- SpellChain spell list: Prioritize cheap, reusable spells with strong effects.
- Best targets: Broken Memories, Space Prism, Offering Token, and Razor Sharp Edge.
- Cost rule: Reduce Ember cost before applying Spell Chain whenever practical.
- Avoid waste: Do not copy expensive spells without a clear deck-building purpose.
- Build synergy: Incant, Infusion, Consume, and Ember Drain decks gain the most value.
SpellChain Spell List: How the Upgrade Works
SpellChain spell list planning is most useful in Monster Train when you treat Spell Chain as a resource multiplier rather than an automatic upgrade. The Divine Temple enhancement creates an additional copy of the spell in your hand, but that copy generally costs more than the original. The extra card can be played immediately, saved for a later turn, or used to repeat a powerful effect during deck cycling.
The upgrade is strongest when the original spell is cheap and useful more than once. A zero-cost spell usually creates a one-cost copy, while a one-cost spell reduced with a cost upgrade can often produce a playable second copy. This makes Ember reduction one of the most important partners for Spell Chain.
| Spell profile | Spell Chain value | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-cost spell with a strong effect | Excellent | Usually a premium target |
| One-cost spell with Ember reduction | Very good | Use when both copies remain playable |
| Expensive spell with no reduction | Low | Copy only for a specific combo |
| Reusable Consume spell | Excellent | Consider for Consume or Etch decks |
| Simple flat-stat spell | Good | Strong when the bonus does not decay |
| Narrow utility spell | Situational | Copy only when the matchup demands it |
A Spell Chain target should usually reach zero cost, or at least remain affordable after the additional copy enters your hand.
The most reliable targets fall into four groups:
- Double-stack alternatives: Spells that benefit from repeating a defensive or offensive effect.
- Deck-cycling tools: Cards that draw, discard, consume, or return other spells.
- Scaling spells: Cards that provide permanent damage, capacity, Ember, or long-term growth.
- Combo enablers: Spells that become exceptional when paired with Incant, Infusion, Consume, or reform strategies.
The key question is not “Can this spell be copied?” Almost every spell can provide some value when copied. The better question is whether the second copy improves your next turns without creating an expensive or unwanted card that clogs your hand.
Top Spell Chain Targets by Role
The strongest Spell Chain choices are flexible enough to work in several deck types. They do not always require rare upgrades, and they continue to provide value when found early. The following cards form the core of a practical spell list.
Broken Memories
Repeats a powerful Consumed spell and supports Consume, Etch, and Infusion strategies.
Space Prism
Adds capacity efficiently, making it easier to build an overloaded floor around key units.
Offering Token
Provides additional draw and discard value, especially in Incant-focused decks.
Razor Sharp Edge
Delivers permanent damage scaling when its cost is reduced before copying.
| Spell | Main value | Best deck context | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Memories | Repeats a Consumed card | Consume, Etch, Infusion | ★★★★★ |
| Space Prism | Increases floor capacity | Large-floor setups | ★★★★★ |
| Perils of Production | Creates Ember and Rage | Ember Drain, X-cost builds | ★★★★☆ |
| Razor Sharp Edge | Adds permanent damage | Backline scaling | ★★★★☆ |
| Offering Token | Draws and discards efficiently | Incant, thin-deck builds | ★★★★☆ |
| Imp-in-a-Box | Generates several Imp options | Imp decks, flexible scaling | ★★★★☆ |
| Ensnare | Roots two enemies | Control and boss defense | ★★★★☆ |
| Crushing Demise | Removes two units | Removal or reform strategies | ★★★★☆ |
Broken Memories is often the highest-ceiling target. It can return a Consumed spell, then provide another copy of itself for future cycling. This becomes especially powerful when the returned card has major scaling or control value. The effect also supports Etch triggers because multiple Consume-related cards can be played from one sequence.
Space Prism is a straightforward premium choice. Copying it can provide two additional capacity points from a single card sequence, allowing a floor to hold another banner unit, a larger upgrade, or an important support unit. It is particularly effective when your plan depends on stacking multiple units on one floor.
Perils of Production offers strong flexibility. The copied version can help create a large Ember turn while also providing Rage. It is not limited to dedicated Ember Drain decks; it can support expensive units, X-cost spells, and turns that require several high-cost plays.
