In Death Howl, developer The Outer Zone and publisher 11 bit studios provide a library of over 160 craftable cards across the game's four fractured realms. Combat operates on a tactical grid powered by a strict 20-card deck limit and a base pool of 5 mana per turn.
A central progression rule defines how cards function: while neutral "realmless" cards maintain a fixed cost everywhere, cards tied to a specific realm incur an extra +1 mana penalty when cast inside any other realm. To build an effective deck, players must gather materials and Death Howls to craft region-specific cards tailored to local battle mechanics.
Realmless Cards and Fylge Summons
Realmless cards form the foundation of Ro's journey and do not suffer cross-realm mana penalties. Alongside starting actions like Quick Strike, Hurl Rock, Sprint, Block of Wood, Defensive Swing, and Furious Strike, this pool includes four unique Fylge spirit companion summons.
Every Fylge summon card costs 2 mana, has the Exhaust keyword (playable once per encounter), and places a companion on any open grid tile. Only one Fylge summon may exist on the battlefield at a time, and enemies will actively target them.
| Card Name | Mana Cost | Companion Stats | Core Ability & Behavior | Acquisition Cave Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bug | 2 | 5 HP, 1 Move | Grants +1 maximum mana (up to 6) while alive; occasionally bites for 1 damage as of Patch 1.0.0.5. | Hidden cave in the Meadows of Delusion, right of the Sacred Grove. |
| Cone | 2 | 7 HP, 0 Move | Gains +1 Block every turn; retaliates for 1 damage to all 4 adjacent spaces when struck. | Hidden cave in the Hidden Vale, on the right side of the map. |
| Branch | 2 | 6 HP, 0 Move (can shift 1 space per Patch 1.0.0.5) | Attacks all enemies in a straight line in any direction. Non-directional targeting. | Hidden cave in the Wailing Marshes, top right beside the Sacred Grove near the eye. |
| Skull | 2 | 8 HP, 3 Move | Pushes targets on attack and can move after attacking. Strong against retaliating enemies. | Hidden cave in the Valley of Desolation, center of the world map. |
Other neutral and starter abilities cataloged in player testing and community archives include First Strike, Aim for the Heart, A Stream of Thoughts, A Burst of Ice, A Touch of Gloom, and A Leap of Wrath.
Realm of Piercing Winds Card List
The Realm of Piercing Winds focuses heavily on Block generation, Echo mechanics, and cold-themed interactions. Crafting recipes unlock in tiers as players collect regional materials (from 8 up to 62 total items).
Official patch updates altered several cards from this realm: Patch 1.0.0.3 made Exploding Blocks discard all Block rather than a flat amount, increased the mana costs of Double Block and Harden Soul by 1, and tuned Bracing for Battle. Patch 1.0.0.5 updated Focus to 3 mana while refunding 1 mana on First play, removed Echo from Crushed From Above while raising its range, and set A Sight to Behold to 1 mana.
