[Bug fixes]
Fixed a bug with tiles getting stuck after canceling a move in certain circumstances.
Fixed a visual bug with an empty ("-" dash) tile. The dash was too close to the top of the tile.

[Final battle]
Added a hint during the fight with the final boss of the game. His behavior was not clear.

[Censored words]
The word "je*ed" added to the list of banned words.

Save Slots were added.

[h3]Cursed Mode Rework[/h3]
Players get an additional tile at the start of each turn instead of bonuses for long words. The default hand size for the Scout in this mode is 7 instead of 6 tiles.
Now it is much easier to make decent words during one turn without hints.

[h3]Counterplay Against Weakness[/h3]
The only counterplay against Weakness was to finish a fight as soon as possible.
Now you can re-roll your hand and get rid of 1 point of weakness. Rerolling still inflicts damage, so the player can't keep doing it over and over.

[h3]Balance[/h3]
All usual and elite enemies on Levels 1-5 are slightly weaker now.

[h3]Localization[/h3]
Russian has been added in test mode. The second class (Brute) is currently not available in Russian.
[ . () - ]

[h3]Controls[/h3]
Tile placement feels better now (better drag-and-drop accuracy). Although an alternative controls is still recommended if you prefer to play in the Cursed/Doomed mode (Options >> Alternative Controls).

Removed the delay for the "clean board" mechanic.

[h3]Added words[/h3]
- toon(-s)
- roc(-s)
- brining

[h3]Starting decks[/h3]
You can't get two letters "C" in the starting deck from now on.

[h3]Other[/h3]
Added a couple of tips for players to prevent common mistakes and misunderstanding.

[Bug fixes]
Fixed a visual bug with the Blade of Limited Infinity. After the 3rd strike, if you placed a valid word on the Attack board, you could not see the value of this word.
Some tiles that were previously upgraded during combat retained their point value after the opponent's "Decrease" spell. This bug has been fixed.

[Balance]
Level 2 final boss now has less HP. This boss also has less HP during challenges.

[Other]
Added a tip during the fight with the Level 2 final boss.

[Bug fixes]
Some tiles could not be discarded or sacrificed in the rare circumstances. This bug is fixed now.

[Balance]
Enemies in the 2nd and 3rd zone on the Level 1 and Level 2 deal less damage.
The 2nd, 4th and 5th final bosses deal less damage.

[Features]
Tips for new players were added on the map screen.

[Bug fixes]
Fixed a bug with an alternative controls after using Keymaster's ability.

[Other]
Boozer was excluded from the list of potential enemies on the Level 1.
His behavior was confusing for new players.

[Features]
Now you can remove unwanted words from the dictionary (ESC >> Options >> Add a word)

[Added words]
- ramen
- oodle
- stygian
- loupe(-s)
- lich(-s)

[Censored words]
ki*e(-s) was added to the censored list.

[Bug fixes]
Now the game cannot be softlocked after closing the removal service.
You receive a starting bonus if your previous run with the selected character was successful.

[Balance]
Level 3 difficulty now equals to the old Level 2 difficulty
Level 4 = old Level 3
Level 5 = old Level 4
Level 2 is slightly easier now.

[Interface]
Enemy intention Intends to destroy in the deck changed to Intends to destroy in your draw pile

Enemies on the first levels are slightly easier now:

Damage dealt by enemies:
Level 1:
Small bat: 3 to 2-3
Wolf: 11 to 10-11
Dog health: 20 to 18
Frost lizard: 10-11 to 10
Frost warrior: 7-8 to 7 (small) and 11-12 to 11 (strong)
Turban warrior: 15 (base) to 12 (base)
Sand lizard health: 30 to 26
Mummy with a sword: 8-9 to 8 (small) and 13 to 12 (strong)
Scarab health: 15 to 13
Sand skeleton warrior health: 25 to 22
Troll: 16-17 to 15-16
Egyptian skeleton warrior: 11-12 to 11 (small) and 17-19 to 17 (strong)
Pharaoh: 8 to 7
Skull shaman: 10 to 9
Red skeleton: 11-12 to 10-11
Juggernaut: 22-23 to 20-21
Jester: 14 to 13
Beast: 15 to 14 (small) and 24 to 22 (strong)
Bear: 19-21 to 18-19
Dodger: 20 to 19 (strong)
Dodger health: 35 to 33
Imperial skeleton: 13 to 12 (small) and 18-19 to 18 (strong)
Cannibal: 20-21 to 19-20
Bug queen health: 35 to 30
First robber: 10-11 to 9-10
Crazy smith health: 50 to 45
Crimson warrior: 15-16 to 14
Fire demon: 15-16 to 15 (small) and 24-25 to 23-24 (strong)
Warlocks skeleton health: 12 to 10
Golden warrior: 27-29 to 25-27
Vampire: 16-17 to 15-16 (small) and 25 to 24 (strong)

