Kingdoms of the Dump is one of the most charming indie JRPGs to come along in years. Built by real-life janitors at Roach Games, this SNES-styled adventure drops you into the Lands of Fill, a fantasy world made entirely of garbage and junk.
You play as Dustin Binsley, a trash can knight on a quest to rescue the kidnapped King Globespin and stop the toxic Grimelin Army.
It’s a wild ride full of puns, platforming, and surprisingly deep turn-based combat.
But this game doesn’t hold your hand for long.
Whether you’re just starting out or a few hours in and feeling stuck, these Kingdoms of the Dump tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your adventure.
Understand the Grid-Based Combat System
Combat takes place on a 3×6 grid split between your party and the enemies. You can move one square per turn, and positioning matters more than you’d expect.
Characters closer to the front deal more damage but also take more hits.
Push Dustin forward since he can handle the punishment, but keep squishier characters like Cerulean and Lute toward the back row.
Watch for hazard tiles that enemies create on the grid.
These deal damage or inflict status effects, so repositioning to avoid them should take priority over attacking. Some boss fights also shrink the grid, making smart positioning even more critical.
Master Timed Hits Early
Inspired by Super Mario RPG, every attack and defense action has a timed button press that gives you a bonus.
Nail the timing on offense for extra damage, or on defense to reduce or dodge incoming hits.
You’ll see a “WOW” pop up when you get it right. The timing is different for each character and enemy attack, so spend your early battles practicing with Dustin and Ratavia.
These bonuses feel small early on but become huge later in the game. Building that muscle memory now saves you real frustration in tougher fights down the road.
Manage Your Metal Points Wisely
One of this game’s most unique mechanics is Metal Points (MP).
Unlike most JRPGs, resting at an inn doesn’t restore them. Your entire party shares a single MP pool, and it drains fast.
There are only a few ways to restore MP: using Dustin’s Rust ability on metal objects in the environment, consuming rare items, or draining MP directly from enemies.
Because MP fuels both special attacks and healing spells, treat it like a precious budget.
Save your big MP abilities for boss fights.
Use basic attacks and smart positioning to handle regular encounters, and always keep enough MP in reserve for emergency heals.
Use Dustin’s Metal Drain Ability Often
Metal Drain is arguably the most important ability in the game.
It lets Dustin siphon MP from enemies, and the return is usually more than what a single spell costs. This makes it your most efficient way to keep the party running.
Get into a rhythm early.
Have Dustin spend a turn draining while another character heals or attacks.
This drain-and-spend loop becomes the core strategy that carries you through the mid and late game, especially before Cerulean gives you access to party-wide healing.
Switch Characters to Find Secrets
Each of the six playable characters has a unique overworld ability.
Dustin can Rust metal objects, Ratavia can Climb, Walker Jacket can shoot targets with his Gun, Cerulean creates Bubbles for bouncing, and more.
Many areas have paths and secrets only accessible with a specific character’s ability. Always revisit earlier locations once you unlock new party members.
Those hidden spots often contain powerful gear or Metal Point statues that permanently boost your max MP.
The game has over 20 hidden zones across the map. Make it a habit to swap through your characters whenever you enter a new area.
Explore Everything and Save Before Platforming
The game uses an isometric perspective with full platforming, so you’ll be jumping across gaps and climbing ledges constantly.
Treasure chests hide on rooftops, behind buildings, and in every corner of the overworld map.
The platforming can be a bit finicky due to the camera angle.
Save before tricky platforming sections since there are rare cases where a bad jump can get you stuck on geometry.
Walker Jacket is the best character for platforming thanks to his floaty movement.
Cerulean’s Bubble bouncing is needed for certain wall climbs but feels imprecise. Take those sections slow and be patient with the stacking mechanic.
Take Advantage of the Boiling Point System
Every character has a Boil meter that fills as they take damage or use certain items.
When it maxes out, their attack is replaced with a Boiling Point super move, similar to Limit Breaks in Final Fantasy VII.
Each character’s Boiling Point has a unique input. Dustin’s requires rapid directional presses.
Pay attention to the on-screen prompts when each one triggers for the first time.
During boss fights, let your tankier characters absorb hits to build their meter faster. A well-timed Boiling Point attack can completely turn the tide of a difficult encounter.
Don’t Ignore the Stove and the Empty Bottle
Two easily overlooked mechanics can give you a real edge.
The Stove lets you cook food that grants powerful party buffs, and the Empty Bottle can be filled at water sources for free healing items.
Since healing resources are scarce and MP is precious, a filled bottle is free sustain that doesn’t cost Metal Points. Top it off every time you pass a water source.
Cook whenever you find a Stove. The stat buffs stack on top of your gear and make a noticeable difference in harder fights.
Know Your Party Members and Their Roles
Only three characters can be in your active combat party at once. Here’s what each one brings to the table.
Dustin is your tank and utility fighter. Metal Drain keeps the party fueled, and his Boiling Point attacks hit hard. He should almost always be in your lineup.
Ratavia is a fast rogue who deals excellent single-target damage with her daggers and Feral Claws skill. A reliable pick for most of the game.
Walker Jacket is a ranged gunman who deals damage safely from the back row. His Trick Shots add solid versatility to any team.
Lute is a bard who buffs allies and debuffs enemies. He becomes more useful in longer, tougher fights where those stat swings add up.
Cerulean is your dedicated healer and magic user. He’s the first character with party-wide healing, making him nearly essential for the late game.
Musk is a shapeshifting stinkbug who adapts to different situations. He’s the most versatile member and can fill whatever role your team is missing.
Save Often and Use Multiple Save Slots
Here’s one of the most practical Kingdoms of the Dump beginner’s tips: save frequently and rotate between multiple save files.
The game is ambitious and the developers are actively patching, but you may hit the occasional bug.
Some players have reported getting stuck behind objects or quest NPCs not appearing correctly. A backup save from 15 minutes earlier lets you recover without losing meaningful progress.
Always save before boss fights and before entering new dungeons.
Dungeons can be lengthy, and a clean save at the entrance gives you the option to leave and restock if things get rough.
Side Quests and the Overworld Are Worth Your Time
Don’t rush the main story.
Side quests reward extra experience, unique items, and sometimes access to areas you can’t reach otherwise. The game has at least 25 side quests, and some unlock ultimate weapons and character abilities in Act IV.
Once you get the Airship, the overworld opens up completely.
Fly across the map and revisit old kingdoms from the sky.
There’s no overworld combat, so there’s zero penalty for just exploring freely.
Keep Your Item Slots Stocked Smartly
The game has limited inventory space, so being strategic about what you carry matters.
Always prioritize Jumper Cables (and their upgrades) for reviving fallen party members.
Stock healing items alongside your Empty Bottle as backup.
If you have room, carry items that interact with the battlefield grid like fire tile bottles or regen tiles for boss fights.
Sell outdated gear at shops instead of letting it take up space. Clips add up, and having extra cash means you can grab the best equipment when it matters most.
Those are all the essential tips and tricks for Kingdoms of the Dump.
The Lands of Fill have a ton to discover, and these beginner tips should give you a strong foundation as you dive deeper into this trashy, wonderful adventure.
Now get out there and save those garbage kingdoms!
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Images in this article are from the Kingdoms of the Dump page on Steam and used under Fair Use.