, you might notice that their characters have boosted stats like in the screenshot below.
Photo: Poncle
These boosts are provided by PowerUps – permanent purchasable improvements to stats. 22 unique PowerUps affect everything, from item pickup range to HP recovery.
Photo: Poncle
Some of the most potent PowerUps are Amount, Duration, Revival, Might, and Banish. While they might cost you an arm and a leg, these PowerUps significantly improve your effectiveness.
Evolve Weapons
In a previous section of our guide, we discussed the importance of evolution in the game. We were not exaggerating when we stated that it is a crucial aspect.
No level in Vampire Survivors can be completed without a properly evolved weapon. Evolution provides too powerful boosts, and ignoring them is a dumb decision.
Photo: Poncle
While there is a significant dose of RNG in evolving weapons, you must always try to evolve as quickly as possible. Instead of leveling up multiple items, focus on a single one, preferably those which belong to your character. Ideally, you can evolve the first weapon in a few minutes of the run.
Vampire Survivors Codes
While Vampire Survivors hardly resemble a video game with a code system, the game has various working codes. Players can use them via the Secrets menu to unlock new stages, relics and secret heroes that can diversify in-game experience.
Photo: Poncle
Right below, we collected and divided the working Vampire Survivors codes into categories. Use them to get free rewards!
Characters Codes
Photo: Poncle
Use these codes to unlock Vampire Survivors heroes instantly.
- ablasphemousmockery – Mask of the Red Death
- highfive – Gains Boros
- pinociampino – Peppino
- iwillneverletyouforgetaboutme – Leda
- fettinepanate – Boon Marrabbio
- lhovistoio – Cosmo Pavone
- earrivatolarrotino – Big Trouser
- secondevolution – Gyorunton
- languorino – Sir Ambrojoe
- reset – O’Sole Meeo
- carramba – Bianca Ramba
- yattapanda – Yatta Cavallo
- crystalmakeup – Christine Davain
- accidenti – Krochi Freetto
- faschiuma – Suor Clerici
- bioparco – Dommario
- noneladonna – Arca Ladonna
- vivaladonna – Porta Ladonna
- superladonna – Lama Ladonna
- strongestcharacter – Poe Ratcho
Joke Codes
Photo: Poncle
These codes won’t bring any significant gameplay changes.
- spinnn – Spins the UI for a few seconds
- spoopyseason – Change Mortaccio, Yatta Cavallo, Bianca Ramba, O’Sole Meeo skins and starting weapons to alternative ones
Stage Codes
Photo: Poncle
Use these codes to unlock new in-game stages.
- peakgamedesign – Unlocks Boss Rash
- rottingpizza – Unlocks The Bone Zone
- dotgogreenacres – Unlocks Green Acres
- honesty – Unlocks Moongolow
Relic Codes
Photo: Poncle
Use the following codes to get valuable Relics:
- thisshouldhavebeenunlockedbydefault – Grim Grimoire
- thistooshouldhavebeenunlockedbydefault – Ars Gouda
- leadmetothecheese – Milky Way Map
- eggseggseggs – Glass Vizard
- teleportustomars – Mindbender
- icanhearthecriesofcaptainplanet – Great Gospel
- thankelrond – Magic Banger
- timecompression – Sorceress Tears
- ihaveseenitihaveseenitihaveseenitihaveseenitihaveseenitihaveseenitihaveseenit – Yellow Sign
These codes are permanent. They won’t be removed or changed over time. Thus, feel free to use them even if you read this article in 2025.
We hope this guide helps you out! If you have any questions or comments, please drop a comment in the box below!
