How to Unlock Azazel in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
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Unlocking Azazel in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a rite of passage for many players, as this powerful character offers a unique and often easier start to runs. If you’re looking to add this demonic powerhouse to your roster, the unlock condition is straightforward: you need to make three Devil Deals in a single run. This seemingly simple requirement can be challenging for new players, but with a little knowledge and strategy, Azazel will be yours in no time.
Understanding Devil Deals
Before diving into the unlock process, it’s essential to understand what Devil Deals are and how they work. Devil Deals appear in rooms after defeating a boss, similar to item rooms, but they require payment in health containers. These rooms feature dark, sinister decor, and often have items that provide considerable power boosts in exchange for your red heart containers (the regular red hearts).
Here are some key points about Devil Deals:
- Cost: Devil Deals usually cost one or two red heart containers. If you don’t have enough, you cannot purchase them.
- Heart Type: Only red heart containers can be used to pay for deals. Soul hearts or black hearts don’t count.
- Chance: The chance of a Devil Deal appearing after a boss fight is based on certain conditions. Taking damage during the boss fight decreases the likelihood of a Devil Room spawning.
The Path to Unlocking Azazel
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unlock Azazel:
- Start a Run: Begin a new run with any character (preferably one you’re comfortable with to maximize your chances of surviving).
- Minimize Damage: Focus on avoiding damage, especially during boss fights, as this increases the chances of a Devil Room spawning after the boss.
- Locate Devil Rooms: After each boss fight, check for a door with a red outline and horns – this indicates a Devil Room.
- Make Three Deals: Enter the Devil Room and purchase items using your red heart containers. You need to purchase three such items in one single run to unlock Azazel.
- Successful Unlock: Once you have purchased three devil deals within the same run, Azazel is unlocked and will be available for use in future runs. A notification will confirm the unlock.
Strategies for Securing Devil Deals
- Prioritize Health: Prioritize red heart containers and health upgrades in early item rooms and from bosses. You need health to make the deals.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Skip: If you find a poor quality devil deal, don’t feel compelled to take it. Focus on building your character until a better opportunity arises.
- Angel Rooms: Devil deals and Angel rooms have a mutually exclusive chance of appearing. Taking a devil deal makes an angel room less likely to appear in the future, and the inverse is true for taking an angel deal. When aiming to unlock Azazel, avoid taking an Angel Deal at all costs.
Why Unlock Azazel?
Azazel is a highly sought-after character for a few key reasons:
- Starting Stats: Azazel starts with three black hearts (which are essentially extra health), innate flight, and a short-range Brimstone beam. These starting stats make the beginning stages of the game much easier.
- Ease of Access: Azazel’s flight ability allows access to otherwise dangerous areas, like Curse Rooms.
- Powerful Attack: The short-range Brimstone provides substantial starting damage.
Once Azazel is unlocked, you’ll likely find him to be a consistent and powerful option for runs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Azazel
1. What Happens if Azazel Gets Brimstone?
If Azazel gets the regular Brimstone item, his short-range beam is replaced with the long-range version. Additionally, Azazel’s fire rate will increase because Brimstone’s fire rate multiplier is 1/3 while Azazel’s initial rate is 0.
2. Can Azazel Gain Red Heart Containers?
Yes, unlike the character “??? (Blue Baby)”, Azazel can gain regular red heart containers through items, heart drops, and other means.
3. Can Azazel Take Devil Deals After Unlocking?
Absolutely! As a character, Azazel can take Devil Deals just like any other character, further boosting his power.
4. Does Monstro’s Lung Work with Azazel?
Yes, but Monstro’s Lung overrides the Azazel’s starting brimstone, making the shot pattern more sporadic, and less accurate.
5. How does Double Brimstone Work With Azazel?
If Azazel acquires two instances of Brimstone, the effect is a wider Brimstone beam that deals increased damage. This double brimstone effect does not stack and is overridden by Azazel’s starting Brimstone.
6. Does Mom’s Knife Override Azazel’s Brimstone?
Yes, Mom’s Knife will override Brimstone, including Azazel’s starting short-range brimstone.
7. What is Azazel’s Fire Rate Multiplier?
Azazel’s starting fire rate multiplier is x0, while Brimstone’s fire rate multiplier is x1/3. This means acquiring Brimstone with Azazel will significantly increase his attack speed.
8. Can Azazel be Used to Unlock The Lost?
Yes, Azazel can be used to unlock The Lost. The final step is to die to the second stage of the Satan boss fight as Azazel without using a seed.
9. Why is Azazel Considered a Powerful Character?
Azazel’s powerful start (flight, black hearts, and a brimstone laser) makes it much easier to manage the early stages of the game. This gives him a great advantage, especially for newer players.
10. Can You Use Seeds to Unlock Azazel?
Yes, you can use seeds to unlock Azazel. The only part where you cannot use a seed is when you are using Azazel to unlock The Lost by dying to the second stage of the Satan boss fight.
11. What Happens if Azazel Dies?
Like other characters, if Azazel dies during a run, the run ends. You would have to begin a new run if you want to play as him again.
12. How Does Azazel’s Starting Brimstone Work?
Azazel’s starting brimstone is a short-range beam that can be fired very rapidly. It does not have the same range as the Brimstone item, but has a higher fire rate.
13. What is the History Behind the Name Azazel?
In Jewish legends, Azazel is a demon or evil spirit. He is often associated with the scapegoat ritual during Yom Kippur. The character’s lore within the game reflects some of these themes.
14. How Do Devil Deals Affect Angel Room Chances?
Taking a Devil Deal drastically reduces the chance of an Angel Room appearing after the subsequent boss. These probabilities shift, making the inverse less likely to happen as well.
15. Is it worth trying to make only Devil Deals as Azazel?
While you can play however you want, it’s generally recommended to pursue devil deals as Azazel. If he gets good devil items, Azazel will be even more powerful. However, if you’re low on health and are in a tricky situation, an angel deal might save you.
By understanding the unlock requirements and Azazel’s unique attributes, you’ll find this powerful character a valuable addition to your Binding of Isaac: Rebirth experience. Happy demon slaying!