August 11, 2026
Early Game Checklist
Complete these beats in order. Each line links deeper so you never hit a naked URL - only labeled next steps.
Ordered Checklist
Order is the feature. Skipping to Market or paid DPS while slots are missing creates the exact stalls this list exists to prevent.
Print or pin this page. Check items only when the in-game system is actually online - not when you merely watched a video about it.
- 1
Install & claim Priest
Steam Windows build + free Priest DLC.
- 2
Learn hotkeys
Shift+F12 / Shift+F11 - see Controls.
- 3
Enable Auto-retry
Settings before first AFK.
- 4
Unlock Runes & Cube
Levels 3-4; Alchemy junk gear.
- 5
Second then third slots
Rune of Command path.
- 6
Form Knight+Priest+Ranger
Or your chosen safe trio.
- 7
Far North chests
Automation before luxury nodes.
- 8
Selective Synthesis
After gold pressure eases.
- 9
Pets while AFK
Farm unlock thresholds.
- 10
Market hygiene
Trade Ship for high grades only.
- Tools hub — Other helpers.
- Beginner roadmap — Narrative version.
- Controls hotkeys — Display recovery.
How the List Maps to Hours
Hour 0-1: install, Priest claim, starter pick, Auto-retry, hotkey bookmarks, Act 1 progress toward Runes and Cube.
Hours 1-4: Alchemy-funded second slot, Priest assigned, resist Synthesis greed, portal farm if walls appear.
Hours 4-10: third slot gold target, stable trio, Far North chest work, only then broader Synthesis and pet side grinds.
- Classes starter — First hero choice.
- Beginner party — Trio setup.
- Rune hub — Gold sinks.
Verification
You are "done" with early game when three heroes clear a stable farm stage with Auto-retry and chest automation, and you understand Alchemy vs Trade Ship. Everything after is optimization.
Verification also includes display health: after a dock/undock, can you recenter with Shift+F12 and still click Cube locks accurately?
If any verification line fails, do not advance to vanity goals. Fix the broken line - window, slot, retry, or melt discipline - then continue.
- Three heroes assigned in Formation
- Auto-retry enabled on a comfortable stage
- Chest automation unlocked or clearly in progress
- Keepers locked before Alchemy Auto Fill
- No reliance on fake redeem codes
Common Blockers and Fixes
Window missing: Controls hotkeys and window-fix pages, not reinstall. Gold feels impossible: Alchemy junk and portal down, not Hunter impulse buys. Deaths overnight: easier stage, not more Synthesis.
Market confusion: read Market hub before listing. Pet impatience: finish slots first. Skill anxiety: refunds are cheap - experiment after the trio exists.
When stuck for more than a session, open Troubleshooting and confirm you are not fighting a known outage from News.
- Window fixes — Display recovery.
- Cube Alchemy page — Gold vs fuse.
- Troubleshooting guide — Broader fixes.
After the Checklist
Graduate to AFK farm builds for income tuning, tier list for optional swaps, and high-grade market guides if listables appear. Keep this checklist as a regression test after patches.
Dev roadmap reading becomes useful once you are not drowning in basics - know what is coming without rearranging today's gold plan every rumor.
Share the checklist with friends who just installed. Synchronizing order prevents the co-op voice chat of five contradictory tips.
- AFK farm builds — Income phase.
- Market hub — Optional wallet path.
- Review page — Expectations check.