If the recent success ofVampire Survivorsat the 2023 BAFTA awards tells the gaming community anything, it’s that the roguelike/roguelite genre is very much still a beloved game category for new and experienced gamers alike. To coincide with the recent “second wind” of roguelike games, players have been treated to several great new titles to sink their teeth into, including Caiysware’sBoneraiser Minions.
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The gothic-horror roguelite has won over leagues of fans by introducing an auto-battle experience by which the main character is tasked with surviving waves of heroes by raising an army of the undead to provide protection. With a plethora of different minions at the player’s disposal, which skellies and daemons are best for ensuring triumph?
10Deamonous Tangler
While it is essential in any roguelike game to have a strong offense by means of potent attacking weapons, a well-rounded arsenal will also consider other ways to give the player an advantage. The Deamonous Tangler is a prime example of a very valuable team-mate who won’t necessarily pack all the punch needed to win.
The Deamonous Tangler proves its worth in its ability to not only slow down the opposition, but to also provide opportunities for players to get a quick boost in their health. In a game where the main character will offer very little offense themselves and rely on being evasive, having a minion that is able to hinder the speed of the opposition can prove the difference between winning and losing. To get this advanced tangler, players need a level 3 Tangler and a Hellion Sinful Soul.
9Waxen High Wizard
Boneraiser Minionsincludes an entire class of croniesthat epitomize turning one’s biggest weakness into their strengths. Among the variety of henchmen at the player’s disposal comes a variety of wax sidekicks, which mimic the very threats that try to destroy the necromancer.
Of those wax offers comes the Waxen High Wizard, which protects the player by shooting multiple magical projectiles at adversaries. By combining a soul with 2 level 3 wizards, players can turn the powerful threat into one of their biggest allies.
8Big Bro Pumpkinious
To coincide with the classic themesrelating to the horror genre, the team behindBoneraiser Minionsincluded the famous Halloween pumpkin, but with an explosive twist. As expected, the weaponizing of horror’s favorite fruit is not only fun, but very effective.
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The Big Bro Pumpkinious is a kamikaze-type minion that will run at adversaries head-on and explode, causing damage to a crowd of enemies. While this usually would be a one-time-only weapon, the character’s skill as a necromancer mean Pumpkinious will regenerate and do damage repeatedly. Players can make use of the pumpkin’s older sibling by merging two Pumpkin Bros.
7Mighty Mucusoums
If the haunting face of the Mighty Mucusoums doesn’t scare off the valiant heroes, the minion’s offensive weapons may make them wish it did. This henchman’s head somewhat resembles a jack-o-lantern if it died and was resurrected, with sunken eye-holes and a creepy, crooked smile.
Unpleasing aesthetics aside, the Mighty Mucusoums does its damage by spreading Meld Rot over the grid, which causes enemies to explode when they die. Essentially, this minion manages to weaponize the very adversaries that fall, which brings about the further demise of other heroes. In order to raise this minion, players will need two Melus-type minions, such as Hammerers or Vomiters.
6Giantan Cannoneer
One would not have to see the Giantan Cannoneer in action to get an idea of what this large minion may have to offer. As the name suggests, this behemoth comes wielding a giant cannon which they use for the sheer purpose of delivering mass destruction.
The Giantan Cannoneer produces cannonballs that have devastating effects on the opposition, with the added benefit that they pierce through all adversaries, meaning there are no limits to the number of victims per cannon blast. Acquiring one of these great guardians will take a little more work, as players are required to merge a Skelly and a Giant, however it is an investment that yields a significant return.
5Deamonous Archer
A good army includes a combination of formidable close-quarter combat specialists anddeadly offense from a distance. Both of these are on offer inBoneraiser Minions, however it is the laser-spread attack of the Deamonous Archer that provides a potent form of protection.
The Deamonous Archer is an advanced form of the regular archer, which trades standard arrows for lasers and disperses them in a spread of 5, making this an effective way to deliver damage in bulk. The added benefit to lasers over arrows is that there is no limit to the number of adversaries that can fall victim to the Archer’s shots. This minion can be acquired by combining a level 3 archer with a Hellion Sinful Soul.
4Big Bro Inflamenous
Part of what makesBoneraiser Minionssuchan easy title for players to get intois its user-friendly control system, which makes learning the game effortless with regard to learning how to effectively move around the map. However, given the strength of the heroes trying to dispose of the necromancer character, the game’s true challenge lies in enlisting the right soldiers to put in the firing line. And what better troop to have in said firing line than one that produces its own flame.
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The Big Bro Inflamenous on the surface appears to be a very large and misshapen organ, sporting what could be described as a very fiery-looking exterior. It is a must-have for disposing of crowds, as it provides an endless trail of flames as it walks around the map, causing significant burn damage to any who touch it. To add this to their army, players will be required to already have 2 Flam Bros in their repertoire.
3Zogziech Diablos
One of the biggest perks ofBoneraiser Minionsis that its variety of minion types offers a wide range of game strategies. The gamemaintains its value over multiple replaysand can give gamers a completely different look depending on their choice of minion and additional perks.
While players do have an endless realm of possibilities to equip in their arsenal, the Zogziech Diablos would be one that frequents almost every game strategy. This flying cyclopean horror blasts enemies with a huge laser beam from its large eye, frying anyone who is in its path, combining all the great things about the Diablos class of minions with potent ranged attack. To enlist the help of this creature, players need to merge 2 Demon-type minions
2Megas Meldsumassous
With a head resemblingthe Pirahna Plants from theMariofranchiseand a body that would suggest the plant is very well-fed, the Megas Meldsumassous is a mouthful to say and a handful for the heroes to deal with. This purple colossus delivers devastating blows to the opposition with the use of its two enormous fists.
The Megas Meldsumassous is one of the most potent forms of defense in the entire game and is a very valuable resource in the later stages as the situation becomes progressively stickier. In order to raise this mammoth henchman, players will first require two active Mighty Meldusmous minions in their arsenal.
1Giantous Deamonous
Boneraiser Minionsis a unique roguelike as its main character, for the most part,takes measures to avoid engaging in any combatthemselves. However, its charm comes from the range of guardians available to do the fighting instead, both great and small. As the name would suggest, the Giantous Deamonous combines sheer size with a devilish intent.
The Giantous Deamonous is one of the most effective sources of offense in the game, which attacks oncoming heroes with an endless supply of bones with devastating consequences. The giant is one of the more difficult minions to raise, as it requires a soul combined with an existing giant, however the benefits of having it at the player’s disposal certainly make it worthwhile.
Boneraiser Minionsis now available to play on PC and can be purchased from Steam.
