Hey there, fellow Megabonk enthusiast! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard mixed things about Spaceman. Some players swear he’s trash, while others claim he’s secretly one of the most rewarding characters to master. Well, I’m here to tell you that after spending countless hours testing every possible build and strategy, I’ve cracked the code on making this space-faring adventurer actually work.
Let me be real with you right from the start – Spaceman is definitely not for beginners. When I first picked him up, I got my butt handed to me repeatedly. His slow movement speed and weak early game had me questioning my life choices. But there’s something incredibly satisfying about mastering a character that everyone else struggles with, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do together today.
Who is Spaceman Really?
Before we dive into builds, let’s understand what we’re working with. Spaceman is classified as a C-tier character in Megabonk, which basically means he’s at the bottom of the power rankings. But don’t let that discourage you! What he lacks in raw power, he makes up for with unique mechanics that, when used correctly, can turn the tide of battle in ways other characters can only dream of.
Key Stats:
- Tier: C-tier (High skill ceiling)
- Difficulty: Very Hard
- Playstyle: Crowd Control / XP Scaling
- Signature Weapon: Black Hole
- Passive Ability: Quantum XP Theory (+1.5% XP gain per level)
When I first read about his passive ability, I didn’t think much of it. But let me tell you, once you start stacking XP bonuses and leveraging this scaling, things get absolutely insane. I’ve had runs where I was leveling up so fast that I could barely keep up with the item choices!
How to Unlock Spaceman?
Alright, so you’ve decided to take on the challenge. First things first – you need to actually unlock Spaceman, and let me tell you, it’s not exactly a walk in the park.
Unlock Requirements:
- Level the Knockback Tome to level 10 – This unlocks his signature Black Hole weapon
- Complete any 6 challenges – I recommend going for tier one challenges since they’re the quickest
- Purchase Spaceman for 21 Silver – Once you’ve completed the above tasks
When I was working on unlocking him, I made the mistake of trying to complete the hardest challenges first. Don’t be like me! Stick to the easy ones and save yourself the headache. The Knockback tome leveling can take some time, but it’s worth it to get that Black Hole weapon.
The Big Debate: Is Spaceman Actually Viable?
Before we get into the builds, I want to address the elephant in the room. If you’ve spent any time on the Megabonk Steam forums or Reddit, you’ve probably seen players calling Spaceman “trash” or “unplayable.” And honestly, I can see where they’re coming from.
When I first started playing Spaceman, I felt the same frustration. His movement speed is painfully slow, his early game damage is pathetic, and I kept getting wrecked by the simplest enemies. But here’s the thing – Spaceman isn’t meant to be played like other characters.
The Community Split:
- Haters say: “Too slow, weak early game, Black Hole has range issues”
- Lovers say: “Best verticality in the game, amazing crowd control, scales incredibly well”
From my experience, both sides are right. Spaceman does have serious weaknesses, but his strengths are unique and powerful when leveraged correctly. The key is understanding that you’re playing a completely different game compared to S-tier characters like Dicehead or Robinette.
Build #1: The Classic Black Hole Crowd Control
This is the build you’ll see in most guides, and for good reason – it’s the most straightforward way to make Spaceman work. I’ve refined this build through dozens of runs, and I can tell you it’s incredibly satisfying when it comes together.
Core Philosophy
The idea here is simple: use Black Hole to group enemies together, then obliterate them with area-of-effect weapons. It’s all about controlling the battlefield and turning enemy hordes into your personal damage amplifiers.
Weapon Priorities
| Weapon Type | Best Choices | Why I Choose Them |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Black Hole | Your signature weapon and the heart of this build |
| Secondary | Bananarang | Consistent ranged damage for enemies outside Black Hole range |
| Tertiary | Bone | Excellent for clearing stragglers and single-target damage |
When I’m running this build, I always prioritize getting Black Hole as early as possible. The Bananarang is my go-to secondary because it synergizes perfectly with the crowd control playstyle. Bone comes in handy when you need to deal with those annoying high-health enemies that Black Hole struggles with.
Tome Selection
This is where most players mess up their Spaceman builds. You can’t just grab random tomes and hope for the best. Here’s what I’ve found works best:
| Tome Priority | Best Choices | My Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Projectile Speed | Makes Black Hole activate faster and pull enemies more effectively |
| Essential | Size | Increases Black Hole radius – bigger is always better for crowd control |
| Important | Cooldown Reduction | More Black Holes = more crowd control = more survivability |
| Situational | Damage | Helps scale your damage once you’ve got the control aspects covered |
I can’t stress enough how important Projectile Speed and Size are for this build. When I first started, I ignored these and focused on damage, and my runs consistently failed. Once I switched to prioritizing these two tomes, my success rate skyrocketed.
