What Are Arcanas?
Arcanas are powerful modifiers equipped one-at-a-time before each run. They alter how combos function, how weapons behave, or even the deck structure itself. Arcanas are locked until you find the Polentír relic and open the Fortune Teller's tent. After that, each Arcana has its own unlock condition.
All 12 Arcanas
| Arcana | Effect | Unlock Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Medicine | Healing also restores attack power | Unlocked from start |
| Shield Bash | Armor cards deal damage | Unlocked from start |
| Chain Link | Combo counter does not reset at turn end | Achieve Combo 12 or higher |
| Mana Syphon | Surplus mana carries over to the next turn | Generate 15 or more mana in one turn |
| Over the Top | Crawler cards return to top of deck when they leave | Use Crawler cards 100 times |
| Double Time | Combo grows at double speed each turn | Maintain Combo 8+ for 5 consecutive turns |
| Bloodlet | Healing is doubled (incoming damage +10%) | Defeat a boss at full HP |
| War Machine | All weapon card costs reduced by 1 | Use weapon cards 50+ times in one run |
| Rushdown | Cost-0 cards grant +2 additional combo | Use cost-0 cards 200 times |
| Reflection | Using the same card 5+ times per run buffs that card | Win after using one card 5 times |
| Your Shield My Liege | Armor cards spill excess damage to nearby enemies | Block 1000+ damage with armor |
| SaurusRex | Final boss appears with lower HP based on your peak combo | Achieve Combo 20+ and defeat the boss |
Arcana Deep Dives
Chain Link (Highest Priority Unlock)
By default, the combo counter resets to zero at the end of every turn. Chain Link removes that reset, carrying the multiplier forward. By turns 5–6, this can push the multiplier to 10×–20×. If you're targeting harder content or long runs, this is the first Arcana to unlock.
Best builds: Any combo-focused deck, low-cost decks loaded with Mana Books
Unlock tip: "Combo 12" is difficult with a standard deck. Stuff the deck with Tomes and Wild Cards, add 5–6 cost-0 cards, and attempt the unlock with that configuration.
Mana Syphon
Excess mana generated during your turn carries over to the next turn's starting mana. It synergises naturally with heavy Mana-Book decks that recover large amounts of mana mid-turn, snowballing the mana pool over long runs.
Unlock tip: "15 mana in one turn" requires multiple purple mana-generator cards. Pack 3–4 Mana Books before attempting.
Experimental Medicine
Every time you heal, attack power is also restored. Pairs beautifully with lifesteal weapons like the Soul Eater evolution — the longer combat drags on, the higher your attack climbs.
Best builds: Clerici lifesteal build, Soul Eater evolution path
Over the Top
Crawler cards return to the top of the deck when they leave play, enabling the same Crawler to be used every turn. Re-cycling a peaked Crawler each turn massively raises the per-turn damage ceiling.
Best builds: Arca Mana Trinity build, any Crawler-centric build
Shield Bash + Your Shield My Liege (Thematic Pair)
Shield Bash turns armor cards into a damage source. Your Shield My Liege spreads excess armor damage to surrounding enemies. They can't be equipped together, but both define the "offensive armor" archetype. Either one is the backbone of armor-heavy builds.
Arcana Recommendations by Build Type
| Build Type | Recommended Arcana | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Combo-focused | Chain Link | Cross-turn combo retention is essential |
| Mana-management | Mana Syphon | Converts surplus mana into future power |
| Lifesteal | Experimental Medicine | Healing directly scales attack |
| Aggro / fast | Rushdown | Cost-0 cards accelerate combo faster |
| Armor-focused | Shield Bash | Turns defense into offense |
| Hard boss fights | SaurusRex | Higher peak combo = lower boss starting HP |
| Crawler recycling | Over the Top | Replay strong Crawlers every turn |
Recommended Unlock Order
Early on, you only have two options (Experimental Medicine and Shield Bash). After that, the following priority is suggested:
- Chain Link — The biggest single impact on any run. Unlock early and use as your default pick.
- Mana Syphon — Foundation for mana-management builds. Natural next step after Chain Link.
- Over the Top — For Crawler-focused builds. 100 Crawler uses happens naturally across normal play.
- War Machine — Weapon cost -1 is potent. The combo staircase becomes one step more lenient.
Getting Your First Arcana
Without Polentír, Arcanas are unavailable. Polentír is obtainable in the Furious Forest area within your first few runs. Prioritise it over shop-oriented relics to unlock the Fortune Teller's tent as soon as possible and open your run options significantly.