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Minecraft: Reclamation Modpack

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The Game

This modpack is a major overhaul of the Minecraft you’re used to seeing. You spawn in a desolate world, there are no more trees, no grass, no ores. The only things remaining are dead trees, ruins which hold some copper blocks and wasteland bees. From this bare minimum you will have to rebuild and rewild the world – no small task. There are also less hostile mobs coming out at night than before – husks, skeletons, cave spiders, creepers and endermen, you’ll have to bring animals back too.

You start out getting bits of copper from the ruins and you are then introduced to the Theurgy mod which eventually allows you to get your first dirt blocks – luckily you can get seeds by breaking the dried grass still left in this world and begin your journey. The early game is quite focused on crops – you will have to selectively breed and combine crops to progress from the base 4 types to re-discovering all other types of crop and seed. The first major milestone is cuprosia – a plant that allows you to grow copper. From there, more mods start coming in and opening up avenues to create and reintroduce more materials, plants and nature.

Worth it?

The modpack is quite magic heavy – there are some very interesting mods and the work put in to make them all work together and work sequentially in the quest line is truly impressive. There is one mod that does let down the pack a little bit and a lot of the consensus online seems to back this – embers rekindled. At it’s heart it’s got some good things, but the trial and error element of using the Exchange Tablet can be very frustrating for players. While at its heart it is essentially a version of a mastermind game where you have to match elements to positions, it can be very frustrating and losing hard earned materials in this was can also be demoralising.

It is a slow pack, things take time and sometimes a lot of steps. It takes some considerable time to get to automation and making your life easier and more efficient. You have to enjoy the journey and take your time, if you enjoy that, enjoy building and the magic mods, you will definitely have fun. The custom quest line offers a strong reason to keep going and trying new things, getting familiar with particular mods requires more reading and experimenting with specifics. You can easily spend 30+ hours on the quest line alone. The work done by people to put together this amazing modpack is truly commendable.

Tips

  • In the early game focus on the crops, getting all 10s cuprosia will help massively with getting copper and using the watering can makes a huge difference to how quickly you can grow crops
  • Use a mastermind solver to for the exchange tablet to help solve it.
  • Once you get saplings a 4×4 Spruce tree is a great way to farm dirt by digging up the podzol it creates
  • Once you can make the botanist gear (with infused iron), create that and the aura cache so you can repair your gear and sword
  • In order to increase your Enchanted altar’s capacity plant a large variety of plants around it (not all plants contribute so do check), there’s also a cap on how much each plant will contribute – make it varied, various trees, mushrooms (also big ones), crops all contribute – in order to get a mob head – use the botanist’s sword when fighting mobs as it increases the chance of heads dropping.
  • Don’t ignore the agricraft seeds – this will be one of the most reliable ways to automate gold, iron, lead and other metal production in the mid game – combined with some automated Create farms you will have plenty of metals coming from these
  • Feeding the Herbivorous Absorber with flowers will actively generate aura in an area (it takes a lot)
  • Use a potency lens with the mana spreader in order to increase its mana output – longer term set up a semi automated solution with endoflames and the mana spreader pointing at a splitter and a few pools.
  • Once you start unlocking Create parts it’s worth making a mechanical saw, which massively speeds up cutting down trees (especially big spruce trees)
  • Read the books for each of the modpacks – there’s a lot of useful info in each of them for specific items and structures
  • Setting up a variety of automated farms with the various agricraft seeds will see you into the late game and take away some of the resource grind

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Cifi: Cells Idle Factory Incremental

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The Game

Cifi: Cells Idle Factory Incremental is an early access games developed by Octocube games. The game is currently only available on Android. The title of the game is fairly self explanatory – we have a sci-fi themed idle game based around generating “cells” and more generators that generate more cells. You start off with MK1 generators which generate cells, you then proceed to buy MK2 generators which generate MK1 generators, which as we already know make cells – this cycle underpins the entire game.

The games has several other currencies that you progressively build up in a variety of ways, it also has a good deal of upgrades you can make to various things in order to increase your cell production. The aspect of the game that really sold it to me was the loop mod research tree. “Loop Mods” are the game’s prestige element, so when you’ve reached a point where you think you are better off resetting you perform a loop and invest your accrued mod points into powerful upgrades. As with all idle games, it’s essentially just a lot of upgrades that make numbers go up – but it’s also so much more and when a completionist gamer such as myself sees a tree like that – I am hooked.

