Secret Areas Overview

There are 8 secret areas in Nuclear Throne, which are all optional to visit during a run.
Five of these areas are linked to main areas they correspond with as an alternate route.

Most secret areas can be visited multiple times in a run including Oasis, Pizza, Mansion and Cursed Caves. Multiple Jungle visits are dependent on RNG.
Crown Vaults can only be visited three times in a run, while IDPD HQ and YV's Crib are a one time visit.

The following page will go over each secret area including their entering mechanics, level generation, enemy behaviors, props and spawnrates.
However much of this is only a summary from other pages. Please see the enemies (WIP) and props page for fully in-depth information.

Most secret area sections will also include 'Entering Strategies' which is subjective advice.
'Preloop' will refer to Loop 0 (start of the game), 'Loop' refers to Loops 1 & 2, while 'Meta Loops' refers to Loop 3+ for advanced runs.

Crown Vault Access

Proto Statues are props that lead to the Crown Vault. They spawn on 3-2 and 5-2 on preloop, and additionally 1-2 and 7-2 on loop.
Only 3 Crown Vaults in a run can be visited during a run, and will no longer spawn after which. Weekly challenges will always spawn Crown Vaults in their broken state and cannot be used.

Summary: In order to enter the Crown Vault, the Proto Statue must be damaged until it enters its collecting phase. Once enough rads are collected it can be destroyed, opening the portal to enter the Crown Vault.

Full Explanation:

1. Idle Phase: Proto Statues spawn in at 120 HP in preloop. Once it falls under 70% HP, it will enter its collecting phase, being 83 HP in preloop.

2. Collecting Phase: Proto Statues will suck in any rads that are within its range, although any rads that come in contact with the player will be collected by them instead.
Once it is fed 24 rads it will become fully active and can then be destroyed, indicated by lighting up in the middle.
It can still collect rads while full, to no benefit to the player.

3. Opening: Once the Proto Statue is fully activated and then destroyed, a green portal will spawn giving access to the Crown Vault.
If the level is exited without destroying the Proto Statue, then the secret area will not be entered.

Prop Mechanics:

Proto Statues are props that are considered on the enemy team, meaning that enemies cannot normally damage it.
The exceptions to this is any enemy attack that harms all teams (such as explosions), as well as any IDPD as they can harm enemies.

Two portals summoning IDPD units will spawn when the statue enters its collecting phase, and two more when it enters its activated phase.
If a crown is selected in Crown Vault then one more IDPD portal will spawn at the start of the next level. (Besides 7-3)

Proto Statues will always spawn four Bandits around them. In the Frozen City they will all transform into Snow Bandits instead.

Unlike other props, Proto Statues will gain more HP per loop, being +12 HP each loop:

If wanting the exact HP for later loops use the formula of 120 + (Loop * 12).

Crown Vaults

Crown Vaults are a secret area that can be entered through multiple different main areas, as such their pause menu location is always labeled '???'. Completing the Crown Vault will simply bring the player to the next X-3 area.

Typical level generation includes one large open area with multiple long branching hallways. Similar to transitional areas, the Vault is a dark level and has limited visibility.

In the middle of the open area a crown pedestal will always spawn. If it is walked directly over it will end the level, or if there are Crown Guardians present via Vault Statues this will cause them to activate.

Upon completing the level it will give an option of 6 crowns, the selection will depend on if visited in preloop or in any loop. Bare Head is always an option to go crownless.

If any Vault Statue is destroyed before walking over the crown pedestal, then no crown selection will be granted at all.
This can be used to circumvent having to select a new crown, such as wanting to keep a preloop crown during loop.

Enemies

Crown Guardian

Crown Guardians are a much more aggressive version than Guardians seen in the Palace. They will fire giant orbs which do high amounts of damage and also breaks into smaller ones.
They can also teleport even if they do not have line of sight with the player, making them very dangerous if not killed immediately.

Props		Pickups
Torch	Vault Statue	Proto Chest

There are two props in this area, one being the Torch which simply serves as a light source and is harmless. The other is Vault Statues, each summoning one Vault Guardian.

The first Crown Vault will have no Vault Statues, or two if a run has been started with any crown.
The second Crown Vault visit will always include two Vault Statues, while the third visit will always include four.

