Mechanics

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Cobalt Core features several mechanics that contribute to the gameplay loop.

Pre-Run

Cobalt Core is a roguelike, characterized by its run-based gameplay and permadeath.

Before starting a run, the player has the option customize their loadout. This influences the playstyle and decision-making throughout the duration of a run.

Crew

(see Characters)

The player's Crew comprises of, and requires three Characters. It can be customized in the left-hand side of the Pre-Run screen.

Each character possess unique decks and artifacts that players can come by during a run, affecting possible strategies and playstyle when these characters are part of the crew.

Only Dizzy, Riggs and Peri will be unlocked by default. The rest can be unlocked through Achievements.

Ship

(see Ships)

Ships are made up of different ship parts. This basically determines the ship's footprint, and most notably, the positioning of the cannon as these are where attacks originate from.

Each ship also comes with unique traits, often represented by artifacts.

Only Artemis is unlocked by default. The rest can be unlocked through Achievements.

Difficulty

(see Hardmode)

Difficulty text.

Boot Options

Boot options text.

Gameplay

Gameplay text.

Combat

Combat in Cobalt Core boils down to strategic positioning.

There are three rows of parallel one-dimensional grids: Player row, Midrow, Enemy row.

Evasion

Evasion is a mechanic that allows players and enemies to move along their respective row.

Players utilize a status effect called Evade, which acts like a consumable resource for movement. Using 1 evade to move a unit left or right across the grid of their row.

Enemies, however, have set behaviors for evading. See each enemy's unique behavior on their respective page.

Squaring up

Some enemies have set behaviors that allow them to instantly move to line up the center of their ship to the center of the player's ship. This happens if the player's footprint ceases from being aligned to am enemy's ship part, in which they will "square up."

Attributes

Attributes text.

Hull

(see Hull)

Hull is the main health attribute that the player wants to protect on their ship, and deplete on the enemy ship. If Hull falls below 0, the respective ship is destroyed, and in the player's case, game over.

Shield

(see Shield)

Shield is the secondary health attribute that a ship can raise to protect the Hull. Shield acts as extra hitpoints that takes damage before the Hull.

Since Shield is easier to come by than healing, it is an important resource to mitigating Hull damage.

Players and enemies can both raise shields, but the player has ways of ignoring the enemy's shield with Piercing attacks.

Status

(see Status)

Status text.

Enemy hints

Enemy hints text.

Deck

(see Cards)

Deck text.

Map

(see Locations)

Map text.

Artifacts

(see Artifacts)

Artifacts text.

Meta-Progression

Meta-progression text.

Codex

Codex text.