As you progress and acquire more cells you can invest them into a variety of ships, each ship is responsible for a different menu and shop. Each shop has new upgrades or currencies to be collected to help improve your earnings. If all of that wasn’t enough the game also has a couple of arcade mini-games, namely Cubeboy Snek and Bling Blong which may bare resemblance to games you already know.

Worth it?

The ad-free version will set you back around £4.99, this will allow you use the 2x cells booster permanently and collect token and diamond gem chests without watching videos. There are also several other packs and options, but this one is definitely the best value and a great way to support the devs. The tokens are especially worth it as it makes the token shop a lot more accessible without having to watch videos.

The game is also still in development with constant new additions, new ships and new ways to grind even cells. The game goes incredibly deep and has gigantic potential to keep you busy for ages. Each play session may not be necessarily be very long, but the long term unlocks and features will keep you coming back for ages. It would be nice to see a little bit more connection between the arcade game and the main game, for example getting some tokens from it. It would also be nice to have a confirmation pop up before purchasing Zagreus as it can be quite easy to click on purchasing it, rather than saving it for later in the run.

Overall the game has an amazing amount of depth, the loop tech tree on its own will keep you hooked until you get all the upgrades, partner that with the increasingly expensive spaceships, each unlocking a new currency or way to grind makes this an absolute must play for any idle game fanatics out there.

Tips

  • Find the balance between short and long runs – in the beginning, before unlocking shard mining you may find yourself doing more short runs in order to accumulate more mod upgrades.
  • Each time you loop make sure you invest in mod point production – either through shortening ticks, increasing the MP production or reducing the tick requirement exponent.
  • Try to avoid getting the Zagreus on longer runs as other upgrades or things you may purchase may increase MP – the loop/MP accumulation process only begins when you purchase it. (Sometimes this is easier said than done as it’s quite easy to miss-click and purchase it)
  • Evolving your ships gives them a permanent boost that persists through loops.
  • In the early game use your level up points to increase the MP you get per loop.
  • You can also get MP upgrades in the diamond and coin shop – prioritise these.

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AI Experiment: Choose Your Own Adventure Sci-Fi

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Preface: Another experiment with ChatGPT, this time prompted to include D&D elements. Note you’ll need 2 d6 dice to play, you can use this.

Starship Paradox: A Sci-Fi Choose-Your-Own-Adventure

Setting: The year is 3125. Humanity has spread out among the stars, colonizing planets and creating a vast intergalactic network. You are Captain Alex Mercer of the starship Paradox, currently docked at the Nexus Station, a massive spaceport located at the crossroads of several major trade routes.

Objective: Your mission is to transport a mysterious artifact known as the “Quantum Prism” to the research facility on the planet Veridion. However, the journey is fraught with danger as various factions desire the Prism for their own ends.

Starting Equipment:

  1. Quantum Prism
  2. Laser pistol
  3. Holo-communicator
  4. 20 Galactic Credits
  5. A pair of six-sided dice (for decision-making)

You’re in the main control room of the Paradox, preparing for departure. Your communications officer, Lira, informs you of a message. It’s a bounty hunter named Korax, warning you to hand over the Prism or face consequences.

Choice A: Negotiate with Korax. (Go to Passage 3)

Choice B: Prepare the ship for a potential attack and depart immediately. (Roll the dice. If the total is 5 or above, go to Passage 5. If less, go to Passage 6.)

Passage 3:

Korax offers 50 Galactic Credits in exchange for the Prism.

Choice A: Accept the offer and give him the Prism. (Go to Passage 7)

Choice B: Refuse the offer and end the communication. Prepare for potential combat. (Go to Passage 6)

Passage 5:

Your quick actions allow you to depart the station without any confrontation. The journey to Veridion is smooth. However, you receive a distress signal from a nearby ship.

Choice A: Investigate the distress signal. (Go to Passage 9)

Choice B: Ignore the signal and continue to Veridion. (Go to Passage 11)

Passage 6:

Korax’s ship approaches! A battle ensues. Roll the dice.

