In diversity races, each racer starts with the same 5 items:
- 3 random passive items
- 1 random active item
- 1 random smelted trinket
These items are given in addition to the character's original passive items and resources. These items are hidden from the player until the race starts.
Furthermore, characters with an active item (e.g. Magdalene with the Yum Heart) are given the Schoolbag so that they can hold both their normal active item and the new diversity active item. However, this does not apply to Eden and Tainted Eden because we want to prevent players rolling their build with the D4, D100, etc. (For more information, see "Item Bans" below.)
In general, the extra power level increase from these 5 items is a fun boost at the beginning of a run. However, you don't always start with "good" items! One of the most interesting things about diversity races is that it forces players to use the items in the game that they would not normally pick up. This puts players in unique situations that they would never otherwise be in.
To cut down on the reset time to get the run going, the first Treasure Room will always have 2 item pedestals. From Basement 2 onwards, the Treasure Rooms will be normal.
The following items are removed from all items pools, because they override tear effects. Note that it is still possible to start with them as one of the 3 random passive items.
- 114 - Mom's Knife
The following items are also removed from all item pools, because they allow you to re-roll your build, which spoils the fun.
- 283 - D100
- 284 - D4
- 489 - D Infinity
- 622 - Genesis
- 703 - Esau Jr.
The following trinkets are removed, because they allow you to re-roll your build, which spoils the fun.
- 154 - Dice Bag
Some items hardly have an effect on the playstyle of the run. Thus, the following items are excluded from the pool of random items given:
- 15 - <3
- 16 - Raw Liver
- 22 - Lunch
- 23 - Dinner
- 24 - Dessert
- 25 - Breakfast
- 26 - Rotten Meat
- 29 - Moms Underwear
- 30 - Moms Heels
- 31 - Moms Lipstick
- 59 - Book of Belial (Birthright)
- 92 - Super Bandage
- 176 - Stem Cells
- 194 - Magic 8 Ball
- 226 - Black Lotus
- 238 - Key Piece #1
- 239 - Key Piece #2
- 253 - Magic Scab
- 258 - Missing No.
- 334 - The Body
- 339 - Safety Pin
- 344 - Match Book
- 346 - A Snack
- 355 - Mom's Pearls
- 428 - PJs
- 455 - Dad's Lost Coin
- 456 - Midnight Snack
- 474 - Broken Glass Cannon
- 541 - Marrow
- 550 - Broken Shovel (Top)
- 551 - Broken Shovel (Bottom)
- 552 - Mom's Shovel
- 626 - Knife Piece #1
- 627 - Knife Piece #2
- 633 - Dogma
- 636 - R Key
- 656 - Damocles (Passive)
- 659 - Tropicamide
- 668 - Dad's Note
- 707 - Supper
- 714 - Recall
- 715 - Hold