So Many Synergies!
You have to do a lot to unlock the Gunslinger in Enter the Gungeon. But the pay-off is worth it.
I am going to say what makes the Gunslinger so good and how to play it. I will also explain how to unlock the character. Spoilers ahead for this character and the Paradox.
What the The Gunslinger Stats With
The Gunslinger starts with Slinger and the Lich’s Eye Bullets. You don’t start with a second gun or an active item. At first these starting items might seem deceptively weak. But it is anything but. I am going to explain why these two items are so good.
Slinger Is the Best Starting Gun
The Slinger has so many things good about it. If I could find this gun in the game, I would use it over some of the weaker guns you can find. Overall, this is just an amazing starting gun. So good, you might not even need much else for the first few floors.
First, it is very accurate. According to the wiki, accuracy can’t be dropped in any way, either.
Second, when you run out of ammo, you throw the gun. This is why our character is called the Gunslinger. An interesting play on words as they shoot well and throw guns. These tossed guns can stun enemies some of the time.
Let Me Explain Why the Lich’s Eye Bullets Is One of the Best Item in the Game
With this item, when you find a gun, you will, when possible, get every synergy you can with the gun. There are some exceptions and the wiki lists them. But for most guns, you get a noticeable power boost from just finding them.
This is such a big deal. This item changes the way the game is played. Some guns are so much stronger with synergies. Having the Lich’s Eye Bullets is like playing on easy mode. If you want to just win and go on a power trip play as the Gunslinger.
To take advantage of this item, you need to know what guns have synergies and ideally what guns have a lot of synergies. I recommend reading the wiki as it such a good resource. I often have to check to see what synergies guns have and what they do. It is hard to know when you don’t see synergies too often. Especially not all of them at once!
Some of the weaker or unappealing guns, with the right synergies, become amazing. Here is a small selection of guns I remember that become great with synergies.
- Bee Hive: Has multiple nice upgrades.
- Cactus: This previously weak rapid fire shooting gun can now carry you into the late game.
- Flare Gun: I normally try to avoid using this gun. But now it is worth using!
- Hegemony Rifle: This weak and inaccurate gun now shoots instant hit lasers for good damage.
- Mega Douser: I already like this water gun and now it is even better!
- Pea Shooter: One of the weakest guns is now good.
- Wind Up Gun: This somewhat weak gun now shoots powerful shots every bullet.
Advice How to Play the Gunslinger
I recommend reading my Enter The Gungeon survival guide. It does not matter how strong your guns are if you can’t survive. I often get overconfident with good guns and items and end taking more damage. Don’t forget that here. Especially if you are playing to unlock the character.
Ideally, you just want a lot of guns and items. Just like any other character, basically.
I know I said this already. But if you find a gun with a synergy, I recommend stopping to read what it does. There is no reason to be confused here. The game doesn’t explain what synergies do. Just you have them. Remember, you can always check the wiki!
How to Unlock the Gunsliger
Last, it is time to explain how to unlock the Gunslinger. This is not an easy process, and it can potentially take a lot of time. Reminder spoilers!
I hope you have some time as this might take a few hours. You can, of course, save and come back by just leaving the game after clearing a room.
So first you need to unlock the Paradox. I have a guide on that character as well! Then you need to beat the game as that character. You will get pulled into Bullet Hell and have to beat this very hard area.
Now, once you beat this run, another one will start right away. You will be now playing as the Gunslinger.
But careful! You have not unlocked the character. You have to beat this current run to unlock the character. If at any time you lose, you get kicked out and will have to beat another run as the Paradox to try again. If you are bad like me, this might take a while. Thankfully, playing as both the Paradox and Gunslinger is pretty fun.
To truly unlock the character, you have to go back to Bullet Hell again. This time, by trying to kill your past, you just go here as normal. Once you find the boss, instead of fighting three phases, you fight a single phase with double bosses. If you can beat this very hard fight, you unlock the character.
I wish I could give some deep advice here. I only won because I got lucky and had so many items and guns. I also found the Clone item. This item lets you start over from a run after losing, and you get even more items. That is what it took for me to win this.
Of course, become used to Bullet Hell. You will end up here a lot, and this area just ruins runs. Even good ones. Also, practicing against the first Lich’s form helps. Remember, you need to fight two of them.