---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-03
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-03
lang: en
title: Starting conditions
summary: >-
  Before a run, the player chooses a roster, rules or restrictions. These
  conditions shape available strategies and vary repeated attempts.
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-03/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-03.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-03.md
aliases:
  - Run starting conditions
tags:
  - Roguelikes and roguelites
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-ea407a6c37045737
sources:
  - id: source-ea407a6c37045737
    title: Monster Train
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: roguelike
    id: family-03
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-03'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
    title: Run starting conditions
    description: >-
      Before a run, the player chooses a roster, rules or restrictions. These
      conditions shape available strategies and vary repeated attempts.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/monster-train-challenge.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Monster Train
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1102190/ss_482b7d543a1e5773eb469b4702258b7eb34f2da1.1920x1080.jpg?t=1779381275
      credit: Shiny Shoe / Good Shepherd Entertainment
      rights: © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.
      caption: Choosing clans and modifiers
      alt: >-
        Monster Train: Customize Challenge displays primary and allied clans,
        mutators and a Covenant level.
      markers:
        - x: 55
          'y': 17
          label: Starting clan combination
        - x: 50
          'y': 43
          label: Run rule modifiers
    tips:
      - Explain each condition’s effect before starting.
      - Make it quick to repeat the same configuration.
    examples:
      - title: Monster Train
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/roguelike
---
# Starting conditions

id: roguelike--family-03
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-03
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-03/

Before a run, the player chooses a roster, rules or restrictions. These conditions shape available strategies and vary repeated attempts.

## At a glance

![Monster Train: Customize Challenge displays primary and allied clans, mutators and a Covenant level.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/monster-train-challenge.webp)

[Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) · © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.

1. Starting clan combination
2. Run rule modifiers

- Explain each condition’s effect before starting.
- Make it quick to repeat the same configuration.

- [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/)

## How it works

The starting hero, equipment and choice before the start set the initial possibilities of the run.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-03-variants"></a>

- Class selection: different starting actions and restrictions <a id="variant-roguelike-03-01"></a>
- Choice of species, race or origin <a id="variant-roguelike-03-02"></a>
- Character selection with unique mechanics <a id="variant-roguelike-03-03"></a>
- Choosing a starting weapon <a id="variant-roguelike-03-04"></a>
- Selecting a starting deck, unit, ship, or other build media <a id="variant-roguelike-03-05"></a>
- Selecting a starting relic or passive effect <a id="variant-roguelike-03-06"></a>
- Distribution of initial characteristics <a id="variant-roguelike-03-07"></a>
- Random starting items <a id="variant-roguelike-03-08"></a>
- Random positive and negative traits <a id="variant-roguelike-03-09"></a>
- Starting bonus in exchange for disadvantage <a id="variant-roguelike-03-10"></a>
- Preparing consumables before the expedition <a id="variant-roguelike-03-11"></a>
- Buying Starter Benefits on a Limited Budget <a id="variant-roguelike-03-12"></a>
- Pre-configuring the available reward pool <a id="variant-roguelike-03-13"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide author's map of classic turn-based roguelikes, modern roguelites and hybrids. Families describe options for organizing a run, and not mandatory features of the genre. Constant metaprogression is not found in all roguelikes. Related systems can be combined; the list is not a closed standard.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) (id: source-ea407a6c37045737)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors