The Binding of Isaac: Seeing Double Challenge Guide

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Seeing Double

Alright, so you've made it to Challenge #40, aptly named "Seeing Double." The main gimmick here is that every enemy and boss you encounter will be doubled. Yeah, you read that right. It's a real test of your skills, especially if you're still getting the hang of playing as Jacob and Esau. Make sure you're comfortable with them before diving into this one!

Difficulty

This challenge is pretty straightforward in terms of mechanics, but the sheer number of enemies can make dodging a nightmare. You'll be facing twice the usual amount of baddies in every room, so expect things to get hectic fast.

Strategy

Room Clearing is Key: Items like Toxic Shock and anything that synergizes well with 20/20, such as Jacob's Ladder, will be your best friends. Just a heads-up, though: Toxic Shock only damages the original enemies, not the doubled ones that spawn later.
Secret Room Hunting: Since Esau starts with X-Ray Vision, you'll be able to find Secret Rooms easily. Keep an eye out for them; they might just have the resources you need.
Library Loot: Libraries can appear in this challenge, offering some great book items. The Bible can protect one of the brothers or even instantly kill both Mom and Mom's Heart. Book of Virtues is fantastic with other books, and Book of Revelations can help keep your health up.
Save Your Silver: If you happen to find a Silver Dollar, hold onto it! The Shops in Chapter 4 can be super useful, and that dollar will definitely help.
Eraser Power: Eraser is an absolute game-changer for this challenge. Being able to permanently remove common enemies from play will make a huge difference.
Mapping and Teleporting: Items like The Compass or The Mind can help you navigate faster and avoid unnecessary fights. Teleportation items like 0 - The Fool, Teleport!, or Telepills are great for escaping tricky spots or skipping rooms. Glowing Hourglass can also be a lifesaver if you mess up.
Room Clearers Galore:
- The Necronomicon / XIII - Death can clear out dangerous rooms instantly.
- The Ace of Hearts and other Ace cards are fantastic for clearing out rooms packed with enemies, giving you tons of pickups.
- II - The High Priestess can be a boss killer, dealing massive damage.
- Chaos Card, if used well, can instantly defeat tough bosses and enemies.
Challenge Rooms: Enemies in Challenge Rooms aren't doubled because they spawn after you enter. This makes them a good place to go for extra items and pickups without the doubled threat.