Open-World Soulslike Deckbuilder

Death Howl Wiki

Guide Ro through the Spirit Realm. Discover cards, build powerful decks, combine shamanic totems, and overcome deadly grid-based battles.

160+ Craftable Cards4 Spirit Realms13 Distinct Regions30+ Enemy Types
Price
$19.99

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Review rating
Very Positive

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Reviews
1,328

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Latest update
Patch 1.0.0.5

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Latest Guides

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Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest Walkthrough and Rewards Guide

Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest Walkthrough and Rewards Guide

Complete the Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest in Moors of Withered Memories. Learn combat requirements, Ox Heart mechanics, and totem rewards.

Death Howl Scattered Senses: Full Walkthrough and Totem Reward

Scattered Senses: Full Walkthrough and Totem Reward

Complete the Death Howl scattered senses quest by finding Mother's four organs across the realms to unlock the Amber Figurine Totem.

Death Howl Saboteur Quest and Achievement Guide

Saboteur Quest and Achievement Guide

Complete the Death Howl Saboteur side quest in Meadows of Delusion, solve the animal grave puzzle, beat Crystwing, and earn the achievement.

Death Howl xbox release date: Launch Details and Game Pass

Death Howl xbox release date: Launch Details and Game Pass

The Death Howl xbox release date arrived on February 19, 2026. Check Xbox Series X|S launch details, Game Pass availability, editions, and pricing.

Death Howl Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Navigate the Death Howl Valley of Desolation map with exact locations for Sacred Groves, side quests, Bisti, the Skull summon card, and totems.

Death Howl Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Complete the Death Howl root out corruption side quest with this walkthrough covering Twig essence locations, Trunkrot boss tactics, and bug details.

Death Howl Quick Slash Card Stats, Crafting, and Combat Synergies

Quick Slash Card Stats, Crafting, and Combat Synergies

Death Howl quick slash is a 0-mana melee attack card with an Echo kill effect. Learn its recipe, stats, and tactical grid synergies.

Death Howl piercing winds deck Build: Cards and Synergies

Death Howl piercing winds deck Build: Cards and Synergies

Build an optimal Death Howl piercing winds deck with high block generation, Still and Echo synergies, and tactical mana discounts.

Death Howl: What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

Death Howl what happens when you die: respawn outside the encounter with your starting HP, retrieve lost howls on the grid, and avoid enemy power buffs.

Death Howl Xbox Game Pass: Platforms, Editions, and Gameplay

Xbox Game Pass: Platforms, Editions, and Gameplay

Death Howl Xbox Game Pass availability covers PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Cloud Gaming. Review platform features, mechanics, and system specs.

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Guides & References

Death Howl All Totems: Complete Locations, Effects, and Guide

All Totems: Complete Locations, Effects, and Guide

Find Death Howl all totems with this complete location and effect guide, covering realm discoveries, side quest rewards, and official patch balance changes.

Death Howl How to Heal: Sacred Groves and Health Recovery Guide

How to Heal: Sacred Groves and Health Recovery Guide

Recovering health in Death Howl requires visiting Sacred Groves or using rare Spirit Cards. Here is how healing, respawns, and HP preservation work.

Death Howl Rebirth Mode: How to Unlock, Changes, and Builds

Rebirth Mode: How to Unlock, Changes, and Builds

Death Howl rebirth mode unlocks after completing the story, bringing enhanced enemies and reworked cards. Here is how mechanics change and how to survive.

Death Howl unlock totem slots: How to Expand Relic Capacity

Death Howl unlock totem slots: How to Expand Relic Capacity

To unlock totem slots in Death Howl, invest Teardrops into Realm progress trees. Expand from 1 to 4 slots across the Spirit World to equip more charms.

Death Howl Walkthrough: Combat Grid, Decks, and Boss Guide

Walkthrough: Combat Grid, Decks, and Boss Guide

Beat Death Howl with this complete walkthrough covering grid combat rules, card crafting, totem setups, and Rebirth boss tactics for Ro.

Death Howl: What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

Death Howl what happens when you die: respawn outside the encounter with your starting HP, retrieve lost howls on the grid, and avoid enemy power buffs.

Death Howl early game build: Starter Decks and Strategies

Death Howl early game build: Starter Decks and Strategies

Construct an optimized Death Howl early game build. Learn key 15-card Strength and Discard deck setups to clear the Realm of Distorted Hollows.

Death Howl End Game Deck Builds and Howling Mountain Guide

End Game Deck Builds and Howling Mountain Guide

Clear the Howling Mountain gauntlet with a proven Death Howl end game deck. Compare verified community builds for self-harm sustain, poison, and burst.