Item Recommendations
Items can make or break your Spaceman run. Here are my go-to choices:
| Item Priority | Best Choices | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Must-Have | Gym Sauce | Flat +10% damage boost that scales well into late game |
| High Value | Overpowered Lamp | Increases proc chance – perfect for Black Hole’s multiple hits |
| Situational | Moldy Cheese | Great if you’re running a projectile-heavy build |
I’ve found that Gym Sauce is pretty much non-negotiable for this build. That flat damage boost makes such a difference, especially in the early game when you’re struggling to survive. Overpowered Lamp is another favorite of mine because it synergizes so well with Black Hole’s multi-hit nature.
Build #2: The XP Scaling Monster
This is the build that really opened my eyes to Spaceman’s potential. When I first discovered how powerful his Quantum XP Theory passive could be, I was absolutely blown away.
Core Philosophy
Instead of focusing on immediate damage, this build is all about stacking XP bonuses and leveraging Spaceman’s passive to create exponential leveling. The idea is to survive the early game and then snowball into an unstoppable force.
Key Components
- XP Gain Items: Stack as many as possible
- Survival Stats: HP, regeneration, armor
- Level-Scaling Items: Anything that gets stronger per level
- Black Hole: Used defensively for crowd control
When I run this build, I’m playing the long game. I accept that my first 10-15 minutes will be rough, but I know that once I hit that critical mass of XP bonuses, I’ll start leveling up so fast that enemies can’t keep up.
Tome Selection for XP Build
| Tome Priority | Best Choices | My Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | XP Gain | Multiplies with your passive for exponential growth |
| Essential | Max HP | You need to survive the weak early game |
| Important | Cooldown Reduction | More Black Holes for safer leveling |
| Useful | Luck | Helps with better item drops |
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the verge of giving up on a run, only to have my XP bonuses finally kick in and suddenly I’m leveling up every few seconds. It’s an incredible feeling when this build comes online.
Build #3: The Survival Tank
Sometimes, you just need to survive. This is the build I recommend when you’re still learning Spaceman’s mechanics or when you’re facing particularly difficult maps.
Core Philosophy
Stack defensive stats to the moon and use Black Hole purely as a defensive tool. This build won’t win any speed records, but it will keep you alive long enough to learn the character’s intricacies.
Defensive Focus
- Max HP Items: Build the biggest health pool possible
- Regeneration/Lifesteal: Constant healing to offset weak early game
- Armor/Resistance: Reduce incoming damage
- Black Hole: Used exclusively for crowd control and creating space
When I’m teaching friends how to play Spaceman, I always start them with this build. It’s forgiving and lets them focus on learning Black Hole placement and timing without constantly worrying about dying.
Build #4: The Alternative Axe Duration Build
Now, this is where things get interesting. I discovered this build on Reddit, and it completely changed how I think about Spaceman. Instead of focusing on Black Hole, this build uses Axe as the primary weapon with some absolutely insane results.
Core Philosophy
This build throws conventional wisdom out the window. Instead of Black Hole, you’re focusing on Axe with Duration and Size tomes to create overlapping fields of destruction. It’s completely different from anything else you’ll see in mainstream guides.
The “Never Lucky” Approach
What makes this build unique is that it deliberately avoids Luck, XP, and Curse tomes. Instead, you’re very specific about which items you enable and which you banish:
Items to Enable:
- Skuleg
- Boss Buster
- Clover
- Bracelet
- Oats
Items to Banish:
- Medkit
- Burger
- Wrench
- Glove
- Gym Sauce
- Cheese
- Ring
When I first tried this approach, I was skeptical. But let me tell you, the results speak for themselves. By being so selective about items, you create a very focused and powerful build that scales incredibly well.
Tome Selection for Axe Build
| Tome Priority | Best Choices | Why They Work |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Cooldown | Best damage scaling due to lifesteal and on-hit effects |
| Essential | Size | Increases Axe AOE for better coverage |
| Essential | Armor | Makes you incredibly tanky |
| Essential | Duration | Each 15% duration = 15% more damage for Axe |
I was absolutely shocked when I discovered how powerful Duration tome is on Axe. A green upgrade gives you 15% duration, which effectively means 15% more damage since Axe can multihit enemies. That’s twice as much damage as the actual Damage tome!
