GLOOM is one of the final biomes introduced in PEAK: The Final Ascent, appearing after ALPINE or MESA and before THE CITADEL. Its thick fog gradually puts climbers to sleep, while ghosts, hostile frogs, and dangerous terrain make navigation even harder. Surviving consistently means managing the sleep effect, using safe areas above the fog, and carrying equipment such as Candlesticks that can counter several of the biome’s threats at once.
GLOOM can initially feel overwhelming because visibility is poor and many of its mechanics punish players who spend too long at ground level. Once you understand how the fog, Belltowers, and enemies work, however, the route through the biome becomes much more manageable.
How the Sleep Fog Works in GLOOM
The enormous layer of fog covering GLOOM is the biome’s defining hazard. You’ll regularly need to travel through it, but remaining submerged gradually builds the sleep effect.
Instead of treating the fog as a place to linger, move between elevated safe points whenever possible. Rocks and trees that extend above the fog give you an opportunity to recover while also providing a better view of the surrounding terrain.
Several items can also counter the sleep effect, including:
- Candlesticks
- Faerie Lanterns
- Cure Alls
- Fortified Milk
Managing this status effect should be your highest priority. Spending too much time exploring inside the fog without a recovery plan can quickly derail an otherwise strong run.
Use Candlesticks and Belltowers Whenever Possible
Candlesticks are among the most valuable items you can bring into GLOOM. They can be found in Luggage and remain active for approximately 30 seconds after being lit.
While active, a Candlestick helps remove the sleep effect, making it especially useful when you’re forced to spend an extended period inside the fog.
Belltowers provide a similar benefit on a much larger scale. These structures are scattered throughout GLOOM and can create useful safe points during your journey.
Lighting Belltowers also gives you recognizable landmarks in a biome where the fog makes navigation difficult. If you’re unsure whether you’ve already explored an area, previously activated towers can help you retrace your route.
How to Deal With Ghosts
GLOOM’s ghosts are dangerous, but they give you an audible warning before attacking. Listen for their distinctive whirring sound. When you hear it, check behind you immediately.
Getting hit is best avoided because a ghost explodes on contact and applies cold buildup.
Unlike some of GLOOM’s other creatures, ghosts can be destroyed. Both Candlesticks and Belltowers can burn them away, giving those light sources another important purpose beyond controlling sleep.
Destroying a ghost this way can also unlock the Exorcist badge.
Avoid the Frogs
Frogs inhabit GLOOM’s swampier sections, particularly around water and lily pads. Unlike ghosts, these creatures aren’t something you should try to eliminate.
Instead, keep your distance.
A frog can grab a player with its tongue, inflicting damage and causing them to ragdoll. Even when the attack doesn’t put you in immediate danger, being thrown around wastes valuable time and can leave you in a bad position while the sleep effect continues building.
When crossing swamp areas, watch the water and surrounding lily pads before committing to a route.
Best Items for GLOOM in PEAK
GLOOM heavily rewards utility equipment that deals with status effects or provides a quick escape from the fog.
| Item | Why It’s Useful | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Cure All | Restores hunger and removes negative status effects, including sleep | Ancient Idol / Ancient Luggage |
| Faerie Lantern | Clears status effects, prevents sleep buildup, and burns ghosts | Ancient Idol / Ancient Luggage |
| Fortified Milk | Temporarily provides damage immunity, helping protect against the sleep effect | Luggage |
| Rope Cannon | Lets you reach or hang from trees above the fog while recovering | Luggage |
| Candlestick | Removes sleep buildup and can destroy ghosts for a limited time | Luggage |
| Glider | Helps cross large horizontal gaps from elevated positions | Luggage |
| Jetpack | Provides a quick way to escape above the fog temporarily | Luggage |
The Faerie Lantern is particularly strong because it answers several GLOOM mechanics with one item. Cure All is another valuable emergency option when negative effects are already becoming difficult to manage.
Mobility tools shouldn’t be underestimated either. A Rope Cannon, Glider, or Jetpack can help you spend less time exposed to the fog in the first place.
Use Trees and Rocks as Recovery Points
You don’t need an item every time sleep starts accumulating. The terrain itself provides opportunities to recover.
Whenever possible, climb onto rocks or trees extending above the fog. These elevated positions let the sleep buildup subside and give you time to identify your next destination.
Think of GLOOM as a series of short trips between safe elevated locations rather than one continuous trek through the fog. Planning your next climb before descending can prevent you from getting stranded without enough stamina or useful equipment.
A Rope Cannon is particularly effective for this approach. If there’s a suitable tree overhead, you can use it to get away from the fog and wait for your status bar to recover.
Don’t Climb the Iron Fences
Not every structure in GLOOM is a useful climbing surface. Iron fences damage players who attempt to climb over them, so look for another route instead of treating them like normal obstacles.
This is particularly important when you’re already dealing with sleep buildup. Taking unnecessary damage while searching for a shortcut can turn a manageable situation into an emergency.
Follow Stone Scouts When You’re Lost
Poor visibility can make it difficult to determine where to travel next. Stone Scouts can point you toward useful items and Belltowers, making them valuable navigational aids.
Belltowers themselves can then serve as landmarks. Activating each one you encounter creates a rough trail through GLOOM and makes it easier to tell which sections you’ve already visited.
The safest overall strategy is to keep moving from one elevated position or Belltower to another, minimizing your time inside the fog. Save Candlesticks and stronger recovery items for situations where remaining submerged is unavoidable, stay clear of frogs, and listen carefully for incoming ghosts. With those habits in place, reaching THE CITADEL becomes considerably less dangerous.
