Deadzone Rogue “Back to Basics” Achievement Walkthrough

The “Back to Basics” achievement in Deadzone Rogue can feel like a mystery. The description “Buyer’s Remorse” gives you no clues, and online guides can be confusing. But don’t worry, we’ve done the legwork so you can get this achievement with a clear plan.

 

A Guide for “Back to Basics” Achievement in Deadzone Rogue

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the precise rules, the best strategies, and the key tips you need to conquer this challenge using only your trusty starter pistol.

What is the “Back to Basics” Achievement?

The achievement’s official name is “Buyer’s Remorse,” and it’s earned by clearing a map on any difficulty using only your starter pistol. This means you must resist the urge to use any other weapons, melee attacks, or grenades throughout the entire run.

It’s a test of skill, patience, and a deep appreciation for the humble starting weapon.

The Golden Rules for Success

Before you start your run, it’s crucial to understand the non-negotiable rules. Break any of these, and you’ll have to start over.

1. Complete a Full Map: You must successfully finish a map from start to finish.
2. Any Difficulty is OK: You can choose any difficulty level. For a stress-free run, we highly recommend playing on Adventure difficulty.
3. Pistol Only: The starter pistol is your only offensive tool.
4. No Melee, No Grenades, No Other Weapons:
   • Do not swing your knife or use any melee attacks.
   • Do not throw any grenades.
   • Do not fire any other weapons you pick up.
   • Crucial Note: You are forced to pick up a primary weapon after the first room. This does not disqualify you, but you must immediately switch back to your pistol and never fire the new weapon. If you’re not given an option for a new weapon, you might need to restart the run.
5. Shopping is Allowed, with a Catch: You can use the shop to spend scrap and tech, but you can only upgrade your starting pistol. Avoid purchasing any equipment like helmets or new grenades.

 

Execution: Your Step-by-Step Game Plan

Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and successful run.

1. Prepare Your Tech Upgrades

Before you begin, spend any tech you have available. Focus on upgrades that benefit your secondary weapon (the pistol) and boost your survivability. “Secondary Damage” is an obvious choice, but “Mobility” and “Defense” upgrades are also excellent for helping you stay alive while using a less powerful weapon.

2. Choose Your Map and Difficulty

For your first attempt, pick a map that’s quick and easy. The best choice is Uniform Chaos in Zone 1 on Adventure difficulty. It’s the simplest map, and there’s no major boss fight to complicate things. Adventure difficulty ensures enemies are weaker, giving you a much-needed advantage.

3. Navigate the Map with Care

As you play, focus on two things: shooting enemies and collecting scrap. Be mindful of equipment drops—do not interact with them. Just move past them.

When you’re forced to pick up a primary weapon after Room 1, select one and immediately switch back to your pistol. This is a common point of failure for many players, so be extra cautious here.

4. Maximize Your Augments and Perks

Augments and perks are your key to success. Since you’re relying on one weapon, you need to make it as powerful as possible.

• Augments: The starter pistol is versatile, so you can make most augments work. If you prefer precision, prioritize Aiming: Weakpoint and Aiming: Critical. If you’re forced to choose an elemental augment, don’t worry—it can still be very effective, especially with the right perks.
• Perks: Focus on anything that increases your gun damage. Lead Head (if unlocked) is a fantastic choice. Steer clear of any perks that mention melee or grenades. Even if you get a perk combo that seems less than ideal, such as Vitalizer and Companion Robot, you can still succeed on Adventure difficulty by playing it safe. (A note of caution: the damage from a Companion Robot has not been confirmed to invalidate the run, so it’s best to avoid it if possible).

5. Prioritize Your Item Choices

When you come across items, think about your playstyle.

• First, choose items that align with your augments, like a weakpoint damage booster.
• Next, grab items that provide general damage increases.
• After that, focus on mobility and survival items.
• Epic augments are highly valuable and worth considering.
• Pro Tip: Avoid damage reflection items, just to be safe. It’s an untested variable that could potentially ruin your run.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Upgrade Your Pistol

When you reach checkpoints, use the scrap you’ve collected to upgrade your pistol. While it’s possible to complete the run without upgrades, enhancing its stats will make the journey much easier. Spend that scrap to boost your damage, fire rate, and magazine size.

 

Advanced Pistol Mastery: A Quick Tip

Did you know the starter pistol has a secret? While it appears to be a semi-automatic weapon, you can hold down the fire button for a steady stream of automatic fire. However, spamming the trigger actually fires faster!

For most players, the auto-fire feature is great for ease of use. But if you want to push your damage output, practice rapidly clicking the fire button. Some players even bind their fire button to their mouse wheel for lightning-fast shots.

Now you have all the information you need to successfully earn the “Back to Basics” achievement. Grab your pistol, stay disciplined, and get ready to prove that you don’t need fancy weapons to win!

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Last Updated on September 6, 2025