Death in the Box: A beginner’s guide

Modified Sep 17, 2024 13:59 GMT

Roblox Death in the Box (Image via Roblox)

Death in the Box is a chaotic horror game where you must compete with up to 15 other players to survive a deadly card game. Each match is conducted by a CPU-controlled clown, who distributes cards with random effects. A player's fate is determined based on their luck, the cards given to them, and whether they can put the cards to good use at the perfect time.

This guide covers the essentials of Death in the Box and gives you a rundown of its basic gameplay elements.

Getting started in Death in the Box

Overview

Official cover art for the game (Image via Roblox)

The game starts by having all players vote on a map. With the map decided, each one is seated around a round table, with the match-conducting clown sitting atop. The clown holds a music box from which he can pull out one object among a gun, a throwing cleaver, a selection of cards, or a bomb.

Once the match starts, the clown will randomly target a player and present one of the objects to them. The player must react accordingly in order to survive. If one doesn’t react in time or if the clown decides to shoot them, they die and the match progresses.

Cards play a major role in determining whether one survives or not, thanks to the myriad effects tied to them. Certain cards have offensive effects that target other players, while others defend the wielder from the clown’s assault. At certain intervals, the game gives each player one random card, using which they can shift their strategy.

Naturally, once a player dies, they are no longer able to participate, and the final survivor is declared the winner.

Also read: Death Penalty: A survival guide

Controls

Since the game is solely about sitting around a roundtable, there aren’t many controls to keep in mind. You will mostly require the Left Mouse Button to interact with the objects or players in the match.

However, you can use the standard movement controls (W, S, A, D) while in the lobby.

Gameplay Mechanics

Starting a match with 16 players (Image via Roblox)

Match Progression: The progression of a match is directly tied to player survival. The more players get eliminated in a match, the faster the rounds will progress. Furthermore, the clown becomes even more lethal as the number of survivors dwindles. Your objective is to survive by using the cards you receive wisely.
Cards: Cards define the ebb and flow of a match since they are the only things that can help you survive. Each card is single-use only and can only be played when targeted by the clown. You can use cards like the Shield to protect yourself from the clown’s gunfire or rely on those like Vengeance to eliminate another player. Cards are only distributed at the start of a match and after a certain number of participants have perished.
The Bomb: One of the random items the clown can use is a bomb. He lights up the explosive and tosses it at the targeted player, which triggers a minigame reminiscent of Hot Potato. The targeted player must pass the bomb on to another before it explodes, and the recipient must do the same. The player who receives the brunt of the explosion is eliminated.
Cosmetic Shop: You can win Cash at the end of each match, which can be used to purchase various cosmetic items from the in-game shop. The available items include custom death sounds, animation sets, chair skins, and more. However, there are no items in either the regular or the premium shop that can give you an edge over others.
AFK World: You can passively earn Cash by entering the AFK World. The AFK World rewards you for doing nothing every once in a while, making it a great way to stock up on the game’s primary currency. Any Cash you earn can then be used at the cosmetic shop for various items and effects.
Spins: Approaching the Spinning Wheel grants you a free spin once every 24 hours. Spinning the Wheel gives you a chance to earn Cash and cosmetic items for free. Additional spins can be purchased using Robux.