Risk of Rain 2 Strides of Heresy

"Replace your Utility Skill with 'Shadowfade'. Fade away, becoming intangible and gaining +30% movement speed. Heal for 18.2% (+18.2% per stack) of your maximum health. Lasts 3 (+3 per stack) seconds." Intangible = invulnerable to direct attacks. Stacking adds duration and healing only - no cooldown penalty. Part of the 4-item Heresy set that unlocks the Heretic. Essential on Heretic. Never take on Loader.

Rarity

Lunar (Blue)

Skill Slot

Utility (Shift)

Invuln

Direct attacks only

Base Heal

18.2% max HP

Base Duration

3 seconds

CD Penalty

None per stack

Heresy Set

1 of 4

Unlock

Blockade Breaker

Shadowfade - What It Does and Doesn't Block

Blocked (Invulnerable To)

All direct attack damage

Projectile hits

Melee strikes

AoE explosions targeting you

Most environmental hazards

Not Blocked

Shrine of Blood self-damage

Fall damage

Void Fields suffocation

DoT effects applied BEFORE activating

Shadowfade does NOT cleanse existing DoT

Stacking - Duration and Heal Scale

Stacking adds only upside - no cooldown penalty

Unlike Hooks of Heresy (+5s CD per stack) and Essence of Heresy (+8s CD per stack), Strides of Heresy has no cooldown downside from stacking. Each stack only extends fade duration by 3s and increases healing by 18.2% max HP. This makes it the most stack-friendly item in the Heresy set.

Stacks	Fade Duration	Heal Per Use	Note
1	3s fade	18.2% max HP heal	Base - 3s invuln, 18.2% heal
2	6s fade	36.4% max HP heal	6s fade - longer than most fight windows
3	9s fade	54.6% max HP heal	9s fade - enough to fully regen Transcendence shields
4	12s fade	72.8% max HP heal	12s fade - more time invisible than fighting
5	15s fade	91.0% max HP heal	15s fade - significant DPS loss

Transcendence + Hardlight Afterburner Combo

Transcendence requires 7 seconds without damage to begin shield regen. Shadowfade provides that invulnerability window. The two routes to 9+ seconds of coverage:

Route 1 - 3 Strides Stacks

3 stacks = 9s fade duration. Single charge covers the full 7s wait + 2s regen window. No Afterburner needed.

Route 2 - 1 Strides + Hardlight Afterburner

1 Afterburner = +2 charges of Shadowfade (3 total) + 33% CD reduction. Chain all 3 charges for 9s invuln. More flexible since Afterburner adds charges not just duration.

Survivor Notes

HereticEssential

Shadowfade is Heretic's only reliable heal against her negative regen. Timed well it also provides invulnerability during Mithrix phase 3 steals. Never sacrifice Strides to Egocentrism - losing it on Heretic is often a death sentence.

CaptainStrong upgrade

Captain's utility skills don't work in hidden realms like Void Fields. Shadowfade works everywhere AND gives him mobility and healing he otherwise lacks. Hardlight Afterburner makes this even stronger with 3 charges.

ArtificerUnique flight

Gives up Snapfreeze (30% execute threshold) but gains slow unlimited flight via ENV Suit passive - holding jump while faded lets her hover. Good for platforming and aerial combat.

LoaderNEVER TAKE

Loader's grapple hook IS her damage and mobility. Replacing it with Shadowfade eliminates the majority of her DPS output and traversal. Only pick this if intentionally building toward Heretic transformation.

Egocentrism + HereticDangerous

Egocentrism consumes random items including Strides of Heresy. Losing Strides as Heretic removes Shadowfade - the only way to heal against negative regen. Avoid Egocentrism entirely when playing Heretic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Strides of Heresy do in Risk of Rain 2?

Strides of Heresy replaces your Utility skill with Shadowfade. When activated, you become intangible (invulnerable to direct attacks) and gain +30% movement speed for 3 seconds (+3 per stack), healing for 18.2% (+18.2% per stack) of your maximum health in the process. Shadowfade does not prevent Shrine of Blood damage, fall damage, Void Fields suffocation, or DoT effects already applied before activating.

How do you unlock Strides of Heresy?

Strides of Heresy is unlocked by completing the Blockade Breaker challenge: defeat 15 bosses in a single run. Teleporter bosses and bosses that spawn naturally in stages both count. Hordes of Many count each individual enemy. Simulacrum boss waves also count, making it one of the faster ways to complete the challenge.

Does stacking Strides of Heresy increase cooldown?

No, and this is what makes Strides the most stack-friendly Heresy item. Additional stacks only add more duration (+3s) and more healing (+18.2% HP). The cooldown does not increase. However, at high stacks (4+) you spend more time faded than fighting, which becomes a DPS loss. 3 stacks is typically the sweet spot for the Transcendence combo.

How does Strides of Heresy work with Transcendence?

Transcendence requires 7 seconds without damage to start shield regen. Strides of Heresy's Shadowfade makes you invulnerable. With 3 stacks of Strides (9s fade) or 1 stack + Hardlight Afterburner (3 charges of 3s each = 9s potential coverage), you can stay invulnerable long enough for Transcendence shields to fully regenerate during each fade. This turns a difficult timing requirement into a reliable rotation.

Why should you never take Strides of Heresy on Loader?

Loader's grapple hook utility is her primary damage ability and the core of her mobility and DPS rotation. Replacing it with Shadowfade eliminates the majority of her damage output and makes her significantly less mobile. Unless you are intentionally collecting all 4 Heresy items to become the Heretic, Strides of Heresy is a run-ender on Loader.

What is the Heresy set and what does it do?

The Heresy set is four lunar items that each replace one of your skills: Visions of Heresy (Primary), Hooks of Heresy (Secondary), Strides of Heresy (Utility), and Essence of Heresy (Special). Holding all four simultaneously transforms your survivor into the Heretic - a powerful secret character with high HP, triple jump, negative regen, and a unique kit. Strides of Heresy is part of the Heretic's legs lore.