- Pass the Fear tier list: Ranks all 5 build categories from S to B tier.
- S-Tier picks: Shatter and Disruption offer the highest burst damage and crowd control.
- Build synergy: Focus on one category to maximize weapon, relic, and tarot effects.
- Character choice: Pair Iron Bucket Knight with Shatter or Explosive Cutie with Disruption.
- Scaling power: Growth build provides reliable stats for long co-op runs.
Build Category Tier List
This Pass the Fear tier list ranks the five core build categories: Shatter, Disruption, Growth, Embarkation, and Final Shot. These categories define your playstyle by dictating which weapon parts, relics, and tarot cards you should prioritize. The meta favors builds that can delete tanky bosses instantly or freeze the screen to mitigate bullet-hell pressure.
These rankings assume you are playing on standard difficulty. In Chaos Battle Scar mode, defensive options in the Growth build may rise to S-Tier due to increased enemy damage scaling.
| Tier | Category | Primary Focus | Best Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Shatter | Armor-breaking, high burst | One-Eyed Codger |
| S | Disruption | Crowd control, freezes | Explosive Cutie |
| A | Growth | Stat scaling, economy | Money Whiz |
| A | Embarkation | Early momentum, mobility | Iron Bucket Knight |
| B | Final Shot | Execute damage, precision | One-Eyed Codger |
The S-Tier builds rely on specific weapon parts. If the shop does not offer piercing or freezing parts early on, consider pivoting to an A-Tier Growth or Embarkation build to ensure survival.
S-Tier Builds: Shatter & Disruption
S-Tier builds are the "run carriers" that trivialize difficult waves and boss phases. They excel because they either remove threats instantly (Shatter) or prevent them from acting (Disruption).
Shatter Build
- Armor Penetration: Uses piercing weapon parts to bypass enemy defenses.
- Boss Killer: Highest single-target burst damage in the game.
- Synergy: Pairs with Final Shot parts and offensive relics.
- Weakness: Requires precise aim; struggles against dense swarms without support.
Disruption Build
- Screen Control: Utilizes frost and lightning to freeze or stun waves.
- Survival: Reduces incoming damage by stopping enemy projectiles.
- Synergy: Best with Tarot cards that extend status duration.
- Weakness: Lower single-target damage compared to Shatter.
In a bullet-hell shooter, dodging is your primary resource. Disruption builds reduce the need to dodge by freezing enemies, creating safe zones during the most chaotic Witch's Disaster phases.
| Component Type | Shatter Picks | Disruption Picks |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Parts | Piercing Bayonet, Heavy Barrel | Cryo Chamber, Tesla Coil |
| Tarot Cards | The Emperor (Damage), Strength (Crit) | The Hanged Man (Slow), Temperance (Freeze) |
| Relics | Vampiric Emblem, Berserker Stone | Glacial Totem, Storm Lantern |
| Stat Priority | Crit Damage, Attack Speed | Status Effect Duration, Area Size |
A-Tier Builds: Growth & Embarkation
A-Tier builds are strong all-rounders. They may lack the raw power of S-Tier builds, but they offer consistent performance and are easier to pilot effectively.
Growth Build focuses on scaling stats over time. This is the "snowball" build. It relies on the Money Whiz character to generate gold, which is used to buy high-tier relics and weapon upgrades. By the mid-game, your stats are so high that specific synergies matter less than raw power.
Embarkation Build focuses on the early game. It prioritizes movement speed and gold discovery to clear the first island quickly. This build ensures you reach higher danger levels with better gear, acting as a "foundation" strategy that can transition into other builds later.
Growth builds are excellent in online co-op. Money Whiz can funnel gold to teammates, allowing a Shatter player on your team to reach their critical items much faster.
| Feature | Growth Build | Embarkation Build |
|---|---|---|
| Power Curve | Weak early, Godly late | Strong early, Average late |
| Key Mechanic | Gold generation & Shop discounts | Movement speed & Map exploration |
| Risk Factor | High (vulnerable if unlucky) | Low (consistent results) |
| Best For | Long runs & High score goals | Speedrunning & Daily challenges |
B-Tier Build: Final Shot
The Final Shot build occupies the B-Tier because it is the most mechanically demanding. It focuses on "execute" mechanics—dealing massive damage to enemies with low health. While this is theoretically powerful, in a game filled with bullet-hell patterns, waiting for an enemy to reach low health is risky.
However, for players with excellent aim and game knowledge, Final Shot can feel like an S-Tier build. It rewards players who can accurately target weak points and time their shots perfectly.
Avoid Final Shot if you are new to bullet-hell games. The margin for error is too slim, and missing an execute shot often means taking unavoidable damage.
Final Shot Optimization Table
| Element | Recommended Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Character | One-Eyed Codger | Passive talent rewards aimed shots. |
| Weapon Part | Sniper Scope, Hollow Point | Increases crit chance and execute threshold. |
| Tarot Card | Death (Execute bonus) | Amplifies damage to low-health targets. |
| Relic | Assassin's Mark | Marks targets for bonus damage. |
Step-by-Step Build Setup
Follow these steps to execute a meta build successfully in a new run.
Select Character and Category
Choose your character based on your desired category. Pick Explosive Cutie for Disruption or One-Eyed Codger for Shatter. Commit to one category immediately; mixing categories dilutes your power.
Prioritize Weapon Parts
In the first shop, buy weapon parts that match your build. For Disruption, look for any part with "Frost" or "Slow." For Shatter, look for "Pierce" or "Armor Break." Do not spend gold on conflicting parts.
Select Relics and Tarot
When offered relics, choose those that amplify your chosen damage type or effect. Prioritize Relic Fusion recipes that combine two lower-tier relics into one high-tier relic that fits your build.
Adjust for Boss Phases
Before a boss fight, check your loadout. If you lack crowd control for a boss, swap a Tarot card to a defensive option. Always keep a mobility option available to dodge the "Wall of Storms."
Progression Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you are optimizing your build correctly throughout the run.
Run Optimization Goals:
- Selected a build category before the first shop
- Acquired at least 2 matching weapon parts by Wave 3
- Fused relics once to save inventory space
- Equipped Tarot cards that share the same tag (e.g., all Offensive)
- Reached 50% bonus damage or status effect duration by mid-game
Do not hoard items. Sell low-tier relics to afford the fusion cost for your key build components. A lean inventory with 3 synergistic items is better than 6 random ones.
FAQ
Q: Which build is best for solo players in Pass the Fear?
The **Disruption build** is generally best for solo players. Controlling the crowd with freezes reduces the pressure of managing bullet patterns alone, giving you more time to aim and dodge.
Q: Can I mix Shatter and Disruption parts?
It is not recommended. While you can equip different parts, the loss of scaling from not specializing means you will lack the burst to kill elites or the control to stop swarms efficiently later in the run.
Q: How does Relic Fusion affect the tier list?
Relic Fusion amplifies the power of specific builds. If you find a fusion recipe for a Glacial Totem, **Disruption** jumps in power instantly. Always check fusion availability before locking in your category.
Q: Is the Money Whiz character only good for Growth builds?
Primarily yes, but in **online co-op**, Money Whiz is a force multiplier. You can play a support role, funneling gold to a teammate playing a Shatter or Disruption build to help them scale faster.