Razor Sharp Edge is one of the cleanest scaling targets. When reduced to a manageable cost, two copies can provide a large amount of permanent damage to a unit. The effect is especially valuable on fragile damage dealers that already have enough health from another upgrade or unit ability.
Choose the card that improves your deck’s main win condition. A merely strong copy is less valuable than a repeatable effect that solves your deck’s actual weakness.
Other strong targets include Offering Token, Imp-in-a-Box, Ensnare, and Crushing Demise. Offering Token helps cycle through the deck while discarding unwanted Blights or dead cards. Imp-in-a-Box creates several possible benefits, including damage, armor, Ember, and future Imp fuel. Ensnare can control two enemies or affect separate floors. Crushing Demise can remove two targets, including your own units when a reform strategy needs a reliable sacrifice tool.
Spell Chain Combos and Cost Priorities
Spell Chain becomes more powerful when its copy is connected to another mechanic. The best combinations either generate additional cards, repeat permanent effects, or convert one play into multiple triggers.
| Combo | Why it works | Main caution |
|---|---|---|
| Spell Chain + Consume | Repeats powerful cards through the Consume pile | Extra cycling can slow deck access |
| Spell Chain + Incant | One card creates multiple spell triggers | Keep both copies affordable |
| Spell Chain + Infusion | Produces two Infusion events | Requires sufficient Echoes |
| Spell Chain + Permafrost | Saves the created copy for a later turn | The copy may still be expensive |
| Spell Chain + X-cost spell | Builds a large resource turn | Needs reliable Ember generation |
| Spell Chain + Reform | Sacrifices or reforms multiple units | Avoid removing your key attacker |
Identify the Deck’s Payoff
Decide whether your deck wins through permanent damage, Consume loops, Incant triggers, Ember generation, floor capacity, or reform. A Spell Chain target should strengthen that plan.
Reduce the Ember Cost
Look for a minus-one or minus-two Ember upgrade when possible. The goal is to make the original spell cheap enough that the created copy does not consume your entire turn.
Check the Second Copy
Confirm that both versions can be played, or that the created copy has a useful reason to remain in your hand. A copy that cannot be played may become a dead draw.
Test the Timing
Decide whether you need both effects immediately or whether the copy should be saved. Permafrost can make a delayed copy more useful for once-per-turn spells.
Commit Only When the Value Is Clear
If no spell supports your strategy, skip the upgrade rather than forcing Spell Chain onto a mediocre target.
A common mistake is comparing Spell Chain only with Double Stack. Spell Chain is better for flat stat increases, distributed effects, repeated triggers, and effects that can target different units or floors. Double Stack may be more efficient when the spell is expensive and its value comes from increasing one effect on a single target.
For example, a cheap armor spell can distribute protection across two units, while a repeated capacity spell can support an entirely different floor plan. A damage spell can also provide two permanent increases instead of one larger temporary effect. These distinctions matter more than the upgrade’s apparent rarity.
Copying a high-cost spell without Ember support can lower deck quality. The extra card may cycle into your hand without being playable.
Incant and Infusion decks can break the normal value calculation. Even a modest spell may be worthwhile when it creates two Incant triggers, two Infusion events, or additional draw and discard opportunities. In those cases, the spell’s printed effect is only part of its value.
Honorable Mentions and Situational Picks
Not every strong Spell Chain choice belongs in every run. Several cards become excellent only when your deck contains the right units, artifacts, or resource engine.
Control and Removal
Ensnare, Crushing Demise, and Petrified Skull provide repeatable answers to dangerous enemies or unwanted units.
Scaling and Economy
Steel Enhancer, Rootseeds, Ember Cache, and Echo Transfer reward decks that can afford repeated growth effects.
