Hi,

First of all the core game loop was quite addictive, even with the knowledge that my "agency" is quite restricted and I highly depend on the "right items combinations" dropping at the right time.

After getting to know most "item combinations" and with little space of 6 card slots it felt like most of the time... i was forced to build whatever the hand had to offer to not get steamrolled by the next enemy and only in rare cases I got the chance to make some descisions like "create healing potion" vs "bread" etc. 

(it would be nice to have a warning like no working item combinations are available right now (just for the prototype)... 

and the possibility to deselect selected card

and the complete stats for the enemy).

Didn't understand how "spells" work they seem just to do a little damage in the next round and not help to progress like permanent stats... for a "no permanent stat" they felt to have much less impact compared to a healing potion so I avoided building them altogether.

Optimizing for the little space on a phone screen is for sure not an easy task - maybe not sure you if it helps you could always let the player draw up to six cards but only allow the player to keep 2 after combinining (to enhance player agency and give some "difficult choices")

Maybe you could also add some "item upgrades"... like adding grass to a "hit" will give a you a poision buff for some time or something

From what I can tell the most "reliable way to win" is to have a high defense stat... otherwise the monsters chance to apply too much damage is too high (but never gone for speed... since I haven't found the right combination now)

I would probably run some simulations and gather statics ...

most simple version:

- automatically draw hand 

- determine possible choices (and track which choices could be made)

- play one ... continue till the game ends

have some "summary stats like ... rounds played till death" choices made

... and some backlog with "more information" like actual players health etc.

I played your game a bit. I am not sure I understand why “autobattle” part is needed as opposed to simpler turn-based combat.

The basic idea of combining as the main action definitely have potential. I would maybe even go so far as to extend it to consumables too, so combining becomes the only action for player.

I would suggest to implement “unselect” action and auto-remove selection after battle round. I lost resources many times due to accidental clicks.

I disagree with forcing player to remember all combos. On the contrary, I would highlight suitable resources and maybe even add hints on the result (although it would be hard fit into UI). Maybe add some special animation for activating the specific combo first time, but burdening the player will only result in unnecessary frustration. (IMHO, of course).

Also, the music is nice :)