Inscryption can be hard to understand until you’ve had enough practice. At first glance, it may seem challenging, but the more you play it, the easier it gets. There are multiple obstacles that you will have to overcome. It’s all about building the perfect deck to allow you to win. Sometimes, you don’t always get it right, but the game lets you experiment.

If this is your first time playing, it might be overwhelming. There are a few things that you need to understand before you play the game, as you could stumble into some beginner trappings you need to avoid.

Updated February 29, 2024, by Tallis Spalding: The love for Inscryption as a horror-themed deck builder hasn't faded and, if anything, has only grown over time. Since the game's release in 2021, methods for beating Inscryption easily have been refined. Inscryption pros are more than happy to share tips and tricks to get through the game, though a lot really does boil down to not getting frustrated if you lose. In that way, Inscryption mirrors rougelites, given that, upon dying, you can make it easier for yourself in the next run. If you're looking for a good Inscryption strategy, you needn't look far, because there are plenty of tips and tricks that time has only helped refine.

12 Break The Game With Sigils

Sigils Can Stack, And You Should Take Advantage Of This At Every Opportunity

As you play through Inscryption you'll come across various cards with different types of sigils - make sure you're keeping track of which ones you have. Inscryption is designed for you to break the game by taking advantage of the mechanics and remembering the rules in the rule book.

You can combine various sigils to become incredibly overpowered very quickly, though you should experiment and play around with them. Remember, losing in Inscryption doesn't mean that you've lost the game entirely, giving you a chance to come back stronger than before.

11 Take Advantage Of Totems

Totems Are There For Your Benefit, So You Might As Well Use Them

During the first part of the game, you'll be introduced to the Totem system. There are two parts to a Totem. The head determines the animal type, while the base determines the sigil to go with it. At first, this might seem unimportant, but this is far from the case.

The right combination can massively help you win games, like the combination of a Squirrel head and the Many Lives sigil. This means you can sacrifice the common Squirrel as many times as you want to build up your board. Pay attention to what Totem you build, as it will win you games if used correctly.

10 It’s Not Just A Card Game

Get Up And Stretch Your Legs (And Solve Some Puzzles Too)

This game is mainly centered around deck construction. There's more to it than that, though. There are puzzles that you will have to solve along the way. Leshy's cabin has a puzzle chest and many other things to explore. You will have to use your head to escape this place and to learn what's even going on.

The game will give you small hints along the way, but you have to pay attention. You can interact with almost anything in the cabin and in Po3's lair later on in the game, which is necessary to win.

9 Always Be On The Defensive

Leshy Can Be Relentless, So It's Good To Make Sure That You're Well-protected

While playing offense is nice, sometimes it is better to be on the defensive. Some cards deal more damage than others. Sometimes you might not do as much damage as needed. You might run out of items and need to sacrifice cards to keep yourself afloat.

This might mean having to sacrifice a squirrel to make sure that you can get some damage to tip the scale in your favor. Moles or the Mole Man cards are good to have in your deck to save you from damage.

8 Deal Extra Damage If You Can

Push The Scale Over As Far As You Can And Earn Those Teeth

Dealing extra damage will award you golden teeth for every extra point of damage you deal. These will come in handy when you run into the Trapper. The Trapper will trade you pelt cards for teeth. Golden pelts are the best. The more teeth you have, the more pelts you will be able to buy - simple.

When you run into the Trader later down the road, you can exchange pelts for cards. If you give the Mycologists two golden pelts, you’ll get something special when you visit the Trader, so start dealing the damage asap!

7 You Have To Fail A Few Times To Succeed

Failure Is Not The End

Dying is all part of the gaming experience. If you advance too quickly in the game, Leshy will play more powerful cards on purpose. When you die, you get to make a death card. Your death card will be determined by what cards you have in your hand at the time of your death.

Leshy will pull cards from your deck and let you choose the cost of the card, the health, power, and any sigils. If you're lucky enough, you could make a powerful card. The more you lose, the more death cards you get to make, so don't worry too much.

6 If You're Dying Too Much, Try The Exit Route

The Last Resort To Recoup And Restart

You do need to die a certain amount of times for the game to progress. However, at some point, if you keep dying and nothing is changing in the cabin, then you might want to try this strategy. Before you lose, or if you know you're going to lose, simply exit out to the main menu and then select continue.

This will allow you to essentially retry the battle from the beginning. This could be especially helpful during the various boss fights but only do this if you feel like there's no other option.

5 Don’t Rush Ahead

Take Your Time - The Game Isn't Going Anywhere (And Neither Are You)

Rushing headfirst into a game might leave you losing over and over again. You'll need to take time to think about the next move. Consider which cards will move on your opponent's next turn, as that's an easy thing to forget. Pay attention to the cards on the back of the board because they will move down on the next turn.

Where to move on the map is also really important in terms of resources, so don't just mindlessly go forward. Take the extra time to think about your next moves before continuing.

4 The Ouroboros Is Your Best Friend

Again And Again And Again For Forever

The Ouroborus might look like a useless card at first glance. When you first see the card, it starts with one damage and one health. Many players overlook this card because they don’t think anything good can come from it. This card bears the unkillable sigil, meaning if it dies or is sacrificed, it will return to your hand.

You may not realize that it gains one damage and health every time it returns to your hand. If you play your cards right, you can level up your Ouroborus and make it the most powerful card in your deck.

3 Touch Everything You Can

If It Exists, You Can Probably Interact With It And Uncover Fun Surprises

There are a lot of hidden secrets all around Leshy’s cabin. For example, the combination to the safe is located on page twenty-two of the sigil guide. In this game, it is best to touch everything you can. When you have to start over again after losing, try snuffing out the candles on the shelf in the back.

Look at the painting on the wall and try to match up the cards. If you happen to get a special eye item, look for more secrets around the cabin. Like many puzzle games, sometimes you have to think outside the box.

2 Pelts Are Very Useful

It's A Free Card And Can Buy You Some Time In Battle If You Need It

Pelts are useful for many things. Not only can you trade them for cards with the Trader, but they can be sacrificed in times of need. If you can’t take four hits of damage, try throwing down a pelt to take the damage instead. Extra damage dealt will not count towards you. Pelts are also helpful for death cards.

If you get lucky, you might get to choose the cost from a pelt card (which is always free). Choosing a pelt for the cost will allow you to have a card that is free to place.

1 Pick Your Cards Carefully

Don't Spam Pick - Be Patient And Think Over The Pros And Cons

Sometimes you'll land on a spot allowing you to choose from three cards. After each boss battle, you will also get a choice of three. When presented with these cards, make sure to choose carefully. Think about the power and health as well as the sigil.

Think about the altar where you can sacrifice a card to put a sigil on another one. Make sure to avoid cards likely to be dead in your hand without a specific other card needed. You want a card that can be used on its own as it's likely the other card won't be in your hand, and you might lose before you get it.