Start strong: your first two stages
Finding a direction, your first item, and whether to play for wins.
After this lesson you can read your opening and choose whether to play for wins or save and accept some losses.
The opening is about direction
In stages 1 and 2 your main job is finding a direction: a plan for the team you'll build. Play the strongest board the shop gives you, and commit when the game hands you a clear signal. A clear signal is an early copy of a key unit plus an item it can use, or an augment that points one way. Augments are offered at 2-1, 3-2 and 4-2, so your first one arrives at the very start of stage 2.
Picture of the game
Play with the picture. Tick and untick the four boxes, and watch the answer, and what it sets up, change.
Question 1 of 3
In a real game
At the first carousel, at 2-4, a part that makes strong items for many boards keeps your options open.
When your first augment is offered, ask which checklist your board matches.
Scout before stage 2 ends to see whether the boards you'll meet are stronger than yours.
If you saved through stage 2, pick the round in stage 3 or 4 when you'll spend your gold.
Next game, decide by the end of stage 2 whether you're playing for wins or saving, then keep that plan for a few rounds.
Watch out for this
Changing your plan every round, or holding every part for a perfect item while you keep losing, gives you the worst of both. You end up with mixed results, no streak gold and no items helping in fights. Pick one plan for a few rounds, and build a good-enough item when it fits.
The whole screen, item recipes, traits and units.