Level 2:
Wolf: 12 to 11-12
Dog: 6 to 5 (small) and 10 to 9 (strong)
Turban warrior: 18 (base) to 15 (base)
Frost warrior: 8-9 to 8 (small) and 13 to 12 (strong)
Scarab: 5-6 to 4-5
Sand skeleton warrior health: 25 to 22
Pharaohs bodyguard health: 18 to 15
Troll: 17-18 to 16-17
Skull shaman: 11 to 10
Red skeleton: 12-13 to 11-12
Juggernaut: 24-25 to 22-23
Jester: 15 to 14
Beast: 16 to 15 (small) and 25 to 24 (strong)
Bear: 21-22 to 19-20
Dodger: 21-22 to 20 (strong)
Dodger health: 35 to 33
Imperial skeleton: 14 to 13 (small) and 21 to 19 (strong)
Cannibal: 22-23 to 20-21
Druid health: 45 to 40
Bug queen: 12-13 to 10-11
First robber: 11-12 to 10-11
Crazy smith health: 55 to 50
Crimson warrior: 17-18 to 15-16
Fire demon: 17-18 to 15 (small) and 26-27 to 24-25 (strong)
Warlock: 16-17 to 15-16
Golden warrior: 30-32 to 27-29
Frost Skeleton: 20-22 to 18-20

Level 3:
Turban warrior health: 42 to 40
Scarab health: 16 to 15
Sand skeleton warrior health: 28 to 25
Red skeleton health: 55 to 50
Jester health: 55 to 50
Druid health: 50 to 45
Crazy smith health: 60 to 55
Bug queen health: 40 to 35
Crimson warrior health: 60 to 55
Warlocks skeleton health: 15 to 12
Golden warrior health: 110 to 100

Level 4:
Red skeleton health: 60 to 55

Bug causing music to play when music is turned off has been fixed.
A couple of words were added to the dictionary: "fleek" and "haji"

Unleash the power of words and save the princess!

Words Can Kill is available on Steam!!!

Words Can Kill will be available on September 29, 2022!

Wishlist on Steam today to be the first to save the princess!

The full price will be 7.99USD (or your regional equivalent)

Launch discount: -15%

Several players during the Next Fest reported that they still don't like controls in the game. So I added an alternative way to place tiles on the board for players who prefer the Cursed (or Doomed) mode. It can be activated through the menu (ESC -> Options).



1. You need to click the target board first.



2. Then click tiles you want to add.



3. Then click an Attack (or Block) button if you've built a valid word on the target board. Or you can click an empty green square to finish entering the word.



Aside from that the tips for the new players were added, UI on the map was improved, a couple of annoying music tracks were changed.

I plan to add some new items and balance the 3rd class before the release. The game will be released after the final testing as soon as possible (hope, in July).

Words Can Kill is a spelling roguelike game hugely inspired by Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons. Your deck here is full of letter tiles akin to those in Scrabble. Your journey begins with a random 12-tile deck consisting of the letters without additional effects (like a 1-point E, a 2-point P and 4-point Z). During combat you draw tiles from the deck and place them on the Attack or Defense board trying to spell most optimal words considering your equipment bonuses and enemies intentions. After successful fights you can get new items or add more powerful letters or even 2-letter tiles to your deck.



If you've ever played other popular spelling games you probably know how it can be frustrating to have a Q and no U in your hand. Time has come to change this once and for all! Remove this annoying Q from your deck on the next visit to the forge. Or instead, you can upgrade your Q and build the entire strategy around these Q and U tiles forcing your enemies just QUIT the battlefield.



Download the demo and try to beat the boss of the run!

Words Can Kill is a spelling roguelike game hugely inspired by Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons. Your deck here is full of letter tiles akin to those in Scrabble. Your journey begins with a random 12-tile deck consisting of the letters without additional effects (like a 1-point E, a 2-point P and 4-point Z). During combat you draw tiles from the deck and place them on the Attack or Defense board trying to spell most optimal words considering your equipment bonuses and enemies intentions. After successful fights you can get new items or add more powerful letters or even 2-letter tiles to your deck.