Strategy Timeline: When to Do What
One of the biggest mistakes I see new Spaceman players make is treating every phase of the game the same. Spaceman has very distinct power spikes, and understanding this timeline is crucial to success.
0-10 Minutes: Survival Crisis
This is, without a doubt, the hardest part of any Spaceman run. Your movement is slow, your damage is pathetic, and everything feels like it’s trying to kill you.
My Survival Strategy:
- Play extremely defensively – your life depends on it
- Use Black Hole primarily for defense, not offense
- Focus on kiting and avoiding damage at all costs
- Prioritize survival items over damage
- Accept that progress will be slow – this is normal
I can’t stress this enough: most Spaceman runs fail in this phase. You need to be patient and prioritize staying alive over dealing damage. I’ve lost count of how many runs I ended early by getting greedy and trying to fight when I should have been running.
10-20 Minutes: Building Power
Once you’ve survived the initial onslaught, you can start thinking about actually building your character.
My Building Phase Strategy:
- Start collecting Cooldown Reduction for Black Hole uptime
- Add XP gain items to leverage Quantum XP Theory
- Look for AOE weapons that benefit from grouping
- Continue prioritizing survival stats
- Practice Black Hole placement and timing
This is where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your Black Hole should be coming off cooldown more frequently, and you should have enough survival stats to actually take a few hits.
20-30 Minutes: Coming Online
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Your build should finally be coming together, and you should start feeling powerful.
My Power Phase Strategy:
- Quantum XP Theory should be providing noticeable XP gains
- Black Hole cooldown should be low enough for frequent usage
- Pair Black Hole grouping with your best AOE weapons
- Start playing more aggressively if survival is comfortable
- Focus on synergies between your items
When I hit this phase, I always get a bit excited. This is where Spaceman transforms from a struggling weakling into a legitimate threat. It’s an incredible feeling when everything finally clicks into place.
30+ Minutes: Late Game Scaling
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’re in the endgame now, and Spaceman can be absolutely terrifying with the right setup.
My Late Game Strategy:
- High character level amplifies Quantum XP Theory benefits
- Frequent Black Hole casts for constant crowd control
- Well-rounded build should handle most situations
- Focus on positioning and mechanical execution
- Use Black Hole strategically to control the battlefield
I’ve had some of my most memorable Megabonk moments in this phase with Spaceman. There’s something incredibly satisfying about going from barely surviving to completely dominating the battlefield.
Advanced Techniques That Changed My Game
Once you’ve got the basics down, these are the techniques that will really separate you from casual Spaceman players. I learned these the hard way through trial and error, but I’m going to share them with you to save you the frustration.
Predictive Black Hole Placement
This is probably the most important skill to master with Spaceman. Instead of casting Black Hole directly on enemies, you need to predict where they’re going to be.
My Technique:
- Watch enemy movement patterns
- Cast Black Hole slightly ahead of where enemies are moving
- Account for different enemy speeds
- Use terrain to funnel enemies into your Black Hole
When I first started, I was constantly casting Black Holes on empty space because enemies had already moved away. Once I learned to predict their movement, my hit rate improved dramatically.
Corner Trapping
This is a pro-level technique that I absolutely love. By casting Black Hole near map edges or corners, you prevent enemies from escaping the gravitational pull.
Why It Works:
- Enemies can’t run away from map edges
- Creates perfect grouping for AOE weapons
- Maximizes Black Hole’s effectiveness
- Works especially well in indoor maps
I discovered this technique by accident during a particularly difficult run, and now I use it all the time. It’s incredibly effective against fast-moving enemies that would normally escape Black Hole’s pull.
Cooldown Management
With enough Cooldown Reduction, you can maintain multiple Black Holes on the field simultaneously. This is game-changing for crowd control.
My Cooldown Strategy:
- Stack Cooldown Reduction whenever possible
- Cast second Black Hole before first expires
- Maintain constant crowd control
- Use the overlap period for maximum damage
When I first achieved permanent Black Hole uptime, I felt like I had discovered a cheat code. It completely transforms how Spaceman plays and makes him incredibly powerful.
Burst Timing
This is all about patience and timing. Instead of immediately attacking enemies pulled by Black Hole, wait a moment for maximum grouping.
