Complete Status Effects & Mechanics Guide

Master all 10+ status effects in Megabonk—from Burn/Fire DoT and Freeze/Ice control to Poison stacks, Shock/Lightning chains, Bloodmark execute combos, Explosions, Thorns, and Lifesteal sustain. Learn triggers, scaling stats (Duration/Size/AoE), powerful synergies, and meta build strategies.

10+

Status Effects

20+

Synergies

15+

Weapons

Build Archetypes

Status Effects Dictionary

Each status effect includes what it does, how it's triggered, key synergies, and potential conflicts.

Burn (Fire)

Damage-over-time from fire sources; duration scales with the Duration stat.

Triggers:

Flamewalker (fire trail)
Dragon's Breath (fire cone/AoE)

Synergizes with:

Duration (extends Burn uptime)
Size/AoE (covers more enemies)

Conflicts:

None - Burn can coexist with other statuses

Freeze (Ice)

Crowd-control that immobilizes enemies; also benefits from Duration scaling. Some ice sources can execute low-HP enemies.

Triggers:

Frostwalker (freezing aura)
Ice Crystal item (chance to Freeze + execute low-HP targets)

Synergizes with:

Execution effects (Freeze → push targets into execute thresholds)

Conflicts:

None

Poison

Damage-over-time that stacks; additional procs extend/stack duration. Duration stat lengthens total Poison time.

Triggers:

Poison Flask weapon (AoE bottle that applies Poison)

Synergizes with:

High hit-count weapons/attack speed (more stacks)
Duration

Conflicts:

None

Shock (Lightning)

Instant strikes of lightning that damage in a small area; some sources bounce/chain.

Triggers:

Lightning Staff (starter weapon)
Projectile Bounces upgrades
Chain Lightning legendary

Synergizes with:

Projectile Bounces / Chain (hits propagate)
Size/AoE (larger splash)
Enemy density

Conflicts:

Some enemies have lightning resistance

Bleed / Bloodmark

Applying Bloodmark shaves chunks of enemy HP; once a threshold is reached, enemies become easy to execute.

Triggers:

Bloody Cleaver (Lifesteal can apply Bloodmark; 50% chance per lifesteal proc)

Synergizes with:

Lifesteal/Bloody Tome (more lifesteal procs → more Bloodmark stacks)
Execute tools

Conflicts:

None

Chain / Bounce

A projectile re-targets to another enemy after a hit (bounces), effectively "chaining" damage through packs.

Triggers:

Revolver, Bone, Wireless Dagger, Lightning Staff level-ups
Chain Lightning legendary

Synergizes with:

High enemy density
On-hit statuses (Poison/Burn/Freeze riders applied to each bounce)

Conflicts:

None

Execute

Instantly kills enemies below a threshold or when a proc triggers. Some ice tools also execute low-HP enemies.

Triggers:

Dexecutioner (chance to instantly execute)
Ice Crystal (executes at low HP)

Synergizes with:

Bloodmark (ramps enemies into execute range)
Freeze (holds targets still as they tick down)

Conflicts:

None

Explosion (Chain Reaction)

On-kill or on-hit explosions that chain through packs, rapidly clearing crowds.

Triggers:

Quin's Mask (adds explosions and chain reactions; pairs with Thorns builds)

Synergizes with:

Thorns/retaliation damage sources
Size/AoE

Conflicts:

None

Thorns (Retaliation)

Reflect/retaliation damage when you're hit; can be turned into AoE clear with explosion add-ons.

Triggers:

Cactus and similar thorns sources
Quin's Mask adds explosions

Synergizes with:

Explosion effects (turns hits taken into wave clears)

Conflicts:

None

Lifesteal (Sustain)

Heals on hit; scaling via Bloody Tome. Over 100% lifesteal guarantees at least 1 HP per hit and can roll for more.

Triggers:

Bloody Tome (core source of lifesteal)
Vlad character (sustain caster archetype)

Synergizes with:

Bloodmark/Bloody Cleaver (lifesteal procs apply Bloodmark)
Rapid-hit weapons

Conflicts:

None

Scaling Stats

These stats amplify status effects and weapon performance across the board.

Size / AoE Amplification

Increases projectile/aura size, hitting more enemies per tick.

Synergizes with:

All AoE/status riders (Burn/Poison/Freeze)
Explosion chains

Duration (Status/Zone Uptime)

Extends how long weapons and elemental statuses (Freeze/Burn/Poison) persist; hugely impacts DoTs and ground effects.

Synergizes with:

Burn/Poison/Freeze
Dragon's Breath/Flamewalker style effects

Status Synergy Packages

Powerful combinations of weapons, items, and stats that create dominant build archetypes. Mix and match these packages to create your own meta builds.

Fire Package

Elements: Flamewalker, Dragon's Breath

Status: Burn

Scaling: Size, Duration

Create massive fire trails and cones that apply persistent Burn damage. Scale with Size to cover more ground and Duration to keep enemies burning longer.

