Last updated: June 9, 2026 — Early Access launch
Arms of God Wiki
Forge divine builds. Conquer hell.
Your complete Early Access guide to weapons, merges, characters, bosses, and Cathedral meta progression.
Start with the Beginner GuideWhat Is Arms of God
Arms of God is a bullet-heaven arena autoshooter with roguelite progression, developed by Dark Jay Studio and published alongside Galaktus. You play as the last warrior of an ancient holy order, wielding up to five weapons simultaneously while fighting through hellish acts to restore divine order.
Unlike traditional survivors-likes where weapons simply level up in rarity, Arms of God lets you sacrifice and merge weapons to transfer stats, traits, and elemental bonuses — creating wildly different builds every run. A long-range shotgun, a bouncing sniper, or a holy machine gun are all viable when you understand the merge system.
Between runs, you rebuild the Cathedral — your meta-progression hub — unlocking permanent blessings, weapon blueprints, stat upgrades, and new heroes. The game features 10 playable characters, 60 handcrafted levels across 4 acts, 60 weapon models, 100 blessings, 100 upgrades, and 10 epic bosses.
Arms of God entered Steam Early Access on June 8, 2026. It runs on Windows (Steam and Epic Games Store), supports full controller input, Steam Deck Verified performance, and 12 interface languages. Local co-op and console ports are planned for the full 1.0 release in early 2027.
Release & Roadmap
Arms of God launched in Early Access on June 8, 2026 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The introductory launch discount runs for two weeks. The developer plans to remain in Early Access for several months, targeting a full 1.0 release in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
Early Access Content (Available Now)
- 10 playable characters with unique active abilities and skill trees
- 4 Acts with 15 handcrafted levels each (60 total levels)
- 10 bosses with distinct attack patterns
- 60 weapon models with merge and upgrade systems
- 100 blessings and 100 upgrades for run customization
- Full Cathedral meta-progression (Training Ground, Armory, Alchemy Chamber, Bell Tower)
- Codex in-game knowledge base unlocking as you discover mechanics
- Full key remapping and Mouse Only control scheme
- 100 Steam Achievements
- Steam Deck compatible
Planned for Full Release (1.0)
- Local co-op mode
- Additional heroes, game modes, locations, and weapons
- New difficulty levels and enemy types
- Console releases: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation
- Community-driven balance and polish based on EA feedback
- At least 2 major EA updates before 1.0 with new content and fixes
Where to Follow Updates
- Official Steam community hub and patch notes
- Dark Jay Studio Discord server (linked from the Steam store page)
- Developer blog at darkjay.com/armsofgod
Beginner's Guide
Your first run in Arms of God can feel overwhelming — demons swarm constantly, the shop offers dozens of choices, and weapon merging is unlike any other survivors-like. This guide walks you through the essentials so your second run is dramatically stronger than your first.
- Choose a forgiving starter character. The Warrior (Divine Sword) offers balanced melee combos and a straightforward Divine Form burst. Avoid complex characters like Rogue until you understand positioning.
- Focus on movement and dodging. Arms of God is an autoshooter — your weapons fire automatically. Your job is positioning, picking up souls/currency, and activating your active ability at the right moment.
- Buy one solid weapon early, then invest in upgrades before spreading too thin. Five weak weapons lose to two merged strong ones.
- Learn the merge basics: insert one weapon into another to transfer stats. The sacrificed weapon is lost, but pierce, crit, range, and other bonuses carry over. Check the Codex for discovered recipes.
- Pick up chests, shrines, and flags on each level. They grant temporary buffs, currency, or rare upgrade options that can define your run.
- Do not ignore the Crux. The sacred cross provides aura buffs or offensive beams. Even a light Crux investment helps survivability in Act 2+.
- When you die, spend Cathedral resources before your next run. Permanent stat upgrades from the Training Ground are the single biggest factor in beating bosses.
- Use the Codex after every run. It tracks enemies, weapon merge hints, and mechanics you have discovered — essential for understanding what you are missing.
