Against Tribulation

Against Tribulation is a survivor-like game set in Chinese cultivation culture, with auto-battler synergy mechanics. You play as a seeker on the path to immortality, combining divine abilities from different sects to defeat waves of enemies while facing the Three Disasters, Nine Tribulations and Ten Calamities.

Cultivate divine abilities

The game has 63 divine abilities across eight sects: Yaochi Holy Land, Fire Worship Cult, Lingxiao Pavilion, Yinsha Valley, Xiaoyao Palace, Qingyan Sect, Shenmu Sect and Sword Pavilion. Each sect has synergy bonuses that unlock at ability counts of 2, 4, 6 and 8, or 2, 4, 6 and 9, depending on the sect. You can focus on one sect or combine abilities from several, adapting your choices to the circumstances.

Enemies may drop Heavenly Treasures Chests containing elixirs and spiritual herbs. Choosing their contents wisely can help you progress on your cultivation journey.

The maps

The four maps set different trials:

• Hundred Flowers Valley: requires passing the Three Disasters. Survivors attain eternal youth and immortality.
• Ten Thousand Demons Valley: requires passing the Nine Tribulations. Survivors live as long as heaven and earth, as eternal as the sun and moon.
• Blood-colored Wasteland: requires passing both the Three Disasters and the Nine Tribulations.
• Ancient Burial Ground of Immortals: requires passing the Three Disasters, Nine Tribulations and Ten Calamities. Survivors of the Ten Calamities gain boundless fortune and longevity, achieving immortality and indestructibility and existing through all eternity.

Disasters and tribulations

The Three Disasters impose different effects: the Thunder Disaster sends down lightning bolts like dragons; the Fire Disaster brings internal Yin fire that deals continuous damage; and the Wind Disaster brings violent winds that assail the spirit and restrict movement.

The Nine Tribulations disable abilities:

• Demonization Tribulation: disables 3 random divine abilities.
• Water Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Yaochi Holy Land.
• Fire Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Fire Worship Cult.
• Thunder Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Lingxiao Pavilion.
• Ice Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Yinsha Valley.
• Wind Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Xiaoyao Palace.
• Earth Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Qingyan Sect.
• Wood Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Shenmu Sect.
• Metal Tribulation: disables 3 abilities from Sword Pavilion.

The Ten Calamities are Yiyuan, Liangyi, Sancai, Sixiang, Wuxing, Liuhe, Qixing, Bagua, Jiugong and Wuliang. In the Ancient Burial Ground of Immortals, reaching the late stage of Tribulation Transcendence triggers these calamities, each of which represents a higher realm.

Realms of cultivation

There are ten major realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Void Refinement, Body Fusion, Mahayana, Tribulation Transcendence and True Immortal. Each realm before True Immortal has Early, Middle and Late stages.

In the Ancient Burial Ground of Immortals, surviving the Yiyuan Calamity advances you to the First Heaven of True Immortal. Each subsequent calamity you overcome promotes you to the next heaven; True Immortal has nine heavens in total. Surviving the Wuliang Calamity brings ultimate sublimation, advancement to the final realm and a unique title.