Battle Guide
Bokuju battle system.
How It Works
This is v1 of the battle system — we'll be iterating based on community feedback.
Each Bokuju enters battle with a deck of cards. At the start of every turn, you draw up to 5 cards from your draw pile. Play cards from your hand using Sumi (ink) — your resource currency.
You start each battle with 1 Sumi and gain +1 passively at the start of each turn. Some cards also generate Sumi when played, letting you build up to powerful moves.
Cards you play go to your discard pile. At the end of your turn, any remaining cards in your hand are also discarded. When your draw pile runs out, your discard pile shuffles back in — so every card comes back around.
Your Deck
Deck building coming soon — customise each Bokuju's deck to suit your playstyle.
Basic Moves
3 copies each in every deck — the core of your hand.
Strike
strike
Cost: 0Gain: +13x in deckYour bread and butter attack. Costs 0 sumi to play and increases your sumi pool by +1. Base damage is calculated from your Bokuju's Attack stat.
A swift ink stroke — simple, reliable, and fuels your next move.
Counter
counterCost: 13x in deckEnter a defensive stance. If your opponent attacks you this turn, you reflect damage back based on your Bokuju's Defense stat. If they don't attack, the counter is wasted.
Hold your ground — patience rewarded with a devastating reflection.
Rush
rushCost: 23x in deckA multi-hit attack powered by your Bokuju's Speed stat. A D20 roll determines whether you land 1, 2, or 3 hits — faster Bokuju have better odds of landing more.
A flurry of strikes — fortune favours the swift.
Utility Moves
1 copy each — support cards that fuel combos and counter strategies.
Inky
utilityCost: 0Gain: +31x in deckA pure resource card. Costs nothing to play and floods your sumi pool with +3. Essential for setting up expensive special moves.
Dip deep into the inkwell — power flows freely.
Focus
utilityCost: 01x in deckApplies a Focus buff — your next Strike this turn deals double damage and hits twice. Costs nothing, but you need to follow it up with a Strike to benefit.
Steady the brush — the next stroke cuts deepest.
Dodge
utilityCost: 21x in deckApplies a Dodge buff — if your opponent has a Counter stance active, their reflection damage is reduced by 50% this turn. Useful for safely attacking into a defensive opponent.
Sidestep the reflection — ink bends around you.
Special Moves
Each Bokuju unlocks unique special moves through awakening. These are powerful cards with higher Sumi costs and damage scaling based on the level your Bokuju was awakened at.
Some special moves carry status effects like Venom, Bleed, or Weaken — applied via a slot machine mechanic with roughly a 34% chance of landing.
Special moves can also have a different affinity than the Bokuju itself, opening up strategic matchup possibilities.
Affinity
Every Bokuju has an affinity type. When you have the advantage, your attacks deal 1.5x damage. There's no penalty for disadvantage — it stays at normal damage.
Status Effects
Deals damage over time each turn for a set duration.
Deals damage over time each turn — similar to Venom but from physical strikes.
Reduces the target's Strike damage by a percentage for the duration.