Nuclear Throne's Meta (Advanced Guide)

Nuclear Throne has a metagame that has evolved over the years allowing players to push the game far beyond the original intention. Throne was meant to be played from L0-L2, with Loop 3 having the last new content being added. By utilizing specific mutations and weapons, many players have been able to push the limits of the game reaching well over Loop 10+, with the world record going as far as Loop 30.

This guide applies to Loop 3+ gameplay, so generally it's best to pursue meta once Loop 2 can be reached semi-reliably as it is a sign that loop mechanics are well understood. While players that are earlier along in the game may find some of this advice useful, there are many other more practical/fun builds for Loops 1 & 2 that may be far more rewarding.

The community has adopted specific terms to refer certain loop milestones, which are as follows:

• Preloop is used for Loop 0, while Loops typically refer to Loops 1 & 2.
• Meta Loops: IDNTG term to refer to L3+, as meta is typically necessary to survive at this point. Usually just called 'L3+' in the community.
• Deeploop: Community term to refer to L6+. At this point Popo Freaks take 2 Ultra Shovel swings to kill with Scarier Face.
• Abyssal Loops: Community term to refer to L12+. Bosses become serious threats at this point requiring more specific strategies to handle. Only around 90 players have achieved this distance.
• Master Loops: Community term to refer to L18+, although is sparsely used. Only around 25 players have reached this point and is very difficult.

The reason only so few players have gotten so far is that Nuclear Throne is generally an unforgiving game, and meta runs require a lot of free time. Runs that last over an hour can still end in a moments notice due to a simple mistake on the player's part, which is why practice and skill is needed to become good.

The purpose of these guides will be to explain why meta works and general strategies to surviving meta loops, it will not directly help with getting any world record, but pave the path to get there eventually. The best ways for further advanced learning is to discuss the game in the NT Discord, watch top player streams and most of all dedicate time towards gradual improvement.

As always this is advice, NOT law. There is never one right way to play Nuclear Throne, this simply explains how people have been able to reach absurdly high loops with specific loadouts. This is not instructions on how to play the game, but rather give a frame of reference.

Meta Pages

The following is a list of pages that introduce every aspect in meta.