Surviving in some video games requires players to master many skills. Whether it be combat, traversal, or crafting, some skills are paramount to being successful in the player’s journey. Learning these skills can be the difference between life and death, or between success and failure. In many video games, inventory management can be one of these crucial skills for survival. In games likeResident EvilandMinecraft,inventory management is essentialto verify that the player is prioritizing what they need and discarding what they don’t need in order to benefit their adventure.
RELATED:Beginner Tips For Backpack Hero
While inventory management is a necessity in many games it isn’t quite as important as it is in Jaspel’s roguelike game,Backpack Hero,a game whose main combat mechanic is inventory management. In this game, players will have to make sure they perfect the balance between what is important and what is slowing them down. It is important for players to know just what items might be worth the limited inventory spaces, so this is a list of some of the best!
10Ninja Costume
Who doesn’t want to be like a ninja? Running around ingames like Sekiro, being one with the shadow is so much fun! In a game where getting hit by a single enemy can mean death, it is important to stock up on items that increase defense so that the character can tank enemy hits. One of the best ways to avoid damage, however, is not getting hit at all!
The Ninja Costume item allows the player to dodge one attack when the enemy takes their turn. Dodging a singular attack can be pivotal to the player’s success. The Ninja Costume does have a caveat, however: at the end of the player’s turn it will negate all the block the player has. This can make it a situational armor item depending on the player’s build. Nonetheless, it is still an amazing item!

9Mirror Shield
The Mirror Shield is a legendary staple in video games. A version of the mirror shield appears in games likeThe Legend of Zeldaand even under different names like theShield of Perseus in God of Warhave their own iterations of the Mirror Shield. The basic idea is so simple but effective and fun! InBackpack Hero, the Mirror Shield item adds 6 block and removes 2 spikes and 2 rage from the enemy. This item creates the perfect example of a good defense also being a great offense.
RELATED:Games With The Most Satisfying Parry Mechanics
It effectively bolsters defenses by adding block and removing rage, a status effect that increases the attack power. It also makes the enemy safer to attack by negating thorns, an effect that makes it so whenever an enemy is attacked, the attacker will also take damage.
8Jagged Blade
Having a reliable attack method in Backpack Hero is paramount to being successful in the game because the odds are not always fair. There will be many times that the character is cornered by multiple enemies and completely outnumbered. In these instances of a group attack, having a weapon that can attack multiple enemies can be the difference between a win and a loss.
The Jagged Blade is a great weapon to secure the win! It will deal great damage to a singular enemy as most weapons do, however, the Jagged Blade will do damage to all the enemies if the targeted enemy is killed.

7Orksork Ax
Money cannot buy everything, but in this game, it can buy extra attacks with the Orksork Axe. This weapon gets extra damage for any item that is adjacent to it, along with the unique attribute of using gold instead of energy to use. Energy is an important resource in combat because once you run out of energy your options in combat are extremely limited.
There are weapons that don’t require energy at all, however, these weapons will generally have a limit on use. The only limit with the Orksork Axe is the gold in the player’s pockets! Having a weapon/item use money as a resource can be seen in many series and evenother roguelikes includingBinding of Isaac.InBackpack Heroit is just as fun and effective!

6Coal
Coal is usually a resource in so many different games.In the world ofMinecraft,Coal is a resource that becomes easily available. Players will definitely be wishing for Coal as a present in this game. The item Coal is an amazing accessory that replenishes the uses of items in the same row as it.
This can be vital to getting in an extra attack or bolstering the player’s defenses. Any item that lets the player act more is an item worth keeping!

5Ruby
Items that increase the attack power of a weapon are extremely helpful in the character’s perilous journey. Doing more damage is, of course, always welcomed. The Ruby item adds a whopping 4 flat damage to adjacent weapons. This increase in damage is amazing compared to most of the other gems available in the game.
RELATED:Best Roguelikes With The Most Replay Value
It also only takes up one spot making it a low-investment item. Mixing this with other damage multipliers makes any weapon it is enhancing able to destroy any monster. This boost in strength will make the weapon it enhances strike true!
4Golden Whetstone
A master swordsman would never go into battle with a dull blade. Going into a fight with a weapon that does not have a sharp edge would be like going to eat dinner without utensils. That is where the Golden Whetstone comes in (or possibly a good blacksmith).
This item makes it so that the weapon it is used on gets a permanent attack boost of 25%! Increasing power in this game is always a great idea for the player. If enemies die before being able to attack, the player will never lose! This makes the Golden Whetstone a valuable item for any build.

3Assassins Dagger
Strategic use of weaponry is an important skill inBackpack Hero. Knowing when to bring out certain items in combat is important to make a difference in a fight. In regard to the Assassin Dagger, using it to get the kill on an enemy is in the player’s best interest.
When the Assassin’s Dagger lands a killing blow on an enemy it will get a 1-point damage increase permanently. The more the player can pull this off, the more lethal the Assassin’s Dagger becomes!

2Crimson Energy
Many items’ usefulness varies depending on the build the player is going for. In most builds, however, energy is an extremely valuable resource. The more actions the player gets to make on their turn, the better they will perform. There are many items in the game that increase the energy of the character. None boost the character’s energy quite like the Crimson Energy accessory, though.
This item, although a legendary status item, is not that hard to find on a run and can help exponentially. All the item asks in return is that it be placed in a specific way. So, the player will need to place it so that no other items are 2 spaces away from where it is placed in the inventory!

1Water Flask
Games will often havea plethora of different consumablesto aid the adventurers on their journey. These games will have all types of different potions, elixirs, and concoctions. Some might say, however, the best potion for success is water. Hydration is crucially important for successful adventurers. Staying hydrated makes it so that we can operate at 100% capacity.
The same goes for the adventurers inBackpack Hero. The Water Flask item is a consumable item with 4 uses. Each use will add one energy to the player’s energy pool. This makes it vital for long battles. It will make sure the adventurer can outclass all their enemies in a battle of endurance!

Backpack Herois available on PC and Nintendo Switch.