My Timing Strategy:
- Cast Black Hole and wait 1-2 seconds
- Let enemies get pulled into the center
- Attack when grouping is at its peak
- Maximize AOE damage on tightly packed enemies
I used to attack immediately after casting Black Hole, which meant I was hitting enemies as they were being pulled in rather than when they were tightly grouped. This simple timing change dramatically increased my damage output.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made pretty much every mistake possible with Spaceman, and I want to save you from the same frustration. Here are the biggest pitfalls I see players fall into.
Playing Too Aggressively Early
This is probably the #1 reason Spaceman runs fail. His early game is weak, and playing aggressively will get you killed every time.
My Advice:
- Be patient in the early game
- Focus on survival over damage
- Accept that progress will be slow
- Use Black Hole defensively, not offensively
I learned this the hard way after countless failed runs. Once I embraced the defensive playstyle in the early game, my success rate improved dramatically.
Ignoring Survival Stats
It’s tempting to grab damage items immediately, but they’re useless if you’re dead.
My Survival Priority:
- Max HP before damage
- Regeneration/lifesteal for sustainability
- Armor for damage reduction
- Damage only when you can survive
I can’t tell you how many runs I ended early by prioritizing damage over survival. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
Wrong Weapon Choices
Spaceman’s entire kit is built around crowd control, so single-target weapons are generally a poor choice.
Good Weapon Choices:
- AOE weapons that benefit from grouping
- Projectile weapons with good coverage
- Weapons that synergize with Black Hole
Bad Weapon Choices:
- Single-target weapons
- Weapons with no AOE component
- Weapons that don’t benefit from enemy grouping
I once tried to run Spaceman with a single-target focus, and it was one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had in Megabonk. Stick to AOE and projectile weapons.
Forgetting Quantum XP Theory
Spaceman’s passive is incredibly powerful, but many players forget to leverage it.
My XP Strategy:
- Stack XP gain items when possible
- Leverage the 1.5% XP per level scaling
- Focus on high-density enemy areas
- Use Black Hole to group enemies for efficient killing
When I first started playing Spaceman, I completely ignored his passive. Once I started building around it, I was amazed at how much faster I was leveling up.
Map-Specific Strategies
Different maps play very differently with Spaceman, and understanding these differences is crucial to success.
Forest Maps: Spaceman’s Paradise
Forest maps are where Spaceman truly shines, thanks to his moon gravity ability.
Why Forest Maps Are Great:
- Lots of vertical space for floating
- Moon gravity lets you traverse the map easily
- Indoor areas provide good corner trapping opportunities
- Generally more open spaces for Black Hole placement
When I’m playing on Forest maps, I feel like Spaceman is actually an S-tier character. The moon gravity ability is incredibly powerful here and completely changes how he plays.
Desert Maps: The Struggle is Real
Desert maps are, unfortunately, where Spaceman struggles the most.
Why Desert Maps Are Hard:
- Wind effects can launch you into the sky
- Black Hole range issues when floating
- More open spaces make it harder to control enemies
- Generally less vertical cover
I’ve had some of my most frustrating Spaceman experiences on Desert maps. The wind effects combined with Black Hole’s range issues when floating can make for a really rough time.
Indoor Maps: Corner Trapping Heaven
Indoor maps provide excellent opportunities for the corner trapping technique I mentioned earlier.
Why Indoor Maps Work Well:
- Lots of corners and walls for trapping
- More predictable enemy movement patterns
- Limited space makes crowd control more effective
- Generally easier to control battlefield
When I’m playing on indoor maps, I’m constantly looking for corner trapping opportunities. The limited space makes Black Hole incredibly effective here.
Item Synergies That Will Blow Your Mind
Understanding item synergies is what separates good Spaceman players from great ones. Here are the combinations that I’ve found to be absolutely game-changing.
Black Hole Synergies
These are the items and stats that directly enhance Black Hole’s effectiveness:
| Synergy | Effect | Why It’s Amazing |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hole + Cooldown Reduction | Constant crowd control | More Black Holes = more control |
| Black Hole + Duration | Longer grouping | More time to damage grouped enemies |
| Black Hole + Size | Larger pull radius | Catches more enemies from further away |
| Black Hole + AOE Weapons | Maximum damage | AOE weapons excel against grouped enemies |
When I first discovered the Cooldown Reduction synergy, it completely changed how I played Spaceman. Being able to cast Black Hole constantly is incredibly powerful.
