DUNGEON CLAWLER / BUILDS
🏆 Character build guide
These 6 builds combine character mechanics with items. The items offered change each run, so check alternatives and common failure points when key items do not appear.
Scope: PC/Steam 1.1.2. Checked 2026-10-02 (JST) against official updates and player sources. These build suggestions are not ranked by measured win rates.
This guide uses Gold Dagger, Heat Gun and Poison Flask for original items, but these names have not been checked against the current English UI. Sources also use variant names. Treat this separately from the 22 added item names checked against official updates.
Choose effects you can use right now
- Identify the current gap. First check whether you cannot defeat enemies, prevent damage or collect essential items.
- Check options your items can support. The 4 examples below do not guarantee a finished build. If you lack an effect’s requirements, use its fallback.
- Reassess after the fight. Check whether you collected key items and survived the enemy’s next action. Spend rewards on the gap in damage, defense or collection.
Additional-effect sources checked 2026-10-13. These include post-1.0 reference values and reports without a build number; they do not establish installed-build 1.1.2 behavior or every multiplier. Choose by your available effects and reachable items, rather than treating these as measured win-rate comparisons.
Attack enemies that already have Fire
Requirements: You have a way to apply Fire and can collect Lighter. Keep defense and healing even in a Fire build.
- Secure both an item that applies Fire and Lighter, which uses that Fire for damage.
- Check that the enemy has Fire before aiming for Lighter. When collecting items together, check the target’s status rather than assuming an activation order.
- Sources describe Fire Extinguisher removing Fire from the front enemy to restore HP. Use your remaining HP and enemy intent to decide whether to leave the Fire for damage or prioritize healing.
If pieces are missing
Use ordinary attacks to remove enemies while you lack Fire application or Lighter. Before relying on Fire Extinguisher for healing, check that its target has Fire.
Unresolved conditions
Check your survival options before taking self-damaging perks such as Forest Fire. Duration, repeated triggers and current-version multipliers are not confirmed here.
View the effects and source dates used here
- Fire Oil
- Grants a buff that adds Fire to each subsequent attack.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
- Lighter
- Base damage scales with the amount of Fire on its target.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Sources describe removing all Fire from the front enemy and restoring your HP based on the amount removed.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
Separate gaining Spikes from using them for damage
Requirements: You can gain Spikes with an item such as Large Thorn and turn them into damage with Thornwhip. Do not confuse Spinarosa’s and Dolly’s retaliation conditions.
- Check that you have an item that grants Spikes. Adding Thornwhips alone does not replace a source of Spikes.
- Keep direct attacks that can finish enemies and items that prevent damage. Avoid taking unnecessary hits or self-damage just to build Spikes.
- When choosing an upgrade, distinguish increasing direct damage from increasing the Spikes you gain.
If pieces are missing
If you cannot gain enough Spikes, deal with enemies using ordinary attack weapons. Do not force this combination by draining Dolly’s HP.
Unresolved conditions
Whether Thornwhip’s increase is additive or multiplicative, whether it consumes Spikes and how multiple copies interact have not been cross-checked.
View the effects and source dates used here
- Large Thorn
- Grants Spikes while attacking.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
- Thornwhip
- An attack item whose damage scales with your Spikes.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
Add an attack for the back enemy
Requirements: Front-only attacks cannot reach the back enemy you want to defeat. Check whether Pebble’s target covers that gap.
- Read enemy positions and intent, then decide whether to remove the front or back enemy first.
- Use Pebble for the back enemy and other items for the front. Do not rely on a critical hit when estimating the damage you need.
- Once you can reach the target you need, add shields and healing. Do not fill the deck only with back-targeting items.
If pieces are missing
Without Pebble, prioritize attacks and defense you can use this turn. Keep usable attacks rather than waiting for a specific item to appear.
Unresolved conditions
The listed normal and upgraded numbers are source reference values. Check critical-hit chance, damage multiplier and exceptions to target positioning separately.
View the effects and source dates used here
- Pebble
- Attacks the back enemy and has a critical-hit chance.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
Try turning added items into Block
Requirements: Try Fluffy Sword with Reactive Plating. This use of Reactive Plating comes from player reports; it does not establish a fixed amount of Block.
- Check Fluffy Sword’s addition of Fluff separately from reports that Reactive Plating responds to items added during combat.
- Check that you actually gain Block before committing further rewards to this plan. Do not assume items inserted at the start of combat meet the same condition.
- If a crowded machine stops you collecting essential weapons or shields, prioritize a setup you can collect over adding more items.
If pieces are missing
If Reactive Plating does not appear, or you cannot confirm its description and behavior, keep ordinary shields for survival. Adding Fluff alone does not replace defense.
Unresolved conditions
Block amount, stacking, what counts and version differences have not been cross-checked. This is not evidence of infinite defense or a guaranteed Debt Level 20 clear.
View the effects and source dates used here
- Fluffy Sword
- Adds Fluff to the machine when it attacks.Source date/build: Values published on 2026-05-04, after the 1.0 release. The source does not specify its actual build or platform. Not cross-checked against current 1.1.2 values.
