[Standard Character] ---> Unlocked via Normal Play └── [Tainted Version] ---> Unlocked via the "Red Key" or "Cracked Key" in the Home floor Standard Characters
Trillions of potential synergy combinations.
These are not simple cosmetic reskins; they feature entirely unique mechanics that turn standard gameplay on its head:
The most significant addition is the "Tainted" characters. By introducing 17 alternative versions of the existing roster, the developers doubled the game's depth. These characters aren't just stat swaps; they feature entirely new mechanics—such as Tainted Forgotten being a melee-only "bone-thrower" or Tainted Cain needing to craft his own items. This forced players to unlearn years of muscle memory and approach the dungeon with entirely new strategies. Visual and Auditory Evolution