Death Howl gloomy waters deck: Builds, Totems, and Strategy

Death Howl gloomy waters deck: Builds, Totems, and Strategy

Build an effective Death Howl gloomy waters deck using self-damage and healing synergies, optimal 15-card lists, and key totems to clear late-game runs.

Death Howl Hostile Plains Deck: Movement and Backstab Builds

Hostile Plains Deck: Movement and Backstab Builds

Build an agile Death Howl hostile plains deck using movement-scaling cards, teleportation reach, and backstab burst damage to defeat bosses like Exorath.

Death Howl howling mountain deck: Endgame Builds and Strategies

Death Howl howling mountain deck: Endgame Builds and Strategies

Build a winning Death Howl howling mountain deck with verified 15-card Frostalite and Self-Damage lists to clear endgame elite spirit encounters.

Death Howl piercing winds deck Build: Cards and Synergies

Death Howl piercing winds deck Build: Cards and Synergies

Build an optimal Death Howl piercing winds deck with high block generation, Still and Echo synergies, and tactical mana discounts.

Death Howl All Cards: Complete Crafting Guide and Card Lists

All Cards: Complete Crafting Guide and Card Lists

Death Howl all cards span over 160 craftable abilities across four realms. Here is the confirmed card catalog, crafting costs, and Fylge summon guide.

Death Howl best cards (2026) Guide: Top Picks and Deck Engines

Death Howl best cards (2026) Guide: Top Picks and Deck Engines

The Death Howl best cards include Triple Strike, Frantic Stabbing, and Lost Dagger, which dominate encounters through multi-hit scaling and deck cycling.

Death Howl Combine Cards Guide: All Recipes & Fusion Mechanics

Combine Cards Guide: All Recipes & Fusion Mechanics

Death Howl combine cards allow Ro to fuse base Engraved items and quest spears in battle to generate powerful transformed cards and synergies.

Death Howl Leap of Wrath: Card Stats, Unlock, and Deck Builds

Leap of Wrath: Card Stats, Unlock, and Deck Builds

Death Howl leap of wrath is a realmless exhaust traversal card unlocked after Exorath. Check its exact stats, unlock event, and community deck synergies.

Death Howl Needle Cone: Summon Card Location and Crafting Guide

Needle Cone: Summon Card Location and Crafting Guide

Obtain the Death Howl needle cone summon card in The Hidden Vale and craft key Realm of Piercing Winds cards with its material.

Death Howl Quick Slash Card Stats, Crafting, and Combat Synergies

Quick Slash Card Stats, Crafting, and Combat Synergies

Death Howl quick slash is a 0-mana melee attack card with an Echo kill effect. Learn its recipe, stats, and tactical grid synergies.

Death Howl Saboteur Quest and Achievement Guide

Saboteur Quest and Achievement Guide

Complete the Death Howl Saboteur side quest in Meadows of Delusion, solve the animal grave puzzle, beat Crystwing, and earn the achievement.

Death Howl Balancing the Scales: All 5 Scale Locations and Guide

Balancing the Scales: All 5 Scale Locations and Guide

Complete the Death Howl balancing the scales side quest in Meadows of Delusion with all 5 fish scale locations, combat tips, and the Pearl Totem reward.

Death Howl Bowl Quest Guide: Fill the Bowl and Beat The Soother

Bowl Quest Guide: Fill the Bowl and Beat The Soother

Complete the Death Howl bowl quest in The Wailing Marshes by lowering your HP below 5, unlocking the bridge, and beating The Soother mini-boss.

Death Howl In Search of Beauty Quest Walkthrough and Guide

In Search of Beauty Quest Walkthrough and Guide

Complete the Death Howl In Search of Beauty quest in Dead Roots by using the Red Rock card on five unique enemies to earn the Red Rock Totem.

Death Howl Ox Heart Quest: Uninvited Sorrows Guide

Ox Heart Quest: Uninvited Sorrows Guide

Complete the Death Howl ox heart quest (Uninvited Sorrows) in Moors of Withered Memories to earn the Crystallized Ox Heart totem and achievement.

Death Howl Quest Guide: All Side Quests, Solutions, and Rewards

Quest Guide: All Side Quests, Solutions, and Rewards

Complete Death Howl quest guide detailing step-by-step walkthroughs, quest card solutions, and totem rewards across every realm in the Spirit World.

Death Howl Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Complete the Death Howl root out corruption side quest with this walkthrough covering Twig essence locations, Trunkrot boss tactics, and bug details.

