# Line-Up

To prepare for combat, a line-up screen is shown:

<figure><img src="/files/iIS0ahRXhsDs7jdhithX" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The line-up phase is all about analysing the information provided by the game and putting together the best tactical formation in conjunction with your deck cards and strategy.

Short guide: decide which cards to deploy, where to position them, and which items to attach.

* **Income & draws:** You're receiving mythics for each battle; spend it on rerolls, extra draws or item usage. Don’t overspend early.
* **Placement:** Tanks/melee up front; ranged/support in back. Consider adjacency (e.g., **Herbalist** heals adjacent allies) and row/column interactions (e.g., **Linker** tethers within a row).
* **Enemy preview:** Inspect the opponent’s formation, races, and professions. Exploit weaknesses with element advantages, **Informer** picks on backline threats, or **Wizard/Warrior** to punish clusters.

Get into detail with the following guides:

1. [Formations](/dark-mythos-gamepaper/play-the-game/line-up/formations.md)
2. [Flow of Elements](/dark-mythos-gamepaper/elements/flow-of-elements-and-battle-element.md)
3. [Income & Expenses](/dark-mythos-gamepaper/play-the-game/line-up/income-and-expenses.md)
4. **Gaming cards**\
   All available cards that you can use in this battle are displayed here. Initially, 8 random cards are drawn from your deck, which you can use as you wish. In further battles, you can choose how many cards to draw at your own. Draws come with a cost of 2 MP.\
   \
   If your cards do not suit the battle or your strategy, you can reroll individual cards. The selected card is returned to your deck and a new, random card appears in its place. But be careful: each reroll costs 1 MP.\
   \
   Drawn cards on the left side are getting locked for use in the next battle.<br>
5. **Item cards**\
   Item cards can only be drawn by the player. Each draw of an item card costs 1 MP. Please also note the charges that each item card has.<br>

   Each item slot can be charged exactly once per gaming card with an item charge of the corresponding item type (attack, defence or healing). Holo cards are an exception to this rule: the charges can be placed here regardless of the item type. When a charge is used, it attaches to the gaming card and can then no longer be deleted or replaced.<br>

   Unlike gaming cards, item cards cannot be redrawn. When selecting item cards for your deck, make sure that there is a good distribution of item types.<br>
6. [Resistant Points](/dark-mythos-gamepaper/play-the-game/the-battle/resistance-points.md)<br>
7. **Start the battle**\
   The preparation phase is completed by cancelling the cards used. The search for a suitable opponent image then begins.

***

🐉 Place gaming cards that match your active flow element at the top left without exceeding your budget. Use item charges if your budget is not exceeded yet. Press "Start battle". Continue with [The Battle](/dark-mythos-gamepaper/play-the-game/the-battle.md).


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