Mirror (2018): Match-3 Battle Guide

A gameplay-focused guide to KAGAMI WORKS' Mirror: how the match-3 battles work, which stats to upgrade, how to win fights in fewer rounds, how to unlock both endings for each character, and what the DLC adds. This guide is kept safe for work.

Researched September 2026 — current as of Ver 3.3x (the last numbered content update, January 2019; later additions were free extras like the ringtone and emoji packs in 2019). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Content note: Mirror is an adult-oriented game. Winning battles reveals suggestive artwork, and the store page is age-gated. An option added in Ver 2.6 lets you avoid the clothing-damage effect during battles. This guide covers only the gameplay.

Quick Start

1. It's a match-3 RPG with visual novel chapters. You fight each character on a gem board, then unlock story scenes and choices.
2. Chains win fights. Crushing gems triggers cascades; the more crushes in one turn, the more damage. Achievements track 7 and 11 crushes in a single turn and 1,200 damage in one turn.
3. Skill gems are your big hitters. Crushing basic and advanced skill gems fires skills, so set them up rather than matching randomly.
4. Upgrade your stats. Attack, Magic Attack, Health, Healing and Rage can each be leveled up with gold.
5. Farm gold in battle mode. Replaying battles is the main way to earn gold for upgrades and items.
6. Use items (props). The Diamond and Hourglass are buyable items that can turn a tough fight around.
7. Unlock more slots. Extra slots let you bring more into battle. Unlocking 2 and then 4 slots are both milestones.
8. Every character has two endings. Your story choices decide which one you get, so plan a second playthrough of each route.

How Battles Work

Each battle is a turn-based duel on a match-3 board. On your turn you swap gems to make lines of three or more. Matched gems are crushed, new gems fall in, and any new lines crush automatically as cascades.

• Regular gems feed your core actions. Across the game's stat system these break down into physical attack, magic attack, healing and rage.
• Skill gems (basic and advanced) trigger your equipped skills when crushed. There are achievements for crushing 6 and 12 basic skill gems, and 6 and 12 advanced skill gems, in a single battle, which tells you how central they are.
• Class-S gems: a patch note describes a special effect when three class-S gems line up. Prioritize these matches when you see them.
• Diamonds: can be earned during battles (achievements track 2 and 4 diamonds in one battle).
• Rounds: each exchange of turns counts as a round. Several achievements ask you to beat specific opponents within 25 rounds.

Your stats

Each stat can be upgraded in levels (achievements mark levels 2 and 4 in each). Early on, spread upgrades between Attack and Health; later, push your damage stats to end fights faster.

Skills and items

• You collect skills over time (achievements at 10 and 15 skills). Equip the ones that suit your board strategy.
• You collect items (achievements at 6 and 11). Items like the Diamond and Hourglass can be bought with gold.
• Slots decide how many skills or items you can bring. Unlock them as soon as gold allows; they multiply your options in every fight.

Characters

The base game's heroines include Daisy (the dark elf from a noble family who robs the rich to help the poor) and Youko (the Kyoto shrine maiden), along with Caiyun, Lin, Unita, Ana, Ebony and Martha. Opponents are also referred to by archetype in achievements: Dark Elf, Alter Maiden, Zombie Girl, Beast Girl, Dragon Maid, Pharaoh, Shogun Girl and Priestess.

Mirror: The Lost Shards (paid DLC, July 2018) added four more characters, released in stages through autumn 2018: Leah, Mafercca, Hill and Madoka.

Story, Choices and Endings

• After each battle you unlock story segments. Choices in these scenes steer toward one of two endings per character.
• Each character tracks a completion percentage, and pushing it higher unlocks further content, so revisit characters after the first ending.
• Endings have named achievements (for example, "Bonnie&Clyde" and "Autumn in Kyoto" are "Complete Ending 1" achievements, and "Destruction of Kyoto" is "Complete Ending 2"), which helps you track what you've seen.
• Tip: do one route, then replay the choices for the other ending before moving on, while you remember the story beats.