Unlike other areas, the Crown Vault will not include any chests or rad canisters, with the exception of the unique Proto Chest.
This allows for any weapon to be stored between runs. The Proto Chest will only appear if any crown is currently being run.

Oasis Access

The Oasis is a secret area that can be entered through any Desert level.
The first step is opening all the chests in the level without killing too many enemies. Chests typically include an ammo chest, a weapon chest and a rad canister.
Once all are opened Big Bandit will spawn. The second step is to kill him in under 10 seconds.
If Big Bandit is killed in time all enemies will instantly die and a portal to Oasis will spawn. Only one Big Bandit needs to be killed in loop.
If Big Bandit is not killed in time then completing the current level will simply bring the player to 2-1 regardless of where he was summoned.
Big Bandit for Oasis will not spawn if 2% of enemies on 1-1 or 1-2 are killed before opening all the chests, or 10% of enemies on 1-3.

The percentage requirement does not include enemies spawned partway into the level.
A summary is that there is almost always a 3 enemy leeway due to how generation works, plus any IDPD that spawned.
Cluster spawns in loop are also not a part of the initial enemy count, giving more leeway for Oasis viability in loop.

Big Skulls are props that have a chance to spawn on Desert levels. If their mouth is open it is an indicator that Oasis can still be entered. If their mouth is shut than Oasis can no longer be spawned on that level.
(The prop itself is not required for Oasis entry.)

The Oasis

The Oasis is a secret shortcut area consisting of one level: 1-?. Completing Oasis will let the player skip to 3-3.

Typical level generation is similar to the Desert, being wide open areas with branching side rooms.

As it is located underwater, the Oasis will cause the game to behave differently in a few ways:

• Any characters that cannot breath underwater will have an air bubble around them, does not effect actual gameplay.
• Fish and Robot will not have air bubbles around them.
• Any enemies that cannot breath underwater will have air bubbles as well.
• Lightning will cause electrocution in the water. This deals 2 damage to anything on-screen, including the player.
• Flames will immediately be extinguished and become bubbles, causing no damage.
• Flamethrower and Dragon are completely useless in this area.
• Flare Gun, Flame Cannon and Flame Shotguns will have their main projectile, but no flames will spawn from them.
• Most sound effects will sound submerged while in the Oasis.
• Notably the spawning portal for IDPD and Van spawns will be heavily submerged, making them very difficult to hear.

All of these effects apply on the Desert level as well the moment that the Oasis portal is activated.

Enemies
Bandit x 3	Bonefish	Crab

There are just two common areas in this area which both have an equal chance of spawning. Bonefish will try to deal contact damage to the player, while Crabs will fire barrages of pellets. Both enemies will aggressively approach the player to attack.

One Bandit for each chest will also spawn, meaning that 3 will normally be seen in an Oasis visit. (Or four with Open Mind.)

Props				Pickups
Oasis Barrel	Water Plant	Anchor	Water Mine	Clam Chest

All props in the Oasis are harmless with the exception of the Water Mine, which will deal explosive damage and also fire bullets in all directions, making it more dangerous than Barrels.

The Weapon Chest in this area will be replaced with a Clam Chest, which behaves exactly the same.

Spawn Rates

Pizza Sewers Access

Pizza Sewers is a secret area that can be entered through the Sewers.
The manhole can be found randomly in the Sewers on the grey flooring only. If any explosion makes contact with the manhole it will instantly open up a portal leading to the Pizza Sewers, causing all remaining enemies in the level to instantly die.

Any explosive weapon can open the manhole provided that the projectile can also harm the player.
Other explosions that count include Toxic Barrels, IDPD grenades/rockets, Van explosions, and Rogue's active/passive abilities.
Sources that do not harm the player also cannot open the manhole, such as flame weapons or blood explosions.

During loop, Pizza Sewers can only be opened after Mom is defeated. Finding the manhole can sometimes be difficult due to the amount of enemy corpses.

The manhole can commonly spawn underneath chests and rad canisters, making it easy to miss to the untrained eye. This is changed on the 2025 openbeta/NTT v100 so it's always on an open tile.
In very rare cases the manhole will not spawn at all, making Pizza Sewers impossible for that level.

Pizza Sewers

Pizza Sewers is an extra secret area consisting of one level: 2-?. Completing it will bring the player to 3-1.

Level generation is similar to the Sewers, while being far smaller in size. It mostly only consists of long hallways with some semi-open areas, and is a dark level giving limited visibility.

