Encountering unique characters, recruiting them and upgrading them to build a team – these are some of the best parts of role-playing games (RPGs), and they deliver the kind of fun that makes Summoners War an App Store classic.

Monster training and strategically organising teams and skills are the core elements of Summoners War. Since the game’s release in 2014, the developers have continued updating it and adding lots of content, inspiring other games on the App Store. Here’s what to look out for when you play.

The goal of the game is to acquire and evolve monsters. There are now well over a thousand different monsters on the roster, each with its own distinct appearance and abilities.

These monsters are drawn from different mythologies, with eye-catching appearances, captivating backstories and unique abilities. Many players collect monsters not only because of their combat abilities, but because they’ve fallen for their charms. Some monsters enjoy a loyal fan following, such as the angel Artamiel and the imposing and popular Dragon Knights.

You can form teams of monsters, and the number of your team changes depending on the challenge you’re choosing to take on. For example, you can bring four monsters on a typical adventure or to the battle arena, while you can explore dungeons with a team of five.

One powerful monster is not enough to guarantee victory. It’s more important to form a well-rounded team with a range of skills. For example, you might want to have a good mix of monsters that specialise in speed, endurance, attack power and crowd control. There are endless approaches to building a standout crew, and it’s worth taking your time to explore the options.

In addition to fighting, you’ll also need to build a home base, where you can retreat and rest. From your city, you can level up monsters, equip secondary skills or stock up on supplies.

To call your bustling stronghold home, you can customise it, deciding where each structure goes and adding decor to show off your style. Your monsters will walk freely around your city. If you’re particularly proud of your base, invite some friends over, and remember to return the visit to see what they’ve done with their place.