Battle Strategy

Opening turns

1. Scan the whole board before moving. Look for moves that create a second match when gems fall.
2. Match low on the board when possible. Low matches shift more gems and cause more cascades.
3. Set up skill gems instead of crushing them early by accident. Save them for when a skill will have the most impact.

Mid-fight

• Balance damage and healing. If your HP is low, a healing match can be worth more than a small attack.
• Watch the opponent's threats. Fights get harder late in the game, so pace your items.
• Chain for rage. Big multi-crush turns build power fast.

Finishing

• Hold your strongest skill for the kill turn. Overkill damage is wasted.
• Use the Hourglass and Diamond in fights where you keep falling just short.

Winning in under 25 rounds

Several achievements need a fast win:

• Upgrade Attack and Magic Attack first.
• Bring your highest-damage skills.
• Focus on setting up cascades rather than taking the first match you see.
• Replay earlier fights for gold if you're under-leveled.

Reading the Board: A Turn Checklist

Use this every turn until it becomes habit:

1. What do I need most right now? Damage, healing or rage. Low HP means healing matches move up the list.
2. Are there skill gems on the board? If a skill would finish the fight or save you, look for a match that includes it. If not, avoid crushing it by accident.
3. Is there a class-S line? Take it when available.
4. Which match causes a cascade? Picture the gems falling. Two smaller cascading matches often beat one big isolated match.
5. What am I leaving for the opponent? Big obvious combos left on the board can come back to hurt you.

When you keep losing a fight

• Go back and replay earlier battles for gold, then upgrade Health and your main damage stat.
• Check your equipped skills. A skill that doesn't match your stat build (for example a magic skill with low Magic Attack) is a wasted slot.
• Buy an item or two for the attempt, and use them early enough to matter.
• Unlock another slot if you can afford one; the extra option is often the difference.

Progression Plan

Sub-25-round targets (from the achievement list)

Leave the low-unlock-rate fights until your Attack and Magic Attack are at their top levels and you have four slots unlocked ("Full Throttle").

DLC Overview

Songs from the music DLC can be found in your Steam Library under Music after the Ver 3.31 update.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Matching the first thing you see. Cascades are where the damage is; take a second to look for better moves.
• Burning skill gems early. Save them for high-impact turns.
• Ignoring Health upgrades. Later opponents hit hard.
• Forgetting to farm gold. Upgrades and items make fights far smoother.
• Skipping slot unlocks. More slots means more skills and items every battle.
• Assuming one playthrough sees everything. Each character has two endings.

Advanced Tips

• Plan two moves ahead. Look at what will fall after your match.
• Focus crush count per turn for the 7 and 11 crush achievements; matches at the bottom of the board are best.
• Aim for 1,200 damage in one turn by combining a big cascade with a strong skill and high Attack.
• Keep bought items like the Hourglass for your hardest fights instead of spending them on opponents you can already beat. Read each item's description in the shop so you know exactly when it helps.
• Use achievements as a checklist for endings and completion; they name every ending.

FAQ

Is Mirror safe for work? No. It contains adult-oriented artwork. An in-game option (Ver 2.6) can turn off the clothing-damage effect, but the game is still intended for adults.

How many endings does each character have? Two. Your story choices decide which one you get.

What does The Lost Shards add? Four more characters (Leah, Mafercca, Hill and Madoka).

How do I get gold? Win battles, especially by replaying fights in battle mode.

Is there a sequel? KAGAMI WORKS moved to a 3D sequel after a 2020 Kickstarter that didn't reach its goal; they committed to finishing it anyway. They also released a spin-off minigame collection, Mirror Party, in Early Access in 2021.

Are the free DLCs worth downloading? They're just extras (ringtones and emoji files) placed in your install folder. No gameplay changes.

Sources

• Mirror on Steam
• Steam news for Mirror (Ver 3.3, free DLCs, Mirror 2 and Mirror Party updates)
• Mirror achievements