So, you’ve decided to take on Monster Train, the roguelike deckbuilder where Hell has turned into an icy wasteland, and Heaven’s forces are the ones kicking down your door. Talk about a role reversal, huh?
If you’re here, you’ve probably already experienced the joy of watching your carefully constructed deck get steamrolled by a choir of angelic bullies. Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. But fear not, fellow pyre-protector! This guide is packed with 10 killer tips, tricks, and strategies to turn you from a struggling underdog into the ultimate Hell-defending, card-flinging, champion-upgrading badass.
Let’s get this train rolling! (Pun absolutely intended.)
1. Know Your Clans – Because Not All Monsters Play Nice
Monster Train gives you five clans (six if you have The Last Divinity DLC), each with its own playstyle, units, and spells. Think of them like flavors of ice cream—except instead of delicious, they’re deadly.
-
Hellhorned – Big, beefy demons who love punching things. (Great for beginners!)
-
Awoken – Plant-based healers and thorny nightmares.
-
Stygian Guard – Frosty spell-slingers and mermaid warriors.
-
Umbra – Hungry morsel-loving abominations. (Weird but effective.)
-
Melting Remnant – Undead guys who love dying… and then coming back.
-
Wurmkin (DLC) – Soul-eating, egg-laying monstrosities. (Yum?)
Pro Tip: Start with Hellhorned + Awoken for a balanced beginner run. Big damage + healing = fewer tears.
2. Your Champion is Your MVP – Treat Them Like It
Your Champion is the star of the show. They start strong and can be upgraded three times during a run, turning them into an unstoppable force. But here’s the catch—you gotta pick the right upgrades for your strategy.
For example:
-
The Horned Prince (Hellhorned) can become a rage machine or a multi-strike monster.
-
Wyldenten (Awoken) can either be a tanky frontline or a sniper who murders backlines.
Pro Tip: Always check what your Champion’s upgrades do before picking a path. A bad upgrade can ruin your run faster than an angelic invasion. (This guide is just the beginning! Check out our Black Beacon guide for your next obsession.)
3. The Three Floors – Because Defense in Depth is a Thing
Unlike other deckbuilders, Monster Train makes you defend three floors at once. Think of it like a twisted game of tower defense, except the towers are filled with demons.
-
Bottom Floor: First line of defense. Enemies here have the most time to attack.
-
Middle Floor: Backup defense. Good for softening up enemies.
-
Top Floor: Last stand. If enemies reach here, they’re punching your pyre.
Pro Tip: Place tanks on the bottom, damage dealers in the middle, and keep your pyre safe with spells or backline snipers.
4. Card Upgrades – Because “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough
Would you go to war with a butter knife? No? Then why are you running unupgraded cards?
Some upgrades are game-changers:
-
+10 Damage – Turns a weak spell into a nuke.
-
Holdover – Lets you play a card every turn. (Broken with healing spells!)
-
Endless – Makes a unit respawn forever. (Perfect for Melting Remnant shenanigans.)
Pro Tip: Prioritize upgrading key cards over grabbing new ones. A few overpowered cards > a deck full of mediocrity.
5. Route Planning – Because Wandering Gets You Killed
The map gives you choices—upgrade shops, battles, merchants, or special events. Picking the right path is crucial.
-
Need upgrades? Hit the forge.
-
Need units? Visit a merchant.
-
Feeling lucky? Risk an unknown event (but don’t cry when it backfires).
Pro Tip: Early on, focus on upgrading your Champion and key cards. Later, grab elite fights for better rewards.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve already learned the basics of clans, Champions, and floor defense—but now it’s time to elevate your game from “barely surviving” to “absolute domination.” We’re diving into advanced strategies, game-breaking combos, and how to make Heaven regret ever messing with your train.
Let’s jump right in before those pesky angels respawn.
6. The Magic of Clan Combos – Double the Fun, Double the Chaos
One of Monster Train’s best features is mixing two clans—your primary (which determines your Champion) and a secondary (which gives you extra cards). Some combos are match-made in Hell, while others… well, let’s just say they’re a fast track to failure.
Best Clan Combos for Maximum Destruction:
-
Hellhorned (Primary) + Awoken (Secondary) – Big damage + healing = survival.
-
Stygian Guard (Primary) + Umbra (Secondary) – Frost spells + Morsel buffs = unstoppable units.
-
Melting Remnant (Primary) + Any Clan – Endless reform shenanigans = infinite pain for enemies.
Pro Tip: Avoid pairing two squishy clans (like Stygian + Umbra) unless you love watching your units evaporate.
7. Pact Shards & The Last Divinity – High Risk, High Reward
Got the Last Divinity DLC? Then you’ve met Pact Shards, the shiny new currency that makes your run harder… but also way more rewarding.
-
Collecting Pact Shards buffs enemies but gives you bonuses like extra upgrades or gold.
-
Too many shards? The final boss, The Last Divinity, becomes a nightmare.
Pro Tip: Grab just enough shards to power up without turning the last fight into an unwinnable mess. (Around 80-100 shards is a good sweet spot.)
8. The Power of Duplication – Because One OP Card Isn’t Enough
Found a card that’s carrying your entire run? Why not have two of them?
-
Temples let you duplicate any card in your deck.
-
Broken targets: Holdover spells, Endless units, or anything with “win the game” energy.
Pro Tip: Duplicating a heavily upgraded card is often better than adding new, weaker ones. (Liked these tips? We’ve got more! Explore our Just Step Fashion Empire guide for another must-play title.)
9. Know Your Enemy – Angels Have Weaknesses Too
Heaven’s forces aren’t invincible. Learn their patterns:
-
Seraph the Patient – Purges buffs. Don’t rely on rage stacking!
-
Seraph the Chaste – Silences units. Focus on spell damage!
-
The Last Divinity (DLC) – Absorbs buffs. Bring direct damage!
Pro Tip: Check the boss preview before the final fight and adjust your deck accordingly.
10. Experiment, Fail, and Try Again
The best part of Monster Train? No two runs are the same.
-
Try weird combos (Morsel-powered Frost Shark? Yes please.)
-
Lose spectacularly, then learn from mistakes.
-
Embrace the chaos—sometimes the jankiest decks win.
Final Stop: Your Turn to Dominate!
And there you have it—the ultimate Monster Train survival guide! From clan synergies to Pact Shard strategies, you’re now armed with everything needed to defend Hell in style.
Now go forth, experiment, and make those angels regret their life choices. And if you still get wrecked? Well… there’s always one more run.
Got your own tips? Drop them in the comments—let’s make Hell unstoppable together!
