A game where chess pieces suddenly grow wings and knights cast spells? This is possible in auto battlers. This genre burst onto the gaming scene a couple of years ago and quickly found millions of fans. Not quite chess, but with the same depth: here, tactics dance with luck, and heroes come to life, just like in a fairy tale. What is so appealing about these games? It seems to be their ability to combine simplicity with ingenious solutions, where each move is like a calculated roll of the dice.
The battlefield and the dice of fate
It all started with ideas from fans. The Dota Auto Chess mod, released in 2019 for Dota 2, proved that players from the Pinco website are willing to spend hours placing heroes on the board. At first glance, the rules are simple: you recruit a squad of characters with different abilities and send them into battle. But here's the catch — the battle takes place on its own. The player only decides who to take and how to level them up. It's like training a team without taking them out on the field.
Each round is a mixture of order and chaos. You buy heroes from a random list, improve them, and combine their abilities. In Teamfight Tactics, for example, you can assemble mages who shower enemies with fire, or knights who withstand blows like stone towers. It's amazing how a random set of heroes makes your brain spin: what can you assemble from this to win?
By the way, in auto battlers, it's important to keep an eye on your gold. Players decide whether to spend it right away or save it, choosing between strength now and power later. It's like chess, where a queen can suddenly become a dragon with fire breath.
Why it's addictive
Auto battlers are a genre where no two games are alike. Random heroes and items make each match a little story. In one game, you lead elves with bows, in another, orcs with axes. The game doesn't require lightning-fast clicks like shooters. You sit, think, and then watch your heroes fight. If you lose, it's time to change your plan.
It's no surprise that auto battlers have become a hit on streaming platforms. Viewers love watching streamers get angry at bad luck or win with a clever plan. In Hearthstone Battlegrounds, for example, debates about whether pirates or demons are better can drag on for hours. It's like a sport where every player is also a strategist.
Heroes, synergies, and a little magic
What is so appealing about auto battlers? Probably their heroes. Each one is not just a unit, but a character with a soul. In Dota Underlords, there is a Troll Shaman who strikes with lightning, or a Dragon Knight who transforms into a winged beast. Synergies are the key to success. Gather three mages, and their spells will become more powerful. Add warriors, and your squad will withstand any onslaught like a fortress wall.
Players spend hours trying out new combinations. It's like brewing a potion: take archers, a mage, a pinch of luck — and your squad will mow down your enemies. True, sometimes the game gives you heroes that make it easier to give up. But losing teaches you: next time you'll be smarter.
Where is the genre headed?
Auto battlers are not losing momentum. Teamfight Tactics adds new heroes and mechanics, updating combinations. Hearthstone Battlegrounds introduces events where the rules change like the wind in spring. Indie games like Super Auto Pets show that the genre is alive even with cats instead of dragons.
It seems that auto battlers have found the golden mean between intelligence and fun. They don't require you to be a genius, but they reward you for your wits. This is a genre where everyone is a strategist, whether it's an army of mages or cats. And that's their strength: every match is a new page where you write history together with luck.