Death Howl Scattered Senses: Full Walkthrough and Totem Reward

Scattered Senses: Full Walkthrough and Totem Reward

Complete the Death Howl scattered senses quest by finding Mother's four organs across the realms to unlock the Amber Figurine Totem.

Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest Walkthrough and Rewards Guide

Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest Walkthrough and Rewards Guide

Complete the Death Howl uninvited sorrows quest in Moors of Withered Memories. Learn combat requirements, Ox Heart mechanics, and totem rewards.

Death Howl Area Order: Recommended Realm Progression Route

Area Order: Recommended Realm Progression Route

Follow the optimal Death Howl area order to navigate all four realms, reduce off-region card debuffs, and survive the climb to Howling Mountain.

Death Howl dead roots map: Groves, Quests, and Traversal Guide

Death Howl dead roots map: Groves, Quests, and Traversal Guide

Navigate the Death Howl dead roots map with exact Sacred Grove locations, exit routes, Cloudburn spawns, and walkthroughs for local spirit side quests.

Death Howl Egg Puzzle: Brooder Achievement and Eggle Guide

Egg Puzzle: Brooder Achievement and Eggle Guide

Solve the Death Howl egg puzzle in Moors of Withered Memories to open the giant egg, defeat Eggle, and unlock the Brooder achievement.

Death Howl hidden vale map Guide: Locations, Secrets, and Totems

Death Howl hidden vale map Guide: Locations, Secrets, and Totems

Navigate the Death Howl hidden vale map with exact locations for Sacred Groves, the Cone summon card, Frozen Driftwood totem, and key side quests.

Death Howl Map Guide: Navigation, Fast Travel, and Icons

Map Guide: Navigation, Fast Travel, and Icons

Navigate the Death Howl map with this guide on Sacred Grove fast travel, world map compass mechanics, quest card travel locks, and map icons.

Death Howl Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Navigate the Death Howl Valley of Desolation map with exact locations for Sacred Groves, side quests, Bisti, the Skull summon card, and totems.

Death Howl Bosses Guide: Great Spirits, Mechanics, and Strategies

Bosses Guide: Great Spirits, Mechanics, and Strategies

Defeat all major Death Howl bosses with detailed fight breakdowns for Cantharsis, Cephagloom, Tradontoz, side bosses, and the two-phase final boss.

Death Howl Cantharsis Boss Guide: Strategies and Deck Setup

Cantharsis Boss Guide: Strategies and Deck Setup

Defeat the forest Great Spirit with this Death Howl Cantharsis boss guide, covering 60 HP tactics, Puffball timings, curse exhausts, and discard decks.

Death Howl Final Boss: Moon Eel and Sorg Encounter Guide

Final Boss: Moon Eel and Sorg Encounter Guide

Defeat the two-phase Death Howl final boss with full breakdown strategies, combat mechanics for Moon Eel and Sorg, and summit deck-building tips.

Death Howl Jellyfish Boss Guide: Defeating Cephagloom

Jellyfish Boss Guide: Defeating Cephagloom

Defeat Cephagloom, the Death Howl jellyfish boss, by clearing tentacle summons, breaking damage nullification, and chaining mana-on-kill totems.

Death Howl how long to beat: Story and Completion Times

Death Howl how long to beat: Story and Completion Times

Check the exact Death Howl how long to beat times, comparing main story runs, side quest completion, and 100% achievement playthroughs.

Death Howl Metacritic Score, Critic Reviews, and Player Reception

Metacritic Score, Critic Reviews, and Player Reception

Death Howl holds a Metacritic score of 82 and an 8.3 user score, praised for its tactical grid combat, card crafting, and somber narrative.

Death Howl Review: A Bleak Tactical Soulslike Deckbuilder

Review: A Bleak Tactical Soulslike Deckbuilder

Death Howl review analyzing its turn-based grid combat, regional card crafting mechanics, dark Stone Age story, and unforgiving Soulslike progression.

Death Howl vs Inscryption: Which Deck Builder to Play?

Death Howl vs Inscryption: Which Deck Builder to Play?

Death Howl vs inscryption comparison breaks down grid tactics, deck building, and narrative differences between both indie deck builders.

Death Howl vs Slay the Spire: Key Differences Explained

Death Howl vs Slay the Spire: Key Differences Explained

Death Howl vs Slay the Spire compares turn-based card play, permanent RPG progression, grid tactics, and bonfire mechanics across both games.

Death Howl ps5: Editions, Controller Mechanics, and Gameplay

Death Howl ps5: Editions, Controller Mechanics, and Gameplay

Death Howl ps5 brings grid-based soulslike deckbuilding to Sony's console. Check editions, pricing, DualSense controls, and core survival mechanics.

