Overview
Duration Tome increases how long attacks and projectiles persist in the world before disappearing. This creates longer-lasting effects, better battlefield control, and more opportunities for damage. Particularly powerful with lingering projectiles and AoE zones.
Key Benefit: Projectiles and effects that linger in the world will stay active significantly longer, covering more area and hitting more enemies over their lifetime. This tome transforms short-lived attacks into persistent battlefield control tools.
Duration Progression (Estimated)
Based on ~+15% per level community data. Actual values may vary by weapon:
Visual Duration Comparison
See the dramatic difference Duration Tome makes (example values):
Longer duration = better battlefield control, more total damage, and safer positioning!
Note: Base duration varies by weapon. Poison Flask starts at 3s, Flamewalker at 1.5s, etc.
Effects
- Projectiles and lingering effects last longer before disappearing
- Works well with weapons that cover large areas or create zones
- Extends both offensive and utility effects, depending on your build
- Creates overlapping layers of damage with consistent attack speed
- Improves battlefield control and area denial
- Increases total damage output for duration-based abilities
- Moving projectiles travel farther (alive longer = more distance covered)
Weapon Compatibility
Duration Tome effectiveness varies dramatically by weapon type. Using official weapon names:
Lingering projectiles, AoE zones, and persistent effects:
How to Unlock
Unlock Duration Tome
Requirement: Upgrade Axe to Level 10
To unlock Duration Tome, you need to fully upgrade the Axe weapon to Level 10. Axe is a spinning projectile weapon that benefits greatly from duration itself, making this a thematic unlock. Focus on picking up Axe upgrades during runs to progress toward this unlock.
Synergies
Strategy Guide
- Best used with weapons or skills that linger, like AoE fields, spinning attacks, or slow projectiles
- Not as strong on weapons with instant-hit attacks
- Strong pick for players who want more screen control and safer zoning
- Excellent for area denial builds that keep enemies at bay
- Combine with Size for maximum battlefield dominance
- Particularly powerful in boss fights with adds
- Test with your weapon first - if it doesn't create lasting effects, skip Duration
When to Use Duration Tome
- â Perfect for: Lingering projectile weapons (Axe, Bananarang, Tornado)
- â Perfect for: AoE zone weapons (Poison Flask, Flamewalker, Aura)
- â Perfect for: Builds focused on screen control and area denial
- â Perfect for: Combining with Size/Cooldown for overlapping coverage
- â Skip for: Instant-hit weapons (Lightning Staff, melee with no projectiles)
- â Skip for: Single-target focused strategies
- â Skip for: Fast-moving projectiles that already cross the screen quickly
Pro Tips
- At high levels, provides massive duration bonuses - effects can last many times longer than base
- Unlock is tied to Axe progression, so some players may not see it until later
- A situational but very powerful Tome in the right build
- Works exceptionally well with "set and forget" AoE weapons
- Duration affects projectile travel time, making slow projectiles cover more distance
- Can turn mediocre screen coverage into complete battlefield dominance
- Base duration varies by weapon - Poison Flask (3s), Flamewalker (1.5s), etc. Check weapon tooltips!
Community Tier Ratings
Tier Note: Duration Tome is highly build-dependent. Community ratings vary significantly based on weapon choice and playstyle:
- For duration-based weapons: Often rated as top-tier (S/A-tier) by multiple sources
- For instant-hit weapons: Generally rated low-tier (C/D-tier)
- Twinfinite & PCGamesN: Ratings vary by build context
This tome's value is entirely dependent on your weapon loadout. Always evaluate based on your specific build rather than general tier lists.
Data Accuracy & Version Notes
đ Data Sources & Confidence
- Values: ~+15% per level - community-reported based on v1.0.7-era testing (September 2025)
- Max Level: Widely reported as ~99 by multiple community sources but not officially documented
- Unlock: Axe Level 10 - verified across multiple sources (October 2025)
- Weapon Names: Official game names used throughout based on TheGamer and Steam guides
- Weapon Base Durations: Based on Steam community guides showing weapon-specific values
- Version: Based on v1.0.7-v1.0.12+ data (September-October 2025)
â ī¸ Always verify current patch values in-game. Base duration varies significantly by weapon - check tooltips for accurate numbers. Megabonk is in active development; mechanics may change.