Enemies
Rat x 1	Turtle x 4

Pizza Sewers will always have preset enemy spawns, being 1 Rat and 4 Turtles. This is a reference to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT).

Turtles will stand stationary but will randomly charge around in a spin, directing themselves at the player if they have line of sight.

Unlike other areas, Pizza Sewers does not gain additional enemies upon looping. There will always only be 5 enemies.
During loop universal enemies will still spawn including IDPD, Vans and Mimics.
Hostile Horror will not spawn in Pizza Sewers.

Props	Pickups
Pizza Box	Pizza Slice

There is only one prop in this area, a Pizza Box which has a decent chance to drop health pickups in the form of Pizza Slices.

YV's Mansion Access

YV's Mansion is a secret area that can be entered through the first Scrapyards level, 3-1.

The Venus Car Wreck prop will spawn on this level, and is different from any other car props.
Using any of the 'Screwdriver' weapons on this will fix it, and interacting with this (pickup/use button) will open a portal leading to YV's Mansion, causing all remaining enemies in the level to die instantly.

The Venus Car Wreck spawns in with 25 HP, and there is no way to enter if it is destroyed.
Fixing the car will always set it to 47 HP, minus the damage taken from the Screwdriver.
(Energy Screwdriver with Laser Brain does 44 damage, meaning that the car will be set to 3 HP and is still usable.)

YV's Mansion

YV's Mansion is a secret area consisting of one level: 3-?. Exiting the area will bring the player to 3-3.

Typical level generation consists of multiple semi-open or fully open areas, with occasional hallways branching off.

Enemies
Bandit x 3	Molefish	Molesarge	Fireballer	Super Fireballer	Jock

The most common enemies in this area includes Molefish and Molesarge which are moderately dangerous in close range, but are otherwise easily handled.
Fireballers are also somewhat common with Super Fireballers being a rare spawn, both are difficult to approach in any open area as they will repeatedly shoot out projectiles.
Jocks are semi-common but are easily the most dangerous enemy in the area, they will fire missiles at the player when having line of sight and can easily destroy any cover allowing them to fire even more. However they only have limited ammo and will try to simply do contact damage after running out, making them more of a temporary threat.

Bandits will spawn in this area guarding the chests and rad canister, meaning only 3 will be seen. (Or 4 with Open Mind).

Props			Pickups
Gold Barrel	Money Pile	YV Statue	Gold Chest

Gold Barrels will function the same as normal Barrels from the Desert, causing explosive damage. They will spawn 3 enemies similar to normal Barrels, but instead of Bandits they will spawn 3 enemies that can be either Molefish or Molesarge.

The other two props, Money Pile and YV Statue, are harmless.

Weapon Chests will always be replaced with Gold Chests in this area.
These will only give golden weapons, which are permanently unlocked if the weapon is carried through an exit portal. Each character can only have one golden weapon unlocked at a time, getting a new one will overwrite the old one.

Preloop Gold Chests: Golden variants of the Machinegun, Shotgun, Crossbow, Grenade Launcher, Laser Pistol and Wrench.
Loop Gold Chests: All 6 preloop variants as well as golden variants of the Assault Rifle, Slugger, Splinter Gun, Bazooka, Plasma Gun and Screwdriver.

Spawn Rates

Cursed Crystal Caves Access

Cursed Crystal Caves (CCC) is a secret area that will replace the normal Crystal Caves.
Entrance to it simply requires entering 4-1 while running any cursed weapon.

Cursed Crystal Caves will still occur if Last Wish is taken after exiting 3-3, even though weapons will be uncursed when spawning into the level.

Cursed Crystal Caves

The Cursed Crystal Caves is a secret area that replaces the normal Crystal Caves, with the level being 4-?.

Level generation is extremely similar to the Caves, being wide open areas with some branching hallways. There is also a chance for large portions of the level to be completely covered in cobweb flooring, slowing the player.

Enemies
Bandit x 3	Cursed Spider	Cursed Laser Crystal

Enemies in this level are more dangerous counterparts to normal Cave enemies.

Cursed Spiders are the most common and will behave the same as normal Spiders, scurrying towards the player if getting too close. Uniquely though every one has a chance to split into two more Cursed Spiders upon dying, which can happen any number of times.

