Unlocking Ending 19 in The Binding of Isaac: A Comprehensive Guide

Ending 19 in The Binding of Isaac, specifically in the Afterbirth+ expansion and its continuation in Repentance, is unlocked by defeating Ultra Greedier in the challenging Greedier Mode. This mode is a significant step up from the standard Greed Mode, demanding a strategic approach and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. Reaching this ending is a rite of passage for seasoned Isaac players, symbolizing their mastery over some of the game’s toughest content.

Understanding Greedier Mode

Before diving into how to secure Ending 19, it’s essential to understand what Greedier Mode entails. This is an alternative version of Greed Mode with significantly increased difficulty. Here’s a breakdown:

• Increased Enemy Difficulty: Enemies are more aggressive, have higher health, and spawn in larger numbers. Expect to face off against the most punishing enemy combinations more frequently.
• Tougher Waves: The waves of enemies in Greedier Mode are more intense, often including champion enemies and difficult combinations that require tactical thinking to overcome.
• Ultra Greedier: The final boss of Greedier Mode, Ultra Greedier, is an enhanced version of the standard Greed boss and boasts even more challenging attacks and a higher health pool.
• No Free Restart: Unlike the original Greed Mode, you cannot leave and restart a Greedier run if you are not happy with your start. This adds a layer of commitment and forces strategic planning from the get-go.
• Unique Item Pools: Greedier Mode often mixes up the item pools, making certain item combos harder to achieve and forcing a greater reliance on adaptation and creative synergies.

How to Unlock Ending 19

Unlocking Ending 19 directly correlates to beating Ultra Greedier in Greedier Mode. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Unlock Greed Mode: First, you need to unlock the regular Greed Mode by defeating Mom’s Heart at least once.
2. Unlock Greedier Mode: Next, you must donate 879 coins to the Greed Machine in Greed Mode to unlock Greedier Mode.
3. Select Greedier Mode: Once unlocked, you can choose this mode from the main game menu.
4. Complete All Waves: In Greedier Mode, you’ll face 10 waves of enemies on each floor. Each wave ends with a mini-boss.
5. Prepare for Ultra Greedier: After finishing all 10 waves, prepare yourself to fight Ultra Greedier, a more challenging version of Greed.
6. Defeat Ultra Greedier: Successfully defeating Ultra Greedier is the key to unlocking Ending 19.

Tips for Tackling Greedier Mode

Greedier Mode is no cakewalk. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

• Prioritize Damage: High damage output is paramount. Look for items that boost damage or provide powerful synergies.
• Focus on Survivability: Greedier Mode is relentless. Items that give you more health, shields, or invulnerability can greatly improve your chances of survival.
• Exploit Item Breaks: Seek opportunities to break the game by using powerful item combos or interactions with the D20.
• Strategic Coin Management: Use your coins wisely to purchase items from the shops, as these can make or break your run.
• Learn Enemy Patterns: Memorizing the attack patterns of different enemies will help you dodge attacks and minimize damage taken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the topic, providing additional insights:

1. What are the prerequisites for unlocking Ending 19?

You must first unlock Greed Mode by defeating Mom’s Heart once, then unlock Greedier Mode by donating 879 coins to the Greed Machine, and finally, defeat Ultra Greedier in that mode.

2. Can you use seeds to unlock Ending 19?

No, seeds cannot be used to unlock achievements, endings, and unlocks like Ending 19. They are primarily meant for fun runs or experimentation, not for progression.

3. What is the difference between Greed Mode and Greedier Mode?

Greedier Mode features a significant increase in the difficulty of enemies and waves compared to the standard Greed Mode. It introduces champion enemies, stronger boss variants, and more challenging overall encounters.

4. Is there an alternative way to get Ending 19?

No, the only way to unlock Ending 19 is by defeating Ultra Greedier in Greedier Mode. There are no shortcuts or other methods.

5. Is it possible to complete Greedier Mode as The Lost?

Yes, it is possible, but it’s one of the most challenging tasks in the game due to The Lost’s limitations. Success relies heavily on incredibly strong and game-breaking item synergies.

6. What’s the best character to use for unlocking Ending 19?

There isn’t a single best character, but characters with high starting damage or survivability, like Azazel or Isaac (with rerolls), are popular choices for tackling Greedier Mode.

7. Can I unlock Ending 19 before completing all other endings?

Yes, you don’t need to unlock other endings first, but certain progress may aid you to have a better understanding of the game. As long as you defeat Ultra Greedier in Greedier Mode, you unlock it.

8. What other unlockables are related to Greedier Mode?

Besides Ending 19, completing Greedier Mode unlocks other items and challenges, such as the Holy Mantle for The Lost if you beat it as The Lost character.

9. How often can I repeat Greedier Mode runs?

You can repeat Greedier Mode runs as many times as you want, but the Greed Machine will stop receiving coins once it hits its cap (usually around 109 coins)

10. How do I prepare for the Ultra Greedier fight?

Make sure you have a solid damage output, some form of health sustain or protection, and always be aware of Ultra Greedier’s attack patterns.

11. Do certain item combos work better in Greedier Mode?

Yes, item synergies such as those with high damage output and multiple projectiles, piercing tears, or health sustain are particularly effective in Greedier Mode. Items that provide a stat multiplier are also incredibly valuable.

12. Does the difficulty of Greedier Mode scale with characters?

The difficulty is generally the same for all characters in terms of enemy stats and spawn rates, but the effectiveness of items may vary.

13. What should I avoid in Greedier Mode?

Avoid low damage builds, low-health runs, picking up Cursed items without a way to remove them, and being overly reliant on only one type of item.

14. Can I get help from friends in Greedier Mode?

No, The Binding of Isaac is a single-player game. It doesn’t have co-op or multiplayer capabilities.

15. What is the best strategy for the last wave before Ultra Greedier?

Focus on quickly clearing the last wave while saving some resources (bombs, active items) to be prepared for the Ultra Greedier fight.

By mastering the mechanics of Greedier Mode and carefully strategizing your runs, you will eventually unlock the coveted Ending 19 and prove your proficiency in The Binding of Isaac. Good luck!