Combo Support
Important Work, Accelerated Incubation, Wicklash, and reform spells become stronger with specific unit packages.
| Situational target | When it becomes strong | When to pass |
|---|---|---|
| Petrified Skull | You need two removals or controlled sacrifice | Removal is already sufficient |
| Old Magic | The random spell effect matches your plan | The result is too inconsistent |
| Important Work | Your deck has valuable Endless units or Imp combos | No unit benefits from repetition |
| March of Shields | You need to reposition several units | Floor placement is already stable |
| Steel Enhancer | You need cheap damage and health scaling | Another scaling spell is superior |
| Rootseeds | You want draw plus modest scaling | Echo or draw slots are limited |
| Hoarfrost | Frostbite is your primary win condition | You lack Frostbite support |
| Ember Cache | Your deck benefits from a stronger second cycle | Your deck cannot tolerate slow setup |
| Wicklash | Burnout and reform effects are reliable | Burnout units lack support |
| Accelerated Incubation | Multiple Eggs need faster hatching | Your deck has few useful Eggs |
Important Work can create an explosive turn when repeated on a valuable Endless unit or Imp. It is not a default target because its value depends heavily on the unit package already in play.
Hoarfrost has a high ceiling in a dedicated Frostbite build. With the proper Ember reduction and enough Frostbite generation, two applications can accelerate scaling dramatically. Without that foundation, the cost is usually too demanding.
Return to Soul is useful when you need to remove weak cards from the deck. Copying it can consume multiple unwanted cards in a single turn and improve future draws. It becomes more attractive in decks with disposable cards, Blights, or weak early-game spells.
Accelerated Incubation is a specialized pick for Egg strategies. Its value depends on how many Eggs you draw and whether those Eggs provide meaningful rewards. It should not be selected simply because the card can be copied.
A high-ceiling target is not automatically the best target. Evaluate how often its ideal condition appears during your current run.
When comparing two candidates, favor consistency over theoretical power. A reliable Space Prism or Offering Token is often better than a narrow combo card that only works after several additional pieces are found.
Mistakes to Avoid and Final Checklist
Spell Chain rewards deliberate deck construction. The most common errors involve spending the upgrade because it is available, copying an expensive card without a plan, or ignoring the unwanted card created by the effect.
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Copying an expensive spell automatically | The second copy may be unplayable | Reduce cost or choose another target |
| Choosing a target only to use the upgrade | A weak copy adds clutter | Wait for a card that supports your plan |
| Ignoring the created card | It can clog future hands | Use Permafrost, Consume, or deck cycling |
| Treating Spell Chain like Double Stack | The upgrades solve different problems | Compare flexibility, cost, and targeting |
| Overlooking Incant value | The printed spell effect is not the whole value | Count triggers, draw, and discard benefits |
| Copying a card with no payoff | Extra cards do not improve your win condition | Favor scaling, control, or economy |
Before Choosing Spell Chain:
- Is the original spell zero or one Ember after upgrades?
- Does the created copy improve my main win condition?
- Can I play both copies or save one productively?
- Does the target trigger Incant, Infusion, Consume, or reform value?
- Will the extra card improve my deck instead of creating clutter?
Use this final priority order when several spells compete:
- Pick a cheap card with permanent scaling or major floor improvement.
- Prefer repeatable Consume, Incant, or Infusion value.
- Choose flexible control when your deck lacks answers to dangerous enemies.
- Use expensive cards only when Ember generation or cost reduction is established.
- Skip the upgrade if every available target is inefficient.
The best SpellChain spell list is flexible, but cheap repeatable effects should form its foundation. Save narrow picks for decks that clearly support them.
Q: What is the best card on a SpellChain spell list?
Broken Memories is often the highest-value target because it can repeat a Consumed spell and support Consume, Etch, and Infusion strategies. Space Prism, Offering Token, and Razor Sharp Edge are also strong general-purpose choices.
Q: Should I always reduce a spell’s Ember cost before using Spell Chain?
Usually, yes. Cost reduction makes both the original and created copies easier to play. A higher-cost spell can still be correct when it supports a powerful combo, but it should have a clear purpose.
Q: Is Spell Chain better than Double Stack?
Neither upgrade is universally better. Spell Chain is stronger for repeated triggers, flat stat increases, distributed targeting, and deck cycling. Double Stack can be more efficient when one expensive spell needs a larger effect on one target.
Q: Which decks benefit most from Spell Chain?
Incant, Infusion, Consume, Ember Drain, reform, Egg, and large-floor strategies usually gain the most. These decks can turn a second spell copy into extra triggers, resources, scaling, or reliable control.