Using Heat to keep getting Boss Resources is kinda important for your long term progress, so keep it in mind.
I usually take the timer adjustments to 7min time limit per Floor: without any other adjustments, it is easy to meet, and keeps me from developing bad habits (like kiting enemies around a room forever) which will fail on higher Heats. 7 minutes a Floor is plenty if one is doing what one is supposed to be doing.

Besides that, I would focus on doing the Prophesies for more resources. And Nectar for Relationships. All the Nectar, all the time.

As for the actual Runs, once again, I would not waste too much coin early, in order to afford the Boss Resource in the final shop. Each "freebie" Boss resource you can get without using other resources (coin does not count) makes progress faster, which makes getting out and progressing the story easier and thus faster.


...If you end up despising the timer and just want to get out as easily as possible... Demeter + Athena Duo Boon for infinite Regeneration. You'll have miserable time but it is sure easy getting out when one can not run out of Health as long as one regains Health faster than the enemy damages you on average.

PS: I Love Chiron Bow. You'll find out why.

I try to keep my Heat per weapon even. That way I don't get difficulty whiplash when switching weapons.

keep heat per weapon, cleared 1 heat with sword can add one more, got to the last boss but he bested you then dont add heat to that weapon, its an opotunity to farm some darkness so better use dark regeneration in the mirror)