The Binding of Isaac: Repentance features several new playable characters, including a duo known as Jacob and Esau. Players will not be able to try out this tag team immediately upon beginning the new DLC, though, as indeed they must be unlocked. Detailing exactly how to unlock Jacob and Esau in The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is the precise purpose of this guide, and the process begins with obtaining two hidden items.
More specifically, fans that are trying to unlock these new playable characters must first locate two Knife pieces in order to assemble the full Knife.
Updated September 2nd, 2021 by Russ Boswell: The Binding of Isaac has come a long way since its original release back in 2011 and there has been heaps of content added to the game in the past 10 years. Some of the most prominent additions were characters, with mechanics that helped turn Isaac's adventure into an entirely new journey. One of the best examples of this is Jacob and Esau, a duo that features their own stats and holdable items. To give new players a better look at how to unlock Jacob and Esau in the Binding of Isaac, and to give them a better look at what the two are capable of, this guide has been updated.
Finding The First Knife Piece
Knife Piece 1 in The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is accessed by stepping into a blue-grey flame on Downpour/Dross 2 and transforming into the Lost. In this form, players will be able to enter the mirror that is found on the floor, and the relevant item will appear in one of the rooms on the other side.
Finding The Second Knife Piece
With regard to The Binding of Isaac: Repentance's second Knife Piece, players will need to take the minecart in Mines/Ashpit 2 to it. Fans will not be able to use this conveyance until they have hit all three yellow buttons on the floor, though, as that action is required to complete the track. Notably, a large enemy will spawn as soon as Knife Piece 2 has been picked up, and it will not go away until the player reaches the room where they initially rode the minecart.
What To Do With The Completed Knife
At this point, fans should have the completed Knife, and they should take it to the end of Mausoleum 2. Defeating the boss on this floor will trigger the appearance of a red door in The Binding of Isaac: Repentance, which can be opened with the help of the Knife. Past this door, fans will face yet another boss, and they should dispatch it, exit the room, and fall into the hole to access Corpse, a new floor that is part of the DLC.
Now all that is left to do is to clear to the end of Corpse 2 and beat the boss that is found there. Indeed, coming out of this battle victorious will cause the credits to roll, and players will receive an indication that they have unlocked Jacob and Esau when they come to a close. Fans will also learn that a Strange Door has appeared in the Depths, and the way to get through that portal is yet another mystery to be solved.
What Do Jacob And Essau Do?
Now that players know how to unlock Jacob and Esau in The Binding of Isaac, it's time to take a look at what they can do. Jacob and Esau are some of the most unique characters available in The Binding Of Isaac because they operate together. Although they are clearly two characters, the game treats them as one. They both have their own unique stats and will collide with objects (so it is possible for them to get "separated" if a player moves into something). To "realign" the characters, players can hold the "drop" button, which will firmly plant Esau in place while still giving Jacob freedom of movement.
Here's a look at the stats for each character:
|
Character |
Shot Speed |
Luck |
Tears |
Damage |
Speed |
Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jacob |
1.15 |
1.00 |
3.00 |
2.75 |
1.00 |
5.00 |
|
Esau |
0.85 |
-1.00 |
2.50 |
3.75 |
1.00 |
8.00 |
Here are some other important things to note when playing Jacob & Esau:
- Jacob has 3 normal hearts, while Esau has one soul and one normal.
- If one character dies, they both die.
- If the player enters a cursed door, the character that entered the door first will take the damage. (Both characters will end up in the room).
- Using a bed will only heal the character that touches the bed first.
- Overall Luck for the characters is combined, meaning they start with 0 Luck (1.00 and -1.00 together) and any Luck bonuses will have to be added this way.
- Each character is capable of holding their own items and trinkets.
The Binding of Isaac is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.