First Run Shopping Priority
- Tier 1 weapon matching your character's starting bonus
- Attack speed or damage upgrade for your main weapon
- One defensive blessing (armor, dodge, or HP) before stacking damage
- Save souls for merge opportunities rather than buying every weapon slot immediately
Controls
Arms of God supports keyboard, mouse, and full controller input with complete key remapping. The game is designed as a one-hand-friendly autoshooter, making it excellent on Steam Deck.
| Action | Keyboard / Mouse | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move | WASD / Left Stick | Left Stick | Primary survival skill |
| Dodge / Dash | Space | A / Cross | Critical for boss telegraphs |
| Active Ability | Right Mouse / E | Right Bumper | Character-specific skill |
| Interact / Confirm | Left Mouse / F | A / Cross | Shop, shrines, Cathedral |
| Pause / Menu | Escape | Start | Access settings and Codex |
| Refund Blessing | Hold assigned key | Hold assigned button | Added in recent EA patch |
| Crux Ability | Middle Mouse / Q | Left Bumper | Aura or beam mode |
Mouse Only Mode
A dedicated Mouse Only control scheme is available for accessibility: move with the mouse cursor, left click to interact, right click for your active skill. Ideal for players with limited keyboard use or Steam Deck touchpad setups.
Manual Aiming Options
While weapons auto-fire by default, Arms of God offers additional manual aiming modes for players who want more control over projectile direction. Enable these in Settings > Controls.
Steam Deck Tips
- Verified performance on Steam Deck with stable frame rates
- Use gyro or stick for movement; map active ability to rear buttons
- Mouse Only mode works well with touchpad for couch play
- Reduce particle effects in Settings if you notice frame drops in Act 3+
Characters & Tier List
Arms of God features 10 playable heroes, each with a unique active ability, skill tree, and starting weapon bonus. Tier rankings reflect Early Access balance as of June 2026 and will shift with patches. S-tier characters excel in both early survivability and late-game scaling.
| Tier | Character | Signature Weapon | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Warrior | Divine Sword | Balanced combos, Divine Charge burst, reliable Divine Form | New players, consistent clears |
| A | Mage | Holy Staff | Spell circles, AoE zone control, hybrid melee-magic | Crowd control, Act 2+ mob waves |
| A | Rogue | Shadow Daggers | Fastest attack speed, 2x backstab multiplier | High-skill burst DPS |
| A | Paladin | Sacred Shield | Perfect block reflects damage, healing aura Divine Form | Tanky boss fights, sustain |
| B | Ranger | Celestial Bow | Charged shots up to 300% damage, arrow rain Divine Form | Ranged kiting, arena control |
| B | Crusader | Holy Mace | Heavy stagger, armor shred on charged hits | Melee control, elite enemies |
| B | Inquisitor | Flame Crossbow | Burn DoT stacking, ranged safe positioning | Elemental damage builds |
| C | Penitent | Whip Chain | Wide sweep, lifesteal on multi-hit | Niche sustain, needs investment |
| C | Zealot | Holy Spear | Pierce and stagger focus, slower attack speed | Pierce merge synergy |
| C | Hermit | Prayer Beads | Support-oriented buffs, lower personal DPS | Crux-focused support runs |
Divine Form Explained
Every character builds Divine Charge through combat and can activate Divine Form — a temporary powered state with character-specific effects. Warrior gains burst damage, Mage expands spell circles, Rogue becomes invisible with guaranteed backstabs, Paladin creates a healing and invulnerability aura, and Ranger unleashes arena-wide arrow rain. Time Divine Form for boss phase transitions.
Weapons Guide
Arms of God offers 60 unique weapons spanning melee and ranged categories. You can equip up to five simultaneously, and each weapon can receive upgrades and merge insertions. Weapons are not locked to rarity tiers in the traditional sense — power comes from creative merging and blessing synergy.