Death Howl Steam Deck Performance, Settings, and Verified Status

Steam Deck Performance, Settings, and Verified Status

Death Howl runs smoothly as a Steam Deck Verified title, hitting up to 90 FPS on OLED with minor 16:9 black bars and custom control options.

Death Howl steam deck resolution: Aspect Ratio and Display Guide

Death Howl steam deck resolution: Aspect Ratio and Display Guide

Death Howl steam deck resolution is locked to a 16:9 ratio, producing minor black bars on the 16:10 screen, with known docked and desktop display quirks.

Death Howl Switch: Editions, Performance, and Handheld Guide

Switch: Editions, Performance, and Handheld Guide

Death Howl is available on Nintendo Switch. Check release details, file size, physical editions, and how the soulslike deckbuilder runs on handheld.

Death Howl Xbox Game Pass: Platforms, Editions, and Gameplay

Xbox Game Pass: Platforms, Editions, and Gameplay

Death Howl Xbox Game Pass availability covers PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Cloud Gaming. Review platform features, mechanics, and system specs.

Death Howl xbox release date: Launch Details and Game Pass

Death Howl xbox release date: Launch Details and Game Pass

The Death Howl xbox release date arrived on February 19, 2026. Check Xbox Series X|S launch details, Game Pass availability, editions, and pricing.


The Game at a Glance

What is Death Howl?

Death Howl is an open-world tactical deckbuilder set in a mythic Mesolithic Spirit Realm. Developed by The Outer Zone and published by 11 bit studios, it follows the hunter Ro as she battles hostile spirits to rescue her deceased son Olvi across four fractured realms and thirteen regions.

Combat takes place on deterministic tactical grids using a base pool of five mana shared between movement and card plays. Rather than a procedural roguelike run, the campaign features persistent card crafting, campfire-style Sacred Groves, equipable totems, and tight fifteen- to twenty-card decks.

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Developer
The Outer Zone
Publisher
11 bit studios
Platform
Windows PC
Genre
Adventure / Indie / Strategy
Release Date
Dec 9, 2025
Craftable Cards
160+
Spirit Realms
4
Distinct Regions
13

Choose Your Topic

Find Your Next Guide

From your first grid battle to deck building, death recovery, and PC requirements, choose the topic you need.

01

Beginner Guide

Learn how five-card hands, five mana per turn, and grid positioning shape each battle. Movement and card plays share the same mana pool, so recognizing enemy patterns and choosing safe positions are essential to survival.

1

Choose an initial deployment tile from the highlighted grid spaces before taking your first turn.

2

Spend your five base mana points carefully, balancing one mana per move tile against card activation costs.

3

Chain card triggers such as First, Echo, and Sacrifice to maximize damage and board repositioning.

More details
4

Charge and trigger your regional Overwhelmed meter during combat to gain powerful stat surges and mana refills.

Read the full guide
02

Deck Building Guide

Explore deck archetypes built around poison, strength, sacrifice, retaliation, blocking, and movement. Adapt your cards to each encounter and account for the extra mana cost of using cards outside their home region.

Trim Deck Size

Keep your combat deck at the fifteen-card minimum to draw critical combo pieces like Triple Strike consistently.

Cap Exhaust Cards

Equip up to five Exhaust cards to permanently thin your draw rotation down to ten cards during prolonged fights.

Stack Flat Buffs

Pair zero-cost damage buffs like Enchant Weapon with multi-hit attacks to eliminate six-health enemies quickly.

More details
Avoid Mana Penalties

Rely on neutral Realmless cards or region-native cards to avoid paying the off-realm one-mana penalty.

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03

Card Crafting and Skill Upgrades

Use Death Howls and collected materials to craft cards, or bank your Howls at healing points to purchase skill upgrades. Regional progression unlocks powers and spirit cards that enter your hand when you defeat enemies.

1

Harvest monster parts like snouts, feathers, and slime alongside Death Howls from fallen spirits.

2

Open the crafting menu to forge unlocked cards before interacting with Sacred Groves.

3

Rest at a Sacred Grove to convert all held Death Howls into regional Teardrop progression.

More details
4

Invest Teardrops into realm skill branches to obtain unique abilities, totems, and extra totem slots.

Read the full guide
04

Death Recovery and Sacred Groves

Death preserves your deck but drops your Death Howls, creating a recovery challenge on the battlefield. Learn how retrieval works and why resting at Sacred Groves restores health while bringing defeated enemies back.

1

Wake up immediately outside the combat grid after defeat while retaining your pre-fight health pool.

2

Enter the arena and step onto your dropped Death Howls within five turns to prevent permanent loss.

