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Getting Started with The Demon's Hand: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Master the Game
League of Legends has introduced an exciting new mini-game called The Demon's Hand, a roguelike card-battling experience that challenges players to build powerful hands and defeat enemies while navigating a branching map.
Our comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to master the game, including gameplay mechanics, strategies, and tips for success.
What is Demon's Hand and How to Access it
The Demon's Hand is a limited-time mini-game available for 40 days, offering exclusive rewards for the League of Legends client. It's accessible through the League client by selecting "The Demon's Hand" tab:
- Open the League of Legends Client
- Navigate to The Demon's Hand Tab
- Select "New Game" to begin your journey or "Continue" to pick up where you left off
- Note: Selecting "New Game" will delete your current progress.
Basic Gameplay Mechanics
Your Deck
You play with a standard deck of 52 cards, consisting of four suits (Moon, Fire, Sun, Rock) with 13 cards each. The deck includes 10 standard cards and four Command cards (Scout, Shaman, Warlord, Assassin) which correspond to numbers 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Controls
While most of the game can be navigated using your mouse, keyboard shortcuts can speed up gameplay:
- Left mouse button: Select cards, game piece, or Sigil
- Space bar: Attack
- S: Discard
- Q: Change card sorting options
- Escape: View the pause menu
Combat Mechanics
- You start with a fixed amount of health, which depends on your progression in the game.
- Each round, you draw 8 cards from the 52-card deck.
- You can discard up to three times per round, choosing up to five cards per discard.
- Your attack damage is based on poker-like card combinations.
- After each battle, you earn currency to buy Sigils, which enhance your abilities.
Opponent Mechanics
- Your enemy is represented by a single large card at the top of the board.
- The Attack Coin determines when the enemy strikes—each attack you make reduces the coin's value, and when it reaches zero, your opponent attacks back.
Card Combinations and Damage
Your success in The Demon's Hand relies on creating powerful card combinations. Here's a comprehensive list of all possible combinations and their damage output:
| Card Combination | How to Make | Damage Dealt |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Playing a single card | 10 base damage plus card value |
| Dyad | Two cards with matching numbers | 20 base damage plus card values |
| Dyad Set | Two pairs of Dyads | 40 base damage plus card values |
| Triad | Three cards with matching numbers | 80 base damage plus card values |
| Tetrad | Four cards with matching numbers | 400 base damage plus card values |
| March | Five cards in numerological order | 100 base damage plus card values |
| Horde | Five cards of the same suit | 125 base damage plus card values |
| Grand Warhost | A Triad and a Dyad | 175 base damage plus card values |
| Marching Horde | Five cards in numerological sequence and of the same suit | 600 base damage plus card values |
| The Demon's Hand | Five highest-value cards of the same suit (10, Joker, Queen, King, Ace) | 2000 base damage plus card values |
Demon's Hand Map and Progression
The game features a branching map with three main types of stops:
- Battles: Face new opponents with unique mechanics and effects.
- Shops: Spend currency to buy Sigils (power-ups).
- Campfires: Restore health before tougher fights.
At the end of each area, you'll face boss battles with increased difficulty.
Sigils and Strategy
Sigils are powerful augments that can significantly enhance your gameplay. Here are some key Sigils to consider:
- Refusal: +1 Discard
- Refusal+: +2 Discard
- The Collector: +1 Hand Size
- The Spy: Every 2 or 3 discarded cards allow the next card drawn to be a command card
- Cohesion: Moon and Stone are treated as equivalent
- Unity: Sun and Fire are treated as equivalent
Advanced Strategy: Demon Hand Build
A powerful strategy involves setting up your Sigils to guarantee Demon Hands (Royal Flushes) every fight. This build focuses on maximizing discards and drawing command cards:
- Aim for 6 Discards to attack 2-3 times before your opponent strikes.
- Prioritize drawing the 10 card, as it can't be drawn using "The Spy" Sigil.
- In early game, consider skipping sigils in the first shop if they don't contribute to this strategy.
Tips for Success
- Think Ahead: Manage your discards carefully, especially against high-health enemies.
- Utilize All Five Cards: Even in Solo Attacks, play all five cards to cycle through your deck faster.
- Stack Sigil Effects: Choose Sigils that synergize well together to maximize your damage output.
- Adapt to Enemy Effects: Pay attention to unique enemy effects that modify game rules and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Prioritize Key Sigils: In the early game, focus on acquiring Sigils like "The Spy" to build powerful combinations quickly. Also, Sigils that enhance your ability to draw key cards or increase hand size are really helpful.
- Explore the Map: Use shops to buy Sigils and campfires to restore health.
Critical System
The Demon's Hand mini-game also has a critical chance system which determines how likely your card is going to deal a critical hit when played. Critical cards glow purple and add a 25% boost to your total damage numbers at the end of every calculation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-Discarding: Avoid discarding too many cards without a clear strategy.
- Ignoring Enemy Effects: Always consider how enemy abilities might affect your gameplay.
- Not Utilizing Sigils: Make sure to buy and use Sigils that enhance your gameplay.
Who said beating the game once means you're done?
Completing the Story Mode of The Demon's Hand is just the beginning of your journey. After conquering the initial challenge, players can unlock more difficult and rewarding game modes. To access Hard Mode, you'll need to collect 8 Rare Sigils and clear Story Mode. These Rare Sigils can be obtained by playing regular League of Legends matches or completing specific missions.
Once you've mastered Hard Mode, the ultimate challenge awaits: Demon Mode. This final difficulty level becomes available after collecting 16 Rare Sigils and successfully clearing Hard Mode. Each new mode offers increased difficulty, unique challenges, and exclusive rewards, providing an incentive for players to continue honing their skills in The Demon's Hand.
Ready to embark on your new challenge?
By mastering these mechanics, strategies, and tips, you'll be well-equipped to tackle The Demon's Hand and claim victory in this exciting new League of Legends mini-game. Remember, practice and adaptability are key to success in this roguelike experience. Good luck, and may the cards be in your favor!
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Feature image credits: Riot Games
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