On-Hit DoTs

Elements: Poison Flask

Status: Poison (stacks)

Scaling: Attack Speed, Duration

Stack Poison rapidly with high attack speed weapons. Each hit extends and stacks the duration, creating devastating damage over time.

Bleed Analogue

Elements: Bloody Tome, Bloody Cleaver

Status: Lifesteal → Bloodmark → Execute

Scaling: Lifesteal, Execute Threshold

Lifesteal procs apply Bloodmark, which ramps up enemy vulnerability. Once threshold is reached, Execute finishers instantly kill targets.

Chain Builds

Elements: Revolver, Bone, Wireless Dagger, Lightning Staff

Status: Projectile Bounces / Chain

Scaling: Bounce Count, Enemy Density

Projectiles bounce between enemies, applying on-hit effects to each target. Explosions from Quin's Mask create real chain reactions in dense packs.

Ice Control

Elements: Frostwalker, Ice Crystal

Status: Freeze → Execute

Scaling: Duration, Execute Threshold

Freeze enemies in place while they tick down. Ice Crystal can execute low-HP frozen targets, combining crowd control with instant kills.

Thorns Explosion

Elements: Cactus, Quin's Mask

Status: Thorns → Explosion → Chain Reaction

Scaling: Thorns Damage, Size/AoE

Turn defensive Thorns damage into offensive wave clear. Quin's Mask adds explosions that chain through packs when you take hits.

Lightning Spread

Elements: Lightning Staff, Chain Lightning

Status: Shock + Bounce

Scaling: Projectile Bounces, Size/AoE

Lightning strikes bounce between enemies, dealing instant damage in small AoE. Scale with bounces and size to hit entire screens.

Sustain Tank

Elements: Bloody Tome, Vlad

Status: Lifesteal

Scaling: Lifesteal %, Hit Rate

Over 100% lifesteal guarantees healing on every hit. Combine with rapid-hit weapons for near-immortality while applying Bloodmark.

Pro Tips for Status Synergies

✓Stack Duration for all DoT builds (Burn, Poison, Freeze) to maximize uptime
✓Size/AoE amplifies every status effect by hitting more enemies per proc
✓Chain/Bounce mechanics apply on-hit statuses to every target in the chain
✓Execute synergizes with Bloodmark and Freeze to finish off weakened enemies
✓Explosion chains work best in dense enemy packs - avoid in sparse encounters
✓Lifesteal scales with hit rate - pair with rapid-fire weapons for maximum sustain

Status-Based Build Examples

Complete build archetypes centered around specific status effects. Use these as templates or inspiration for your own custom builds.

Fire Trail Dominator

Character: Any

Beginner

S-Tier for wave clear

Core Items:

•Flamewalker
•Dragon's Breath

Priority Stats:

•Duration
•Size
•Movement Speed

Strategy:

Leave massive fire trails everywhere you go. Scale Duration to keep Burn ticking and Size to cover entire screens. Movement Speed helps you paint the map with fire.

Poison Stacker

Character: High Attack Speed characters

Intermediate

A-Tier for sustained damage

Core Items:

•Poison Flask
•Attack Speed Tomes

Priority Stats:

•Attack Speed
•Duration
•Size

Strategy:

Spam Poison Flask to stack DoT on everything. Each hit extends duration. With high attack speed, enemies melt from stacked Poison before they reach you.

Bloodmark Executioner

Character: Vlad (or any with Bloody Tome)

Advanced

S-Tier for boss killing

Core Items:

•Bloody Tome
•Bloody Cleaver
•Dexecutioner

Priority Stats:

•Lifesteal
•Attack Speed
•Execute Threshold

Strategy:

Lifesteal procs apply Bloodmark (50% chance). Once enemies hit threshold, Execute finishers instantly kill. Sustain through everything while ramping damage.

Chain Lightning Spreader

Character: Any

Intermediate

S-Tier for dense packs

Core Items:

•Lightning Staff
•Projectile Bounce upgrades
•Chain Lightning legendary

Priority Stats:

•Projectile Bounces
•Size
•Damage

Strategy:

Lightning bounces between enemies, hitting entire packs. Each bounce applies Shock in small AoE. Scale bounces and size to clear screens instantly.

Ice Control Executioner

Character: Any

Beginner

A-Tier for crowd control

Core Items:

•Frostwalker
•Ice Crystal
•Duration Tomes

Priority Stats:

•Duration
•Execute Threshold
•Size

Strategy:

Freeze enemies in place with Frostwalker aura. Ice Crystal executes low-HP frozen targets. Duration keeps them locked down while they tick to execute range.

Thorns Explosion Tank

Character: Sir Oofie (or tanky characters)

Advanced

A-Tier for melee range

Core Items:

•Cactus
•Quin's Mask
•HP/Defense items

Priority Stats:

•Thorns Damage
•Size
•Max HP

Strategy:

Let enemies hit you. Thorns damage triggers Quin's Mask explosions that chain through packs. More HP = more hits = more explosions. Turn defense into offense.

