What To Do After Completing the Polaroid Isaac in The Binding of Isaac
You’ve finally done it. After countless runs, dodging tears, and surviving horrific monstrosities, you’ve defeated Isaac while holding the Polaroid. This isn’t the end, however; it’s a new beginning. Completing the Polaroid route opens up a pathway to even greater challenges and further content within The Binding of Isaac. The Polaroid, unlocked by defeating the Cathedral five times, is your key to the next stage of the game. Instead of ending your run, it triggers the opening of the way to the next boss, and after that…well, it depends on which expansion you own! This usually means that you will proceed to the Chest, where you’ll face the Blue Baby boss fight.
Understanding the Polaroid and its Significance
Before diving into what’s next, let’s reaffirm what the Polaroid represents. It is a crucial item that, when held during your fight against Isaac in the Cathedral, allows you to continue the game rather than ending your run after defeating him. This progression is fundamental to exploring the game’s intricate layers and achieving further objectives. Without the Polaroid, the golden chest that spawns after defeating Isaac simply ends your run, and you miss out on the opportunity to face the final boss in this specific route.
The Chest and Blue Baby
After defeating Isaac with the Polaroid, you’ll be transported to a new stage, known as the Chest. This area features a unique aesthetic, usually being golden and white in color. The challenge here lies in navigating through this last floor and facing off against a more difficult boss: Blue Baby (also known as ???). Defeating Blue Baby, with or without the Polaroid, is a clear objective for all new players, but it is especially important for unlocking certain endings.
What Happens After Defeating Blue Baby?
Once you have managed to overcome Blue Baby, the game still doesn’t necessarily end. Here is where it can change significantly depending on which version of the game you are playing:
- Vanilla Rebirth: In the base game of The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, defeating Blue Baby often marks the end of a successful run. However, beating Blue Baby 10 times unlocks him as a playable character. Beating the final boss may also unlock new items or even other game modes, depending on what achievements you’ve completed.
- Afterbirth & Afterbirth+: If you have the Afterbirth or Afterbirth+ expansions, defeating Blue Baby will usually end the run, with potential unlocks and such. However, if you have completed other requirements, it could also open the way to further optional floors or bosses, such as The Hush.
- Repentance: The Repentance expansion adds even more complexity. Defeating Blue Baby could lead to the void floor or to new, optional and difficult alternate path floors and bosses. This means there are even more challenges to be conquered. For example, you can only get the true ending by making your way through Mausoleum/Gehenna 2 with the Knife, which will lead you through a new door and a unique boss.
The Importance of Unlocking Content
Every step in the game, such as beating Isaac with the Polaroid and then beating Blue Baby, is part of a larger progression path. Unlocking content through achieving goals like this, will in turn unlock new items, characters, challenges and levels. These unlocks are crucial for improving your character and broadening your possible strategies during runs, as well as opening up new pathways in the game. So, completing the Polaroid path is simply a piece of a bigger picture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I unlock the Polaroid?
You unlock the Polaroid by defeating Isaac in the Cathedral five times. This means successfully reaching and defeating him on five separate runs.
2. What if I have the Negative instead of the Polaroid?
The Negative is used to enter the Dark Room after defeating Satan instead of the chest. It is unlocked after defeating Sheol five times. So you need to take the other route instead.
3. What is the difference between the Polaroid and the Negative?
The Polaroid is used after beating Isaac in the Cathedral, allowing you to progress to the Chest and the Blue Baby boss fight. The Negative is used after defeating Satan in Sheol, letting you enter the Dark Room and face The Lamb boss. They are alternative end-game routes.
4. What is the Chest floor like?
The Chest is a unique end-game floor characterized by its golden and white aesthetics. It features different enemies and obstacles compared to earlier stages of the game. You might encounter some special items or challenges exclusive to the area.
5. How many times do I need to beat Blue Baby to unlock him?
You unlock Blue Baby as a playable character after defeating him 10 times. This requires multiple successful Polaroid runs and defeating him to gain access to the character.
6. What if I don’t have the expansions?
If you are playing the base game, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, defeating Blue Baby may just end the run without any further progression, or unlock something on a list of achievements. The post-game content is greatly expanded with each DLC.
7. What are the recommended next steps after defeating Blue Baby with the Polaroid?
The most important thing after unlocking this part of the game is to keep trying different characters and routes. Try to focus on the alternate route to see The Lamb with the Negative, and beat the game with many characters to unlock new items and characters.
8. How do I unlock Mega Satan?
Mega Satan is unlocked by collecting two key pieces in the Angel Rooms or Devil Rooms and then facing it in the final boss room. There is no “key piece” item that you need, so simply having the Key Pieces in your inventory is enough. Defeating Mega Satan also unlocks an ending.
9. What is the true ending in The Binding of Isaac: Repentance?
The true ending is achieved by collecting the Knife Pieces, reaching the red door in the Mausoleum/Gehenna 2 and beating the boss that comes after.
10. How many hours does it take to 100% complete The Binding of Isaac?
100% completion in The Binding of Isaac can take hundreds of hours, possibly around 300, due to the vast amount of unlocks and achievements that are in the game.
11. Does The Binding of Isaac get harder as I play?
Yes, the game does get harder over time, due to unlocking higher floors, new bosses, and a greater quantity of enemies. Also, the game offers a greater difficulty with each new DLC.
12. Should I always take Devil Deals?
Devil Deals can be beneficial but are risky. They may remove your heart containers, which you will need in order to survive. Weigh the options carefully, based on the items offered, the item that you have equipped, and your total health to find the best path for you.
13. What is the maximum tear rate in Binding of Isaac?
The minimum tear delay is 1, meaning that you can fire up to 15 tears per second.
14. What is the max health in Binding of Isaac?
The maximum health you can have is 12 containers, regardless of the type of hearts that you have (red, soul, or black).
15. What does beating Hush unlock?
Beating Hush for the first time opens the way to an additional floor and its boss fight. This can open the way to multiple possible ways to end your run if you meet the conditions.
By answering these FAQs and understanding the game’s progression system, you’ll be well-prepared to continue exploring the vast world of The Binding of Isaac, one run at a time. Remember, each successful run and each defeated boss unlocks more content, leading to an even deeper and more rewarding experience. Good luck!