Matrix Game
The Matrix is a memory-based mini-game played before each round. Your performance determines how many Skill Points (SP) you earn to allocate across your orb's abilities.
Overview
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MATRIX GAME FLOW │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ [1] REVEAL → [2] HUNT → [3] SHUFFLE → [4] RESULTS → [5] ALLOCATE
│ │
│ Memorize Find SP Grid See what Distribute │
│ SP tiles tiles scrambles you missed your SP │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Game Phases
Phase 1: Reveal (Memorize)
Tiles are revealed one at a time in sequence. Some tiles contain Skill Points marked with "SP" — memorize their positions.
- Duration: ~7 seconds
- Anti-screenshot: Tiles flash briefly, preventing easy capture
- Strategy: Focus on a region rather than trying to memorize all
Phase 2: Hunt
The grid is hidden. Click tiles to find the SP you memorized.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Timer | Countdown until hunt phase ends |
| Clicks | Limited number of attempts |
| ? | Hidden tile (clickable) |
| +1 | Successfully found SP |
| X | Miss (no SP on that tile) |
Phase 3: Shuffle
After finding 2 or more SP, the grid shuffles to increase difficulty:
- Rows and columns slide in random directions
- Tiles wrap around (carousel effect)
- Multiple shuffle steps occur in sequence
- You must track positions mentally as they move
Phase 4: Results (Post-Reveal)
Shows your performance:
- Tiles you successfully collected
- SP tiles you missed
- Your total earned SP
Phase 5: Allocate
Distribute your earned SP across three skills:
- Split Aggro — More splitting, but weaker children
- Tether Resistance — Break enemy tethers easier
- Orb Power — Higher maximum speed
Maximum of 4 points per skill.
Configuration
Default Matrix settings:
| Parameter | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grid Size | 6x6 | 36 total tiles |
| SP Tiles | 9 | Skill point tiles hidden in grid |
| Max Per Skill | 4 | Maximum allocation per skill |
| Hunt Duration | Varies | Time to find tiles |
| Max Clicks | Varies | Click limit per attempt |
Skill Point Conversion
Skill points convert to multipliers using a diminishing returns curve:
multiplier = 1 + 0.5 * (1 - e^(-0.5 * points))
| Points | Multiplier | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1.00x | +0% |
| 1 | 1.11x | +11% |
| 2 | 1.18x | +18% |
| 3 | 1.22x | +22% |
| 4 | 1.24x | +24% |
This curve rewards putting at least 1-2 points into each skill rather than maxing a single skill.
Strategic Tips
Memorization Strategies
- Zone Focus: Pick one area of the grid to memorize well rather than the entire board
- Pattern Recognition: Look for clusters or diagonal patterns in SP placement
- Edge Anchoring: Tiles on edges are easier to track during shuffle
Hunt Phase
- Start with confident picks: Click tiles you're sure about first
- Save clicks: Don't guess randomly — clicks are limited
- Track during shuffle: Watch the animations carefully
Allocation Strategy
| Strategy | Split | Tether | Power | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | Flexible, adapts to situation |
| Aggressive | 0 | 3-4 | 1-2 | Focuses on eliminations |
| Swarm | 3-4 | 1 | 0 | Many orbs, numerical advantage |
| Speed | 0 | 1-2 | 3-4 | Fast movement, hard to dodge |
Determinism
The Matrix game is deterministic per player per round:
- Your personal seed is derived from:
sha256(round_seed || tier_id || player || round_id) - Same seed always produces same SP tile positions
- Your clicks determine outcome, not randomness during play
This ensures fairness — the game tests memory and attention, not luck.
Server Validation
All Matrix results are validated server-side:
- Click events are recorded with timestamps
- SP earned is calculated by the server, not client
- Transcript of all events is stored for verification
- Immutable once submitted — cannot be replayed or modified
Next Steps
- Skills & Strategy — Detailed skill mechanics
- Round Mechanics — How rounds work
- Spawn Position — Choosing your starting position