Game Modes

## Random Spellbooks

Random Spellbook mode was first added on March 12, 2020 and gave everyone in the game the same random book with the following conditions:

- Arcane Gate, +6 random tier 1 spells, +7 random tier 2 spells, +2 random tier 3 spells (with Arcane Flash and Arcane Zero Shield counting as tier 3 spells) for a total of 16 spells

- Minions get all their spells whether you carry the spell or not

In the subsequent patch on March 30, a Unique Random Spellbook mode was added which granted all players different books with the above conditions. In the patch on May 26, Arcane Flash and Zero Shield stopped counting as tier 3 spells and Calling Bell/Vine Bloom/Flurry were changed to give you the extra minion spell if you didn't have it. In the patch on July 2, Random Spellbook mode with all players getting the same book was permanently removed and Unique Random Spellbook mode was made the default. As of October 5, Random Spellbooks mode had the spells icons logged in the chat on game start. Note: It can be used in concurrence with the Original Spells Only.

## Original Spells Only

*Main Article: Original Spells Only*

In the patch of May 26, an Original Spells Only game mode was introduced to enable players to enjoy the game as it was originally and to relive their nostalgia. Since its addition, it has been expanded to include a variety of specific balance changes that deviated from Arcanists 1, on top of the restrictions of not being able to use spells from new spellbooks. For more information on the differences between this mode and the base game, please see the main article.

## Elementals Mode

Elementals Mode was released through the December 21, 2020 patch, enabling players to start the game with an additional full spellbook, alongside their already existing 16 spells. The "elemental" spellbook's familiar is powered to a level of the host's choice (0-5) when the game begins and also grants familiar specific spells as long as Original Spells Only game mode is not also toggled in conjunction with this game mode. If Elementals is toggled in rated mode, the elemental spellbook's familiar is powered to level 3 by default. The idea for Elementals Mode initially came to fruition because only a select few had access to the Arcane Monster and there were requests of adding other types of "Monsters" for different books (i.e. Flame Monster). This mode was meant to be a way to bridge the gap while also keeping the Arcane Monster game mode unique.

## Shuffle Players

In FFA (Free-For-All), this option randomizes the spawn points of all players when the game begins and doesn't take into account join order for the lobby. In Teams, this option randomizes the players' teams when the game begins and also doesn't take into account join order for the lobby. On game end, the order of the original lobby will be restored for players that press the Rematch button.

## Zero Shield

As of December 21, 2020, Arcane Zero Shield was replaced by Summon Dragon Egg, and Arcane Zero Shield was instead added as a game mode option. If this is enabled, players cannot cast offensive spells on their first turn. This setting is frequently enabled by players to prevent a turn 1 Arcane Flash off the map.

## FTT

First Turn Teleport was added as a game mode option on December 21, 2020, with the Dark Fortress Map and is enabled by default on this map as it doesn't currently support custom spawn points. Players start the first turn in water and get a free Arcane Gate, granting them the option to choose their own spawn. Note: If used in combination with Zero Shield, FTT takes precedence and then Zero Shield the turn after.

## Watchtower

Watchtower was added as a game mode option on March 4, 2022. Players start the game in a tower which crumbles at the end of their turn, pushing and damaging everything nearby. The player who begins the game with the first turn does not start in a tower.

## No Movement

No Movement was added as a game mode option on October 27, 2021. Players start the game with a single turn where they are able to move their character by jumping or walking. After this first turn players are no longer able to move without the use of spells.

## Wind

Wind was added as a game mode option on May 22, 2023, in conjunction with wind being removed by default to all games. It allows the player to add the wind mechanic to their games, which affects the trajectory of projectiles thrown, and some aerials, based on the strength & direction of the wind.

## Map Generation Adjustments

Customization of map width and height was added as an option on December 25, 2022, in conjunction with map seeds. It allows the player to customize the default height and width of the generated map, with 100% height and width being the default parameters. Additionally, players also have the option to set the "seed" of the map, which allows them to play a particular map of their liking as much as they desire, given that they know the seed number for the map.

Originally, this feature took the form of the "Big Map" game mode, which was as added as a game mode option on October 27, 2021. With it selected, if there were 8 or more players in the game, the map will be larger than normal. For each additional player beyond 8, the map would continue to become larger. This feature was expanded upon to take the form of the current map generation adjustment options today.