Yao-Guai Hunter is a Wuxia roguelike deck-building game. In a world where Yao-Guai roam free, player battles with various evil beings, collecting cards and learn inner skills. Encountering various adventures in the martial world.
The mana system is a defining feature, allowing players to start battles with 5 mana points but only regaining 2 per turn. This forces strategic decisions - should you spend all 5 at once for a big combo or conserve mana for future turns? The ability to carry over unused mana adds further depth to planning.
The game features four playable characters, each with unique mechanics. For instance, Mo San has a rage meter that empowers certain cards, Chuan manages a bullet/magazine system, Azi summons and sacrifices minions, and Aoyu can transform into a dragon. Mastering these distinct playstyles is key to success.
Between encounters, players can add new cards and select from random relics (called "elixirs"). These choices heavily impact a run, as players must consider how new additions synergize with their current deck and character abilities. Deck optimization, including strategically removing cards, is crucial.
During battles, players must carefully manage their limited mana to play the most impactful combination of cards. The diverse enemy types, each with unique behaviors and weaknesses, demand flexible strategies. Character-specific active abilities add an extra layer of tactical decision-making.
Defeating enemies and bosses unlocks powerful "inner skills" - passive abilities that significantly alter a character's playstyle. Combined with the character-specific card pools and elixirs, this creates a sense of persistent progression and customization across runs.