---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-19
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-19
lang: en
title: 'Items, loot and equipment'
summary: >-
  New acquisitions expand the current run’s options. Players evaluate
  properties, build compatibility and the cost of rejecting alternatives.
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-19/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-19.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-19.md
aliases:
  - Loot and new acquisitions
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-19
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-19'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
    title: Loot and new acquisitions
    description: >-
      New acquisitions expand the current run’s options. Players evaluate
      properties, build compatibility and the cost of rejecting alternatives.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/monster-train-reward.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      crop:
        x: 300
        'y': 90
        width: 825
        height: 720
      game: Monster Train
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1102190/ss_f8d8e271f4e51ec75660cacb70364005c7352ff1.1920x1080.jpg?t=1779381275
      credit: Shiny Shoe / Good Shepherd Entertainment
      rights: © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.
      caption: A new card as a run acquisition
      alt: >-
        Monster Train: two new unit cards are offered with visible effects,
        attack and health.
      markers:
        - x: 40
          'y': 71
          label: Properties of the first acquisition
        - x: 60
          'y': 71
          label: Properties of the alternative
    tips:
      - Show properties without requiring the player to take the item.
      - Clarify whether an acquisition persists after the run ends.
    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
---
# Items, loot and equipment

id: roguelike--family-19
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-19
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-19/

New acquisitions expand the current run’s options. Players evaluate properties, build compatibility and the cost of rejecting alternatives.

## At a glance

![Monster Train: two new unit cards are offered with visible effects, attack and health.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/monster-train-reward.webp)

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

1. Properties of the first acquisition
2. Properties of the alternative

- Show properties without requiring the player to take the item.
- Clarify whether an acquisition persists after the run ends.

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

## How it works

Found items change the character's abilities through loot properties and equipment conditions.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-19-variants"></a>

- Random loot drops <a id="variant-roguelike-19-01"></a>
- Selecting a reward from several options <a id="variant-roguelike-19-02"></a>
- Items of different rarity levels <a id="variant-roguelike-19-03"></a>
- Random item characteristics <a id="variant-roguelike-19-04"></a>
- Prefixes, suffixes and additional properties <a id="variant-roguelike-19-05"></a>
- Unique items with a special rule <a id="variant-roguelike-19-06"></a>
- Activated Items <a id="variant-roguelike-19-07"></a>
- Passive Relics <a id="variant-roguelike-19-08"></a>
- Disposable consumables <a id="variant-roguelike-19-09"></a>
- Items with limited charges <a id="variant-roguelike-19-10"></a>
- Different equipment slots <a id="variant-roguelike-19-11"></a>
- Competition of items for one slot <a id="variant-roguelike-19-12"></a>
- Equipment compatibility restrictions <a id="variant-roguelike-19-13"></a>
- Items that grow with the character <a id="variant-roguelike-19-14"></a>
- Items with an advantage and a built-in disadvantage <a id="variant-roguelike-19-15"></a>
- Items that change available rewards or encounters <a id="variant-roguelike-19-16"></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