  • If total is 4 or below: Your ship sustains damage, forcing you to dock at a nearby moon for repairs. (Go to Passage 8)
  • If total is 5 or above: You fend off Korax’s attacks and make a successful escape. (Go to Passage 5)
Passage 7:

You’ve traded the Prism for credits. As you ponder your next steps, Lira discovers that the Prism was a fake! The real one is hidden in the cargo bay.

Choice A: Pursue Korax and retrieve the credits. (Go to Passage 12) Choice B: Continue to Veridion with the real Prism. (Go to Passage 5)

Passage 8:

While repairing the ship, you encounter a tribe of moon-dwelling aliens. They offer to aid your repairs in exchange for the Prism.

Choice A: Trade the Prism for their help. (Go to Passage 10)

Choice B: Politely decline and continue with the repairs. (Roll the dice. If 5 or above, repairs are successful and go to Passage 5. If less, go to Passage 13)

Passage 9:

The distress signal comes from a merchant ship attacked by space pirates. They offer a reward for assistance.

Choice A: Help the merchant ship and fight off the pirates. (Roll dice. If 5 or above, succeed and go to Passage 14. If less, go to Passage 15)

Choice B: Avoid the conflict and continue to Veridion. (Go to Passage 11)

Passage 10:

The moon-aliens fix your ship, but now possess the Prism. You resume your journey, but without the precious cargo.

End of Adventure. Outcome: Failed Mission.

Passage 11:

You arrive at Veridion and deliver the Prism, successfully completing your mission. However, the adventure in the vast cosmos continues…

End of Adventure. Outcome: Successful Mission.

Passage 12:

You track down Korax and confront him. Roll the dice for a showdown.

  • If 4 or below: Korax escapes, and you lose the credits. (Go to Passage 7)
  • If 5 or above: You reclaim the credits and continue your journey. (Go to Passage 5)
Passage 13:

The repairs fail, leaving you stranded on the moon. The moon-aliens approach again, this time in larger numbers and seeming hostile…

End of Adventure. Outcome: Stranded.

Passage 14:

You rescue the merchant ship and earn gratitude, additional credits, and a powerful ally in the merchant guild.

Go to Passage 11.

Passage 15:

The pirates overpower you, looting your ship and leaving you adrift in space…

End of Adventure. Outcome: Marooned.

Pokémon Emerald Rogue ROM Hack

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The Game

Pokémon Emerald Rogue (developed by Pokabbie) is a ROM Hack that turns your favourite franchise into a roguelike. Similar to other familiar games in the genre you navigate routes making careful choices. On the procedurally generated routes you can encounter wild Pokémon with which to build your team, trainers and items. There are also several other types of location that you may encounter – strong trainers, who will give you one of their Pokémon if you beat them, Legendary or strong Pokémon encounters and market/shop locations (there are 3 types of shop – market, battle items and a full rest stop which even has a heal).

At the end of each route and level you will encounter a mighty trainer – before you beat the game once these will be specific to Hoenn, but after you beat the champion once you will unlock gym leaders and Elite 4 from more regions. Additionally after beating the champion you also unlock the national dex giving you access to Pokémon up to Gen 8! If you a Pokémon faints on a run it is gone forever and if you lose all your Pokémon the run ends. When the run ends you are returned to your HUB, which where you can purchase permanent bag items (TMs, potions, balls, berries, etc) – as you complete more quests and runs the HUB will upgrade and offer you more options, for example the safari zone where you can catch a new starter to take on your next adventure.

There are several kind of adventure – the standard roguelike experience described, the gauntlet where you build a team then take on all trainers in one go at level 100, rainbow mode where gym leaders can have any type of Pokémon. Each of these can be played as both single or double battles, giving you a great deal of replay value. Every time you complete a run you earn cash to spend in your HUB which will allow you to do better in your next run, there are also numerous quests that will permanently improve the HUB or give you access to new items, berries or rare candies.

Worth it?

As with all ROM Hacks this game is 100% free. The amazing community and passionate fans of Pokémon deserve so much more than they expect. Personally I play this on my phone using a GBA emulator (My Boy!), the premium version of which will cost you around £5, but will let you play any ROM you want, so definitely worth the investment (there is also a free lite version). If you are playing on PC then there are even more free options for you to explore.

