How to kill the trader
Why would you want to do such a horrible thing? Because then you can take all the items he has offered for sale, of course. Of course, buying them is easier, but gold is so hard to find. And sometimes you just need these items to get by, so why not take them with you? Because the shopkeeper is killing you faster than you can get out of his shop. The only choice is to take him out before he takes you out.
The problem with how to do something like this in Spelunky 2 is that so many things are random. The items you own, the items available in the store, and the level layout will be different each time you play. So, instead of a walkthrough, here are tips and tricks you can use to kill the trader in the easiest way possible.
The key is to have the element of surprise. When you enter the store, the merchant will not be aggressive. Only if you are going to steal something or attack it or its items in some way, it will become aggressive. A key change for Spelunky 2 is that the trader will not be aggressive towards you if something else attacks him, such as other enemies or parts of the game world. If you are lucky enough to wreak havoc using something like this you should try, as it can give you openings that you wouldn't have otherwise.
Once you have the lay of the land you need to focus on that first strike. Hitting the trader with a gun or something that will amaze him is ideal. Try setting it up to hit him and can immediately grab a weapon like a shotgun, which you can then use against the trader to get him out quickly.
You still have your whip, but it's not the best option unless there is no other choice. You should also have some bombs and can throw one at him to start a fight, as long as you're not outside. Try to move quickly once you attack. You have to either kill the trader in seconds or prepare an easy and quick escape route.
If you don't run away, keep the pressure on him. Hit it, then pick it up and throw it into a wall, trap, or other obstacle. Keep it up, deal small damage and keep it as staggered as possible. He should drop his own gun, so grab it immediately if possible, then shoot him three times to drop it.
Using these tips and tricks you should know how to kill the trader in Spelunky 2. Make sure to share your best strategies with us if you can.
