Barony Secret Levels Guide: Hidden Rewards & Loot

Barony is a roguelike dungeon crawler that rewards exploration and careful observation. While surviving the main floors is challenging enough, the game hides entire secret levels packed with powerful gear, rare artifacts, and unique bosses. Understanding the Barony secret levels is essential for any player who wants to maximize their character's potential and conquer the underworld.

These hidden areas aren't just optional diversions—they contain some of the best equipment in the game, including artifact armor sets and legendary weapons that can dramatically shift the odds in your favor. Whether you're a new adventurer or a seasoned veteran, this guide will walk you through every secret level, its entrance requirements, and the rewards waiting inside.

The Early Game Secrets: Mines and Swamp (Levels 1-10)

The first major Barony secret levels appear during the early game, specifically on stages 2, 3, and 5 in the Mines biome. These areas are relatively easy to access if you know what to look for, and they provide a massive power spike for characters who complete them.

Gnomish Mines (Level 2)

The Gnomish Mines are the first secret level most players encounter. You'll find a trapdoor or hidden entrance somewhere on stage 2 that leads to this dangerous but rewarding area. Based on community reports, the entrance is often concealed behind a lever puzzle.

The primary reward here is the Sphinx's Casque, an artifact helmet that provides +3 armor (repairable to +4) and a massive +8 Intelligence boost. This is especially valuable for magic-focused builds, as Intelligence directly increases your spell damage and mana pool. The mines themselves are filled with golden loot, but be prepared for tough fights against gnomes and their mechanical traps.

Player Tip: You can actually tell if the Gnomish Mines have spawned by reading the text that appears when you enter stage 2. A specific message indicates the secret level is available.

Minetown (Level 3)

Minetown appears on stage 3 and offers a completely different experience from the combat-heavy Gnomish Mines. According to player experiences shared in guides, Minetown has roughly a 50% chance to spawn each run.

Unlike the treacherous Gnomish Mines, Minetown functions as a safe zone. You'll find up to four shopkeepers selling various goods, plus several recruitable humans who can join your party. The map also contains three chests, a Strength Potion, and two Crystal Shards. This is an excellent opportunity to stock up on supplies and expand your party before tackling the harder floors ahead.

Portal to the Underworld (Level 5)

Stage 5 hides one of the most significant Barony secret levels: a portal that leads to the Underworld. Between the Mines and the Swamp biomes, you can break a wall to reveal a passage. This passage leads to a secret stage where you can find the legendary bow Khryselakatos.

Khryselakatos is a magical weapon that occasionally converts your normal arrows into random special ammunition types. This can include piercing arrows, fire arrows, or even explosive shots. The bow cannot break, though it typically starts in a damaged state that you'll need to repair throughout your run.

Mid-Game Secrets: Swamp and Sand Labyrinth (Levels 7-13)

As you progress past the Mines, the Barony secret levels become more complex and require more puzzle-solving or combat skill to access.

Jungle Temple (Level 7)

The Swamp biome on stage 7 contains a hidden Jungle Temple. This secret area is relatively straightforward to find—take the left path before the floor exit and collect gold along the way.

The Green Orb is one of three special orbs you can collect throughout your journey. These orbs are used later to trade with a unique shopkeeper for powerful items. The temple also contains 4 Strength Potions, making it valuable for melee characters.

Haunted Castle (Level 8)

Stage 8 features a Haunted Castle that rewards exploration with the Oracle's Treads, an artifact boot that provides Lesser Warning—revealing nearby moving entities on your map.

The Oracle's Treads are invaluable for avoiding ambushes and tracking enemy movements, especially in the dark corridors of later levels. The hidden chests behind the waterfall often contain additional loot and potions.

Sokoban Puzzle (Level 11)

The Sand Labyrinth introduces one of the most unique Barony secret levels: Sokoban. This is a puzzle level where you must push boulders into pits.

The Djinni's Braces are legendary gauntlets that provide excellent defense and magic resistance. This is a must-have for any character struggling with magical enemies. The puzzle requires patience—rushing or breaking boulders will cost you the artifact.

Minotaur Maze (Level 13)

Stage 13 contains a Minotaur Maze that rewards you with the Red Orb and the divine spear Gungnir.

Gungnir is a powerful spear that pierces enemy defenses and slows targets. Combined with the Red Orb, this secret level provides both immediate combat power and long-term trading value.

Late-Game Secrets: Ruins to Citadel (Levels 16-33)

The later Barony secret levels require significant preparation but offer the most powerful rewards in the game.

Mystic Library (Level 16)

The Ruins biome on stage 16 hides the Mystic Library, a magic-themed secret area containing the Blue Orb and numerous spell books.

The Mystic Library has two hidden chests: one requiring levitation or map-breaking abilities, and another behind a breakable wall. This is an essential stop for magic users.

Cockatrice Lair (Level 28)

Deep in the Crystal Caves, stage 28 contains the Cockatrice Lair. This dangerous area pits you against multiple cockatrices—enemies that can turn you to stone.

The Dragon's Mail is arguably the best heavy armor in the game, providing excellent protection and passive health regeneration. Surviving the cockatrice gauntlet is well worth the effort.

Bram's Castle (Level 33)

The final secret level appears on stage 33 in the Citadel. Bram's Castle contains a hidden room with the Wraith's Gown.

Permanent levitation is incredibly useful in the late game, allowing you to bypass traps, cross lava, and access areas normally unreachable. The mana regeneration bonus also makes this ideal for spellcasters.

The Mysterious Merchant and Orb Trading

After defeating either the Baron or Baphomet, you can find a unique shopkeeper in the sewer system of Hamlet. This Mysterious Merchant accepts the three orbs you've collected from secret levels.

Green Orb Trades

Blue Orb Trades

Red Orb Trades

Important Note: According to recent player reports from July 2025, a game update may have changed how orbs spawn in secret levels. Always verify current patch notes before planning your run around orb collection.

Complete Artifact Armor Set

For collectors and completionists, here's the full artifact armor set you can obtain from Barony secret levels:

FAQ: Barony Secret Levels

How do I access the Gnomish Mines in Barony?

The Gnomish Mines entrance appears on stage 2 of the Mines biome. Look for a lever puzzle that reveals a trapdoor or hidden passage. You can also check the text that appears when entering stage 2—a specific message indicates the secret level has spawned.

What is the best secret level reward in Barony?

The Dragon's Mail from the Cockatrice Lair (level 28) is widely considered the best single reward due to its +5 armor and health regeneration. However, the Wraith's Gown from Bram's Castle offers permanent levitation, which has unique utility for exploration and survival.

Can I miss Barony secret levels permanently?

Yes, most secret levels are only available on their specific floor. If you descend to the next level without exploring, you'll lose access to that secret area. However, the Underworld portal on stage 5 allows you to return later if you choose not to enter immediately.

Do Barony secret levels scale with difficulty?

Secret levels generally have fixed difficulty relative to their floor number, but enemy spawns and loot quality can vary based on your current progress and game settings. Higher difficulty modes may increase enemy density and damage.