The game itself is brilliantly challenging and while you can cheat a bit with save states on the emulator it is worth experiencing it for it’s true brutal self. For those who enjoy nuzlocks and even those who don’t it is a very rewarding experience. Having Pokémon and moves all the way up to Gen 8 gives this game a huge amount of depth. A great offline mobile or PC game that will tickle your Pokémon nostalgia while also satisfying your itch for roguelikes, deep strategy and a good challenge.

Tips

  • There are 3 types of route – CALM, AVERAGE and TOUGH – the tougher the route the more trainers and items there will be.
  • The second word describing routes refers to the type of Pokémon you can find on it.
  • One of the houses in the HUB will allow you to customise the config for your runs – allowing you to enable different Pokedexes or gym leaders/elite four.
  • Make sure you fight the challenger before each gym leader – they will quickly bring you to the level cap.
  • Try to avoid fights on routes as they could potentially kill one of your Pokémon.
  • You can use rare candies to over level before gym leaders.
  • By pressing “A” on the page with a Pokémon’s Stats will show you it’s IVs and EVs.
  • Anything you buy in the HUB you can carry into your next run, which is very useful with items like Leftovers

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Rogue Adventure: Roguelike RPG

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The Game

Rogue Adventure: Roguelike RPG is an Android game developed by SharkLab Mobile. While the graphics may come across as quite basic or unassuming, don’t be fooled by this incredibly deep roguelike. The game follows much of the standard roguelike elements and a huge variety of playable classes and cards to unlock. Each run sees you take on 5 levels followed by a secret boss level. Occasionally you will also find hidden boss levels within normal ones.

Currently there are 3 ways to play the game – Classic, Hell or Void. Classic is a standard run through of the game, after you complete it with a class you can then start attempting Inferno levels – these make enemies stronger and give you more starting gold. Hell mode gives you less rewards, doesn’t recover health after a boss, enemy damage increases every 5 turns, trap rooms and more. Void is basically a quicker and simplified map with a random deck. Inferno levels are available for all modes after you complete a run.

The game has an incredible 13 classes to choose from, each unlocked by completing runs with other classes and each with it’s unique traits, abilities and cards. Each class also has 3 class bonuses that can be unlocked by completing other types of run (most often you are required to beat each mode at Inferno 2 to unlock an ability). The classes range from traditional ones like Warrior and Wizard to slightly more obscure ones like Pirate, Rune master and Warden.

Worth it?

While the game does offer ads for additional cash or EXP, the ads are entirely optional and non-intrusive. Purchasing the ad removal is a touch on the expensive side – £8.49, but this does allow you to get a free gold chest in every market room and is also a great way to support the developers.

Overall the game is great for any rogue-like fans out there, it’s a great mobile game both as a free to play and a paid game. The amount of characters and unlockables will also keep you coming back for more giving the game decent replay value. The game is also fully functional offline and quite efficient in terms of battery usage. It would be nice to see the game come to iOS as well.

Tips

  • Overcharging and additional mana are key to really buffing your stats in a fight.
  • Quest cards can be quite useful when upgraded to the max.
  • You can purchase skills from the shops, try do so every time you visit one.
  • Keep your deck lean and focus on cards that synergise well with your other cards and class
  • Avoid fights where possible.
  • Learn enemy attach patterns, try to armor up if you know they will attack and watch out for special moves or abilities.

Useful Links

High Rise

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The Game

High Rise is a minimalist merge puzzle game by smpl Games. The concept of the game is very simple – place coloured blocks on a grid, place 2 same size blocks next to each other and they’ll merge. Keep placing blocks around the merged ones and they’ll keep merging provided the number of surrounding blocks matches the height of the already merged block. Sometimes you will get 2 high blocks with 2 different colours so you have to be even more strategic with where you place them. The game offers a variety of grid sizes to play in with the smallest being a 3×3 and the largest being a 7×7. There are also a variety of colours to play in and the largest setting allows a zen mode. The game is lost when you have filled all possible positions and no more merges are possible.

Worth it?