Cursed Laser Crystals are very common and will fire lasers similar to normal Laser Crystals, and also do lethal contact damage.
They will also teleport randomly to any nearby location provided no walls are blocking them. They can teleport while firing their lasers, and can also teleport directly on top of the player and do lethal damage instantly. This makes them one of the most dangerous enemies in the game to deal with.

Bandits will spawn in this area guarding the chests and rad canister, meaning only 3 will be seen. (Or 4 with Open Mind).

Props	Pickups
Cursed Crystal	Cursed Big Weapon Chest

There are two harmless crystal props in this area with no special function.

The Weapon Chest in this area will always be replaced with a Cursed Big Weapon Chest. These contain 3 cursed weapon and can pull from up to 3 weapon pools higher than the current stage, while normal Cursed Chests can normally only pull from up to 2.

Loop Boss	Loop Enemy
Hyper Crystal	Lightning Crystal

The Cursed Crystal Caves will not have any new enemy variants naturally spawning during loop, with the exception of Hyper Crystal.

The Hyper Crystal is the same boss as seen in the normal Crystal Caves, although it will spawn different enemies in its ring.
It mainly spawns Cursed Laser Crystals in its ring which can still teleport around, but they will be pulled back into the ring unless if the Hyper Crystal detaches them.
Lightning Crystal have a chance to spawn within its ring too, which do not spawn in the secret area otherwise.
There is also an extremely small chance that a Cursed Spider will spawn from Hyper Crystal as well.

Spawn Rates

Jungle Access

The Jungle is a secret area that can be entered through the first Frozen City level, 5-1.

If the Last Wish mutation is taken it will cause the Ice Flower prop to spawn on 5-1.
If the flower is interacted with (pickup/use button) it can be fed 1 HP. If this is done four times then the Jungle will be entered, causing all remaining enemies in the level to die instantly.

If the player feeds the flower with only 1 HP left they will die, even if it's the last HP needed to enter. Strong Spirit will count as feeding it 1 HP.
Melting at 1 max HP cannot enter Jungle. Chicken can feed the flower even while headless.

Entering the Jungle will cause the Last Wish mutation to be consumed and it will grant a new mutation set in its place, functioning as a delayed reroll.
Last Wish will be re-added to the mutation pool meaning it can be taken multiple times in a run, allowing for multiple Jungle visits.

Jungle

The Jungle is a secret area consisting of one level: 5-?. Exiting the area will bring the player to 5-3.

Typical level generation includes very open areas, with some branching hallways.

Enemies
Bandit x 3	Jungle Bandit	Jungle Assassin	Jungle Fly	Maggot

The most common enemy are Jungle Bandits which are a more aggressive version of regular Bandits. They will fire a constantly stream of bullets similar to the Pop Gun.
Jungle Assassins are fairly common and will blend in with any surrounding bushes, making them much harder to detect than normal Assassins, although they will also occasionally peek out from their hiding place.
Jungle Flies are somewhat common and will aggressively approach the player while doing higher contact damage. They can also spew out multiple Maggots acting as projectiles, and then as enemies after they hit anything.
Maggots on their own also have a chance to spawn naturally.

Bandits will spawn in this area guarding the chests and rad canister, meaning only 3 will be seen. (Or 4 with Open Mind).

Props
Barrel	Bush	Big Flower

Bushes and Big Flowers are both harmless props in this area, with no special function.
Barrels will spawn in this area similar to the Desert, but instead they will spawn with 3 Jungle Bandits camping around them.

Spawn Rates

IDPD HQ Access

IDPD HQ is a secret area that can only be visited in loop.

In Loops 1 and 2 Vans will start spawning and do 20 contact damage while moving. Once the Van comes to a stop and unloads IDPD units, there is a very brief window in which it can be walked over and interacted with (pickup/use button). This will automatically enter the IDPD HQ, causing all remaning enemies in the level to die instantly.

IDPD HQ can only be entered once during a run. The first two levels, HQ1 and HQ2, also spawn Vans meaning that IDPD HQ can be exited that way. There is no way to leave HQ3. If the player tries to enter IDPD HQ a second time in a run it will cause the Van to instantly explode instead.

If IDPD HQ is exited it will typically bring the player back to the next normal level. However this varies based on the area entered in, as well as the version, as outlined on the difficulty page.

