Mistborn Deckbuilder Brings Slay the Spire to the Cosmere Universe

In Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, certain characters possess the unique ability to metabolize metals, enabling them to perform magic. They can burn pewter to boost their physical capabilities or use brass to calm another person’s emotions. Among them, the Mistborn are exceptionally powerful, capable of utilizing numerous metals to not only soar through the skies but even glimpse into the future.

Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game cleverly harnesses these magical mechanics laid out by Sanderson, letting players embody the potent Mistborn. Players use metals to craft intricate combos, striving to either complete three missions—with rewards at milestones—or knock out competitors by depleting their health to zero.

As the game progresses, characters grow stronger, gaining the ability to burn more of the game’s eight metals each turn. These metals are crucial for activating cards that let players progress on mission tracks, attack rivals, or refine their decks by acquiring new cards or discarding weaker ones. Many cards contain kickers that unleash more potent effects if players can burn an additional metal of the same type, promoting a focus on specialization. A broader approach involves flaring metals, which essentially places them on cooldown until refreshed with matching cards in future turns—a strategy I found I had underutilized early in the game to bolster my deck.

One of the game’s standout features is its innovative take on handling damage. In games with three or four players, one person is designated as the target and is the only one who can be attacked. This role isn’t purely disadvantageous, as the targeted player can retaliate, inflicting damage on all opponents whenever they launch an attack. Whenever the target takes damage, they have the option to either pass the token to another player or retain it. This clever mechanic prevents everyone from piling on the player who’s leading but also allows for strategic retention by aggressive players.

I’m excited to explore new strategies and dive into the game’s co-op mode, where it truly captures the essence of the series as the Mistborn band together against the oppressive Lord Ruler. The game seems poised for expansion, with opportunities to introduce more characters and storylines from the series beyond its inaugural book.