The game is very aesthetic and beautifully simple. It also includes a “pay as much as you want” option to purchase which is a nice touch. The ads aren’t overly intrusive on the free version, but for as little as £1.99 you can support the developers and purchase this great time killing game. It’s a perfect fit for portrait mode and works well offline as well. It’s a great game for short stints when you need to kill 5-10 minutes or if you want a slightly longer session you can play on the 7×7 grid. It’s a very relaxing and quite addictive concept and definitely worth checking out.

Tips

  • Avoid placing blocks in the middle early on
  • Plan ahead and think about how you can chain a merge
  • Keep blocks of the same colour in the same area of the grid – avoiding mixing too many colours in close proximity
  • When given the option to remove buildings prioritise tall buildings or ones blocking you from making a merge

Useful Links

VampireSurvivors

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The Game

VampireSurvivors developed by Poncle is a roguelike bullet hell survival type game for mobile, PC and Xbox. Similarly to a lot of the other such games you try and survive against endless waves of enemies (well around 30 minutes of them) and you collect and upgrade various weapons and equipment as you do so. Get a specific weapon and it’s corresponding piece of equipment and you can upgrade the weapon to an ultimate version. There are 5 main levels and as many bonus/challenge ones. As you play the game you can find and rescue other survivors which become characters you can play with. Each character starts out with a specific weapon but will be able to acquire other weapons as they level up.

In each level you can collect gold coins, these will let you get upgrades that apply to all levels and characters. As you work your way through the achievements list more and more of the game will be unlocked. You will find new characters, new weapons with new ultimate versions, new levels and challenges.

colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
character unlock image
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
loot box opening and awarding prizes
colourful bullet hell image with swarms of enemies
character selection screen

Worth it?

A simple but effective survival bullet-hell game with some really fun and well hidden surprises. There is also a good deal of humour in the naming of weapons and items (like the Candelabrador candelabra). The game is free on mobile and also ad-free (unless you want an additional life when you die). On PC it will set you back around £3.99 and there some DLC which will give you access to new levels and characters.

The collection of characters and the methods by which you unlock them are quite addictive and make you want to try each and every one of them out. The sheer amount of items there are to unlock – from game modes to weapons and additional features give the game a great amount of replay value. Each level usually lasts around 30 mins, which is a touch on the long side and sometimes the game might not save your progress if you close the app if you’ve had to do something else. However, the game works perfectly in offline and also in portrait, making it perfect for time killing. Overall if you’re a fan of bullet-hell survival games then this is a great one to add to your collection.

Tips

  • Learn the weapon evolutions and collect items/weapons accordingly.
  • Destroy torches and braziers for food and coins.
  • Upgrade your permanent upgrades using coins.
  • Some levels will have items on the floor, use these to get your ultimate weapon upgrades right.
  • Find the Milky Way Map in order to unlock the pause menu map which will show you the locations of items in the level.
  • In order to get to the coffin in Gallo Tower, look out for a glowing mirror on the left side of the level (around the area where the arrow points you to) that will get you through to a small room where the coffin is.

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Life in Adventure

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The Game

Life in Adventure is a text based D&D RPG fantasy game by StudioWheel available for mobile. The game uses familiar D&D mechanics and delivers an experience with a surprising amount of depth and good storytelling. You start out with a randomised character (in the free version) as a person who is tired of their boring day to day life and set on becoming a famous adventurer. You progress through random encounters, each with a detailed description and a variety of options – some encounters spanning several pages or even in several non consecutive parts.

Each encounter will test your skills (through dice rolls and RNG) and you may come out victorious and stronger or you may lose health and sanity. Lose all your health or sanity and the adventure is over. You will also gain EXP and find better loot and equipment as you adventure through the world. Survive for long enough and you will become a renowned adventurer and essentially win the game. There are 4 types of starting equipment – Fighter, Ranger, Wizard and Warlock, but you can build your character however you see fit depending on your stats. Character stats are standard D&D ones such a strength, dexterity, intellect, charisma, constitution and wisdom.

Worth it?