IDPD HQ cannot be entered in any levels lacking Vans, such as 7-3, 0-1 and YV's Crib. Starting in Loop 3 Vans will start to explode, meaning that only Loops 1 and 2 have HQ access.

IDPD HQ

IDPD HQ is a secret area that can be entered through multiple different areas, as such their area is always labeled 'HQ1', 'HQ2' and 'HQ3'.

Level generation will typically have semi-open or fully open areas, with many branching hallways. HQ actually has seeeded layouts. There are still a few factors that can change layout (most notably, different versions have different layouts), other factors are not well documented.

Similar to 7-3, HQ3 will always have the same preset layout.

Enemies
Grunt	Inspector	Shielder	Elite Grunt	Elite Inspector	Elite Shielder	Van

Unlike any other area, IDPD will naturally spawn in HQ by default. This means that they're eligible to spawn in as clusters just like normal enemies are. Loop 1 has clusters of 5 enemies, while Loop 2 has clusters of 6 enemies (including the base enemy).

For the natural spawns, Grunts are by far the most common enemy and can spawn in groups by default. Inspectors and Shielders are somewhat common as well, while any elite IDPD variant are less common natural spawns.

IDPD and Vans will still spawn partway through the level and follow their typical spawning logic that they do in every other level. Full IDPD attack mechanics can be found on the main areas page.

Props

Plant Pot

The only prop found in this area are harmless potted plants.

Final Boss

Captain

Captain serves as the true final boss at the end of HQ3. Beating her will similarly end the game as beating The Nuclear Throne does, and will give a different victory screen.

At the start of HQ3, Captain will sit at her desk waiting for the player to attack first. Once they do she will charge at them, and the fight will begin.

Captain will choose between one of three attacks, and may also randomly teleport around the map.
Her first attack is her charge, which does high damage and has a very short windup, making standing very close to her dangerous.
Her second attack is shooting out giant orbs which does even more damage than her charge. If the orbs hit anything they will break into normal IDPD bullets.
Her third attack is firing out normal IDPD bullets in two different patterns, both needing to be dodged in different ways.

Once Captain is defeated she will sit stationary and no longer attack. Firing at her to fully kill her, or she will die on her own after a few seconds.
The game will then force the player to walk over to Captain's chair, ending the game.

Bug Notice: If there are any walls in the way of the player and Captain's chair, they will infinitely walk against the wall causing a softlock. This is fixed on the 2025 openbeta.

Spawn Rates

YV's Crib Access

YV's Crib is a secret area that is accessible to Y.V. only. It is guaranteed to be visited immediately upon taking either of his ultra mutations.

Upon exiting Crib, the player will typically be brought to the next normal level. However this can be inconsistent based on the area Crib was entered from, as well as version. (Full guide coming soon!)

YV's Crib can only be visited once a run, as it is an extra boost to his ultra mutations.

YV's Crib

YV's Crib is a secret area accessible by YV only. As it can be accessed from multiple different main areas, the area is always labeled '$$$'.

Level generation consists of a spawnpoint in the middle, Yung Cuz and Giant Weapon Chests at the bottom, with car props at the top to exit.

YV's Crib has no naturally spawning enemies, with no IDPD or Mimics spawning here either. The only possible enemy to encounter is Hostile Horror, with inconsistent spawning.

Props
Venus Car Fixed	Venuz Car 2	Money Pile	Venuz Couch	Venuz TV

The top section of the level will have various Car Wrecks, any of which can be interacted with in order to exit the level.
They will both explode upon destruction, with Venuz Car 2 having twice as many of explosions covering a larger radius.

The bottom area will have the Venuz Couch which is essentially invulnerable. Yung Cuz will be playing video games on it, and will respond to Y.V. if the airhorn button is used near him.

There is also a giant Venuz TV that has a ton of health, but is harmless.
If it is destroyed then it will cause Yung Cuz to cry until the level is exited, no longer responding to the airhorn.

Pickups
Giant Weapon Chest	Giant Ammo Chest

There are two Giant Weapon Chests in the level, or three with Open Mind. These each drop 24 weapons from up to 5 drop pools ahead of the current area, meaning that if ultra is reached on 7-2 or later it will include a full possible drop pool.

If Crown of Love is being ran then the chests will be replaced with Giant Ammo Chests instead, giving 24 ammo pickups each, which is far more than necessary to refill Y.V.'s current weapons.