The Vow of Iron is one of the most demanding early-game challenges in Deepwoken. By forsaking conventional healing, you accept a strict, disciplined playstyle where every mistake is costly and progression must be calculated. This guide provides a clear, efficient roadmap for surviving and thriving under the Vow, covering essential early routes, crucial flask locations, permanent boundaries, and strategies for key bosses like the Shogun and the Rat King.
Understanding the Vow of Iron Challenge
The Vow of Iron is an Oath in Deepwoken that fundamentally changes the early and mid-game experience. Your natural health regeneration is disabled, and your only consistent sources of healing come from a limited number of special “Flasks” found in the world and from resting at specific “Boundary” locations. This creates a tense, high-stakes environment where route knowledge, combat efficiency, and risk management are paramount.
Starting Your Journey: Character Creation & Early Tasks
After creating your character and selecting the Vow of Iron, your first stop is checking your Memories and Tasks.
Ideal Starting Memory: “Simeon Horror” or “Trial” are highly recommended. Completing these tasks grants direct access to the Primadon boss fight much earlier than usual, which is central to an efficient leveling strategy.
Early Notes: Sell any Memory Shards you obtain for quick notes. Use these to purchase helpful early Talents from Trainers, such as Rush Hour (for mobility) and Enhanced Flow (for posture regeneration).
Power 5 Milestone: Upon reaching Power 5, you will unlock your first Mantra. However, many Vow of Iron players find that relying on well-executed basic attacks is often safer and more posture-efficient for the demanding boss fights ahead. Invest your points wisely into stats that support your chosen weapon and survivability.
The Essential Flask Route
Flasks are your lifeline. You must collect them to have any form of portable healing. This route is designed for safety and efficiency.
1. Miners’ Landing Flask
Location: Found near the broken carriage in Miners’ Landing.
How to Get It: This is typically your first and easiest flask. Be cautious of nearby mobs.
Bonus: There is a hidden permanent Boundary in this area. Finding and activating it is a top priority, as boundaries persist through death.
2. Songseeker Wilds Flask
Location: Inside the cave system near the church in Songseeker Wilds.
How to Get It: The cave is dangerous, filled with aggressive fauna. Clear carefully or run through, ensuring you don’t get trapped.
3. Frozen Valley Flask
Location: In the Frozen Valley, a zone populated by tough Snow Knights and Deep Owls.
How to Get It: Navigate the terrain cautiously. The Flask is often guarded. The permanent Boundary here is also critical to unlock for future runs.
4. Viridian Sanctuary Ruins Flask
Location: Requires significant parkour in the Viridian Sanctuary Ruins area.
How to Get It: This is a test of your platforming skills. Failure means fall damage and potential death. Practice is key.
5. Temple of Myrr Flask
Location: Inside the Temple of Myrr.
How to Get It: The temple’s Boundary not only acts as a rest point but also permanently unlocks this final flask for your character. Reaching it is a major milestone.
The Importance of Permanent Boundaries
Boundaries are safe zones where you can rest and fully heal. Permanent Boundaries, once unlocked, remain active across all your lives on that character. They drastically reduce the run-back time after a wipe. The most important ones to secure early are:
Miners’ Landing (Hidden)
Primadon’s Arena (via the Trial/Simeon Horror task)
Songseeker Church
Frozen Valley
Temple of Myrr
Boss Strategy: Conquering the Shogun
The Shogun is your first major skill check under the Vow.
Mindset: Patience is non-negotiable. This is not a DPS race.
Core Tactics:
Parry & Punish: Learn his combo patterns. Parry the final hit, then counter-attack once or twice. Do not get greedy.
Movement: Use your mobility (dashes, Rush Hour) to create space and avoid his wide, sweeping attacks.
Special Attacks: Learn the visual cues for his leap and projectile attacks. Bait them out, evade, and punish during his recovery frames.
Progression to Power 10 and The Rat King
After defeating the Shogun, continue grinding carefully to Power 10. At this point, you can access the Songseeker Mines via the boundary in the food closet.
Boss Strategy: Facing the Rat King
The Rat King is a brutal endurance test that perfectly encapsulates the Vow of Iron philosophy.
The Discipline Fight: This boss punishes over-aggression and sloppy play harder than almost any other early-game encounter.
Key Tips:
Clean Dodges: Prioritize perfect dodges over parries if you are unsure. His attacks can be fast and deceptive.
Single Hits: Only commit to one, maybe two attacks after a successful dodge or during a long opening.
Phase Management: Heal with your flasks only when you are absolutely safe. His second phase increases the pressure; stay calm and stick to your disciplined pattern.
Conclusion
The Vow of Iron is a trial of mastery. It strips away your safety nets and forces you to engage deeply with Deepwoken’s combat and progression systems. Success hinges not on luck, but on meticulous preparation, practiced patience, and precise execution. By following this route—securing your flasks, unlocking permanent boundaries, and approaching bosses with disciplined strategies—you will build the foundation needed to conquer this formidable oath.
FAQ
Q: Can I use normal healing items with Vow of Iron?
A: No. The Vow of Iron disables natural health regen and the use of standard healing items like bandages or sustenance. You can only heal via the special Flasks and by resting at Boundaries.
Q: What happens if I die with Vow of Iron?
A: You will wipe (lose your character) as per Deepwoken’s normal systems. However, any permanent Boundaries and Flasks you have unlocked will remain available on your next character when you take the Vow again.
Q: Is Vow of Iron good for new players?
A: It is not recommended for brand-new players. The Vow is a challenge mode that assumes familiarity with enemy patterns, the map, and core combat mechanics. Master the base game first.
Q: What’s the most important thing to focus on first?
A: Unlocking the hidden permanent Boundary in Miners’ Landing. This gives you a crucial, consistent safe zone from the very start of every run.
Q: Can I use mantras effectively with Vow of Iron?
A: Yes, but use them judiciously. They consume stamina and can leave you vulnerable. Many experienced players prefer a weapon-focused build for its consistency and lower risk in prolonged boss fights.