TBH: Task Bar Hero Wiki

TBH: Task Bar Hero is a free-to-play idle hack-and-slash RPG that lives in your Windows taskbar. Your three-hero party fights automatically while you work, with 500+ items, deep build crafting, pets, and Steam Market trading.

Last updated: August 11, 2026 (client line 1.01.05). Mechanics change with patches — check Steam news and our News hub.

What makes it unique

• Minimal screen footprint — runs alongside other apps without stealing focus.
• Fully automated combat; you step in for upgrades, synthesis, and loot collection.
• Rune Tree unlocks party size, automation, and offline supplements.
• Hero-dric Cube with eight item functions unlocked over time.
• 3 Acts with 4 difficulty tiers each; items from Common through Cosmic on Steam Market.
• Pets and seasonal roadmap content keep long-term goals after Torment clears.

Free vs paid content

The base game is free with Knight, Ranger, and Sorcerer. Priest class DLC is free on Steam. Optional paid DLC: Supporter Pack (pets), Hunter, Slayer, Soundtrack.

Every major search intent has a dedicated hub with sibling pages that cross-link. Start here, then drill into the labeled next steps — never a bare URL.

• Controls hub — Hotkeys, window recovery, AFK display hygiene.
• Classes hub — Roster, slots vs unlocks, tier list and starter picks.
• Builds hub — Beginner party and AFK farm compositions.
• Cube hub — Alchemy, Synthesis, sockets, and safety rules.
• Rune Tree hub — Hero slots, Far North chests, offline rewards.
• Steam Market hub — Trade Ship vs Alchemy and high-grade listings.
• Pets hub — Passives, Dark Spirit farms, Supporter Pack.
• Tools hub — Early checklist and planning helpers.
• Review — Who should play TBH after launch patches.

Install and launch

• Install from Steam (Windows 10/11 64-bit). Requires broadband for market features.
• Claim free Priest DLC from the store page before your first session.
• On first launch, allow the game window to dock near your taskbar.
• Enable Auto-retry in settings for uninterrupted farming.

• Early game checklist — Ordered first-ten-hours tasks.
• Beginner roadmap guide — Narrative walkthrough with video.

First hour checklist

• Pick Knight (safe) or Ranger (fast clears) for hero slot 1.
• Assign skills after each level-up; reach level 3 for Runes, level 4 for Cube.
• Use Cube Alchemy to sell duplicates — fund Rune nodes before synthesis.
• If stuck, portal to an earlier stage instead of forcing the wall.

• Starter class page — Knight vs Ranger decision.
• Alchemy vs Synthesis — Where early gold should go.

Display issues are the top support topic. Official hotkeys while the game is running:

• Full hotkeys reference — Recovery workflow and myths.
• Window & display fixes — Multi-monitor checklist.

Multi-monitor tips

• Window vanished after monitor move: Shift+F12 first, then F11.
• Different DPI between monitors inflates UI — reset scale before dragging again.
• No visuals in background: verify Steam login, update GPU drivers, email help@tesse.co.kr with a short clip.

The Rune Tree (level 3+) is the core progression system — it unlocks extra hero slots, auto-open chest, inventory, offline rewards, and skill slots. See the full Rune Tree guide for priority paths.

• Rune Tree hub — Spend order and automation synergy.
• Rune Tree deep guide — Pathing notes with video context.

1. 1

   Hour 0–1

   Install, claim Priest DLC, clear Act 1 with Knight or Ranger.

2. 2

   Hour 1–3

   Unlock Runes (lv3), Cube (lv4). Alchemy for gold. Unlock second hero + Priest.

3. 3

   Hour 3–6

   Farm comfortable stage via portal if stuck. Save ~150k gold for third slot.

4. 4

   Hour 6–10

   Three-hero comp, raise synthesis level, push Act 1 Hard before Act 2.

Deploy up to three heroes. Six classes total: three free starters, free Priest DLC, and paid Hunter / Slayer. Unlocking a class does not add a slot — slots come from Runes.