| Card Name | Rarity | Base Mana | Type / Range | Card Effect | Crafting Recipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demolish | Common | 3 | Melee (3 Dmg) | Deals damage to all adjacent enemies. Still: Repeat attack if you did not move. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Edged Negoturine, 1x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Bark Skin | Common | 3 | Self | Gain +2 Block. Costs -1 Mana for each Block already active. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Wounded Tongue, 1x Snout of Grimsnout |
| Exploding Blocks | Common | 0 | Melee | Deals +1 damage per Block point; removes all Block; pushes target 2 spaces. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Wounded Tongue, 1x Pieces of Aurorite |
| Engraved Skin | Common | 1 | Self | Combine card (Warm Hat / Frost Sling). Kept: +1 Block at turn end. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Fractanite, 1x Tail of Coiled Seducer |
| Steadfast | Common | 2 | Self | Gain +1 Block per adjacent enemy. Still: Echo (returns to hand once per turn if stationary). | 2x Death Howl, 1x Frostgill, 1x Fur of Skulldog |
| Engraved Bone | Common | 1 | Self | Combine card. Kept: +1 damage to next attack if held at turn end. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Frostgill, 1x Fur of Skulldog |
| Savage Hook | Common | 1 | Line 1-3 (2 Dmg) | Pulls target toward you. Still: Echo. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Speckled Murkanite, 1x Tail of Coiled Seducer |
| Sneak | Common | 3 | Self | Move +3 spaces, gain +3 Block. First: Gain +1 Mana if played first. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Speckled Murkanite, 1x Tentacle of Woeful Seashroom |
| Engraved Rock | Rare | 1 | Self | Combine card. Kept: Deals 1 damage to a random enemy if held at turn end. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Fractanite, 1x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Spark of Inspiration | Rare | 1 | Self | Draw 1 card, plus 1 additional card per Combine performed this battle. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Frostgill, 3x Pebbles of Crumbler |
| Ripples | Common | 1 | Self | Adjacent cards in hand cost -1 Mana this turn. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Wounded Tongue, 1x Fur of Skulldog |
| Heavy Blizzard | Rare | 4 | Melee (4 Dmg) | Deals damage to all adjacent foes in one direction. Costs -1 Mana per active Block. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Edge Negoturine, 3x Feather of Doomglare |
| Waves of Frost | Rare | 1 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Still: Repeat attack if stationary. Kill: Echo (returns to hand if killing target). | 4x Death Howl, 1x Moonstone, 1x Beak of Elder Sorrowing |
| Grand Spear | Rare | 5 | Melee (5 Dmg) | Costs -1 Mana per active Block. Last: Echo if played as the final card of the turn. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Wounded Tongue, 3x Pieces of Aurorite |
| Double Block | Rare | 2 (Base) | Self | Multiplies current Block by 2. Exhaust. (Mana cost raised by 1 in Patch 1.0.0.3). | 4x Death Howl, 1x Moonstone, 1x Tusks of Elder Grimsnout |
| Prepare for Battle | Rare | 3 | Self | Adds +1 damage to all cards in hand. Still: Gain +3 Block if unmoved. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Fractanite, 1x Head of Elder Coiled Seducer |
| Shadow Thrust | Common | 2 | Line 1-3 (3 Dmg) | Attacks target and dashes Ro to them. First: Gain +2 Block if played first. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Needle Cone, 1x Horn of Horned Menace |
| Ice Shard | Common | 1 | Melee (1 Dmg) | Gain +1 Block; inflicts Weak 1; Echo (returns to hand once per turn). | 2x Death Howl, 1x Speckled Murkanite, 1x Fur of Weeping Tusk |
| Piercing Fate | Rare | 2 | Random (3 Dmg) | Attacks 1 random enemy anywhere on the field. Echo. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Prickle Tree Branch, 3x Snout of Grimsnout |
| Absorb Power | Common | 2 | Melee (3 Dmg) | Deals +1 damage permanently for remainder of combat after play. Echo. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Edged Negoturine, 1x Teeth of Elder Bleakbone |
| Reminiscence | Rare | 2 | Self | Gain +3 Block. Echo. Draws 1 card if any Fylge companion is on the battlefield. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Prickle Tree Branch, 1x Eye of Elder Horned Menace |
| Focus | Common | 3 | Self | Draw 2 cards with -1 Mana cost this turn. First: Restores 1 Mana. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Needle Cone, 1x Fur of Frostgrowl |
