Pipsquad is a single-player turn-based dice-building roguelike developed for PC that emphasizes squad composition, dice management, and strategic decision-making across short runs of 20 battles.
Gameplay
Each hero in the squad contributes a unique die to every encounter. Players roll dice, choose which results to keep, and decide the order of actions such as attacking enemies, shielding allies, healing, or contributing to a shared mana pool for spells. Rerolls are limited, so timing and prioritization matter when committing resources before the enemy turn resolves.
Enemy intentions appear clearly before the player acts, allowing previews of how each choice alters the upcoming enemy phase. Dice and keywords can be inspected in detail, and actions can be undone during the turn to test alternatives without penalty. Between battles the squad develops through promotions that unlock new classes and equipment that modifies die faces, adds keywords, or enables copying and rearranging effects. Equipment order influences outcomes, encouraging experimentation with combinations before locking in a build.
Pixel-art characters and environments pair with animated three-dimensional dice. An in-game compendium tracks classes, keywords, and synergies to support planning across runs. The interface supports multiple languages including English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Korean.
Game Modes
Four distinct modes shape how players assemble and progress their squad. Classic mode requires selecting a fixed five-hero lineup at the start and developing those specific heroes through the entire run. Choose Party mode lets players assign a starting class to each of the five slots, permitting duplicate heroes if desired. Generate mode supplies procedurally created heroes and promotions for each run, removing manual selection. Raid mode expands the squad to ten heroes facing doubled enemy formations, with a promotion granted after every victory leading up to the final battle.
Difficulty selection and optional modifiers further customize each attempt. Blessings, curses, and rule changes can be mixed freely in custom difficulty settings. Optional events during runs present trade-offs such as accepting a permanent alteration, opening a cursed chest, or gaining an item at the cost of increased challenge in the next encounter.
Progression and Customization
Hero development centers on 108 total classes split between starting options and promotions. Equipment alters dice directly by replacing faces, adding keywords, or enabling interactions like copying and rearranging results. Players compare proposed changes before committing and test different equipment sequences to discover synergies. Shared mana and spell usage add another layer, as dice allocated to mana generation support powerful team-wide effects rather than direct combat actions.
Run length remains consistent at 20 battles regardless of mode, with development opportunities appearing between encounters. The system rewards identifying strong combinations that scale through the later stages and final boss fight.
Is It Worth Playing?
Pipsquad targets players who enjoy roguelike structure combined with dice manipulation and squad-building strategy. The core loop of rolling, deciding action order, reading enemy plans, and refining dice through promotions and equipment delivers repeated decision points within each short campaign. Multiple modes and extensive customization options provide variety for those who like experimenting with different lineups and synergies.
Because the game enters Early Access in October 2026 with a planned duration of three to six months, the experience will continue to evolve based on player input regarding balance, builds, and usability. Those comfortable with iterative development and willing to provide feedback on the existing systems of party selection, dice modification, and difficulty shaping will find the most value. The single-player focus and emphasis on thoughtful planning rather than reflexes make it suitable for strategy enthusiasts seeking a compact yet deep roguelike session on PC.
