The stars have aligned for tactical gaming enthusiasts. Conjurers, the ambitious turn-based tactics debut from solo developer Carl Treadway, launched on July 28, 2026, bringing a fresh approach to creature-collection combat where the Zodiac itself becomes your army. Priced at $11.99 with a 20% launch discount, this indie.io-published title challenges players to unite the constellations and face the Immortal Aquarius.

What sets Conjurers apart is its hybrid creation system. Any two creature types can combine to forge powerful hybrids—a Hoofed-Human becomes a Minotaur, a Polypod-Prowler forms a Manticore, and a Winged-Lizard gives rise to a Dragon. With eight distinct creature types and the ability to combine them freely, the game offers 60 animated creatures and hybrids for players to master across tactical battlefields where terrain actively shapes every engagement.

The Core Combat Loop

Conjurers operates on classic turn-based tactics principles with modern refinements. Each battle unfolds on a grid-based map featuring terrain variations that directly impact creature effectiveness. High ground provides accuracy bonuses, Mana Towers generate resources for summoning and spells, and environmental hazards can turn the tide against careless commanders.

The game’s deckbuilding layer adds strategic depth. Players construct a 24-card deck from 150 available creature cards, weapons, abilities, and spells. Mana management becomes crucial each turn—you’ll never have enough resources to do everything, forcing meaningful choices between activating creatures, playing cards, or saving mana for defensive reactions.

Eight rival Conjurers stand between you and ultimate victory. Each commands a constellation bound to specific creature types. Defeating a rival doesn’t merely eliminate them—it strips their constellation entirely, folding those creatures permanently into your available roster. This conquest mechanic means your army grows stronger with each victory, evolving from a specialized force into a hybrid army drawn from across the full Zodiac.

Understanding the Eight Creature Types

Conjurers features eight distinct creature families, each with inherent strengths and tactical roles:

Humans form the backbone of most armies. They excel at adaptability, capable of filling multiple roles depending on equipment and support. Human creatures typically feature balanced stats and benefit most from card synergies.

Prowlers specialize in mobility and ambush tactics. These creatures excel at flanking maneuvers, hitting vulnerable backline units, and retreating before counterattacks land. Their speed makes them ideal for capturing Mana Towers early in battles.

Hoofed Beasts bring raw power and charging attacks. These creatures excel at breaking enemy formations through sheer force, often featuring abilities that trigger on impact or when moving through difficult terrain.

Winged Beasts dominate aerial combat and ignore ground-based obstacles. Their flight capability allows them to bypass terrain hazards and reach elevated positions instantly, making them excellent for securing high ground advantages.

Lizards offer durability and regenerative capabilities. These creatures often feature armor bonuses or healing effects, making them reliable front-line fighters who can sustain prolonged engagements.

Serpents specialize in control and debuff application. Their abilities typically poison, slow, or otherwise impair enemies, setting up kills for other creatures in your army.

Polypods bring unusual movement patterns and area control. These multi-limbed creatures can often attack multiple targets or occupy multiple spaces simultaneously, creating unique tactical opportunities.

Aquatic creatures (the eighth type referenced in promotional materials) excel in water terrain and feature abilities that manipulate battlefield hydration levels.

Hybrid Combination Strategies

The hybrid system represents Conjurers’ most innovative mechanic. By combining any two creature types, players unlock creatures that blend their parents’ strengths while gaining unique abilities. Understanding which combinations excel in specific situations separates novice Conjurers from masters.

Minotaur (Hoofed + Human) combines the charging power of Hoofed Beasts with Human adaptability. This hybrid excels at breaking fortified positions while retaining enough intelligence to benefit from tactical cards. Best used as a shock trooper that can operate independently or support a broader push.

Manticore (Polypod + Prowler) merges the Polypod’s multi-limb attacks with Prowler mobility. The result is a creature that can strike multiple targets while repositioning between attacks. Ideal for disrupting enemy backlines and eliminating support units.

Dragon (Winged + Lizard) represents the pinnacle of aerial dominance combined with durability. Dragons can seize high ground instantly, withstand counterattacks thanks to Lizard regeneration, and deliver devastating area attacks. Their summoning cost reflects their power, making them late-game finishers.

Centaur (Hoofed + Winged)—while not explicitly confirmed—would logically combine charging attacks with aerial mobility, creating a creature that can initiate combat from unexpected angles.

Naga (Serpent + Human) would blend control abilities with tactical flexibility, creating a support caster that can also defend itself in melee.

