Codex
The strains that mutate your lineage.
Mutations that let a virus bind its receptor more tightly make each virion more likely to infect a cell.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): +30% damage. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrains
Stabilizing mutations in capsid proteins help virions survive heat, drying and stomach acid.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): +40% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsGear Stats
Some viruses shed non-essential genes, letting them copy themselves faster and spread sooner.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): +20% move speed. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsGear Stats
Faster polymerases and assembly let some strains release new virions hours earlier.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Fire 25% faster. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsUnique Abilities
Gene duplication gives a virus a spare copy of a gene that can take on a new job.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): +1 projectile on every shot (40% damage). Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inFeature UnlocksStrainsUnique AbilitiesInfect Game ModeThe Codex
Lytic viruses burst their host cells, releasing virions and inflammatory debris all at once.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Dying cells burst, dealing 18 damage to their neighbours. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Viruses reprogram cell metabolism to siphon off nutrients and building blocks for themselves.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Auto-attacks heal 1.5% of their damage. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inElite AffixesStrainsUnique AbilitiesEndless Boons & Curses
Infections spread faster in cells rich in the nucleotides and energy a virus needs to copy itself.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Heal 3 HP for every kill. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrainsEndless Boons & Curses
Persistent viruses replicate slowly and steadily without killing their host cell.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Regenerate 1 HP per second. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsLineage & GenerationsStrainsEndless Boons & Curses
Dense glycan coats on envelope proteins physically shield viruses from antibodies.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Block the first hit in every room. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsUnique Abilities
Some viral genes are ancient, conserved across lineages for millions of years because they work.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Start with your ultimate charged; it charges 30% faster. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inLineage & GenerationsStrains
Many viruses spread before symptoms appear, staying under the immune system's radar.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Detection rises 40% slower. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Antigenic variation changes the parts of a virus antibodies recognize, letting it slip past immunity.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Immune cells see 35% less far. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsUnique Abilities
Some viral proteins damage the membranes of immune cells that try to grab them.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Cells that touch you take 15 damage. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
High-affinity attachment proteins help virions stick to and gather around target cells.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): 2.5x pickup range and +20% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsGear StatsEndless Boons & Curses
Some viruses spread through the air in tiny aerosols that travel much further than droplets.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Shots fly 35% faster and pierce +1 cell. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Strong promoters can switch a virus's genes on faster and louder than usual.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Antigenic Shift charges 60% faster and starts ready. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrainsUnique Abilities
Some viruses infect cells silently, then strike all at once.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Ambush hits deal 60% more damage. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Recombination between strains can create rare, successful new genomes.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): RNA strands drop 3x as often. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Error-prone copying makes RNA viruses mutate fast, exploring new variants constantly.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Cleared rooms leave mutation orbs 2x as often. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrains
Destabilizing mutations make a virion fall apart easily outside the cell.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): −40% max HP · +60% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrainsEndless Boons & Curses
Defective polymerases slow a virus's replication, a trick used to make live-attenuated vaccines.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): −20% move speed · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrains
A host with strong prior immunity (from vaccination or past infection) fights the virus off faster.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Cells have +40% HP · +50% nucleotides, 1.5x RNA. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrainsEndless Boons & Curses
Inflammation recruits waves of immune cells to the site of infection.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): +40% more cells per room · +50% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Activated immune cells move faster, following chemical trails to the infection.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Cells move 25% faster · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Affinity maturation sharpens antibodies over an infection so they bind ever more tightly.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Cells hit 35% harder · +50% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Some people's innate immunity reacts strongly and early, catching infections fast.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Detection rises 60% faster and starts at 30 · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrains
Low-oxygen tissue changes how cells behave and can slow both virus and immune response.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): You can only see a small circle · +50% nucleotides, 2x RNA. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Memory T cells from a past infection can hunt a returning virus from day one.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): A Killer T cell is hunting you from the start · +60% nucleotides, 2x RNA. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Some infections damage tissue faster than the body can repair it.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Clearing rooms no longer heals · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Infected cells can die explosively, releasing debris that harms nearby tissue.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Dying cells burst and can hurt you · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Inflammation speeds tissue repair, helping the host recover from damage.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Wounded cells slowly regenerate · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inElite AffixesRoom TraitsStrainsEndless Boons & Curses
Late in an infection, antibodies are produced in huge numbers and act fast.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Enemy shots fly 40% faster · +35% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Severe infections can destroy tissue, leaving damaged, unstable areas.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): 2.6x as many pits · +40% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Interferons put nearby cells on high alert before the virus even reaches them.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Every cell is already alert · +50% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Some infections spread further through the body before they peak.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): +3 rooms in every organ · +30% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Some immune cells grow larger and more active when strongly stimulated.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Bosses have +60% HP · +40% nucleotides, 2x RNA. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Stiffer viral membranes can make entering cells slower.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): Dash takes 2x as long to recharge · +35% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Defective genomes can interfere with a virus's own replication.
In the game
A run mutation (curse): −25% damage · +50% nucleotides. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Highly virulent strains often burn out fast, damaging their host before they can spread.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +60% damage, −40% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inTrade-off AltarsStrains
Some viruses replicate so aggressively they exhaust their host cell's resources.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): Fire 40% faster, but clearing rooms doesn't heal. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inElite AffixesStrains
Large, sturdy viruses like poxviruses carry many genes but spread more slowly.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +60% max HP, −20% move speed. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
A fever speeds up both viral replication and the immune response.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): You move 25% faster and every cell 25% faster. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRoom TraitsStrains
Viruses that release huge numbers of weak virions rely on sheer numbers to succeed.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +2 projectiles (40% damage), −30% damage, shots 15% slower. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Cytokine storms harm the virus and the host at the same time.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): Dying cells burst for 18 damage: it hurts them and you. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Some viruses grow by consuming host resources, at the cost of host recovery.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): Auto-attacks heal 2% of their damage, but rooms don't heal. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inRun ModifiersModifier CombosStrains
Highly symptomatic infections spread readily but also trigger strong immune responses.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +35% damage, detection rises 100% faster. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Viruses that hide well often carry fewer genes and are more fragile.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): Cells see 50% less far, but −30% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
In small, dense tissues infections are shorter but more intense.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): 2 fewer rooms per organ, 30% more cells in each. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
High-risk strategies like extremely fast replication can pay off or backfire.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +100% nucleotides, cells hit 50% harder. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Prioritizing some genes over others lets a virus excel at one task at the expense of another.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): Ultimate charges 100% faster, Antigenic Shift 50% slower. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inStrains
Small genomes copy faster but offer less protection.
In the game
A run mutation (mixed): +30% speed and fire 20% faster, −25% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inTrade-off AltarsStrains
A change in the virus's genome passed down to its offspring.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Becomes Influenza A. +10% damage. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inVirus JumpsStrains
A change in the virus's genome passed down to its offspring.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Becomes Retrovirus. +12% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inVirus JumpsStrains
A change in the virus's genome passed down to its offspring.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Becomes Filovirus. +15% max HP. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inVirus JumpsStrains
A change in the virus's genome passed down to its offspring.
In the game
A run mutation (boon): Becomes Halovirus. +8% move speed. Chosen on death for the next generation; inheriting it again amplifies it.
Appears inVirus JumpsStrains
