R Key: Your Guide to Time Travel in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

R Key, a powerful activated item introduced in The Binding of Isaac: Repentance, grants you the ability to rewind time and restart your run from the very beginning retaining all your items stats, and progress. This guide will delve into the intricacies of this unique item, equipping you with the knowledge to utilize its potential to its fullest.

Unveiling the R Key’s Secrets:

• Effects: Upon activation, R Key sends you back to the first room of Chapter 1, preserving all your collected items, stat boosts, trinkets, and pickups. It essentially grants you a second chance to tackle the challenges of your run, armed with the knowledge and resources you’ve accumulated.
• Notes: This item unlocks several possibilities:
  • Angel Rooms: Even if you’ve made a deal with the devil, Angel Rooms can reappear, offering divine blessings.
  • Planetarium: The chance of encountering a Planetarium increases, even without a Telescope Lens, granting access to celestial treasures.
  • Donation Machine: If jammed before using R Key, it miraculously unjams, allowing you to continue your charitable contributions.
  • True Co-Op: You can summon a co-op partner to join you on your journey from the very beginning.
  • Achievements and Unlocks: If enabled, they remain active even after using R Key. Conversely, if disabled due to Victory Lap or seeded runs, they stay disabled.
• Interactions:
  • Car Battery: No effect.
  • Dad’s Note: Using R Key during the Ascent sequence abruptly ends it.
• Gallery: Explore various concepts and designs for R Key, including its origins in the Antibirth mod.
• Trivia: Did you know?
  • R Key traces its roots to the Antibirth mod.
  • Its name cleverly references the “R” key on your keyboard, often used to restart games.
  • It bears a striking resemblance to the “Clone” item from Enter the Gungeon, with the key difference being R Key’s activated nature compared to Clone’s passive activation upon death.
• Bugs: Be aware of these potential glitches:
  • Sprinkler, if used in the same room as R Key, might accompany you to the starting room.
  • Using R Key with a True Co-Op partner and then restarting the game can lead to the co-op player losing their active item and health.

R Key in Action:

• Secret Rooms: This is where you’ll most likely encounter R Key, hidden within the depths of these mysterious chambers.
• Shop: Occasionally, you might find R Key for sale in the shop, albeit at a hefty price of 99 coins.
• Devil Deals: A Pound of Flesh can spawn a devil deal with R Key as the tempting reward.

Mastering R Key:

• Strategic Use: R Key shines when you’ve encountered a particularly challenging situation or simply want to revisit earlier floors with your enhanced arsenal.
• Unlocking Potential: Utilize R Key to explore different item combinations and strategies, maximizing your chances of conquering the game’s toughest challenges.
• Beware the Reset: Remember, R Key doesn’t reset the timer or score, so keep an eye on those crucial Boss Rush and ??? requirements.

R Key: A Powerful Tool in Your Isaac Arsenal

With its ability to rewind time and grant a second chance, R Key emerges as a valuable asset in your Binding of Isaac: Repentance journey. By understanding its mechanics, interactions, and potential pitfalls, you can harness its power to overcome obstacles, unlock secrets, and ultimately achieve Isaac’s ultimate goal. So, embrace the time-bending capabilities of R Key and embark on a journey of endless possibilities!