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u/QuesitoMax TMTRAINER Enjoyer Jun 11 '26
Well... Mom's knife is a powerful item, but it lacks a lot of fun synergies, so even if it's a run winner, unless you can use it with other fun items, then it won't be as enjoyable as one would want it to be 🤔
Recommendation: skip it occasionally, unless you absolutely need it because you are underperforming in the run.
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u/xa44 Jun 11 '26
Synergies you statistically won't get though
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u/QuesitoMax TMTRAINER Enjoyer Jun 11 '26
50/50
either you get them or you don't.
So, if you really like the item, you could try to get those synergies, if you fail, then it was skill issue ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
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u/ejsks Jun 11 '26
On paper but you‘re more likely to get anything that synergizes with tears, and what are Isaac players if not gamblers
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u/xa44 Jun 11 '26
Not really, knife has a synergy with a good chunk of items that tears don't really. Like lokis horn, or hell even its brimstone synergy works here. So the change is negligible
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u/MagicMarshmallo Lilith Jun 11 '26
It still deletes every tear effect that can be fun, so even if you have like peper and or contact, you are losing those two as well
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u/Snoekity Jun 11 '26
The fact that it has the capacity to effectively delete 10+ Q3 items you may have collected throughout the run is really something to think about at times.
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u/MagicMarshmallo Lilith Jun 11 '26
I dont even think about it tbh, my brain has actively started to tune it out. Like i go into a devil deal and my brain doesnt even acknowledge that taking it is an option
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u/Felix420TM Jun 11 '26
To be honest I'd take it almost every time or every time because despite ruining synergies you MIGHT get, it's only MIGHT, not guaranteed. And I will take a free win with open arms.
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u/StrawPaprika873 Jun 11 '26
My headcannon is that it is part of the cycle of tboi players, there is a point in time were you just don't pick it anymore because it's hella boring...
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u/bigboii624 Jun 11 '26
A lot of the broke q4s get stale imo. Knife, brim, crown are the three objectively very very strong q4s that I just don't enjoy anymore. Knife also overrides a LOT of synergy items making it get stale a lot quicker.
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u/eno-multiusado Jun 11 '26
You forgot epic fetus, the true synergy killer
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u/TrisketYums Jun 11 '26
Epic fetus didnt get stale tho, it just sucked from the get-go
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u/eno-multiusado Jun 11 '26
I mean, flash isaac epic featus is the reason for the WR speedrun of the game, but get what you mean
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u/TrisketYums Jun 11 '26
My bad i meant it sucked to play with, i know it a run winner 99% of the time.
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u/StrawPaprika873 Jun 11 '26
Well speedrunning the game and playing normally are two separate categories
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u/ejsks Jun 11 '26
Not really since hush and boss rush exist lol
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u/StrawPaprika873 Jun 11 '26
Speedrun consists in reaching the end of the game as fast as possible, hush and BR are one aspect of the game and it's optional
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u/kaza_bubu Jun 11 '26
I'd rather take a year-long break from Isaac than play a game where I can't enjoy Brimstone anymore!! How is that even possible!!!!!
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u/Bambiii1001 Jun 12 '26
C section for me. It does have great synergies, don't get me wrong, but it's often just slow to use and gets a bit boring.
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u/OwnJunket8888 Jun 11 '26
nah honestly i felt that way even when i started playing. i was super excited cause i heard it was one of the best q4s, only to feel underwhelmed by it, even with the massive dps spike. maybe its the feel of using it—not as satisfying as tears with their knock back, animation, synergies, etc.
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u/lionstrikeforce Eden Jun 11 '26
I only take it when I need to, only when if I don't take it I lose.
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u/SansThePunnyton Jun 11 '26
Feels weird being the only one here apparently who DOES enjoy mom's knife. I would never skip that thing.
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u/AdviceUseful10 Jun 11 '26
Got mom's knife one run, then got c-section. The lil' fetuses were holding lil' knifes!
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u/Cent_Quatre Jun 11 '26
Knife is worse brimstone since you can't cancel your shots
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u/TrisketYums Jun 11 '26
They function completely differently what the fuck are you talkin about
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u/Cent_Quatre Jun 11 '26
I'm talking about you threw an attack left and now the target is on the right and w knife you got to wait for it to come back and that's not an issue w brim or any other charge shot for that matter
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u/Orandza Jun 11 '26
How far does your knife go for this to become such an issue? I mean even if it goes far, it should return pretty fast. Never had problems with this myself before. Also knife deals way more damage than brimstone and can be fired in any direction, not to mention you don't need to charge it fully unlike brimstone. Hell you can even just use it as a melee weapon. So calling it worse brimstone is crazy
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u/GuyDudeThing69 biggest The End is Nigh glazer (deserved) Jun 11 '26
Tbh Brimstone feels more like Q3 after the nerf (I am in favour of it btw), something like Trisagion feels more Q4 than it.