Weapon Categories
| Category | Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Melee — Swords | Divine Sword, Holy Blade | Consistent close-range DPS, combo finishers |
| Melee — Blunt | Holy Mace, Electro Hammer | Stagger, armor break, AoE slam |
| Melee — Daggers | Shadow Daggers, Twin Fang | Attack speed, backstab positioning |
| Ranged — Rifles | Sniper Rifle, Laser Rifle, Railgun | Pierce, range, single-target burst |
| Ranged — Shotguns | Holy Shotgun, TwinBlast | Spread damage, close-range burst |
| Ranged — Bows | Celestial Bow, Skystrike | Charged shots, aerial coverage |
| Ranged — Crossbows | Flame Crossbow, Scalding Crossbow | DoT, safe ranged pressure |
| Special | Detonator, Machine Gun family | Explosive AoE, sustained fire |
Five-Weapon Slot Strategy
- Slot 1: Primary damage dealer (merged and upgraded heavily)
- Slot 2: Complementary element or attack type (melee + ranged mix)
- Slot 3: Crowd control or pierce/bounce for mob waves
- Slot 4: Boss-killer with crit or stagger bonuses
- Slot 5: Flexible — defensive utility or merge material for later
Upgrade Tiers
Weapons accept barrel extensions, elemental infusions, and stat modifiers from the shop. Tier 1 upgrades are common; Tier 2 and Tier 3 require merge recipes or rare shop offerings. Not all stats transfer on merge — some sacrificed weapon stats are partially lost, so plan insertions carefully.
Weapon Merge Recipes
The merge system is Arms of God's defining mechanic. Insert one weapon into another to create a hybrid with combined stats. The inserted weapon is consumed. Transferred stats typically include holy damage, crit chance, range, pierce, bounce, stagger, and explosion tags — but not every stat transfers at full value.
| Merged Weapon | Required Tier 1 Components | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| TwinBlast | Two shotgun-type Tier 1 weapons | Double-barrel spread, high close-range burst |
| LaserRifle | Rifle + elemental upgrade component | Continuous beam, strong single-target |
| Detonator | Explosive weapon + heavy blunt component | AoE explosions on impact |
| Skystrike | Bow + aerial/range upgrade | Overhead projectile rain |
| Railgun | Sniper Rifle + pierce upgrade | Extreme pierce, high charge damage |
| Electro Hammer | Mace + lightning upgrade | Chain lightning on slam |
Merge Rules
- Open the merge interface from your inventory or shop when both weapons are available
- Select the base weapon (this one is kept) and the sacrifice weapon (consumed)
- Preview transferred stats before confirming — some stats transfer at reduced values
- Merged Tier 2 weapons can accept further insertions toward Tier 3 (recipes still being expanded in EA)
- Check the in-game Codex for discovered combinations and hints on undiscovered merges
Pro Merge Tips
- Attach a sniper rifle to a shotgun for unexpected range on spread weapons
- Stack pierce upgrades onto a single rail-type weapon for boss melting
- Do not merge your only copy of a rare weapon without a backup plan
- Early runs: merge for immediate power; late runs: merge for specific blessing synergies
Best Builds
The best Arms of God builds combine character kit, weapon merge path, blessing selection, and Crux investment. Below are proven Early Access archetypes — adjust based on your Cathedral unlocks.
