Core Keeper • Build Guide

Melee Crit Boss Build (1.2)

Role: Boss DPS Difficulty: Medium Last updated: 2026-02-28

High uptime melee damage with crit scaling. Built to win long fights without buff overlap.

melee damage crit chance boss damage health regen 20s

Prep checklist

  • Bring 1 main food plan + 1 backup (avoid overlapping buffs).
  • Keep a heal source ready for chip damage during long fights.
  • Arena: clear obstacles; keep a loop path for dodging.

Combat plan

  1. Pre-buff: eat main meal before engaging.
  2. Dodge first, punish during recovery windows.
  3. Refresh buff when it expires (don’t overwrite your own buff early).

Recommended food (fast picks)

Choose 1 meal from your primary plan. Keep 1 backup plan for survival.

All tier lists →

Primary plan

From: boss-damage-food
Larva Meat + Golden Puffungi
  • • boss damage: +30%
  • • rarity boost: +1 Tier
Larva Meat + Starlight Nautilus
  • • boss damage: +30%
  • • rarity boost: +1 Tier
Bomb Pepper + Larva Meat
  • • move speed: +21%
  • • boss damage: +30%
From: melee-damage-food
Mold Shark + Iron Tail
  • • melee damage: +38.6%
  • • crit chance: +13%
Mold Shark + Emerald Feather Fish
  • • melee damage: +38.6%
  • • crit chance: +7%
Mold Shark + Golden Puffungi
  • • melee damage: +38.6%
  • • rarity boost: +1 Tier

Backup plan

From: defense-food
Azure Feather Fish + Stone Lobster
  • • dodge chance: +13%
  • • armor: +32
Stone Lobster + Golden Puffungi
  • • armor: +32
  • • rarity boost: +1 Tier

Common mistakes

  • Eating multiple meals with overlapping buffs (wasting duration).
  • Standing still to greed damage during lethal telegraphs.
  • Using no backup plan (regen/armor) when learning a boss.

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