If you’ve played Pass the Fear for a while, you’ve probably experienced this frustrating cycle: you start a run with a build in mind, but the RNG has other plans. Instead of getting the relics you need, you’re handed completely different items, and your build falls apart before it even gets going.
The good news is that while luck plays a huge role in Pass the Fear, you’re not completely at its mercy. There are several mechanics that let you influence your build and dramatically improve your chances of getting the relics you actually want.
After spending plenty of runs experimenting with different setups, these are the strategies that consistently lead to stronger builds.
Understand That RNG Isn’t Completely Random
One of the biggest misconceptions new players have is believing every run is entirely based on luck.
While item drops are random, the game gives you several ways to steer your build toward a specific element or playstyle.
The key is making smart decisions from the very beginning instead of hoping the perfect relic magically appears later.
Never Ignore the Shop
Many players simply visit the shop, buy a weapon if it looks decent, and move on.
That’s a mistake.
The shop is actually one of the strongest tools for controlling your build.
Every shop contains several sections:
- Relics
- Weapon Parts
- Guns
- Utility Potions
The Utility Potion slot is where you’ll find some of the most valuable items for shaping your run.
Utility Potions Are Build Enablers
Utility Potions can drastically improve your chances of finding relics that match your intended build.
Instead of relying purely on random drops, these potions push future rewards toward a specific category.
For example, you’ll find potions focused on:
- Physical
- Acid
- Frost
- Lightning
- Ember
- Other elemental paths
If you already know you’re planning an Acid build, grabbing an Acid-focused potion early can make the rest of your run much smoother.
Think of these potions as investments rather than immediate power boosts.
Use Relic Selection Potions
Some Utility Potions allow you to choose from several relics that all belong to the same category.
For example, a Physical potion may present three Physical relics instead of random options.
This greatly increases your odds of finding a useful piece for your build.
Rather than hoping for the perfect relic after every boss, you’re actively narrowing the loot pool in your favor.
Increase Your Relic Drop Chances
Some potions don’t directly give you relics.
Instead, they increase the chance of future relics belonging to a specific element.
Examples include bonuses like:
- Higher Physical relic chance
- Better Acid relic odds
- Increased Frost relic drops
- Improved Lightning relic rates
These percentage boosts may seem small, but over an entire run they add up and often determine whether your build comes together or not.
Save Gold for Shop Rerolls
Gold isn’t only for buying equipment.
Keeping some extra gold lets you reroll the shop until useful Utility Potions appear.
Sometimes one reroll can completely change your run.
Instead of spending every coin immediately, consider saving enough to refresh the shop a few times whenever you reach one.
Finding the right potion early usually provides more long-term value than purchasing an average weapon.
Plan Your Build Before Picking Items
One common beginner mistake is choosing whatever item has the highest rarity.
A Legendary relic that doesn’t fit your build is often worse than a Rare relic that perfectly complements your strategy.
Before selecting rewards, ask yourself:
- What build am I aiming for?
- Which stat do I want to stack?
- Which relics benefit my weapon?
Making every decision around one clear direction leads to much stronger builds.
Always Choose Your Relic First
After defeating a boss, you’ll receive several reward categories.
These usually include:
- Relic
- Weapon Part
- Gun
- Tarot Card
The most effective approach is to look at the Relic first.
Relics define your build far more than weapons do.
If you find an excellent relic, you can adjust the rest of your choices around it.
Pick Weapons That Match Your Relics
Once you’ve selected your relic, it’s much easier to decide on a weapon.
Instead of asking:
“What weapon looks strongest?”
Ask:
“Which weapon works best with my relics?”
This keeps your build focused instead of becoming a mixture of unrelated effects.
Strong synergy almost always beats random power.
Weapon Parts Come Next
After choosing your weapon, look for weapon parts that enhance its strengths.
Don’t feel pressured to take the highest rarity if another option better supports your current setup.
Small upgrades that fit your build usually outperform flashy upgrades with no synergy.
Save Tarot Cards for Last
Tarot Cards are powerful, but they make much more sense after your build has already started taking shape.
Once you know your relics and weapon, you can easily identify which Tarot Card provides the biggest benefit.
Treat Tarot Cards as the finishing touch rather than the starting point.
Stack the Right Stats
Many builds revolve around repeatedly stacking specific attributes.
Common examples include:
- Growth
- Ember
- Armor
If your build depends on one of these stats, prioritize relics and Tarot Cards that increase them consistently.
The more focused your stat growth is, the stronger your character becomes later in the run.
Growth Builds Are Excellent for Acid
If you’re building around Acid damage, you’ll usually want to prioritize Growth whenever possible.
Many Acid-focused relics scale particularly well with Growth stacks, allowing your damage to increase steadily throughout the run.
Whenever you have multiple choices, Growth is often the safest investment for this playstyle.
Pay Attention to Tarot Card Synergy
Some Tarot Cards become incredibly powerful when paired with stacking builds.
For example, certain cards duplicate or spread your stat gains across multiple attributes.
A card that grants additional Ember, Growth, or Armor whenever one of those stats increases can dramatically accelerate your build.
These cards become much stronger once you’ve already committed to a stacking strategy.
Don’t Chase Every Rare Item
It’s easy to get distracted by high-rarity loot.
However, consistency usually comes from sticking to your original plan.
Ask yourself:
- Does this help my build?
- Will this improve my damage?
- Does it support my main stat?
If the answer is no, it’s often worth skipping—even if the item has a higher rarity.
Pass the Fear will always have an element of randomness, but successful runs aren’t built on luck alone. Smart players reduce the impact of RNG by using the shop effectively, investing in Utility Potions, and making every reward choice support a single strategy.
Whether you’re chasing an Acid build powered by Growth stacks or experimenting with Physical, Frost, or Ember setups, the secret is staying committed to your build from the beginning. Plan ahead, use the shop to influence future relic drops, and prioritize synergy over flashy loot. You’ll find that your builds become far more consistent—and much stronger—as a result.