Quick Answer

Gourd upgrades affect uses, drinks shape recovery and bonus effects, and soaks fine-tune the build. If a boss walls you, check whether your healing setup answers the way you are dying.

Setup Logic

Death patternAdjustment
Always one heal shortPrioritize recovery and safety
Status pressure hurtsConsider resistance or pressure relief
Damage windows are tinyUse effects that support burst or consistency
You get hit while drinkingPractice safer healing windows first

Beginner Advice

StageApproach
First routeUse stable recovery
Boss wallChange soaks based on death pattern
Secret bossesTry safety first, then damage
NG+Optimize more aggressive combinations