GAMING 101
New to Auto Chess? Start Here.
Even if you play it regularly, Auto Chess can be hard to figure out.
Inspired by a mod for the Mac and PC game Dota 2, this supremely clever—if not all that chesslike—style of strategy game has a simple objective: Assemble a potent roster of heroes and clobber all comers.
Once you place your pieces on the eight-by-eight board, however, you have no control over them during battle. Whether they’re spell-slinging warlocks or sneaky assassins, they move and fight on their own. Through round after round of bite-size battles against seven other players, you’ll earn coins, upgrade and purchase units, and whittle down your opponents’ health. The last player standing wins—no small feat considering there could be 30 skirmishes (or more!) per match.
It may sound complex, but Auto Chess gets easier to follow—and absolutely riveting. Here are three standouts in this wildly popular genre.
Start hero
‣ The creators of the original Auto Chess mod for Dota 2, from China’s Drodo Studio, are the savvy veterans behind Auto Chess: Origin. Cheerful tutorials walk you through the basics, while a built-in encyclopedia has rules, tips, and detailed stats on every hero. If you’ve never tried Auto Chess before, this is an ideal first stop. Though the game doesn’t feature Dota characters—you’ll find that colorful crew in Dota Underlords—Origin’s art and animation are top-notch. Watching your Sky Breaker bot spin around in glee after a victory never gets old.
An army of friends
‣ If you’re deeply smitten with Dota lore, try Valve’s Dota Underlords. Polished and stylish, it is Auto Chess at its best. Like other Auto Chess variants, each of the game’s 60-plus heroes belongs to multiple alliances. The Enchantress is a Savage Druid, for example, while the Lich is a Heartless Mage. Place two Savage heroes on the board and allies get an attack damage bonus. Three Mages, meanwhile, will inflict a magic-resistance penalty on enemies. Choose wisely! Factor in other tactical elements—like dozens of weapons and items—and the strategic possibilities are limitless. Clever matchmaking ensures you’re always fighting similarly skilled foes. Or get your feet wet by practicing against bots.
Bugs, blasters, and bamboo
‣ With a wild mix of hero classes (Marine, Air Force, and...Panda?), Arena of Evolution: Red Tides infuses its Auto Chess fundamentals with a playful, sci-fi vibe. As you place your ever-expanding roster on the board, put beefy tanks (like the shield-toting Bulwark) up front and ranged attackers in the rear. A slew of customization options lets you tailor Red Tides to your tastes. Want your Panda Monks fighting in a winter wonderland and commanded by a giant pumpkin? Better start practicing—and racking up the wins.