Multi-Bounce Assassin

Character: Ninja (or high crit characters)

Expert

S-Tier for skilled players

Core Items:

•Revolver
•Bone
•Wireless Dagger
•Bounce upgrades

Priority Stats:

•Projectile Bounces
•Crit Chance
•Crit Damage

Strategy:

Stack multiple bouncing weapons. Each projectile chains through enemies, applying on-hit effects. Crit scaling makes each bounce devastating.

Immortal Sustain

Character: Vlad

Beginner

A-Tier for survivability

Core Items:

•Bloody Tome
•Rapid-fire weapons
•Lifesteal items

Priority Stats:

•Lifesteal %
•Attack Speed
•Max HP

Strategy:

Over 100% lifesteal guarantees healing on every hit. Pair with rapid-fire weapons for constant healing. Apply Bloodmark while staying at full HP.

Build Crafting Tips

Early Game (Levels 1-10)

• Focus on one status effect
• Prioritize Size and Duration
• Take defensive items for survivability
• Avoid complex synergies

Late Game (Levels 10+)

• Stack multiple synergistic statuses
• Maximize scaling stats (Duration, Size, Bounces)
• Add Execute or Explosion finishers
• Optimize for specific enemy types

Status Effects FAQ

Common questions about status effects, mechanics, and build strategies.

Do status effects stack?▼

It depends on the status. Poison explicitly stacks - each application extends and stacks the duration. Burn and Freeze refresh their duration but don't stack damage. Bloodmark stacks to build up to Execute threshold. Most other statuses (Shock, Explosion, Thorns) trigger independently per proc.

What's the difference between Chain and Bounce?▼

Bounce is the built-in mechanic where projectiles re-target to another enemy after hitting. Chain Lightning is a legendary effect that creates actual lightning chains. Both spread damage through packs, but Chain Lightning is more explosive while Bounce is more controlled and predictable.

How does Duration affect different statuses?▼

Duration extends: Burn/Poison/Freeze uptime, weapon effects like axes and tornadoes, ground effects like fire trails, and aura sizes. It's one of the most universal scaling stats, especially powerful for DoT-focused builds.

Can I combine multiple status effects in one build?▼

Absolutely! Many meta builds combine 2-3 status effects. For example: Fire + Poison for dual DoTs, Freeze + Execute for crowd control kills, or Lifesteal + Bloodmark + Execute for sustain and burst. Just make sure your stat scaling supports all your chosen effects.

What's the best status effect for beginners?▼

Burn (Fire) is the most beginner-friendly. Flamewalker and Dragon's Breath are easy to use, scale simply with Duration and Size, and provide consistent damage without complex mechanics. Ice (Freeze) is also great for learning since it provides crowd control and safety.

How does Bloodmark work exactly?▼

Bloodmark is applied by Lifesteal procs from Bloody Cleaver (50% chance per lifesteal). Each stack shaves chunks of enemy HP. Once enemies reach a threshold, they become vulnerable to Execute effects from items like Dexecutioner or Ice Crystal, which instantly kill them.

Is Thorns damage viable for late game?▼

Yes, but only with Quin's Mask. Raw Thorns damage is single-target and weak. Quin's Mask adds explosions that chain through packs, turning defensive Thorns into offensive wave clear. Pair with tanky characters like Sir Oofie who can take hits safely.

What stats should I prioritize for status builds?▼

Universal priorities: Duration (for DoTs), Size/AoE (for coverage), and the specific trigger stat (Attack Speed for Poison, Movement Speed for fire trails, Lifesteal for Bloodmark, etc.). Late game, add Execute or Explosion finishers for burst clear.

Do enemies have status resistances?▼

Some enemies have lightning resistance (noted in boss guides), but most statuses work universally. The main counter is enemy density - Chain/Bounce/Explosion builds need packed enemies to shine, while single-target statuses like Bloodmark work better on bosses.

Can I apply multiple statuses with one hit?▼

Yes! If you have multiple on-hit effects (like Burn from Flamewalker + Poison from Poison Flask), a single hit can apply both. Bounce/Chain mechanics also apply all your on-hit statuses to each target in the chain, making them extremely powerful for status spreading.

What's the Execute threshold?▼

Execute threshold varies by item and can be scaled with stats. Ice Crystal executes "low-HP" enemies (exact % varies). Dexecutioner has a chance to execute on any hit. Bloodmark creates its own threshold by ramping enemy vulnerability. Check item descriptions for specific numbers.

How does Lifesteal over 100% work?▼

Over 100% Lifesteal guarantees at least 1 HP per hit, then rolls for additional healing. So 150% Lifesteal = guaranteed 1 HP + 50% chance for another 1 HP. With rapid-hit weapons, this creates near-immortality while also applying Bloodmark if you have Bloody Cleaver.

Additional Resources

→ Official Stats Wiki - Detailed stat mechanics → Weapons Database - All weapon effects and upgrades → Items Database - Complete item list with synergies → Bloodmark Deep Dive - Detailed Bloodmark mechanics guide → Boss Strategies - Status effect counters and resistances

Note on Patch Updates

Megabonk is actively developed with frequent balance patches. Status effect numbers, triggers, and synergies may change. Always check the latest patch notes on theSteam News page for the most current information.