Beginner Mistakes to Avoid in Hero Havoc

Your hero aims and fires automatically. Every second spent standing still is a second monsters spend closing in. Keep moving in wide loops.

Short back-and-forth movement lets monsters cut across your path. Use the whole arena and circle around cover.

Gems will still be there after the crowd is gone. Pick them up between groups. A copy of Hero Magnet makes this much easier.

A fresh Rocket Launcher or Laser Rifle can halve a boss fight. Hold one for waves 5, 10, 15 and 20. See Best Weapons for Boss Waves.

A special that never gets used does nothing. Fire it when monsters close in or a boss commits to an attack — specials recharge, and most take only 4 to 6 seconds.

Goo Throwers attack from range, so they keep chipping you while you deal with melee monsters. Kill them first.

Every boss has a pattern that punishes a lack of space: Tentacle Professor's charge, Sand Colossus's eruption and Volt Tyrant's Energy Cage. Stay central. The boss hub covers each one.

All damage leaves you fragile; all health makes waves drag on. Balance them as described in Best Upgrades.

Nightmare monsters have 160% health and deal 150% damage, with half the health drops. A deep Hero run usually earns more coins than an early Nightmare loss. See the Difficulty Guide.

Coins are banked even when you lose. Spend them on Tough Suit, Power Core or Second Wind between runs — permanent perks make every future run easier. Read the Hero Lab Guide, and revisit the Beginner's Guide or How to Play for the basics.