• Classes hub — Slots vs unlocks explained.
• Class tier list — Mid-2026 planning ranks.
• Starter class guide — First hero choice.

Recommended parties (mid-2026)

• F2P core: Knight + Priest + Ranger (or Sorcerer for AoE waves).
• Common paid peak: Knight + Priest + Hunter.
• Match gear stats to class: attack speed on Ranger/Hunter, spell power on Sorcerer.

• Beginner party builds — Formation spine.
• Builds meta guide — Extended comps.

Each level grants skill points. Specialized trees outperform hybrids in Act 2+. Rune of Awakening adds an extra skill slot — high value for Priest.

• Tank: survivability passives before luxury damage.
• Unlock core actives before small stat nodes.
• Re-check skill tree after patches or restarts if stats look wrong.

500+ items drop while idle. Higher rarities mean more affixes and market value. Compare before synthesis — no equipment lock exists yet. Higher-grade Steam trading resumed in 1.01.00.

Cube unlocks at level 4. Default mode is Synthesis — switch to Alchemy to sell for gold. Eight functions unlock with Cube level and gold.

• Cube hub — Function map and safety.
• Alchemy vs Synthesis — Early bias and mid-game fuse rules.
• Cube system guide — Deep dive with video.

Active background play (game open on Steam) gives full chest and loot rates. Closing the game is not equivalent — see Offline vs AFK guide. Pets and farmable companions stack well with long AFK sessions.

• Enable Auto-retry and auto-open chest runes.
• Farm last cleared comfortable stage when pushing fails.
• Long sessions support Steam Market listings — verify rarity before listing.

• AFK farm builds — Uptime-first parties.
• AFK farming guide — Loop detail and calculator video.
• Pets hub — Passive multipliers while idle.

Each Act finale needs a Soul Stone to attempt the boss. Stones are consumed only on successful clears — failed runs cost nothing.

• Store extra stones in Stash for later Acts.
• Boss farming loops are a major mid-game loot source.

Three socket types unlock at Rare, Immortal, and Arcana gear tiers. Preview material stats — do not socket fire damage on non-fire heroes. See the Engraving & Inscription guide for Removal safety and post-July-2026 recovery checks.

• Rare+: Decorations for flexible early stats.
• Immortal+: Engraving for stronger permanent lines.
• Arcana+: Inscription for premium endgame effects.

• Stash: crafting mats, Soul Stones, gear for later, market listings queue.
• Alt-lock before Alchemy Auto Fill.
• Sort by rarity before bulk synthesis — double-check all nine slots.

Three Acts, four tiers each. Clear Normal for an Act before higher tiers. Act 2 introduces elemental counters; Act 3 is Cube min-max territory. Torment clears are common — see the Dev Roadmap guide for seasonal next steps.

Beginner (Act 1–2)

Knight + Priest + Ranger — tank, buff/heal, attack-speed DPS.

• Beginner party page — Slot order and skill notes.

Paid peak (common)

Knight + Priest + Hunter when you own Hunter DLC.

Market AFK

Same trio with drop-rate and attack speed gear; Alchemy junk, careful synthesis; consider pets for economy.

• AFK farm builds — Drop-rate and stage choice.

Push (Act 2+)

Sorcerer + Ranger + Knight for AoE; raise synthesis before fusing weapons.

• Builds hub — Philosophy and gear timing.
• Review page — Is TBH right for you?

• Steam Guard required. Check recent sales before undercutting Arcana+.
• Higher-grade trading resumed in ver 1.01.00 — see High-Grade Market guide.
• Never trade outside Steam.

• Market hub — Two economies and mailbox reclaim.
• Steam Market guide — Listing basics with video.
• High-grade market guide — Arcana+ after 1.01.00.

56 Steam achievements for Acts, rarities, synthesis, and class mastery. Many unlock passively during AFK — use Steam overlay to track.