The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth — How to Complete Challenges
All 45 Repentance challenges explained: preset loadouts, completion strategies, unlock rewards, and priority order for efficient progression.
Challenges are preset Isaac runs with fixed starting items, modified rules, and specific win conditions. Repentance adds 45 total challenges — each unlocking cards, runes, items, or characters upon first completion. Challenges disable most normal unlocks during the run but grant their own unique rewards. Several challenges rank among Isaac's hardest content including Ultra Hard and DELETE THIS.
Challenge Rules Overview
Most challenges remove treasure rooms, forcing reliance on starting items, shops, and devil/angel deals. Each challenge specifies a target boss — typically Isaac, ???, Satan, The Lamb, or Mom. Seeded runs do not count. Challenge rewards are one-time unlocks added permanently to your save file.
Priority Challenge Order
| Priority | Challenge | Reward Value |
|---|---|---|
| High | Suicide King (#7) | Unlocks Challenge-heavy progression |
| High | Ultra Hard (#34) | Required for advanced unlocks; extremely difficult |
| Medium | Baptism by Fire (#38) | Unlocks Purgatory item |
| Medium | Hot Potato (#42) | Unlocks The Chariot card for The Forgotten |
| Low | Pong (#35) | Fun run; Greed's Gullet reward |
General Challenge Tips
- Learn the starting item combo before starting — know your synergies and anti-synergies
- Devil deals are often available even without treasure rooms — prioritize damage
- Reset bad first floors in challenges without treasure rooms — shop RNG matters enormously
- Watch challenge-specific guides for Ultra Hard, Backasswards, and DELETE THIS
See our challenges reference for all 45 challenge details and unlock rewards. Use the video below for priority ranking of every challenge by reward value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do challenges unlock other secrets during the run?
No. Challenge runs disable normal unlocks except the challenge's own reward upon completion.
Which challenge is the hardest?
Ultra Hard (#34) is widely considered the hardest, requiring specific items and Mega Satan defeat.
Are challenge rewards required for Dead God?
Yes. All 45 challenges must be completed for Dead God.
What is DELETE THIS challenge?
Challenge #45 with randomized floors, hidden from the challenge list, unlocked after Tainted Eden.
Video Guide
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