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Mind Over Magic is equal parts Oxygen Not Included and Harry Potter, which says something about how in-depth and tricky running your own magical school can be. From constructing classrooms and hiring teachers to battling the creatures lurking within the Underschool, the game isn’t afraid to challenge you. Experimentation is a key part of learning the game, but some lessons are better learned with a bit of help. With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll master the forbidden arts in time for winter break. Here are some essential tips and tricks for Mind Over Magic, in no particular order.
Push Back the Fog
The Fog poses an ever-present threat to your school in Mind Over Magic. If you fail to Repel it, the Fog will eventually destroy everything. There are two rituals you can use to keep your school safe: Repel Fog and Superior Repel Fog. Early in the game, it’s better to use Repel Fog because it requires fewer resources. Once you’ve made progress and Gutberries and Wood are no longer in such short supply, feel free to switch to the Superior ritual instead. The Superior version pushes the Fog considerably further, which makes it preferable for finding advanced resources and keeping your early access wizarding dreams alive.
Hunt and Garden
Once you’ve built a simple shelter for your teachers, food will be one of your top priorities. Different species have different dietary requirements. Humans are content with Gutberries, for example, while Wolfkin do better with a steady supply of Dire Rats. The area around your school will have enough basic resources to keep your teachers fed in the early days, but you’ll need something more sustainable once you start recruiting students. Use Gutberry Planters and other gardening options to take control of your food supply, just make sure they have enough light.
Stick with a Learning Stone
Once you’ve spent some time researching new advancements, you’ll be able to create specialized equipment that let your students devote themselves to particular branches of magic. That’s ideal if you want a Harry Potter-style division of houses based on elements or if you just want a better chance at surviving the Underschool. In the early game, however, the Learning Stone is all you need for your students’ magical education, which is a tip every Mind Over Magic player should know. You’re better off devoting your valuable research time to other advancements and then circling back to specialized learning tools later.
Rest Up in Medical Beds
Whether you’re battling monsters in the Underschool or fighting off an aboveground invasion, your teachers and students will eventually get hurt. Medical Beds are one of the most important early-game objects because they allow you to heal your injured characters and get them ready for battle again. Once you have your school’s basics like food and Fog repulsion taken care of, getting a couple of Medical Beds should be a top priority. Exploring the Underschool without these valuable resting spots is a quick way to eat up your healing items and potentially even lose the game.
Educate, Graduate, and Hire
Once you’ve researched Basic Rituals, you’ll be ready to construct a Ritual Sigil. This object is essential because it allows your students to Graduate. Even if students don’t graduate with honors they still provide you with scrolls. Those will be invaluable in helping you to research your next major advancement. If you have a student you particularly enjoy having around you can even Hire them as a teacher. Doing so is vital to keep your school growing in the long run. That said, Mind Over Magic isn’t a party game, so there’s no rush. Don’t increase your staff size before you’re ready.
