Power-heavy openings pay the surcharge
Spiked Gauntlets grants one additional energy each turn and makes Powers cost one more energy. The extra resource and the extra expense are separate effects. A deck playing several Powers during setup can spend much of the bonus simply paying for its own engine.
Count the intended opening plays. If the turn needs two Powers, each faces the surcharge; the relic provides only one additional energy for that turn. On later turns without a new Power, the energy can be more useful. The comparison depends on when the deck must establish defense and damage.
A description saying a card is free does not always erase every additional cost effect. Players report Power-generating and cost-reducing effects leaving a positive displayed cost under a surcharge. Check the actual card in hand before spending the final energy or relying on a zero-cost setup.
Touch of Insanity and Borrowed Time raise the same practical question about base discounts and extra costs. Review the full opening sequence alongside Whispering Earring rather than treating every energy relic as interchangeable. An extra energy symbol is not enough to compare the restrictions.
