Is it Possible to Beat the Angler in Inscryption? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to beat the Angler in Inscryption, although he presents a unique and challenging boss encounter. Understanding his mechanics and employing the correct strategies is crucial for success. This guide will break down the Angler’s fight and provide you with the knowledge you need to emerge victorious.
Understanding the Angler’s Mechanics
The Angler is the second major boss encounter in Inscryption’s Act 1. Unlike other encounters, he doesn’t summon a wide range of creatures. Instead, he focuses on three core Waterborne cards: his two Kingfishers and a single, more dangerous Great White. The key characteristic of the Angler is that he will only play these three cards, making his strategy quite predictable but still formidable.
Key Aspects of the Fight:
- Invincible Cards: The Angler’s cards become invincible as soon as they are played. This means you cannot directly destroy them through combat.
- Increasing Damage: The longer the battle goes on, the more damage the Angler will inflict each turn. His Great White’s attack will start low but will significantly increase per turn.
- Waterborne Trait: All his cards have the Waterborne sigil, allowing you to attack him directly every turn.
- The Bait Bucket: During the second phase of the fight, the Angler will use a Bait Bucket card. When killed, this bucket will transform into another Great White, escalating the challenge.
Strategies for Overcoming the Angler
The key to defeating the Angler is speed and efficient use of map positioning. You can use the Waterborne sigil to your advantage, attacking him directly, but you can also manipulate his creatures. Here’s a breakdown of winning strategies:
Utilizing Card Positioning
- Kingfisher Manipulation: Place a Squirrel or Pelt directly across from a Kingfisher. Then, when reeling in a new card to his side of the map, that will push his Kingfisher back, rendering it harmless as it will no longer be in front of your card to attack. This effectively removes the Kingfisher from the game and reduces his potential damage output.
- Focus Fire: Since you can always attack him directly due to the Waterborne sigil, focus fire on the Angler rather than trying to take out his creatures.
- Stalling the Great White: If you are unable to out-damage him immediately, stall the Great White with Squirrels to prevent its attack from increasing too much per turn, as the longer the fight goes on, the harder it becomes to deal with.
Ideal Card Choices
- Direct Damage: Cards with high base damage, that can directly attack the Angler, are ideal for quickly finishing the encounter.
- Sacrifice Synergies: Cards that synergize well with being sacrificed can provide a constant stream of power, allowing you to consistently deal significant damage.
- Unkillable Sigil: Cards with the Unkillable sigil, such as the Cockroach, can be a huge asset, especially to sacrifice.
- High Health/Regeneration: Cards with high health or the ability to regenerate health, can help stall the fight and give you a chance to set up or deal more damage while taking hits.
- Ouroboros: The Ouroboros card is incredibly effective, as it retains its stat boosts when it dies and returns to your hand. This can be used to create an incredibly powerful card over the course of any fight, including the Angler’s.
Counteracting the Bait Bucket
- Focus Fire (Again): When the Bait Bucket appears, continue your focus fire strategy on the Angler. The bucket, in its essence, just prolongs the fight and allows the Angler to do more damage through the Great White. You should aim to do as much damage per turn as possible, even if it means losing creatures to the newly summoned Great White.
- Sacrifice for Strength: Have cards that are sacrifice fodder to allow you to deal more damage with your more powerful creatures, even if you lose a card, dealing the damage on the Angler is more important than retaining cards in this fight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you reel the Kingfisher in Inscryption?
You do not actively reel the Kingfisher. Instead, you reel your own card to the opposing side of the board. When a card is placed in front of the Kingfisher, your newly reeled card will push the Kingfisher back.
How do you fish in the Angler phase in Inscryption?
During the fishing phase, listen for a jingle as the bait bobs up and down. Then, when the “Strike!” notification appears in yellow, click the right mouse button to hook the fish.
What bait should you use when you fish for the Angler?
In the context of the game, you do not select your own bait. This part of the game is simply a reaction to when the bait is bitten. However, in real-life fishing, many baits can be used to catch Anglerfish, including worms, leeches, minnows, and shrimp.
What happens if you sacrifice Ouroboros in Inscryption?
Every time the Ouroboros dies, it returns to your hand with +1 Power and +1 Health. This stat boost is permanent and carries over throughout the entire game.
What does the Cockroach do in Inscryption?
The Cockroach is one of two sources of the Unkillable sigil (along with the Ouroboros). This means it returns to your hand when killed, which makes it extremely valuable when sacrificing for other powerful cards.
Why is it called Angler?
The term “Angler” refers to a person who fishes with a hook. It is also another term for Anglerfish, a type of fish known for its unique “lure” used to attract prey.
What does the Bait Bucket do in Inscryption?
The Bait Bucket card appears during the second phase of the Angler boss fight. When killed, it spawns a Great White, which adds to the boss’s increasing damage output.
How do you get the Sleeping Angler in Inscryption?
The Sleeping Angler is a random encounter that can spawn on the shores of the map. It is not guaranteed to appear, so you may need to wait at a shore for him to show up.
Is the Amoeba a good card in Inscryption?
Yes, the Amoeba is considered a good card due to its low cost, average stats, and the Amorphous sigil. This effectively makes it an upgrade from the Opossum.
Can you skip the Mycologist in Inscryption?
Yes, you can skip the Mycologist by hitting the Myco node without any duplicates. This will give you a card that matches one of your existing ones, rather than going through the fusion process.
What does the Long Elk do in Inscryption?
The Long Elk drops a Vertebrae card whenever it moves, making it a unique and useful card when utilized correctly.
Does the bottle of goo do anything in Inscryption?
The bottle of goo serves no gameplay purpose. It will provide advice when interacted with, but it is ultimately a useless item.
What is the Annoying Sigil in Inscryption?
The Annoying sigil grants +1 Power to the card in the lane opposing the card with this sigil.
What deck is best in Inscryption Act 2?
While any deck will work, many players prefer Grimora’s Dead deck as the starter deck in Act 2 due to the powerful Skeletons, that can attack before dying and give the player bone to use as currency.
Do ragworm bites hurt?
Yes, ragworms are armed with pincers that can deliver a painful nip, especially from larger specimens.
Conclusion
Defeating the Angler requires a mix of strategy, speed, and card manipulation. By understanding his predictable behavior and utilizing card positioning, you can overcome this formidable boss. Focus on direct damage, exploit the Waterborne sigil, and remember the importance of stalling tactics. With the right deck and mindset, you will be able to conquer the Angler in Inscryption.