If you've ever played other popular spelling games you probably know how it can be frustrating to have a Q and no U in your hand. Time has come to change this once and for all! Remove this annoying Q from your deck on the next visit to the forge. Or instead, you can upgrade your Q and build the entire strategy around these Q and U tiles forcing your enemies just QUIT the battlefield.



Download the demo and try to beat the boss of the run!

Words Can Kill is a spelling roguelike game hugely inspired by Slay the Spire and Dicey Dungeons. Your deck here is full of letter tiles akin to those in Scrabble. Your journey begins with a random 12-tile deck consisting of the letters without additional effects (like a 1-point E, a 2-point P and 4-point Z). During combat you draw tiles from the deck and place them on the Attack or Defense board trying to spell most optimal words considering your equipment bonuses and enemies intentions. After successful fights you can get new items or add more powerful letters or even 2-letter tiles to your deck.



If you've ever played other popular spelling games you probably know how it can be frustrating to have a Q and no U in your hand. Time has come to change this once and for all! Remove this annoying Q from your deck on the next visit to the forge. Or instead, you can upgrade your Q and build the entire strategy around these Q and U tiles forcing your enemies just QUIT the battlefield.



Download the demo and try to beat the boss of the run!

[h3]Demo was updated[/h3]
- You can try magic effect tiles and new no-hints modes in the demo right now.
- Tile placement feels better now.
- If you hover over a tile in the Gifted (hinted) mode you can see possible words containing this tile.
- Balance was slightly reworked (some items will be reworked for the no-hints modes soon). Remember, the demo is 2/3 of the run on the easiest difficulty. So if you feel it's too easy try to play the game in the Doomed mode or wait for the full release.
- Some visual effects were added.
- You can finish your turn by pressing Space and cancel the last action by pressing right mouse button.
- I want to add the word definitions and the possibility to rearrange tiles on the board soon.



[h3]Need help[/h3]
English is not my native language so I ask community to help me with some in-game descriptions.
Please report me about any grammatical errors and bugs you encounter during your play.

[h3]Sorry for the delay[/h3]
Words Can Kill is a solo developed game. I planned to release it before the end of March. But it was hard to work last month because I was totally frustrated by last political events. Although I'm against the war in Ukraine, as a Russian citizen I'm under economical sanctions now.
I wanted to add some new music tracks for the game, because some of the current tracks feel very repetitive. But I cannot purchase licenses for music and sounds from international stores because there is no available payment option for my country. I still hope Steam will continue to work with Russian indie developers but there is too much uncertainty now.

Words Can Kill is on the final stages of the development. All enemies and boss battles are ready now.

Two new classes were added: Brute and Keymaster. The default character was currently named Pioneer. You can propose your own names for the classes in the comments.
- Brute starts his path with the deck full of 2-letter tiles. Once per turn he can split a 2-letter tile into two 1-letter tiles.
- Keymaster collects keys to draw more tiles.



It is possible now to add magic effects to some tiles in the forge or to get tiles with effects as a reward after battles.
There are some examples of effects:
+2 points on the Attack board
+2 points on the Defense board
Restore 1 health if this tile is used to spell a word
Gains 1 point each time its used to spell a word
+2 points if this is the first tile of a word
+2 points in the middle of a word



The player can choose one of the 3 modes: Gifted (with hints), Cursed (without hints, but with addittional bonuses), Doomed (no hints, no bonuses).



The demo will be updated at the end of February. The full release is planned for the middle of March.

Several players reported that the control system in the game was clunky and more suitable for mobile devices. So time has come to change the way controls works in Words Can Kill.

- Now you can click a tile -> click a destination point in addition to the old drag&drop system.

- You can insert a tile from your hand between the tiles on the board until any meaningful action (an attack, a block, the end of turn).

- You can undo your previous action by pressing the right mouse button (RMB).

- You can undo all your actions by pressing the "X" button.

Smoothness of the tile placement is one of the future tasks.

Fill free to leave your feedback in the comments or in the Community hub.

The Steam Digital Tabletop Fest is coming and I want to invite you to join the Developer Live Stream for an early look at Words Can Kill. Download a free demo and add the game to your wishlist.

Steam Tabletop Fest 2021 will open the demo version for download. If you'd rather watch the developer play the game, come watch my live-stream. Stream date: 21 Oct 10 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. PDT).