Summary
Despite how niche it may sound, there are a surprising number of gameswithin the deck-building roguelikegenre, each bringing its own spin on the idea of snappy, fast-paced runs and deep customization of decks. Within this genre,Monster Trainhas a unique aesthetic and a slew of interesting mechanics that help it stand out, alongside some interesting lore and a level of addictiveness that few games will match.
Whether players are long-time veterans eager forthe second game’sarrival or completely fresh on the scene, the first thing all players will do when beginning a new run is encounter artifacts - powerful totemic items each imbued with a bit of Hell’s history and - beyond this - some game-changing effects. However, not all artifacts are made equal, and there are some that truly rise to the top as essential picks in any run. In order to showcase the most broadly useful artifacts, this list just includes entries that can be picked by all clans, not clan-specific artifacts that interact with their unique mechanics.
9Forever Flame
Making Units Cheaper Can Be Run-Defining
The Forever Flame has a simple, straight-to-the-point effect. Like in other deck-building games,such asSlay the Spire, initial effects can be hugely influential later on, and getting this artifact early can be the bedrock of an entire deck. However, even getting this item later on still frees up plenty of room in a turn for powerful spells alongside creatures that would normally use up all the Embers of a given turn to cast.
The Forever Flame reduces unit costs by 2 Embers, which is not an insignificant amount. Many one or two-cost units, which can now be cast for free, synergize excellently with more expensive units, which can now be cast at a more reasonable cost, or thrown down first to get the effect of spells and buffs instead. This item just makes a run easier, universally, and there’s very rarely a reason not to take this one.
8Immortality Potion
Perpetual Units Are A Uniquely Overpowered Effect
Immortality has been the end goal of many wizardsand nefarious necromancersacross a slew of different titles, but inMonster Train,the secret to eternal life is just waiting to be picked up on a run, with some sort of ominous-looking object pickled in an equally ominous liquid.
The Immortality Potion gives units Endless, meaning they are put back on top of the draw pile if they die. This means players save gold on a fairly pricey upgrade that affords the same modifier individually and also means that their most powerful units can be relied on for the entirety of a battle.
7Guild Marker
Who Doesn’t Love A Discount?
The merchant is a deceptively powerful playstyle in many JRPGs and open-world titles, and it’s no surprise that money talks just as loudly inMonster Train. Upgrading spells and units at merchants' holdouts is the bedrock to pretty much any build in this game, and that 25% discount really adds up.
There’s no way to sell units or artifacts back for money inMonster Train. If players are 5 gold short of getting that Largestone or Multistrike upgrade, it’s tough luck, unfortunately. The train must ride on. Making prices that little bit cheaper can have profound effects on how successful a run is - or if it’s a success at all.
6Cracked Helmet
Trivializing Armor And Shields Can Be Huge
Part ofMonster Train’spopularitylies in just how many options there are to become truly overpowered. Gaming the system and abusing mechanics are by no means essential to victory, but for people who like big numbers, the Cracked Helmet is here to help.
Giving damage spells piercing so that it bypasses damage shields and armor means players can focus exclusively on upping the damage output of their spells, not sacrificing any upgrades or bloating their deck to give them piercing. It also means that the optional trials that give all enemies armor or damage/spell shields can be selected far more often, with spells still available to help in these encounters.
5Pyrestone Housing
Making Units That Much Stronger
Another one of these deceptively simple effects that can mean huge things for a run, Pyrestone Housing increases unit upgrade slots from two per unit to three. With the right upgrades, this can mean turning a unit into a one-shot machine.
Making a creature huge, endless, and multi-striking, for example, essentially trivializes non-boss encounters on the right card. Even just throwing a few cheap upgrades on a staple creature can be wildly useful.
4Hell’s Banners
Embers Are A Vital Resource - The More, The Better
There are many ways that Hell’s Banners can simplyredefine the trajectoryof an entire run. Playing something with plenty of 0-cost cards, such as the Umbra clan and their morsels, means a free three embers to utilize.
Linked with some of the other artifacts on this list, Hell’s Banners can summon up some massively destructive creatures, with enough embers left over to put some spells to use. This is one of those artifacts that should be taken whenever it appears.
3Rationing Scales
Free Health Or Free Money - It’s A Win-Win
Forthe aspiring shopkeeperor the big numbers nerd, Rationing Scales is an immensely satisfying artifact to get a hold of. Is the player’s Pyre in dangerous territory? Teetering on the brink of destruction? Great, this artifact sets it at a low, but not unreasonable, level, no questions asked. Full up on Pyre health? Here are several hundred gold pieces for the player’s trouble.
This artifact should come with the caveat that it’s not for players new to the game, who should be protecting their Pyre as much as possible, but anyone who has played the game long enough to know how to protect their Pyre also knows how useful earning around 200 gold pieces from thin air can be for a run.
2Split Anvil
Zero-Cost Spells Should Never Be Ignored
Rounding out this list is the Split Anvil, a favorite among spell-slinging builds onMonster Trainthat might utilize a clan like the Stygian Guard or Wyrmkin but is highly useful to players within any clan purely for its value production.
Casting a 3 Ember spell means players can now cast every other 2 and 1 Ember spell in their hand for free. Say players begin a turn with 5 Embers and they cast an X-cost spell to utilize all of them. All spells that cost 4 or less are now free, which can be enough to clear out an entire train if players have drawn a good hand.
