CASE FILE 01

Lexicon Heist

Roguelike word strategy through a contraband manuscript desk.

How to Play

Objective

Form words from your 8-letter tray to hit the round score target before running out of plays. Advance through 5 rounds to complete a run.

Economy

Each round gives you 4 plays and 2 free redraws. Lock letters before redrawing to keep them in your tray. Plays and redraws do not carry over between rounds.

Valid Words

Words must be 3-8 letters, valid English, and cannot be proper nouns or abbreviations. Letters must come from your current tray.

Win and Loss

Hit the target score before spending all plays to advance. Spend all plays without reaching the target and the run ends.

Styles

Words that match a style archetype earn bonus multipliers. Five styles compete for priority each word:

  • Heavy Metal — use rare letters (J, K, Q, V, X, Z)
  • Longform — words 7+ letters long
  • Sticky Endings — share the last 2+ letters with the previous word
  • Speed Typist — words 3-4 letters, plays used quickly
  • Clean Copy — no repeated letters in the word

Chaining words in the same style builds a tier streak for higher multipliers.

Tags

Tags trigger flat score bonuses independent of your active style:

  • Rare Letter (+6) — word contains J, K, Q, V, X, or Z
  • Double (+4) — word contains a repeated letter
  • Longform (+5) — word is 7+ letters
  • Clean Copy (+3) — no repeated letters
  • Quick Draw (+4) — word submitted on first play of the round
  • Shared End (+5) — last 2+ letters match the previous word

Shop

After rounds 1 and 3 you visit a shop. Spend cash on relics for permanent run bonuses, consumables for one-shot effects, or bag edits to reshape your letter pool.

All-In

Once per round you can go All-In on a word. If the word scores at or above the All-In threshold it doubles your score; below the threshold it halves it. Use it wisely.

Copy Desk

Start with Proofreader Lens: first word x2.0.

Proofreader Lens

Metal Case

Heavy Metal starter bag. Begin with Inked J, Rare Finder.

Win a run using 3+ rare letters

Relic Mutations

Proofreader Lens0 / 5 wins
Choose a loadout, set the pressure, then steal the vault target before the editor closes the file.