---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-18
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-18
lang: en
title: Build construction and synergies
summary: >-
  The player combines cards, items and upgrades that reinforce one another. A
  discovery’s value depends on the build already taking shape.
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-18/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-18.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-18.md
aliases:
  - Builds and synergies
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-18
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-18'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
    title: Builds and synergies
    description: >-
      The player combines cards, items and upgrades that reinforce one another.
      A discovery’s value depends on the build already taking shape.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/monster-train-upgrade.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_13f43b3b31bff7891d899172799dc0dbf3a2c0c7.1920x1080.jpg?t=1779381275
      credit: Shiny Shoe / Good Shepherd Entertainment
      rights: © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.
      caption: Choosing a recipient for Multistrike
      alt: >-
        Monster Train: Frenzystone offers Multistrike 1 for a unit, with
        eligible unit cards shown below.
      markers:
        - x: 40
          'y': 13
          label: An upgrade with a specific effect
        - x: 51
          'y': 52
          label: Choosing a card to upgrade
    tips:
      - Preview the combined effect before confirmation.
      - Support combinations beyond one obvious damage upgrade.
    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
---
# Build construction and synergies

id: roguelike--family-18
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-18
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-18/

The player combines cards, items and upgrades that reinforce one another. A discovery’s value depends on the build already taking shape.

## At a glance

![Monster Train: Frenzystone offers Multistrike 1 for a unit, with eligible unit cards shown below.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/monster-train-upgrade.webp)

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

1. An upgrade with a specific effect
2. Choosing a card to upgrade

- Preview the combined effect before confirmation.
- Support combinations beyond one obvious damage upgrade.

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

## How it works

Combinations of enhancements and constraints create specialization, cross-reinforcement, and build trade-offs.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-18-variants"></a>

- Accumulating copies of one effect <a id="variant-roguelike-18-01"></a>
- Item Set Bonuses <a id="variant-roguelike-18-02"></a>
- Bonuses for belonging to the general category <a id="variant-roguelike-18-03"></a>
- Evolution of weapons when conditions are met <a id="variant-roguelike-18-04"></a>
- Combining multiple abilities into a new one <a id="variant-roguelike-18-05"></a>
- Converting one damage type to another <a id="variant-roguelike-18-06"></a>
- Converting a resource or characteristic to another <a id="variant-roguelike-18-07"></a>
- Effects on hit <a id="variant-roguelike-18-08"></a>
- Critical Hit Effects <a id="variant-roguelike-18-09"></a>
- Effects on Kill <a id="variant-roguelike-18-10"></a>
- Effects when taking damage <a id="variant-roguelike-18-11"></a>
- Effects when healing, moving or spending a resource <a id="variant-roguelike-18-12"></a>
- Effects at the start and end of a turn <a id="variant-roguelike-18-13"></a>
- Low Health Boost <a id="variant-roguelike-18-14"></a>
- Gain when constraint is satisfied <a id="variant-roguelike-18-15"></a>
- Gaining power during a fight or run <a id="variant-roguelike-18-16"></a>
- Copying and retriggering effects <a id="variant-roguelike-18-17"></a>
- Transferring effect between targets <a id="variant-roguelike-18-18"></a>
- Dependence of the result on the order of operation <a id="variant-roguelike-18-19"></a>
- Combinations that change the basic rules of action <a id="variant-roguelike-18-20"></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