- Reactive Plating
- Player reports describe gaining Block when items are added to the machine during combat.Source date/build: Steam player report dated 2026-05-19; build number not specified.
Choose among 6 builds by character mechanic
Gold build Scrappy / Sir Bunalot
Candidate items / special claws: Gold Dagger / Hand of Midas / Piggy Bank
Early run
When using Gold Dagger, watch how its damage changes with your coin balance. Piggy Bank and Hand of Midas can help build that balance.
Mid-run onward
Balance coins spent on upgrades and healing against coins retained for Gold Dagger’s damage. Scrappy can collect Metal items together with the Magnet claw.
If pieces are missing
Without Gold Dagger, upgrade ordinary attacks instead of hoarding money for damage. Budget for the shields and healing the next fight needs.
Watch out for
A large hit against an enemy with reflection can kill you. Check enemy statuses before attacking.
Metal collection build Scrappy
Candidate items / special claws: Magnet Claw / Metal Shield / Whetstone
Early run
Scrappy’s second claw is a Magnet. Favor Metal items in the machine and learn its reach.
Mid-run onward
Collecting at least 5 Metal items at once grants Strength. Use the standard claw for non-Metal support items so the Magnet has a clear job.
If pieces are missing
Early on, use the standard claw for attacks and shields if you lack Metal items. Wait until you have useful items the Magnet can collect rather than adding weak items only to meet a material count.
Watch out for
Too many Metal items can form a bundle that the Magnet lifts but cannot fit through the chute. Check item sizes.
Poison damage-over-time build Toxicarl
Candidate items / special claws: Toxicarl's Flask / Poison Dagger / Poison Flask
Early run
Toxicarl applies more Poison. First prioritize items that let you apply it consistently.
Mid-run onward
His Flask grows stronger when Poison kills an enemy. Before finishing it with an ordinary attack, check whether Poison can get the kill.
If pieces are missing
Use ordinary attacks to finish enemies while you lack Poison items. Do not keep an enemy alive for Flask growth if that exposes you to dangerous actions.
Watch out for
Waiting for Poison can leave you exposed. Keep shields and healing.
Spikes and retaliation build Spinarosa / Dolly
Candidate items / special claws: Spikey Shield / Large Thorn / Thornwhip
Early run
Spinarosa uses her Spikes to damage all enemies. Dolly returns damage she takes to the nearest enemy. Choose items to match the character you are using.
Mid-run onward
Secure both Spikes sources and healing. In 1.0, Spikey Shield was adjusted to grant 3 Spikes normally and 5 when upgraded.
If pieces are missing
Remove enemies with attack weapons while you lack Spikes. With Dolly, secure healing before forcing more self-damage triggers.
Watch out for
Dolly’s self-damage costs HP. Using Spinarosa’s defensive priorities unchanged can lead to a failed run.
Block retention build Chief Bunner / Benny Beaver
Candidate items / special claws: Big Shield / Blockmaster / Metal Shield
Early run
Chief Bunner retains Block between turns. Benny Beaver starts combat with a dam.
Mid-run onward
Chief Bunner turns remaining Block into Charge for the next turn. Benny Beaver uses Wood items for the dam, so check that interaction before adding many wooden weapons.
If pieces are missing
Even without Blockmaster, secure shields for this turn’s damage and weapons that kill enemies. Keep attacks in the plan while you work on Block retention.
Watch out for
Adding only defense tends to prolong fights. Keep weapons that can finish enemies.
Repeat-activation claw build Anne Bunny / Captain Coney
Candidate items / special claws: Harpoon / Propeller Claw / Heat Gun
Early run
Anne Bunny’s Harpoon activates a collected item twice. Aim for weapons and shields with high value per item.
Mid-run onward
Captain Coney’s Propeller shrinks items so you can try to collect them again. Other shrinking tools, such as Heat Gun, are also options.
If pieces are missing
Without shrinking items, use Anne Bunny’s special Harpoon to aim for key items. With Captain Coney, also prioritize attacks and shields you can collect.
Watch out for
These claws follow different paths. In the first fight, check which way items fall before attempting difficult layouts.
Preparing for Debt Level 20
- Check the character’s mechanics first, then focus on 2–3 groups of items.
- Choose rewards by whether the next fight needs more usable damage, defense or healing.
- Read enemy statuses such as reflection, Poison and Fire before moving the claw. Reflection matters even more when your damage is high.
- “All In” requires completing a run at Debt Level 20. Check your progress in the achievement list.
Frequently asked questions
Which build should I try first?
Start with Sir Bunalot, keeping both attack items and shields while you learn to aim the claw. With Scrappy, you can also try collecting Metal with the Magnet.
Which achievement requires Debt Level 20?
The Steam achievement “All In” unlocks for completing a run at Debt Level 20. Its condition differs from character-specific completion achievements.
What is the strongest build with the new items?
Sources describe Anvil temporarily upgrading nearby items and Dueling Shield building attack damage from blocking, but amounts and conditions remain partly unverified. The effects of Philosopher’s Stone and Skeleton Finger are still unresolved. Choose by the roles that sources do support; we do not treat every effect as unknown or assign fixed rankings or win rates.