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- Puzzle and Dragons 0: Gameplay mechanics
- Tips and Tricks to for a smooth experience
Puzzle and Dragons 0 is a simplified match-3 puzzle title and a more accessible version of the long-running mobile game Puzzle and Dragons, developed by GungHo Online Entertainment. In this Puzzle and Dragons 0 Beginners Guide, I will discuss the title’s major gameplay highlights and some useful tips that I realised while playing the game.
While the original Puzzle and Dragons built a massive content library over the years, it also became increasingly complex, making it harder for new players to jump in. To address this, Puzzle and Dragons 0 was created as a streamlined alternative. It retains the core gameplay loop, matching orbs to trigger attacks, collecting and evolving monsters, and progressing through dungeons, but simplifies to provide a more beginner-friendly experience.
Puzzle and Dragons 0: Gameplay Basics
Freely moving match-3 mechanics
The gameplay in Puzzle and Dragons 0 revolves around a match-3 puzzle combat system. Players move colored orbs around a grid to create matches of three or more. Each color corresponds to a specific element: fire, water, wood, light, or dark, and matching orbs of a certain color trigger an attack from the monsters of that element on the player’s team.
Unlike traditional match-3 games where orbs are only moved one space, Puzzle and Dragons 0 allows players to move a single orb freely within a limited time, enabling complex combo chains and strategic positioning.
Combat is turn-based, with enemies having a visible countdown timer indicating when they will attack. Players must defeat enemies before the countdown reaches zero. The number of combos and the types of orbs matched directly affect how much damage the team deals, making skillful orb movement a key part of success. The more combos created in a single move, the greater the damage multiplier applied to all attacks.
Teams and Monsters
Players form teams composed of one leader and several sub-monsters. The leader’s skill provides passive bonuses that apply to the whole team, such as increased attack power or healing based on certain orb matches or team types.
Choosing a strong leader with a skill that complements the rest of the team is essential for maximizing effectiveness in combat. Monsters in the game are divided by element and have specific roles, including offense, support, and healing.
Each monster has individual stats such as HP, attack, and recovery, which influence how the team performs in battle. While higher-rarity monsters often have stronger stats or more advanced skills, building a team with good synergy where abilities and elements complement each other is often more important than simply using the most powerful characters available.
Leveling and Evolution
Monsters in Puzzle and Dragons 0 can be leveled up by completing levels and using other monsters as materials to level up some units provide more experience than others, particularly special “Enhance” monsters, which are designed specifically for leveling purposes.
As a monster gains levels, its base stats increase, making it more effective in battle. Once a monster reaches its maximum level, it can often be evolved into a more powerful form. Evolution requires specific materials, which can be obtained from dungeons.
Evolved monsters usually gain better stats, new skills, or the ability to unlock Awakenings, which are passive abilities that provide useful bonuses such as increased combo time or damage resistance.
Understanding Skills and the Leader’s ability
Each monster possesses an active skill that can be used in battle once it has charged over several turns. These skills vary widely, some change orb color, i.e, heal the team, deal direct damage, or provide buffs and debuffs.
Understanding when and how to use active skills is a key part of a more advanced strategy, especially in boss fights or challenging dungeons/stages and levels. In addition to active skills, the leader of the team provides leadership skills, which are always active and affect the entire team.
These skills often reward players for matching certain orbs, using specific team compositions, or achieving a certain number of combos. Choosing a leader skill that aligns with the team’s strengths can significantly boost performance.
Puzzle and Dragons 0 Beginners Guide: Tips and Tricks
1. Focus on one specific Core team
Instead of spreading resources across multiple monsters, pick one solid team that matches your strongest leader. Investing in synergy and consistency early on will make progression smoother.
2. Practice Combo movements regularly
Efficient orb movement is the key to high damage. Spend time practicing in low-risk dungeons/levels to get used to dragging orbs and setting up multiple matches in a single move.
3. Pay attention to enemy’s turns
Enemies attack after your turn, based on their specific cooldown timers. Knowing how many turns you have before they strike helps you plan your moves, save healing orbs, and time your active skills strategically.
4. Don’t chase Rarity blindly
High-rarity monsters can be strong, but not every one fits your current team. Look for useful leader skills, orb changers, or healers that support your playstyle instead.
Online forums, Reddit, or Discord groups can be great sources for team advice, dungeon strategies, and news about upcoming banners. Engaging with the community can help new players avoid common pitfalls.
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