Image source: Gearbox Publishing
A huge part of the replayability factor in Risk of Rain Returns comes down to rerunning the game with different characters. If you’re after Chef then you’ll need a special ingredient called Bitter Root. It’s tricky to get though, requiring a very precise run, indeed. Here we’ll explain what you need to do, and some tips for making the whole thing easier.
Bitter Root is a common item that, when used, escalates your maximum health by 8% per stack. It can greatly enhance your character’s survival chances, particularly in the game’s later stages. But Bitter Root’s true importance lies in its role as one of the five key ingredients required to unlock Chef. Four of these — Meat Nugget, Bustling Fungus, Sprouting Egg, and Foreign Fruit — are readily available. Bitter Root, however, must be unlocked through the ‘In Good Health’ challenge.
Getting Bitter Root in Risk of Rain Returns
To unlock Bitter Root, your character must amass at least 650 health in a single playthrough. This accomplishment triggers the ‘In Good Health’ challenge, and upon completion, the ingredient will be added to the loot pool for subsequent playthroughs. Here are some strategies to help you conquer this challenge efficiently:
- Opt for Drizzle Difficulty – There’s no need to overcomplicate things. If your primary objective is to amass 650 health and complete the challenge, the game’s difficulty setting is inconsequential, as ‘In Good Health’ can be accomplished at any level.
- Utilize Infusion – Infusion is an uncommon item that permanently raises your health by 1 for each adversary you defeat. Even a single stack of this can greatly speed up your journey to 650 health.
- Level Up – Each level-up results in a substantial increase in your maximum health. Even in the absence of Infusion, your health points will continue to grow as you advance through the game’s stages.
Playing as HAN-D or Loader
While the character you choose does not directly impact the challenge, certain characters can make it easier to reach 650 health. HAN-D, for instance, has the highest health gain among all characters. Alternatively, you could opt for Loader.
Using Bitter Root: A Strategic Advantage
As we mentioned earlier, once unlocked, Bitter Root can be a game-changer. Its ability to increase your health by 8% per use can prove to be a major advantage, especially in high-difficulty levels. This gives you more room to execute combos without depleting your health.
Unlocking Chef
With the item in your possession, you’re one step closer to unlocking Chef. Remember, unlocking Chef requires five ingredients, four of which are available from the start. Bitter Root is the final piece of this puzzle.
Unlocking Bitter Root in Risk of Rain Returns is no easy feat, but with the right strategies and a bit of perseverance, it’s certainly within reach. If you’re after more tips on the game, do check out our beginner guide.