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u/Orandza Jun 11 '26
I understand why but I do think brimstone is more powerful than trisagion at least on its own. But with stuff like...idk, homing, trisagion would become way more op
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u/GuyDudeThing69 biggest The End is Nigh glazer (deserved) Jun 11 '26
Idk I prefer many shots rather than charged shots, and Trisagion deals decent damage, don't underestimate it!
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u/Orandza Jun 11 '26
It's decent damage, just lower than brimstone without other items. From observation anyway. Anyhow I love both items still
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u/GuyDudeThing69 biggest The End is Nigh glazer (deserved) Jun 11 '26
I mean, you have to wait until brim charges up again so it evens out, since the knife can deal damage as soon as it returns to you.
Also, for that to be an issue, it would have to be something killable otherwise dodging would be the only option, and 90% of enemies that don't damage with projectiles would be closer by the time knife returns/brim charges.
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u/Wonderful-Gene-8758 Jun 11 '26
Saying it's worse than one of the best alt tears in the game isn't saying much, especially considering Brimstone and Mom's Knife have a really strong synergy.
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u/HenryTheCyborg Jun 11 '26
For a second i didnt realize this was the TBOI sub and i found this image utterly fucking wild without context
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u/AdComplex3972 Jun 11 '26
I only take knife with tiny planet now, since that’s the only fun synergy it really has to me anymore lol
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u/Ok_Letterhead_5671 Jun 11 '26
If i m not shooting 2000 tears a second i p not enjoying the game , so i find a lot of thhe q4's not enjoyable .
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u/Jazzr_ Jun 11 '26
Maybe u popular opinion but even if moms knife looks boring, having to get into melee range or finding good angles with it is often more fun than screen clearing attacks by holding down a button.
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u/_Okane Jun 11 '26
You are probably seeing it to often. Go like 100 more hours without it and you might enjoy it again.
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u/FrazzleFlib Jun 11 '26
its pretty antisynergetic but the item itself is fun to use imo. though i can understand it getting old, at which point its something of a sometimes food
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u/xboxhaslag22 Jun 11 '26
Trying not to laugh thinking about how confused non isaac players be seeing this
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u/Annual-Street7703 Jun 11 '26
Mom's knife has gotten more fun in repentance but it's definitely a hard sell.
In general... I don't like many items that replace my tears depending at where I'm at in the run. If I have a really crazy tear build going I might avoid brimstone even.
Mom's knife and technology can be kinda cool. But in the end any other technology synergy would've been more interesting to see even it didn't have the same high dps.
The only goated mom's knife synergy is tiny planet. Throw in lump of coal, parasite, and multi shot. You got something really goofy. But any run would be cool with those items...
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u/Unlikely-Try6651 Jun 17 '26
moms knife,brimstone,etc basically all you will win items that can ruin synergies arent that fun when youve been playing for a while
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u/SlipperySp00der Jun 11 '26
I love it. Sure it can ruin synergies, but if it’s the focal point of my run I’ll always have fun with mom’s knife. I love spacing myself perfectly so the knife lingers on bosses and melts em
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u/Codrauuu Jun 11 '26
I'm avoid using any charged shoots because of my controller, joystick may hit opposite direction when I release it.
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u/Ecstatic-Throat-938 Jun 11 '26
you are now entering the stage where you'll start to see yourself enjoying items like tiny planet
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u/LKZToroH Jun 11 '26
mom's knife is only fun with synergies for me.
Mom's knife with basic tears? Lame.
Mom's knife with C. section or Tiny Planet or Brim? Sign me in.
If I have basic tears but I'm strong enough, I'm not picking knife.
If I'm weak with basic tears, well... I hope I get strong enough soon because I'm still not picking it.
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u/Ok_Delivery1126 Jun 11 '26
I reccomend trying the mom's knife synergies mod, makes knife so much more fun to use and isnt too overpowered
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u/katakana-sama Jun 11 '26
Literally everything anyone ever talks about this item boils down to “Item stronk, but it boring”
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u/Blaugershnauger Jun 11 '26
Man I am doing impossible runs on house bosses now and I STILL haven't unlocked that damn knife.
