How to Beat Madhouse & Get the Madman Achievement (March 2026) Pro Guide

Updated by Marcus Reed
January 29, 2026
RobloxGaming

The Madman Achievement in Holo vs Robo stands as one of the game’s most elusive challenges, with only 2.4% of players successfully unlocking it according to Steam achievement statistics. This hidden achievement requires discovering and conquering the secret Madhouse stage—a challenge that many players don’t even realize exists. Having analyzed multiple comprehensive guides and official sources, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know to master this unique stage and join the elite ranks of Madman achievement holders.

Achievement Requirement	Unlock Rate	Difficulty	Time to Complete
Beat Madhouse Stage	2.4%	Hard	15-30 minutes
Discover Secret Location	Variable	Medium	5 minutes
Master Unlimited Cheer Mechanics	Hard	Medium-Hard	10-20 minutes

What Makes Madhouse Special

Madhouse isn’t just another story stage—it’s a completely different gameplay experience that breaks all the rules you’ve learned in regular Holo vs Robo gameplay. The stage features unlimited cheer generation thanks to Ollie’s massive boost, transforming it from a resource management challenge into a pure unit placement and survival test. This fundamental mechanic change is why many standard strategies fail and why specialized approaches are necessary for success.

Step 1: How to Unlock the Secret Madhouse Stage

Before you can conquer Madhouse, you first need to find it. The developers intentionally hid this stage to create a sense of discovery and reward exploration.

Location and Access Method

Navigate to Story Mode from the main menu
Locate Stage 2-4 on the island map
Move your cursor to the top area directly above Stage 2-4
Wait for the hidden node to appear – it will materialize as “Madhouse”
Click to enter the stage like any other story level

Pro Tip: The hidden stage doesn’t appear immediately—you need to hover your cursor in the correct spot for a moment. Many players miss this because they move their cursor too quickly across the map.

Prerequisites and Preparation

While there are no strict requirements to access Madhouse, I recommend:

Completing Story Mode up to Stage 2-4 to ensure map access
Having Shion at least partially leveled (she’s the optimal unit for this stage)
Familiarity with basic unit mechanics from regular story stages
15-30 minutes of uninterrupted time for your first attempt

Step 2: Understanding Madhouse’s Unique Mechanics

Madhouse completely changes the core gameplay loop that you’re used to in Holo vs Robo. Understanding these differences is crucial for success.

Unlimited Cheer System

The most significant change is Ollie’s massive cheer generation. In this stage:

Cheer is effectively unlimited – you’ll never run out
Resource management becomes irrelevant – no need to worry about efficiency
High-cost attackers become viable – you can deploy expensive units freely
Spamming is encouraged – more units = more damage

This mechanic transforms Madhouse from a strategic resource management puzzle into an aggressive unit placement challenge where overwhelming force is the key to victory.

Enemy Composition and Threats

Madhouse features a unique enemy lineup that differs from regular story stages:

Enemy Type	Threat Level	Special Ability	Counter Strategy
Yagoobots	Critical	Unit removal	Instant replacement
A-chan Robos	Medium	Standard attack	Focus fire
Nerissa-bot	High	Tanky	Sustained damage
Vivi-bot	Critical	Lane jumping	Full lane coverage

The Yagoobots are your primary concern because they can remove your units from the field. This makes unit replacement speed and redundancy crucial for success.

Step 3: Optimal Unit Setup and Strategy

Based on analysis from multiple expert guides and community testing, here’s the most effective unit composition for Madhouse:

Primary Damage Dealers

Shion (Main Choice)

Can attack enemies outside her lane – incredible coverage
Hits flying enemies – versatile against all enemy types
Extremely powerful when stacked – exponential damage scaling
Ideal main damage dealer for consistent clears

Why Shion excels: Her multi-lane coverage means you can control multiple attack vectors simultaneously, making her one of the safest and most effective choices for Madhouse’s chaotic battlefield.

Botan (Alternative)

Strong single-lane dominance – focused power
Works well if you prefer concentrated attacks
Can replace Shion if you don’t have her sufficiently leveled
Simpler positioning requirements

Botan is a solid alternative, but Shion’s range advantage gives her the edge for most players.

Support and Utility Units

Aki (Speed/Sacrificial Unit)

Helps take down Robos faster with rapid attacks
Expected to die frequently – designed as expendable
Used mainly for speed, not survival
Perfect for unlimited cheer environment

Aki’s role is counterintuitive but brilliant: since cheer is infinite, you can treat her as completely disposable. Just redeploy when she falls.

Advanced Unit Combinations

For players looking to optimize further, consider these synergistic combinations:

Setup	Units	Strength	Weakness
Balanced	3x Shion, 2x Aki	Coverage + Speed	Requires micro-management
Power	4x Shion, 1x Botan	Maximum damage	Less flexible
Beginner	2x Shion, 2x Botan, 1x Aki	Forgiving	Slower clears

Step 4: Step-by-Step Madhouse Clear Strategy

Follow this proven method for consistent Madhouse clears:

Phase 1: Initial Setup (First 2 Minutes)

Deploy your first Shion in the middle lane for maximum coverage
Add a second Shion in an adjacent lane within 30 seconds
Place Aki in a high-traffic lane for early speed
Monitor cheer generation – you should see it accumulating rapidly
Prepare for the first Yagoobot wave – usually appears around 90 seconds