| Frozen Spear | Rare | 2 | Line 1-2 (2 Dmg) | Freezes target for 1 turn (cannot move). Echo. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Needle Cone, 3x Fur of Frostgrowl |
| Tending the Nest | Rare | 2 | Self | Gain +1 Block for each point of Health lost during the battle. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Fractanite, 1x Core of Elder Aurorite |
| Snowflake | Common | 1 | Self | Gain +1 Block and draw 1 card. Echo. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Needle Cone, 1x Fur of Weeping Tusk |
| Northern Star | Rare | 2 | Self | Target card in hand gains permanent -1 Mana cost for remainder of battle. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Speckled Murkanite, 1x Tusk of Elder Weeping Tusk |
| Deep Meditation | Rare | 1 | Self | Draw 1 card; drawn card costs -2 Mana this turn. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Sunfrost, 1x Talon of Elder Doomglare |
| Warmth | Rare | 2 | Self | Adjacent cards in hand gain +1 damage for battle. Draws 1 card upon being drawn. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Inkfish Fossils, 3x Fur of Weeping Tusk |
| Prepare Ambush | Rare | 1 | Self | +1 damage to a random card in hand for rest of battle. Still: Echo. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Prickle Tree Branch, 3x Pieces of Aurorite |
| Radiant Frost | Rare | 2 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Hits all adjacent tiles. Still: Echo. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Sunfrost, 3x Horn of Horned Menace |
| Bracing For Battle | Rare | Varies | Self | Requires 5 active Block to cast. Draw 2 cards, gain +1 Mana. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Sunfrost, 1x Muscle of Coma Conch |
| Crushed From Above | Rare | 2 | Line 1-4 | Deals damage equal to current Block; lose half current Block. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Wounded Tongue, 1x Gonads of Woeful Seashroom |
| Stone Body | Rare | 2 | Self | Gain +5 Block; ends Ro's turn immediately. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Moonstone, 1x Horn of Elder Skulldog |
| Reinforced | Rare | 1 | Self | Grants +1 additional Block each time Block is gained from other sources this turn. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Speckled Murkanite, 1x Pearl of Elder Coma Conch |
| Solar Eclipse | Rare | 2 | Self | Inflicts Weak 1 on all enemies; draw 2 cards. Dying: +3 Block if under 5 HP. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Inkfish Fossils, 3x Heart of Elder Frostgrowl |
| Harden Soul | Rare | 1 (Base) | Self | Gain +1 Block; carries current Block over to next turn. Exhaust. (Cost raised in 1.0.0.3). | 4x Death Howl, 3x Wounded Tongue, 1x Tusks of Elder Weeping Tusk |
| Clear Mind | Rare | 3 | Self | Reduces Mana cost of all cards currently in hand by 1 this turn. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Petrified Shell, 1x Nasal Bone of Bleakbone |
| A Sight to Behold | Rare | 1 | Self | Copies any card in hand. Exhaust. Obtained via special event at The Glacial Maw. | Special Scene at The Glacial Maw (No materials needed) |
| Light a Fire | Rare | 2 | Self | Spawns a Bonfire for 3 turns. Pauses Chill, grants cards, kills certain foes. Exhaust. | Regional progression unlock (costs 2 Teardrops) |
Realm of Distorted Hollows Card List
The Realm of Distorted Hollows emphasizes discarding cards, hand manipulation, burst damage, and sacrifice mechanics. Cards unlock incrementally as materials are collected up to 62 total items.
Official balance changes in Patch 1.0.0.5 adjusted several cards in this archetype: Extract Thoughts increased in mana cost with higher damage, Devour draws one fewer card, and Fearless was revised so its damage buff applies strictly to the next attack made during the current turn.
| Card Name | Rarity | Mana Cost | Type / Range | Card Effect | Crafting Recipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Slash | Common | 0 | Melee (1 Dmg) | Kill: Echo (returns to hand once per turn if it defeats an enemy). | 2x Death Howl, 1x Stick, 1x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Take Skin | Common | 1 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Kill: Gain +2 Block upon defeating the enemy target. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Slitstone, 1x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Enchant Weapon | Common | 0 | Self | Grants +1 damage to next attack. Sacrifice: Gain +1 Mana point. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Stick, 1x Feather of Doomglare |
