Forge and Replay

Spoils of Battle Forges five and draws two cards in the main-branch reference; its upgrade increases Forge to eight. Sword Sage instead gives Sovereign Blade Replay 1. The setup card does not supply an immediate attack simply because it improves a future Blade.

Replay can increase the payoff from a Blade that already has useful damage. The deck still needs access to that Blade, its required resources and enough defense to survive the setup. Multiple investment cards in the opening hand can delay the first meaningful attack.

Blade setup and defensive costs

Compare the Energy left after playing a setup card with the cost of the attack and the Block needed this turn. A large eventual Blade cannot undo HP lost while assembling it. Draw also matters: a Blade at the bottom of the pile may require a retrieval effect or more time.

Use the Forge strategy for Summon Forth, spending turns and what to do when the rewards support ordinary attacks more strongly.