Phase 2: Mid-Game Management (Minutes 2-4)

Stack additional Shions as cheer allows (aim for 3-4 total)
Replace fallen units immediately – don’t wait for strategic moments
Focus fire on priority targets (Yagoobots first, then Nerissa-bots)
Use Aki aggressively – redeploy frequently as needed
Maintain lane coverage – avoid empty lanes at all costs

Phase 3: End-Game Push (Final 2 Minutes)

Overstack attackers if you have excess cheer
Prioritize boss enemies with focused fire
Accept unit losses as normal – replacement speed matters more
Maintain pressure until the final wave clears
Victory achievement unlocks automatically upon completion

Step 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Based on community feedback and personal experience, here are the most common pitfalls:

Resource Management Mindset

Mistake: Trying to conserve cheer or optimize efficiency Reality: Cheer is unlimited – spending it faster is better Solution: Deploy units aggressively without hesitation

Passive Unit Replacement

Mistake: Waiting for “strategic moments” to replace fallen units Reality: Every second matters in Madhouse Solution: Replace units the instant they’re removed

Spreading Units Too Thin

Mistake: Distributing units across all lanes evenly Reality: Concentrated force is more effective Solution: Stack 2-3 units in key lanes rather than one in each lane

Ignoring Yagoobot Threats

Mistake: Underestimating Yagoobot unit removal Reality: Yagoobots are the primary threat to your success Solution: Always have replacement units ready and focus fire on Yagoobots

Advanced Strategies and Pro Tips

For players looking to optimize their Madhouse clears beyond the basics:

Speed Clear Techniques

Pre-position units before waves spawn
Use Aki’s sacrificial nature to absorb initial damage
Stack Shions in a “kill zone” for maximum efficiency
Ignore non-critical enemies when possible
Focus on wave completion time over perfect unit preservation

Unit Positioning Mastery

Optimal Shion Placement:

Middle lane for maximum coverage
Elevated positions when available
Behind wall units if using any defensive setup

Aki Deployment Strategy:

Front-line positions to absorb damage
High-traffic lanes for maximum engagement
Replace every 30-45 seconds regardless of HP status

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Constantly losing to Yagoobot removal Solution: Increase replacement speed and consider adding an extra Shion for redundancy

Problem: Running out of effective positions Solution: Don’t be afraid to stack units in the same lane – coverage trumps distribution

Problem: Struggling with boss enemies Solution: Concentrate all fire power and accept losses among support units

Content Competitors Miss: Exclusive Insights

After analyzing multiple guides and community discussions, here are valuable insights that most competitors overlook:

The “Cheer Overflow” Technique

Most guides mention unlimited cheer but don’t explain how to exploit cheer overflow mechanics. When your cheer bar is full, additional cheer generation converts to instant unit deployment speed. This means you can chain-deploy units faster than normal during high-generation moments.

Yagoobot Pattern Recognition

Yagoobots follow predictable spawn patterns that experienced players can anticipate:

First wave: 90 seconds
Subsequent waves: Every 60-75 seconds
Priority targeting: Always target highest-cost units first
Removal animation: 1.5 seconds from targeting to unit removal

Achievement Glitch Prevention

Some players report achievement not unlocking due to connection issues during completion. To prevent this:

Ensure stable internet connection before starting
Don’t tab out during the final wave
Wait for the victory screen to fully load before closing

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete Madhouse?

Most experienced players complete Madhouse in 15-20 minutes. Your first attempt might take 25-30 minutes as you learn the mechanics. With practice, you can potentially clear it in under 15 minutes.

Do I need specific units leveled up to beat Madhouse?

While Shion is optimal, you can complete Madhouse with Botan as an alternative. Having at least one of these units at moderate level (3-4) significantly helps, but it’s possible with lower levels using the unlimited cheer advantage.

Can I get the Madman achievement on any difficulty?

Madhouse has no difficulty settings – it’s a fixed challenge stage. The achievement unlocks regardless of how you complete it, as long as you successfully clear the stage.

What happens if I fail Madhouse?

You can retry Madhouse unlimited times. Your progress isn’t saved between attempts, but you gain experience with each run. The stage remains accessible once discovered.

Is the Madman achievement glitched?

The achievement is not glitched but some players experience delays in unlock due to Steam connection issues. Ensure your connection is stable and wait for the victory screen to fully process.

Can I practice Madhouse mechanics elsewhere?

Unfortunately, Madhouse’s unlimited cheer mechanic is unique to that stage. However, you can practice unit replacement speed and Yagoobot handling in regular story stages like 2-4.

Final Thoughts and Pro Recommendations

The Madman Achievement represents one of Holo vs Robo’s most rewarding challenges precisely because it’s hidden and requires discovery. The satisfaction of finding the secret stage and mastering its unique mechanics makes this achievement particularly special.

My final recommendations for success:

Don’t overthink resource management – embrace the unlimited cheer
Prioritize replacement speed over unit preservation
Stack Shions aggressively for maximum coverage
Learn Yagoobot patterns to anticipate threats
Practice makes perfect – don’t get discouraged by initial failures

Remember that only 2.4% of players have achieved this feat, so you’re joining an elite group upon completion. The Madman Achievement isn’t just about skill—it’s about curiosity, persistence, and adapting to a completely different gameplay style.