| Lost Dagger | Common | 1 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Standard melee strike. Sacrifice: Increases card damage by +1 for battle. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Dead Leaves, 1x Snout of Grimsnout |
| Double Strike | Common | 1 | Melee (2x1 Dmg) | Two rapid hits. Last: Draw 1 card if played as the final card this turn. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Dead Leaves, 2x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Reckless | Common | 3 | Melee (4 Dmg) | Mana cost decreases by 1 for each card discarded earlier this turn. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Dead Leaves, 1x Snout of Grimsnout |
| Rabid Attack | Common | 2 | Line 3 (4 Dmg) | Pierces enemies in a 3-tile straight line; discards 2 random cards from hand. | 2x Death Howl, 2x Spotted Bloodcap, 1x Snout of Grimsnout |
| Sharpen Weapon | Common | 1 | Self | +1 attack damage this turn. First: Draw 1 card if played first. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Slitstone, 1x Wart of Gloomcroak |
| Triple Strike | Rare | 2 | Melee (3x1 Dmg) | Strikes three times; discards 2 cards from hand after attacking. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Dead Leaves, 1x Wart of Gloomcroak |
| Mosquito Bite | Common | 1 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Pierces through enemy Block completely; draws 1 card after use. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Stick, 1x Slime of Sobslug |
| Scattered Thoughts | Common | 2 | Self | Draw 2 cards. First: Gain +1 Mana. Sacrifice: Draw 1 card. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Slitstone, 1x Wing of Hatchwing |
| Cleanse | Rare | 0 | Self | Clears all negative status ailments; discards 3 cards from hand. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Scattered Denilite, 1x Shell of Elder Sobslug |
| Distraction | Common | 0 | Self | Move +2 spaces on next action; discards 1 card. Sacrifice: Gain +1 Block. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Blushing Child, 1x Slime of Sobslug |
| Repurpose | Rare | 0 | Self | Draw 2 cards; discard 1 card. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 2x Slitstone, 3x Gills of Dire Shroom |
| Two Tears | Rare | 2 | Self | Fully refills Ro's Mana pool; discards 2 cards. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Scattered Denilite, 1x Claw of Dire Shroom |
| Gift of Nature | Rare | 0 | Self | Restores +2 Mana immediately. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Tears of the Womb, 3x Slime of Sobslug |
| Fireball | Common | 2 | Line 2-3 (4 Dmg) | Ranged projectile. Sacrifice: Deals 2 damage to all adjacent enemies. | 2x Death Howl, 2x Stick, 2x Bark of Sunless Hollow |
| Extract Thoughts | Rare | Varies | Melee (3 Dmg) | Ignores enemy Block; draws 2 cards; discards 2 cards. (Cost adjusted in Patch 1.0.0.5). | 4x Death Howl, 3x Spotted Bloodcap, 1x Talon of Elder Doomglare |
| Frantic Stabbing | Rare | 1 | Melee (1 Dmg) | Strikes an additional time for each card discarded this turn. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Stick, 3x Wart of Gloomcroak |
| Take Skull | Common | 1 | Melee (2 Dmg) | Kill: Draws 1 card, reducing its Mana cost by 2 this turn. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Stick, 1x Pieces of Aurorite |
| Triple Arrow | Rare | 4 | Line 2-7 (3x1 Dmg) | Long-range volley. Mana cost reduced by 1 per card discarded this turn. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Slitstone, 3x Gills of Dire Shroom |
| Fearless | Rare | Special | Self | Cannot be cast directly; requires discarding 2 cards first. Buffs next attack damage. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Hooded Cheernut, 1x Shell of Elder Sobslug |
| Nightmares | Rare | 2 | Melee | Deals +1 damage per card in hand; discards 3 random cards after resolving. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Blushing Child, 1x Embers of Elder Sunless Hollow |
| Growth | Rare | 3 | Self | Permanent +1 damage to all attacks for the remainder of combat. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 2x Tears of the Womb, 1x Tusks of Elder Grimsnout |
| Nest of Eggs | Rare | 1 | Self | Draw 3 cards immediately. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Scattered Denilite, 1x Tongue of Elder Gloomcroak |
| Defensive Flow | Common | 2 | Self | Gain +3 Block. Costs -1 Mana per active damage buff. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Hooded Cheernut, 1x Wing of Hatchwing |
| Ritual Offering | Rare | 0 | Self | Discard 1 card; that discarded card gains bonus damage next time it is played. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Hooded Chestnut, 3x Wing of Hatchwing |