3

Prevent hostile spirits from stepping on your soul pile, which grants them dangerous attack buffs.

More details
4

Choose whether to retry the fight at low health or rest at a Sacred Grove and respawn regional enemies.

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05

PC System Requirements

Compare the official minimum and recommended PC specifications before playing. Check Windows compatibility, processor requirements, RAM, graphics hardware, DirectX support, and storage space.

Operating System

Requires Windows 10 64-bit operating system.

Processor Requirement

Requires a 3.2 GHz Quad Core Processor for minimum and recommended setups.

Memory and Storage

Requires 4 GB of RAM minimum with 4 GB of available storage space.

More details
Graphics Hardware

Runs on a GeForce GTX 960 or Radeon RX 570 with DirectX Version 11 support.

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Death Howl a roguelike game?

No, Death Howl is an open-world tactical RPG campaign lasting over twenty-five hours rather than a run-based roguelike. Defeat in battle does not wipe your campaign progress, allowing you to respawn right outside the fight.

How many cards and totems are in Death Howl?

Death Howl features over 160 craftable cards divided across realms, alongside 35 collectible shamanic totems that provide passive combat bonuses.

What is the penalty for using cards in other realms in Death Howl?

Cards crafted within a specific realm cost one additional mana when played outside their native biome. Neutral Realmless cards are exempt from this penalty.

What happens when Ro dies in combat in Death Howl?

Ro respawns directly outside the encounter with the health she entered with, dropping her unspent Death Howls on the battle grid. Players have five turns to retrieve them before enemies can absorb them.

Can you fast travel between Sacred Groves in Death Howl?

Yes, clicking an awakened Sacred Grove on the map allows instant teleportation between shrines. However, carrying an active quest card in your deck temporarily disables fast travel.

Does Death Howl have a minimum deck size?

Yes, combat decks in Death Howl must contain between fifteen and twenty cards, with no more than five Exhaust cards allowed per deck.

Where will you start?

Learn the basics, build your first deck, or prepare for a boss fight.

Death Howl · Platform: Windows PC · Developer: The Outer Zone

Keep exploring

Death Howl Bosses Guide: Great Spirits, Mechanics, and Strategies

Bosses Guide: Great Spirits, Mechanics, and Strategies

Defeat all major Death Howl bosses with detailed fight breakdowns for Cantharsis, Cephagloom, Tradontoz, side bosses, and the two-phase final boss.

Death Howl: What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

What Happens When You Die and Respawn Explained

Death Howl what happens when you die: respawn outside the encounter with your starting HP, retrieve lost howls on the grid, and avoid enemy power buffs.

Death Howl gloomy waters deck: Builds, Totems, and Strategy

Death Howl gloomy waters deck: Builds, Totems, and Strategy

Build an effective Death Howl gloomy waters deck using self-damage and healing synergies, optimal 15-card lists, and key totems to clear late-game runs.

Death Howl Leap of Wrath: Card Stats, Unlock, and Deck Builds

Leap of Wrath: Card Stats, Unlock, and Deck Builds

Death Howl leap of wrath is a realmless exhaust traversal card unlocked after Exorath. Check its exact stats, unlock event, and community deck synergies.

Death Howl All Totems: Complete Locations, Effects, and Guide

All Totems: Complete Locations, Effects, and Guide

Find Death Howl all totems with this complete location and effect guide, covering realm discoveries, side quest rewards, and official patch balance changes.

Death Howl Steam Deck Performance, Settings, and Verified Status

Steam Deck Performance, Settings, and Verified Status

Death Howl runs smoothly as a Steam Deck Verified title, hitting up to 90 FPS on OLED with minor 16:9 black bars and custom control options.

Death Howl Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Valley of Desolation Map Guide: Locations and Quests

Navigate the Death Howl Valley of Desolation map with exact locations for Sacred Groves, side quests, Bisti, the Skull summon card, and totems.

Death Howl Cantharsis Boss Guide: Strategies and Deck Setup

Cantharsis Boss Guide: Strategies and Deck Setup

Defeat the forest Great Spirit with this Death Howl Cantharsis boss guide, covering 60 HP tactics, Puffball timings, curse exhausts, and discard decks.

Death Howl Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Root Out Corruption: Quest Walkthrough and Boss Guide

Complete the Death Howl root out corruption side quest with this walkthrough covering Twig essence locations, Trunkrot boss tactics, and bug details.

Death Howl Needle Cone: Summon Card Location and Crafting Guide

Needle Cone: Summon Card Location and Crafting Guide

Obtain the Death Howl needle cone summon card in The Hidden Vale and craft key Realm of Piercing Winds cards with its material.