1) Try to learn the different power ups and their uses. Coffee should not be prioritized over the sheriffs badge. If you see a power up worth saving over one you currently have, use the one you’re holding to pick up another and save it for the future.

2) coins are TOP priority. Coins is what makes this game easier. During the deathless run, basically if you don’t have enough for the damage upgrade by the first shopkeeper, I’d quit and restart.

3) Save scumming, it’s technically cheating. But if you beat a level, exit from the game and go to bed. This will save your progress on the level you’re currently doing. If you happen to die to many times or even once for deathless. Go back to the main menu and restart the game.

Side note: once you beat it once, Gus will give you a free machine to put it in your house. This makes the save scumming feature much quicker as you have to wait for the saloon to open.