| Planting Seeds | Rare | 2 | Self | Discard 2 cards (both gain future damage bonuses) and draw 2 cards. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 3x Hooded Chestnut, 1x Wing of Elder Hatchwing |
| Frog Leap | Common | 2 | Self | Teleport 2 to 4 spaces away. First: Restores +1 Mana if played first. | 2x Death Howl, 2x Arrowgills, 2x Jaw of Dreadfin |
| Lightning Strike | Rare | 1 | Melee | Deals +2 bonus damage for every card discarded earlier this turn. Exhaust. | 2x Death Howl, 3x Arrowgills, 3x Jaw of Dreadfin |
| Pile of Rocks | Rare | 2 | Self | Last: Gain +5 Block if played last. Kept: +1 Block if held. Sacrifice: +1 attack damage. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Rebirth, 1x Brain of Elder Dreadfin |
| Cure Poison | Common | 1 | Self | Cleanses 3 Poison stacks; draws 1 card. Sacrifice: Draw 1 card. | 2x Death Howl, 1x Arrowgills, 1x Feather of Sorrowing |
| Stone Fist | Rare | 3 | Melee (4 Dmg) | Costs -1 Mana for each active damage buff on Ro this turn. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Sore Slimecap, 1x Brain of Elder Dreadfin |
| Devour | Rare | Special | Self | Playable only after scoring a kill this turn. Restores 2 Mana; draws cards (reduced in 1.0.0.5). | 4x Death Howl, 1x Rebirth, 1x Brain of Elder Crawling Terror |
| Thunder Touch | Rare | 1 | Melee | Deals +1 additional damage for every other card played earlier this turn. Exhaust. | 4x Death Howl, 1x Sore Slimecap, 1x Horn of Horned Menace |
| Plucking Talons | Rare | 2 | Melee (4 Dmg) | Kill: Draw 2 cards if this attack defeats its target. Exhaust. | Regional progression unlock (costs 1 Teardrop) |
Other Realms and Missing Catalogs
Official game documents and developer notes confirm the existence of four major realms, including the Realm of Gloomy Waters and Realm of Hostile Plains (referenced in update notes for cards like Peak and regional Overwhelmed stages).
However, full itemized crafting recipes and comprehensive card indexes for the Realm of Gloomy Waters and Realm of Hostile Plains are unconfirmed in available documentation. Players exploring these territories should gather regional loot and inspect the in-game crafting interface (accessible by pressing C) to track newly revealed recipes.
Card Crafting Rules and Mechanics
Crafting new cards in Death Howl is handled directly inside the deck interface and does not require visiting an NPC smith. The core rules governing cards and deck structure include:
- Deck Cap: Your combat deck must consist of exactly 20 cards. If you craft new cards, you must remove existing ones to keep the deck count legal.
- Currency and Drops: Every card recipe requires Death Howls (a spirit essence acquired by clearing enemy encounters and awakening Sacred Groves) combined with common flora, fauna, or boss materials such as Snouts, Feathers, Slitstone, and Moonstones.
- Visual Crafting Cues: Patches 1.0.0.3 and 1.0.0.5 introduced animated bright borders on the crafting grid and exclamation indicators on menu tabs to signify when collected materials meet the criteria for an uncrafted card.
- Cross-Realm Mana Tax: Any non-neutral card brought outside its native zone costs 1 additional mana to play. Building a mono-archetype deck around the local realm's mechanics generally produces far more consistent combat rounds than splashing foreign cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Fearless card work?
Fearless cannot be played manually from your hand by paying mana. It requires you to discard 2 cards using other discard mechanics (such as Extract Thoughts, Cleanse, or Rabid Attack). Once the discard condition is met, its effect activates, providing a damage bonus to your next attack this turn.
What causes cards from previous areas to cost more mana?
Every non-neutral card has a native realm designation. If you travel to a different realm, cards from outside that zone incur an automatic +1 mana penalty. Neutral realmless cards (including basic attacks and Fylge summons) are unaffected by this mechanic.
Can you have more than one Fylge summon active at once?
No. Game rules allow only one Fylge summon on the grid at a time. Summoning cards cost 2 mana and carry the Exhaust tag, preventing them from being drawn again in that same battle.
Where can I check crafting requirements for missing realm cards?
Open your card manager and press C (or the assigned controller shortcut) to open the regional crafting interface. Unmet recipes will list the exact Death Howl currency and monster drops required once unlocked on your progression map.
