So, you just solved the sphinx’s Easy Riddle, got your hands on the infamous Deck of Many Things, drew a terrible card, and immediately hit F9 to reload your save. But wait—you drew the exact same card. You loaded again. Same card.
I feel your pain. The game quietly rolled a 1d100 in the background while your character was still stumbling around the opening area and locked it into your save file. By the time Olzis hands you the deck and says, “Fate is sealed,” she isn’t just delivering cool flavor text. She is telling you a mechanical truth.
But don’t panic. There is a secret way to reroll your RNG, and specific draw chains you can exploit. Here is your cheat sheet to surviving the deck.
Quick Overview: The Deck of Many Things Cheat Sheet
| First Draw Result | Odds | Card Effect | What To Do Next |
| FOOL | 10% | Permanent Disadvantage | Reload your save or Reroll. Do not keep this. |
| SKULL | 30% | Fight Death in Rock-Paper-Scissors | Throw Rock. Draw again to get JESTER. |
| FLAMES | 20% | Empty threat from a lazy devil | Draw again. Moves you down the safe chain. |
| ROGUE | 20% | Empty threat of betrayal | Draw again. Moves you down the safe chain. |
| BALANCE | 15% | Stat Swap (+2/-2) (Currently Bugged) | Draw again. Leads to the GEM payout. |
| GEM | 5% | 50,000 Crowns | Draw again (if brave) for SKULL -> JESTER, or Stop and buy a mansion. |
How to Reroll Your Locked Fate (The Avikness Trick)
If you got stuck with the FOOL card (or just want to guarantee the GEM), there is exactly one way to force the game to reroll your predetermined 1d100.
Before you draw a single card, track down Avikness, the droopy-eyed dwarf hanging around the Waterlane docks near the Freestrider HQ. Initiate dialogue and ask him about the deck.
CRITICAL WARNING: You will get a dialogue option that says, “Here. Draw a card.” DO NOT CLICK THIS. Avikness will instantly draw the GEM card, permanently steal your 50,000 crowns, tip you 1,000, and vanish. You lose the deck forever.
Note: There is currently a known bug where you cannot exit this dialogue screen without surrendering the deck. Make a hard save before talking to him, and file a bug report!
Instead, choose: “Which card should I draw?” Avikness will point at the deck, reshuffling it esoterically. This triggers a fresh 1d100 reroll in the game’s code. This is your second chance.
The Draw Chains: It’s Not Random Anymore
After your first draw, the deck stops being random. It follows strict, predetermined paths. Stopping at any point triggers a safe ending where the deck peacefully vanishes.
Path 1: The Good Chain
If you drew FLAMES or ROGUE, congratulations, you are on the safe path. Both of these cards make ominous threats about devils and betrayals, but mechanically, they do absolutely nothing. You are safe to keep drawing.
- The Path: FLAMES/ROGUE ──► BALANCE ──► GEM ──► SKULL ──► JESTER ──► DONJON
- BALANCE: Lets you +2 one stat and -2 another. (Currently bugged; doesn’t apply the stats).
- GEM: Drops a bag of 50,000 crowns in amber nickels. You can stop here and be rich, or push your luck.
- SKULL: You are teleported to a void to play Rock-Paper-Scissors with Death (Doden). Ignore your DEX stat panicking and telling you to pick Scissors. Always throw Rock. Death mirrors what beats you, so Rock is the only winning move. (Choosing “Accept Death” gives an achievement but kills your run).
- JESTER: The holy grail. Grants Permanent Advantage on all checks, forever. * WHEN TO STOP: Stop immediately after getting JESTER. The next card is DONJON, which is instant death.
Path 2: The Cursed Chain
If you drew the FOOL card, you receive a permanent grinning brand on your wrist that gives you Permanent Disadvantage on all checks, forever. It cannot be cleansed.
- The Path: FOOL ──► KEY ──► DONJON
- KEY: Grants Tol’s Sword, a legendary Urthguard Blade.
- WHEN TO STOP: Honestly? Don’t even start. If you draw the FOOL, load your save and go see Avikness for a reroll. A legendary sword is not worth permanent disadvantage for the rest of your playthrough.
Editor’s Recommendations:
- The Ultimate Stone Demon Boss Guide for Borderlands 4
- How to Recruit Meek the Mimic in Esoteric Ebb?
FAQs
Q: Why isn’t Braxo the devil attacking me after I drew FLAMES?
A: Because Braxo is incredibly lazy. If you run into him during Election Day, he admits the deck told him to torment you, but he figures your life is hard enough and decides to just sit back and watch instead. It’s a brilliant bit of writing that turns a terrifying card into a harmless joke.
Q: I accidentally clicked “Accept Death” during the SKULL card. Can I get out of it?
A: Nope. Doden will give you a warm embrace and a game over screen. Enjoy your “End of the String” achievement, but you’ll have to reload your save to keep playing.
Q: Is there any fix for the Avikness dialogue bug yet?
A: As of the latest patch, no. If you get locked in his dialogue screen, your only options are to let him steal the deck or Alt-F4. Always save before approaching the Waterlane docks.
