Shadowborn iOS Guide: Beginner’s to Advanced Playbook

Edward
Nov 23
3 min read

Introduction

Shadowborn is a thrilling offline single-player action RPG for iOS (and Android), blending whimsical, vibrant visuals with dark fantasy elements. Developed by Viva Games S.L. (Viva Studios), it’s designed for quick, arcade-style sessions with 3-4 minute missions packed into tight loops of combat, exploration, and progression. Dive into a world of serene glades with unicorns, moonlit mermaids, shadowy ambushes, epic bosses, and cursed ruins. The game emphasizes responsive combat, deep customization, and high replayability via heirlooms and a retirement system. 64 86

Currently in early access (launched ~July 2025), it draws Diablo/Path of Exile inspiration with innovative mobile-optimized mechanics like dual-wield combat and puzzles. Rated 4.9/5 from 1.3K reviews on the App Store, it’s praised for polish, fun puzzles, and offline play—perfect for short bursts. Download free from the App Store (626.8 MB, iOS 13.0+). In-app purchases exist for packs (e.g., $1.99-$24.99 for diamonds, boosters), but it’s F2P-friendly with grindable progression. 64 65

A fantasy game shop screen with a dark medieval theme. Left sidebar shows categories: Featured, Packs, Skins, Diamonds, Coins. Top right displays currencies: 230 pink gems and 9,916 gold coins, plus an X close button. Center top: “Booster Pack” with icons of a horned helmet, horn necklace, chest armor, gauntlets, and colored gems; price $4.99 and “Available: 5/5.” Bottom row: two +50% offers—bag of pink gems “200 +100” for $4.99, and bag of gold coins “2500 +1250” for $4.99. Right panel: “Dark Knight Skin” showing a black spiked armored character; price $9.99.

Getting Started: Classes and Controls

Class Selection

Choose your starting class wisely—it shapes early play but can be hybridized later:

Warrior/Dark Knight: Melee tank with longsword & shield. High durability, steady damage. Best for beginners wanting forgiveness. 86
Sorcerer/Enchanter/Shadow Mage: Ranged magic (e.g., fireball, spellbook). Area damage but fragile—position carefully. 86
Rogue/Swiftblade: Agile bow user with stealth. Precision crits, evasion, fast strikes. Rewards mobility. 86

Multi-class blending unlocks via resources for hybrid builds (e.g., Warrior + stealth). 64

Controls

Arcade-style (default): Simple taps/swipes for attacks, dodges, skills. Responsive with contextual takedowns.
Dual-stick: Optional for precise movement/aiming. Combat feels “sticky” and impactful—dodge enemy patterns, time blocks/evasions. 64 86

Progression Systems

Skills & Mastery Tree

Unlock class-specific abilities (e.g., projectile immunity, AoE attacks).
Mastery Attributes:
Attribute
Benefits
Strength
Weapon damage (melee/ranged)
Agility
Speed, evasion
Toughness
Health, resistances

Balance to amplify strengths or fix weaknesses. Level cap ~14 early on—grind dungeons 20x for XP/abilities (e.g., disintegrate at higher levels). 65

Cross-Class & Specializations

Spend resources to steal skills (e.g., Rogue bow mastery for consistent DPS, Pistol line attacks for CC). Creates synergies like Sorcerer pistols. 86

Drops from enemies/missions: Weapons (e.g., Dark Fang Katana—damage + lifesteal), accessories (Amulet of Protection—resistances + HP).
Prioritize synergies (e.g., lifesteal for sustain). Break down junk for materials.
Shop items have level reqs—grind for gold/gear. 65 86

Combat Tips

Basics: Basic attacks + dodges + skills. Read telegraphs—evade projectiles, block heavies.
Weapons: Start 2H, switch dual-wield (junk swords) after Strength/Swords levels. Spells need book in hotbar. 65
Bosses/Elites: Whack tentacle bases to retreat them. Time parries/dodges.
Positioning: Ranged stay back; melee tank with shield.
Sustain: Lifesteal gear, potions (IAP optional). 86

An isometric screenshot of a medieval‑fantasy RPG. A warrior with a sword, shield, and torch stands on wet cobblestones near a workshop labeled “BLACKSMITH,” where a glowing NPC is beside a grindstone, anvil, and barrels. A white horse with a saddle waits at the lower right. The top-left HUD shows the hero portrait, health bar, and “NEXT FREE POTION: 28m 28s,” with a quest prompt “Speak to Ulric.” The top-right mini-map marks the town “FELLHAVEN.” Action buttons and icons line the right side of the screen, including lightning, anvil, purple skill, and a large flaming attack. The scene is lit by a wall lamp and scattered with wagon parts and tools.

Quests, Story & World Map

Story: Fight shadows/Necromancer via NPC Ulric. Quest log tracks mains/sides.
Missions: Quick objectives on compact maps. Fast-travel + mounts (horses) for efficiency.
Exploration: Secrets, ambushes, lore. Balance objectives with side paths.
Regions: Lost City (early), Church, Corruption (later areas—updates add content). 86
Unlocking Later Content: Grind levels/quests; patches expand (e.g., “second half” via updates). Replay for gear/XP. 65 76

Prioritize: Mains first, then sides for loot/XP.

Secrets & Puzzles

Early access has hidden collectibles/paths:

Bronze Eyes (Lost City Puzzle):
1. First eye: Before the wall thing.
2. Second: Lower level—explore further, return.
3. Place both at once in sockets. 65
Church Torch Fire: Light torches in correct order (video guides recommend). Unlocks Path of Flame/beyond.
All Secrets: Check YouTube for “ALL SHADOWBORN SECRETS” (e.g., new locations, hidden quests). Discord communities share updates. 53

Explore fully—secrets boost progression!

A fantasy RPG-style inventory screen with ornate borders. The left panel, titled “Stash,” shows a grid filled with collectibles and gear: golden statuettes (owl, chalices, deer, robed figures, a bird), green jade dragon figurines, an eye talisman, a jeweled egg, a blue book, a belt, and weapons at the bottom (a katana, a slender rapier, and a pickaxe). The right panel displays the character’s equipment and backpack: a plumed Spartan-style helmet, chainmail cuirass, a belt, a round wooden shield, and a bundle of arrows or darts. Below are carried items including a horn, a small sack with five apples, two red scrolls and two blue scrolls, a wedge of cheese, a dagger, two green potions, and a coil of rope. The gold count reads 9916, and the top-right shows 230 purple gems.

Replayability & Endgame

Heirlooms/Retirement: Retire hero for bonuses on New Game+ (gear, stats carry over vibes).
Achievements/Lore: Hidden unlocks per run.
Grind: Dungeons for better drops until cap—rerun 20x+. Updates add content. 64 65

Advanced Tips & Tricks

Early Game: Warrior for safety. Grind Lost City for levels/gear. Dual-wield ASAP.
Puzzles: Eyes/torches need both items simultaneously.
Efficiency: Explore 100%, but run past mobs if low HP (autosave on death, no consumable loss).
F2P: Avoid rushing IAP—grind viable. Daily patches improve.
Mobile Optimization: Short sessions shine; play offline anywhere.
Communities: Reddit (r/AndroidGaming), YouTube walkthroughs (Parts 1-4), developer Discord. 65

Master these, and you’ll conquer the shadows! Updates ongoing—check App Store for news. Happy hunting! 🎮