Quantum XP Theory Synergies
These combinations leverage Spaceman’s unique passive ability:
| Synergy | Effect | Why It’s Amazing |
|---|---|---|
| XP Items + Quantum XP Theory | Exponential leveling | The more XP you get, the faster you level |
| Level-Scaling Items + XP Build | Snowball effect | Items get stronger as you level faster |
| High Enemy Density + XP Build | Maximum XP gain | More kills = more XP = faster scaling |
I can’t even describe how satisfying it is when these XP synergies kick in. Watching your level skyrocket is an incredible feeling.
Survival Synergies
These combinations help you survive Spaceman’s weak early game:
| Synergy | Effect | Why It’s Amazing |
|---|---|---|
| Max HP + Regeneration | Tankiness | Large health pool with constant healing |
| Lifesteal + AOE Weapons | Group healing | Heal from multiple grouped enemies |
| Armor + HP | Damage mitigation | Take less damage with larger health pool |
When I’m running a survival-focused build, these are the synergies I prioritize. They’ve saved me from countless deaths in the early game.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked a lot of questions about Spaceman, so I wanted to address the most common ones here.
Is Spaceman worth unlocking early?
Absolutely, yes! While he’s definitely not beginner-friendly, Spaceman offers a unique playstyle that’s incredibly rewarding once mastered. His Black Hole weapon provides crowd control capabilities that few other characters can match. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about mastering a character that most players struggle with.
Can I play Spaceman without Black Hole?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Black Hole is Spaceman’s signature weapon and is central to all of his most effective builds. While you can make other weapons work, you’re missing out on what makes Spaceman unique. If you want to try something different, I’d suggest the Axe Duration build I mentioned earlier, but even that benefits from having Black Hole as backup.
Should I build damage or speed first?
Start with speed (Agility), then scale damage. Spaceman’s biggest weakness in the early game is his slow movement speed. I always prioritize Agility tomes or movement speed items first to help me survive. Once I’ve got my mobility sorted out, then I start focusing on damage. This approach has saved me from countless early-game deaths.
Why does everyone say Spaceman is trash?
There’s some truth to the criticism, but it’s overstated. Spaceman does have legitimate weaknesses – he’s slow, his early game is weak, and he requires specific builds to be effective. However, players who call him “trash” are usually trying to play him like other characters. Spaceman requires a completely different approach, and when played correctly, he can be incredibly powerful.
What’s the best map for Spaceman?
Forest maps, without a doubt. Spaceman’s moon gravity ability is incredibly powerful on Forest maps, where there’s lots of vertical space to work with. Indoor maps are also good because they provide plenty of corners for trapping enemies. Desert maps are definitely the most challenging due to wind effects that can launch you into the sky.
How long does it take for Spaceman to “come online”?
Usually around 15-20 minutes. Spaceman has a notoriously weak early game, and you need to be patient during the first 10-15 minutes. Around the 15-20 minute mark, you should start hitting your power spikes and feeling much stronger. By 30 minutes, a well-built Spaceman can be absolutely terrifying.
Final Thoughts and Personal Experience
After spending so much time with Spaceman, I can honestly say he’s become one of my favorite characters in Megabonk. Yes, he’s challenging. Yes, he has weaknesses. But there’s something incredibly rewarding about mastering a character that most players give up on.
When I first started playing Spaceman, I was frustrated constantly. I died to the simplest enemies, struggled with Black Hole placement, and couldn’t understand why anyone would play this character. But something kept me coming back – maybe it was the unique mechanics, or maybe I’m just stubborn.
Now, after dozens of hours and countless runs, I can confidently say that Spaceman is not just viable – he’s incredibly powerful in the right hands. The key is understanding that you’re not playing a traditional damage dealer. You’re playing a battlefield controller who turns enemy hordes into weapons against themselves.
If you’re willing to put in the time to learn his mechanics, embrace his weaknesses, and master the art of Black Hole placement, Spaceman will reward you with one of the most unique and satisfying playstyles in Megabonk.
So go ahead, give him a try. Be patient in the early game, focus on survival, and don’t get discouraged when things get tough. Trust me, when you finally hit that power spike and start melting through enemy hordes with perfectly placed Black Holes, you’ll understand why I love this character so much.
Happy bonking, and may your Black Holes always find their mark!
Want more Megabonk content? Check out our gaming section for more guides and strategies. And if you found this guide helpful, be sure to bookmark it for future reference – I’ll be updating it as new strategies and discoveries emerge!