Advanced Stealth

Once you've mastered the basics of stealth, it's time to learn the advanced techniques that separate good players from great ones.

  • Sound Masking: Walk on carpet, not stone. Enemies can hear your footsteps. Use the environment to mask your movement.
  • Shadow Stacking: Standing in multiple shadows at once makes you nearly invisible. Look for areas where two shadow sources overlap.
  • Distraction Chaining: Throw a bottle to lure an enemy, then move while they investigate. Chain distractions to clear a path through multiple guards.
  • Line-of-Sight Breaking: Enemies track your last known position. Break line of sight and circle around for a backstab.

Pro Combat Tactics

Combat in Gloomwood is lethal — for both you and your enemies. These advanced tactics will help you win fights decisively.

  • Headshots: A revolver headshot kills most human enemies instantly. Aim for the top of the head hitbox.
  • Shotgun Timing: The shotgun has a wide spread. Use it at close range for maximum damage. One shot can kill multiple enemies.
  • Melee Cancel: Swing your melee weapon and immediately crouch to cancel the recovery animation. This allows faster follow-up attacks.
  • Environmental Kills: Lure enemies into traps, fire, or off ledges. The environment is your greatest weapon.

Resource Optimization

Every resource in Gloomwood is precious. Here's how to make the most of what you have.

  • Bullet Conservation: Only use guns on tough enemies. Save bullets by using melee on guards and hounds.
  • Health Management: Don't use health syringes unless you're below 50% HP. Let natural regen (from resting) top you up.
  • Lockpick Priority: Save lockpicks for essential doors. Many locked doors have keys elsewhere in the level.
  • Item Trading: Some NPCs will trade valuable items for whiskey, wine, or other consumables.

Speedrun Routes

For players looking to complete Gloomwood as fast as possible, here are the optimal routes.

Any% Route (Under 30 minutes)

  1. Prison: Grab rusty nail, find lockpick, escape through warden's office tunnel.
  2. Streets: Go directly to the Clock Tower. Solve the puzzle for Golden Bullets.
  3. Manor: Rush to the laboratory. Grab the Count's Key. Open the vault for the Shotgun.
  4. Sewers: Take the shortest path to the exit. Ignore all optional loot.
  5. Final Escape: Use the Shotgun on the final boss. 3-4 shots kill.

100% Route (All Items)

For a full completion run, follow our Gloomwood Full Walkthrough and check off each item from our Loot Guide.

Challenge Runs

Once you've beaten the game, try these self-imposed challenges:

  • Ghost Run: Never be seen by any enemy. No kills allowed.
  • Pacifist Run: No kills at all. Not even enemies. Use only distractions and stealth.
  • No Guns Run: Only melee weapons and tools. No firearms allowed.
  • Minimalist Run: Only use items you find in the prison. No loot from other areas.

Community Tips & Tricks

  • Wall Poking: You can attack through thin walls. Listen for enemies on the other side and strike.
  • Door Peeking: Open a door slightly and peek through the crack. You can see enemies without being seen.
  • Save Scumming: Use multiple save slots. If a heist goes wrong, reload from a previous save.
  • Speed Tech: Crouch-jumping gives you a slight speed boost. Use it to clear gaps and reach ledges.