File "challenges.xml"

Used to store all challenges and some of their attributes.

Resource-Folder: Placing this file in a resource folder of a mod will override the original.

Content-Folder: Placing this file in a content folder of a mod will add a new Custom challenge.

Variable-Name	Possible Values	Description
id	int	Ingame-Id of the Challenge (Not needed for Content Folder)
name	string	Name of the Challenge
startingitems	string list	Comma separated (nospace) item ids that will be added at the start.
startingitems2	string list	Starting items for Player 2. Comma separated (nospace) item ids that will be added at the start.
startingtrinkets	string list	Comma separated (nospace) trinket ids that will be added at the start (max 2)
startingcard	string list	Card id of the starting cards Default: -1 (no card)
startingpill	string list	PillEffect id of the starting pill Default: -1 (no pill)
playertype	string	Player type id. Custom characters cant be defined this way! Use LUA code instead. Default: 0 (Isaac)
endstage	string	The last stage of the challenge (use LevelStage internal ids)
roomfilter	string list	List of RoomTypes to not be generated in challenge [Not all room ids can be used]
cursefilter	int	Bitmask for curses to be removed. (Darkness = 1, Labyrinth = 2, Lost = 4, Unknown = 8, Cursed = 16, Maze = 32, Blind = 64, Giant = 128)
getcurse	int	Bitmask for curses to be forced (Same id's as curse filter)
achievements	string list	List of achievement ids that are required to be able to play the challenge
altpath	bool	Alternative floor for light/dark path (isaac/satan)
canshoot	bool	Determines if player can shoot Default: true (shooting enabled)
redhp	int	Add red hp to the base of the choosen character. 2 = 1 Heart. Negative numbers possible
maxhp	int	Add red hp containers to the base of the choosen character. 2 = 1 Heartcontainer. Negative numbers possible
soulhp	int	Add soul hp containers to the base of the choosen character. 2 = 1 Heartcontainer
blackhp	int	Add black hp containers to the base of the choosen character. 2 = 1 Heartcontainer
coins	int	Add starting coins
maxdamage	bool	Max. damage actived (clamps at min 100) or deactivated
adddamage	float	+ Damage up
minfirerate	float	Minimal fire rate or more
minshotspeed	bool	Minimal shot speed actived or deactivated
bigrange	bool	Enable high starting range value
difficulty	int	Game difficulty [0: normal(default), 1: hard, 2: Greed, 3: Greedier) Greed and greedier mode work, but when killing Ultra Greed, the big Chest spawns, instead of a trophy
megasatan	bool	Last boss is megasatan. Adds the Key to the player.
secretpath	bool	Force the Repentance alt path

Example "challenges.xml" file:

This code creates a new challenge called "My new challenge" in the custom challenges tab, which ends after Mom's heart/it lives. The player starts with Breakfast, Dead Cat and Little Steven, but cant shoot. Treasure rooms and the curse of Darkness are disabled.

<challenges version="1">
    <challenge playertype="0" name="My new challenge" endstage="8" startingitems="25,81,100" roomfilter="1" cursefilter="1" canshoot="false" />
</challenges>

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Last update: April 26, 2025