Effect
The combo counter does not reset between turns.
Overview
Chain Link is widely considered one of the strongest arcanas in Vampire Crawlers. Normally, your combo counter resets to zero at the end of every turn. With Chain Link equipped, combos carry over indefinitely, allowing your multiplier to snowball over the course of a run.
Because combo bonuses apply to all card damage, even a modest combo of 50 to 100 built up over ten or so turns can transform average cards into high-damage powerhouses. Every build in the game benefits from this arcana, but it shines brightest in decks that play many cards per turn — particularly Mana Tome-heavy builds and rapid-fire Crawlers like Gennaro.
Pairing Chain Link with Mana Syphon is a classic combination: Mana Syphon lets you play more cards by expanding your mana pool, while Chain Link converts each additional play into a permanent combo stack. Over a long run, this synergy often results in three- to four-digit combo counts that trivialize otherwise difficult encounters.
Tips
The earlier you pick Chain Link in a run, the more combo you accumulate before the tough late-game floors. Prioritize it whenever it appears. Watch out for enemies or floor effects that reset your combo counter — losing a large stack mid-run is a significant setback. Before major boss fights, make sure your combo is already at a healthy level so that even a reset doesn't leave you powerless.