The key to successful hybrid deployment lies in understanding your opponent’s constellation. If facing a Conjurer who specializes in Winged Beasts, prioritize hybrids with anti-air capabilities or terrain that negates flight advantages. The game’s scalable AI opponent (ranging from Level 1’s straightforward aggression to Level 5’s calculated long-term planning) ensures that static strategies fail against higher difficulties.

Terrain Tactics and Battlefield Control

Terrain in Conjurers isn’t decorative—it’s a core combat mechanic that demands active management. Every battlefield features varying elevation, resource points, and environmental hazards that savvy commanders exploit.

High Ground provides accuracy bonuses for ranged attacks and makes creatures harder to hit from below. Securing elevated positions early should be a priority in every engagement. Winged creatures excel here, but any unit can benefit from proper positioning.

Mana Towers generate the resources needed for summoning and spellcasting. Battles often revolve around controlling these structures, with both players maneuvering to capture and deny tower access. Losing tower control can starve your hand of options.

Environmental Hazards include fire zones that deal damage over time, water that slows movement, and unstable ground that may collapse under weight. Some creatures can create or eliminate hazards, adding a layer of battlefield manipulation.

Cover Systems allow creatures to avoid line-of-sight attacks. Forests, ruins, and constructed barriers provide protection but may also limit your own creatures’ firing arcs. Understanding when to use cover versus when to maintain mobility separates effective commanders from cautious ones.

The tutorial system teaches these concepts over approximately ten minutes, using guided scenarios and in-game tooltips. This brief introduction covers the rules adequately, but mastery requires extensive play against increasingly sophisticated AI opponents.

Progression and the Road to Aquarius

The campaign structure leads players through eight rival Conjurers before facing the Immortal Aquarius. Each defeated rival permanently adds their creature type to your available roster, gradually expanding your strategic options.

Your creatures persist across battles, gaining experience and leveling up. This persistence means losing a valuable unit carries real weight—you’re not just losing a battle, you’re losing accumulated investment. Careful positioning and tactical withdrawals become more valuable than reckless aggression.

The three boss battles interspersed throughout the campaign test specific skills. These encounters punish poor positioning and careless deckbuilding, forcing players to demonstrate mastery of the systems before advancing. Each boss features unique mechanics that require adaptation rather than brute force.

The final confrontation with the Immortal Aquarius represents the ultimate challenge. According to developer Carl Treadway, this battle features mechanics and dialogue that players won’t anticipate. Earning the right to face Aquarius requires defeating every other Conjurer in the Zodiac, ensuring you’ve mastered all creature types and hybrid combinations before the climactic battle.

Deckbuilding Fundamentals

Your 24-card deck determines which creatures, weapons, abilities, and spells you can access during battles. Building an effective deck requires balancing immediate needs with long-term flexibility.

Creature Density should comprise roughly 60% of your deck. You need enough creatures to maintain battlefield presence while leaving room for support cards. Too many creatures and you’ll draw dead cards when you need utility; too few and you’ll lack board presence.

Mana Curve matters even in a tactics game. Lower-cost creatures and spells let you act early, securing key positions before your opponent. Higher-cost powerhouses dominate late game but leave you vulnerable if drawn early.

Removal and Control cards handle problematic enemy creatures. Every deck needs answers to threats—direct damage, exile effects, or control magic that neutralizes enemy advantages.

Synergy Combos multiply effectiveness when cards work together. A deck built around a specific creature type or strategy often outperforms a collection of individually powerful but disconnected cards.

The scalable AI opponent provides excellent practice for refining deckbuilding skills. Level 1 plays simply and attacks directly, perfect for testing basic decks. Level 3 chains spells and plans long-term, requiring more sophisticated strategies. Level 5 considers every card, creature, and order of play—expect to be outmaneuvered unless your deck and tactics are finely tuned.

What It Means for Players

Conjurers appeals to players who enjoy tactical depth without overwhelming complexity. The ten-minute tutorial and in-game tooltips make the rules accessible, while the hybrid system and terrain mechanics provide enough depth for hundreds of hours of mastery.

The game’s greatest strength lies in its conquest mechanic. Permanently adding defeated rivals’ creatures to your roster creates a tangible sense of progression that traditional roguelites lack. Each victory meaningfully expands your options, making losses feel like temporary setbacks rather than complete resets.

At $11.99, Conjurers offers exceptional value for tactical gaming enthusiasts. The combination of creature collection, deckbuilding, terrain-based tactics, and a structured campaign provides more strategic variety than many games costing significantly more.

The Immortal Aquarius awaits. Only the most skilled Conjurers will unite the Zodiac and claim their place among the stars.