Beginner's Guide
Draft system, four resources, opening moves, and the full room tier list.
Read the basicsBlue Prince Day 1 Strategy
Day 1 of Blue Prince is the most misunderstood day in the game. New players treat it as a normal run and try to make progress. Veteran players treat it as a reconnaissance day — they walk, read, and write things down. They don't try to win. This page is what veterans actually do on day 1.
Day 1 mantra: Collect information. Don't try to clear anything. Information from day 1 carries forever; Steps spent on day 1 don't.
Day 1 Goals
By the end of day 1, you should have:
- The four underlined words from the three Vault code letters (Den, Library, Office) — these spell DOOR and give you the Vault code 4558 forever.
- Read the constellation book title on the Entrance Hall bedside table — this is tomorrow's Observatory target.
- Visual memory of which directions the East Wing, West Wing, and Atrium are from the Entrance Hall.
- 30+ Steps still in reserve when you go to bed — Step efficiency matters more on day 1 than reward count.
Day 1 Step Timeline
Recommended Day 1 Draft Path
- Entrance Hall → Hallway. Always take Hallway if offered. Free placement, 2 doors.
- Hallway → Pantry. +5 Steps the first time you enter. This is what keeps you above 40 Steps through phase 2.
- Pantry branch → Library. The Library always contains one of the three Vault letters. Read every bookmarked page.
- Library → Den. Second Vault letter, top-right desk drawer.
- Den → Office. Third Vault letter, corkboard above the writing desk. After this, the code is yours forever.
- Drift back to Entrance Hall. Pick up the constellation book on the bedside table. Note the title.
- Draft Bedroom from the next door. Sleep. End day 1 with ~10–30 Steps remaining.
Reading the Constellation
What NOT to Do on Day 1
- Don't draft the Mine. You can't afford to descend (need 6 Gems). Save the Mine for day 3+.
- Don't enter the Vault. Even if you find it and have the code, opening the Vault on day 1 doesn't progress Room 46 — the Vault must be opened on the same day as the other two conditions.
- Don't burn Keys. Save them. You'll need them on day 4 for Vault + Observatory routes.
- Don't follow the Bedroom too early. The Bedroom is a trap if you draft it in your first 3 rooms — every entry asks "sleep?" and one misclick ends your run.
- Don't read every note in every room. Read only the Den/Library/Office letters and the Entrance Hall book. Other notes can wait.
Day 1 FAQ
How long should day 1 take? About 30–45 minutes real time. You're reading text more than walking.
Can I skip day 1 recon and go straight for Room 46? Not realistically. Without the Vault code and the constellation reading, you can't satisfy any of the three conditions.
What if I can't find one of the letter rooms? End the day and try again on day 2. The Den, Library, Office cards are all in the standard draft pool — most runs they all appear within 15 doors.
Does ending day 1 early waste Steps? No. Steps don't carry. Once you have the letters and the constellation, ending immediately is correct.
Should I take notes? Yes. Real notes, in a real notebook or app. The code 4558 carries forever, but the in-game journal doesn't track everything.
Related Guides
Vault Code 4558
Why the code is 4558 and exactly which words are underlined in each letter.
See the derivationHow to Reach Room 46
The full execution run. Once day 1 recon is done, this is what you're working toward.
Read the routeMansion Map
Visual layout of Mt. Holly. Useful for memorizing the Atrium → West Wing route on day 1.
See the map