The game can be played completely for free, but there is also an Adventurer’s Guild premium option which will set you back £3.99, the main advantages of this option are the ability to customise your new adventurers, a free dice reroll and the ability to speed up or skip fights. A lot of these perks can also be purchased using in game premium currency (gems). The game is quite generous with giving out gems which you can also spend on new encounters, background stories and storylines and traits. The premium option isn’t needed, however it’s a nice way to support the developers and also helps speed up the gameplay. Overall I’d recommend it for any D&D or text based fans out there looking for that nostalgia factor, the game plays in portrait mode making it ideal for mobile.

Tips

  • For detailed in-game tips and info check out the comprehensive guide linked below.
  • Avoid battles (especially early game) – trying options that will get you out of combat and events can still give you EXP.
  • Items like Rope, Lantern, Pickaxe and similar are very useful – hold onto them as you may need them in your adventure.
  • If you are Very Superior to an enemy or better you can skip the dice roll to get a 10 and avoid a critical fail or rolling less than 10.

Useful Links

Marvel Snap

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The Game

Marvel have joined the world of online multiplayer card games with their entry – Marvel Snap, published by Nuverse. The game is card collection and battling game which lets you collect all your favourite Marvel superheroes and villains and put your skills to the test against other players. The actual battles are quite simple and most importantly for a mobile game – quick to play. Each game has 3 locations at which players put their cards. All 3 locations start out hidden with one revealing each of the first 3 turns. Each location will be randomised and have some sort of modifier that can apply to specific cards, the entire location or even the entire game. Players need to try and win 2 out of 3 locations to win the game where each card’s power contributes to the player’s score at a specific location.

The stakes are then raised even more with the snap mechanic – this allows players to up the amount of rank points they get from each game or to force their opponent to retreat early. Winning a normal game would grant 2 points towards the next rank, if one player has snapped that doubles to 4, if both players have snapped it goes all the way up to 8. The game features daily missions that are drip fed every few hours, all sorts of card variants and the ability to upgrade the appearance of your cards. Upgrading cards is also the way players can progress their collection level allowing them to unlock new and powerful cards.

Worth it?

The game concept and mechanics are brilliantly simple yet effective. The duration of the game is probably it’s strongest point – 6 turns (around 3 minutes) present an excellent challenge and even though you sometimes feel like you could do with a turn or two more, pulling off the perfect combo in 6 turns is highly satisfying. The game is extremely fast paced and can turn in an instant. The Snap mechanic also adds an element of player tactics and mind games. There are a few areas where some improvement could be made like access to stats, new mission frequency, perhaps a 30/30 weekly missions target, ability to add and battle friends or view and compare collections. There is also potential for some more weird and wacky weekly game modes with crazy combos – similar to the tavern brawls in Hearthstone.

Overall it’s a great addition to mobile card games and is a truly mobile game in terms of game length – giving it an edge against competition like Hearthstone, Legends of Runeterra or Gwent. While there’s no explicit pay to win, paying for Season/Battle Pass can help speed up progress towards upgrading and unlocking new cards, although at £8.99 it is fairly difficult to justify. The visual upgrading of cards is a nice reward for using them more frequently and the rainbow variants ensures there’s always something to be upgrading and grinding for. The game’s high production value and addictive gameplay make it ideal for both long grinds or quick time-killing sessions.

Tips

  • Try not to fill a location too early in the game, especially if you have no way of buffing those cards
  • You should be able to create an early Ongoing deck quite quickly to get you through the early ranks
  • Only spend credits on upgrading your cards (getting them through the shop is more expensive)
  • Spend your gold on credits
  • The higher tier the card upgrade the more it will cost and the more points it will give you
  • Theme decks around key mechanics and 1-2 really good synergies, and a couple smaller ones
  • You can sometimes snap on the last turn if you’ve already ended your turn but the opponent hasn’t – particularly useful if you have forgotten to snap
  • You can copy and paste deck codes to share with friends (share button in deck creation)
  • Play with different decks, experiment – don’t feel precious about ranks (unless someone has snapped)
  • The higher your collection level the rarer the cards you will get – Collection Level 486+ is where the Series Five/Ultra Rare cards are found
  • Once you have fully upgraded a card you can infinity split it for a new variant (aka a foil) you can keep splitting your new variants for even rarer foils – check out the guide linked below for more information.

Useful Links