Beginner's Guide
Survival basics and your first Orb
What is Noita?
Noita is a roguelite action game developed by Finnish studio Nolla Games. You play as a witch exploring randomly generated dungeons, armed with customizable wands loaded with spells. The defining feature is pixel-level liquid physics — water, blood, lava, acid and hundreds of other materials interact realistically in real time.
Core Rules to Remember
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Explosions hurt you too | Your own explosive spells deal self-damage |
| Liquids spread | Walking through blood or poison puddles inflicts status effects |
| Death is permanent | Default mode is permadeath — gear and spells reset |
| Alchemy and spells are seeded | Recipes and spell tables change every run |
Your First 20 Minutes
1. Pick up a wand
A wand always spawns near the starting area (Hämis). Equip it immediately.
2. Keep your distance from enemies
The first enemies (Hisi soldiers) fire projectiles. Use jumping and lateral movement to dodge while returning fire. Your health pool is 100 HP with limited healing options.
3. Check your wand before going deep
At a wand workbench (a worktable on a wooden platform) review the wand's spell slots. Wands with low Cast Delay and Recharge Time fire more quickly — prioritize these early.
4. Handle potions carefully
Red triangular flasks can explode violently when mixed. Use found potions directly on yourself for healing, or throw them at enemies.
Early Threats in the Coal Pits
The Coal Pits have no fixed boss. However, elite Hisi enemies and large slime variants can appear and deal heavy contact damage. Use vertical shafts to stay mobile and attack from range rather than cornering yourself.
Reaching Your First Orb
The first Orb is located in the Pyhä Highland area around the third underground layer. Picking up an Orb for the first time unlocks a new spell. Collecting the same Orb again on a subsequent run grants +25 max HP.
- Dig carefully through layers 2–3
- Never fall into lava or acid pools
- Always pick up perks from perk rooms (purple gem icon)
What to Know When You Die
- Random seed: Alchemy recipes and spell tables shuffle every run
- Knowledge carries over: Enemy behavior and map knowledge from previous runs will help you
- Focus one wand: Early game, load one wand with complementary spells rather than splitting attention
Common Causes of Early Death
| Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Self-explosion (close range) | Shoot from a distance; avoid explosive spells early |
| Falling into lava | Check before digging; cool lava with water |
| Poison puddles | Use wand-controlled movement to avoid ground contact |
| Running out of HP | Search for alchemic healing water (water + random substance) |