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Montabi beginner guide: what to know before your first run

A spoiler-light primer built only from confirmed systems, with launch-day questions clearly marked.

Official Montabi gameplay screenshot for Montabi beginner guide: what to know before your first run
Combat is played across two 3×3 grids; read intent and protect the trainer before committing AP. Official pre-release screenshot · Steam
Quick answer
  • Build a team of Montabi and a deck around their skills.
  • Combat takes place on a 3×3 tactical grid.
  • Protecting your trainer matters: if the trainer is defeated, the run ends.

The confirmed run loop

Montabi combines creature collection, roguelike runs, deckbuilding, and grid-based tactical combat. Montabi can grow stronger, evolve, and gain card abilities as they level.

Official Montabi screenshot showing creature recruitment
Recruitment follows a successful encounter.Official screenshot · Steam
Official Montabi screenshot showing the route map
A run branches through battles, rewards and services.Official screenshot · Steam

Three safe first-run priorities

  • Read each Montabi’s skills before chasing a theme.
  • Treat formation and trainer safety as core resources, not decoration.
  • Use equipment and charms to support a plan rather than collecting unrelated effects.

What we will verify at launch

  • Exact onboarding and unlock order
  • How taming works in the release build
  • Card draw, action, and formation rules
  • Whether demo progress transfers
  • Reliable recovery and economy advice

Sources

First-party pages checked for this guide:

  1. Nintendo — Montabi product page
  2. Steam — Montabi store page
  3. Steam Community — official Montabi news