Divine Sword Warrior (Beginner)
- Character: Warrior with Divine Sword as primary
- Merge path: Add pierce from a holy spear or range from a rifle attachment
- Blessings: Attack speed, crit chance, Divine Charge rate
- Crux: Defensive aura for early Acts, switch to damage beam in Act 3+
- Playstyle: Aggressive melee, activate Divine Form during boss phase transitions
Holy Staff Mage (AoE Control)
- Character: Mage with Holy Staff generating spell charges
- Merge path: Flame crossbow insertion for burn + staff spell circle synergy
- Blessings: Spell damage, cooldown reduction, AoE radius
- Crux: Offensive beam to complement spell circles
- Playstyle: Kite mobs into spell circles, burst with Divine Form expanded AoE
Shadow Daggers Rogue (Burst DPS)
- Character: Rogue with backstab positioning
- Merge path: Attack speed daggers + crit chance insertion from any fast weapon
- Blessings: Backstab bonus, attack speed, dodge charges
- Crux: Minimal investment — all-in on weapon damage
- Playstyle: Dodge behind elites, chain combos, Divine Form for guaranteed backstabs
Sacred Shield Paladin (Tank)
- Character: Paladin with perfect-block timing
- Merge path: Holy mace for stagger + defensive upgrade slots
- Blessings: Armor, HP, healing power, thorns damage
- Crux: Maximum aura — armor and damage reduction for the team
- Playstyle: Face-tank bosses, reflect damage with perfect blocks, heal during Divine Form
Pierce Railgun Zealot (Boss Killer)
- Character: Zealot or Warrior with pierce focus
- Merge path: Sniper Rifle base → stack pierce and holy damage insertions → Railgun
- Blessings: Crit chance, damage conversion, boss damage bonus
- Crux: Offensive beam for boss DPS windows
- Playstyle: Single-target melt, avoid spread weapons, save burst for boss phases
Blessings & Upgrades
Each run offers 100 possible blessings (passive modifiers) and 100 upgrades (weapon or stat enhancements). You have limited slots, and choices often come with trade-offs — +attack speed may cost max HP. Understanding refund mechanics is essential for optimizing mid-run.
Blessing Priority by Run Phase
| Phase | Priority Blessings | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1 (Levels 1–15) | Damage, attack speed, one defensive stat | Niche elemental bonuses before you have weapon synergy |
| Act 2 (Levels 16–30) | Pierce, crit, AoE radius, dodge | Stacking single element without ailment synergy |
| Act 3–4 (Levels 31–60) | Boss damage, Divine Charge rate, lifesteal | Pure movement speed without damage scaling |
Refund Mechanic
Hold the assigned refund key to undo a blessing or upgrade unlock. This was added in response to community feedback and allows mid-run pivots when shop offerings change your build direction. Refunded resources return based on current EA rules — check patch notes for adjustments.
Element System Notes
Elements (holy, fire, lightning, etc.) primarily add flat damage bonuses in Early Access. Ailments and debuffs are limited compared to other ARPGs. Community feedback has pushed the developer toward deeper elemental interactions in future patches. For now, pick one element and stack matching upgrades rather than splitting across multiple.
Crux System
The Crux is a sacred cross-shaped weapon you carry alongside your five arms. It operates independently with its own skill tree and level-up choices. On each level-up, you can purchase a random Crux ability from your unlocked pool, with a refresh option to reroll.
The fundamental decision: invest in Crux power or focus entirely on your five weapons. Both paths are viable.
Crux Modes
- Aura Mode: Radiates divine power granting blessings to allies (and yourself) within range — extra armor, damage reduction, range bonus, or enemy debuffs
- Beam Mode: Fires offensive light beams at targeted enemies for direct damage
- Skill Tree: Permanent Crux upgrades unlocked through Cathedral progression and run discoveries
When to Invest in Crux
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| First 5 runs, struggling to survive | Aura mode — armor and damage reduction |
| Comfortable in Act 1, pushing Act 2 | Mix — one aura upgrade + beam for elites |
| Optimized weapon merge, boss wall | Beam focus — Crux burst during boss phases |
| Paladin or support builds | Maximum aura investment |
Cathedral & Meta Progression
The Cathedral is your headquarters, reclaimed from demons at the start of your crusade. It serves as the hub for all permanent progression between runs. Without Cathedral upgrades, later acts and bosses become nearly impossible — this is the most important long-term system.