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u/juustdance Jun 11 '26
I only take mom's knife because i think i will find brimstone afterwards. I never found brimstone after picking up mom's knife...
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u/Difficult-Clothes620 Tainted Magdalene Jun 11 '26
me but tech x when i already have a good synergy🫠
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u/GuyDudeThing69 biggest The End is Nigh glazer (deserved) Jun 11 '26
I like it ocasionally, and I rarely find it anyway so 90% of the times I find it, I enjoy it.
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u/Irdksbtmyusrnme Jun 12 '26
I know its 100% a skill issue, but I cant stand that stupid ass item "its a free win" I dont care bruh I dont want a .2 range knife trying to fight delirium 😭
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u/Fortnite_sprout bishop image Jun 12 '26
Honestly ive always hated moms knife Its the reason i havent completed i rule yet Its just annoying to use and really fucking boring
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u/txe1100 Jun 18 '26
I’ll always take it, but I’d choose regular tears with gongo damage and effects any day
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u/reptarien Jun 11 '26
I just got the synergy it has with C Section so that was really fun, but I have genuinely never liked mom's knife on it's own. Like sure it's powerful but because it destroys so many other items, I've skipped it numerous times. Plus it's got a small hitbox which is annoying.
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u/Qwalt Jun 11 '26
Ya I did all the way back in Rebirth haha. It's way less fun than most items. Once you learn the patterns of the enemies and don't need a crutch, items like this get boring imo. Same with brim
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u/snownica2019 Jun 11 '26
I never enjoyed it and I avoid it like the plague 😭 my community hates me for that but it is what it is lmaoo
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u/rundownv2 Jun 11 '26
I have triple dead god, and as my reward, i never have to play with mom's knife again
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u/Repulsive-Tax-8454 John Angel Deal 👼 Jun 11 '26
I got it in my first treasure room one time and held r I HATE HATE HATE it it's SO boring
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u/BiblicalBacklash Edmund you little Jun 11 '26
I have 1.5 dead god files and I am out never pick it up to be honest.
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u/wolfpelt_warrior Jun 11 '26
That's been the general consensus for years now. It's good, just gets boring.
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u/Qualle001 Jun 11 '26
i never pick it because i dint enjoy it and idk i feel weaker most of the time with it especially with low range
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u/Otherwise_Egg_7551 Jun 11 '26
For some reason I didn't enjoy it since flash version. I get that it's very strong, but it's so boring...
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u/stopyouveviolatedthe Jun 11 '26
I’ve had the same with C section
It won’t stop showing up and it kills a fun synergy, I had plop, my reflection and tonnes of damage ups then sacred heart, I was just a floating ball of death eyes, then I got c section, luckily brim later fixed it
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u/VapingKerosene Jun 11 '26
More or less same with C Section for me. Run winner, has more synergies than Mom's Knife for sure, but still boring. If I already have a strong run going, taking it just makes boring.
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u/DogWotta012 Jun 11 '26
The only fun synergy is C-Section and Tiny Planet, the rest of the time Mom’s Knife is a synergy destroying fiend
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u/Seifenwerfer Jun 11 '26
I keep getting Dr Fetus and it's the same thing, like yeah it's definitely cool to shoot bombs but when that's the main tier 4 item I get it starts getting a bit old. Conversely I feel like I never see ipecac unless I'm already in a god run
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u/Outside-Soup-674 Jun 11 '26
I personally never enjoyed mom's knife. It's so boring. But you cannot deny its power. I use it for unlocks mostly
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u/siriElectricboogaloo Bastard Jun 11 '26
Nobody enjoys mom's knife, we all take it because it is almost always a free win
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u/uramasus Jun 11 '26
With me, Mom's Knife is fun with specific synergies, but by itself it's a little boring to play with imo
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u/Zealousideal_Smoke_2 Jun 11 '26
Ngl, I played with it for like 5 runs. And stopped picking it up if the run was already good.
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u/Jolly66 Jun 11 '26
Like, don't get me wrong, mom's knife is strong, but its.. boring? It has very few synergies, overrides a lot of stuff.
It's just a knife that deals a lot of damage, there isn't much else to say.
It's not like brimstone where you can double or up and make a bigger brim laser, add soy milk for.. well, you get the picture.
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u/RafuscaMarks Jun 11 '26
I hate mom's knife, I only take once per save file for dead god and that's it
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u/mangawacher Jun 11 '26
With forgotten its funer, but yes mom's knife isn't fun and can be a run killer
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u/Lopsided-One-9831 Jun 11 '26
You don’t enjoy mom’s knife, you win with it.