Lil' Slugger

A common weapon that deals no damage but knocks back an adjacent unit 5 tiles. Pure displacement — use it to push enemies off hazard tiles, into walls, into each other, or off ledges. Pairs well with Focus Band (which adds chain knockback to crits) or any build that benefits from battlefield positioning control. Part of the Wood set.

A 5-tile knockback is massive — it can throw enemies across nearly any standard map tile to a completely new position. The zero damage means Lil' Slugger is entirely a utility tool; its value depends entirely on map geometry and what hazards or positions are available to exploit. Enemies knocked into walls stop at the wall, while those knocked over ledges or into environmental hazards may take additional damage. The melee requirement means you need to be adjacent, but the positioning payoff can outweigh that risk.

Lil' Slugger shines on maps with hazard tiles, environmental drops, or chokepoints where knocking an enemy back creates maximum disruption. It's especially useful for separating a dangerous enemy from your vulnerable backline, buying critical turns of breathing room. Combine it with knockback-enhancing items or abilities for chain displacement effects. Even without environmental synergy, shoving an enemy away from an ally who was about to be attacked can save a run — don't underestimate the defensive utility of repositioning a threat 5 tiles away.