Cathedral Buildings
| Building | Function | Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Training Ground | Permanent stat upgrades (HP, damage, speed) | Early Act 1 completion |
| Armory | Unlock and upgrade weapon blueprints for shop appearance | Act 1 boss defeated |
| Alchemy Chamber | Blessing and upgrade pool expansion | Act 2 progression |
| Bell Tower | Summon and unlock new playable heroes | Act 2–3 progression |
Resource Priority
- Training Ground base stats first — raw survivability unlocks deeper runs
- Armory weapon unlocks second — more shop options mean better merge paths
- Alchemy Chamber third — expands blessing variety for specialized builds
- Bell Tower when you want alternate characters — not required for first clear
Meta-Progression Tips
- Even failed runs earn resources — always spend before restarting
- The Cathedral hint system explains when new blessings become available
- Reclaiming areas of the Cathedral unlocks new NPC functions and upgrade tiers
- Permanent upgrades stack across all characters — invest globally, not per-hero
Acts & Maps
Arms of God is divided into 4 Acts with 15 handcrafted levels each, totaling 60 stages. Each act features unique environments, enemy types, story fragments, and an act boss. Environments include corrupted cathedral grounds, temple ruins, dark forests, volcanic forges, and celestial towers.
| Act | Levels | Environment Theme | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Act I | 1–15 | Corrupted Cathedral | Tutorial mechanics, first boss, Cathedral unlock |
| Act II | 16–30 | Temple Ruins & Dark Forest | New enemy types, The Bishop boss, destructible objects |
| Act III | 31–45 | Volcanic Forge | Fire enemies, higher damage requirements, elite density increases |
| Act IV | 46–60 | Celestial Tower & Abyss | Final bosses, ultimate infernal force, maximum difficulty |
Level Exploration
- Chests: Random gear, currency, or upgrade tokens
- Shrines: Temporary powerful buffs with possible trade-offs
- Flags: Checkpoint-style markers with bonus rewards on activation
- Destructible objects (Act 2+): Break marked objects with abilities for hidden resources
- Story relics: Environmental storytelling pieces unlocking Codex entries
Boss Guide
Each act culminates in boss encounters testing your build's damage, survivability, and movement. Bosses have distinct phases — learn telegraphs, save Divine Form for phase transitions, and ensure you have both melee and ranged coverage.
| Boss | Act | Key Mechanic | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Warden | Act I | Summons adds, charge attacks | Clear adds with AoE, dodge charge lanes, save burst for enrage |
| The Bishop | Act II | Holy corruption, arena hazards | Stay mobile, use destructibles for cover, beam Crux during safe windows |
| The Forge Lord | Act III | Fire waves, floor lava | Ranged priority, stagger with heavy melee, armor blessings essential |
| The Fallen Seraph | Act IV | Multi-phase aerial assault | Mix pierce ranged with melee burst, Divine Form in phase 2 and 4 |
| Ultimate Infernal Force | Act IV Finale | All mechanics combined | Full build required — max Cathedral stats, merged Tier 2+ weapons, optimized blessings |
General Boss Tips
- Always enter boss fights with at least one defensive blessing
- Learn the 2–3 telegraphed attacks per boss before optimizing damage
- Crux beam during stationary boss phases; aura during mobile phases
- If stuck: return to Cathedral, upgrade Training Ground, then retry with same build
Achievements
Arms of God includes 100 Steam Achievements covering story progression, build mastery, collection, and challenge runs. Achievements are tied to in-game milestones and do not require separate difficulty modes for most entries.
Achievement Categories
| Category | Examples | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Story Progress | Complete Act I–IV, defeat each boss | Natural progression with Cathedral investment |
| Weapon Mastery | Discover merge recipes, wield 5 weapons | Use Codex tracking, experiment with insertions |
| Character | Win with each hero, max skill trees | Unlock heroes via Bell Tower, one run per character |
| Challenge | No-damage boss kills, speed clears | Late-game only — return after full Cathedral upgrades |
| Collection | Codex 100%, all blessings found | Long-term — play multiple runs focusing on discovery |
Quick Achievement Tips
- Check Steam achievement list for hidden requirements before attempting
- Merge discovery achievements trigger from Codex unlocks — merge every new combination
- Character win achievements require a full act clear, not just boss kills
- Some achievements unlock with Cathedral building completion — prioritize hub progression
Tips & FAQ
Answers to the most common community questions from Steam reviews, Discord, and Early Access patch notes. Game balance data reflects June 2026 Early Access and may change with updates.