Boss Stem Cell

Boss Stem Cell

Boss Stem Cells (also known as Boss Cells) are difficulty modifiers acquired by killing The Hand of the King. After you get the first, you must beat him with one Boss Stem Cell inoculated to get the second, with two cells to get the third and with three BSC active to obtain the fourth. The fifth BSC, on the other hand, is obtained by beating the Giant with 4 BSC active.

Boss Stem Cells can be injected/removed at the start of the game in the Tube, and make the game significantly harder by increasing enemy tier, density and variety, as well as by limiting healing options for the player. On the other hand, activating Boss Cells allows you to gather more cells from the enemies, to increase the level of the Legendary Forge as well as to get new blueprints and access bonus doors scattered in the levels. The doors show the number of cells required and shine blue if you can enter them. The fifth BSC is special in that it doesn't modify anything compared to the fourth until the Throne Room, but gives you access to a secret biome (Astrolab) and to the hidden last boss of the game (Observatory).

Modifiers

# of Boss Stem Cells	Modifiers
File:BossSourceCell.png	- Hard difficulty - Reduce number of health fountains (only available every other level) + Improves the level of the Legendary Forge by allowing you to increase the frequency of + and ++ items up to 100%. + Unlocks a door in Prison Depths that goes to the Ancient Sewers + Allows you to collect the next Boss Stem Cell
	- Very Hard difficulty - Removes all health fountains; a mini recharge drops after first boss that refills one use of health flask. + Improves the level of the Legendary Forge by allowing you to increase the frequency of S items up to 25%. + Multiplies the amount of dropped cells by 2 + Unlocks a door in Slumbering Sanctuary that goes to the Cavern + Allows you to collect the next Boss Stem Cell
	- Expert difficulty - Removes all health fountains (individual flask recharges can only be bought in Food shops) + Improves the level of the Legendary Forge by allowing you to increase the frequency of S items up to 50%. + Multiplies the amount of dropped cells by 2 (effect also applies to cells found in containers) + Unlocks a door in Ramparts that goes to the Insufferable Crypt + Allows you to collect the next Boss Stem Cell
	- Nightmare difficulty - Removes all health fountains (individual flask recharges can only be bought in Food shops) - Taking hits always causes Malaise - Increases detection range of mobs and gives most of them the ability to teleport next to your position - Some of the food found in levels is infected by the Malaise + Improves the level of the Legendary Forge by allowing you to increase the frequency of S items up to 100%. + Multiplies the amount of dropped cells by 3 (effect also applies to cells found in containers)
	- Hell difficulty + Gives access to the Astrolab and the Observatory (Rise of the Giant DLC content)

Doors

• 

  Closed Door
  1 Boss Cell

• 

  Opened Door

• 

  Locked Door
  2 Boss Cells

• 

  Locked Door
  3 Boss Cells

• 

  Locked Door
  4 Boss Cells

• 

  Locked Door
  5 Boss Cells

Notes

• Until v1.2, the fifth boss cell was unobtainable, and a 5 BSC door in the Graveyard would grant access to the unfinished level Repository of the Architects.