Dark Embrace

IroncladPowerRare
Whenever a card is Exhausted,
draw 1 card.

Whenever one of your cards is Exhausted you draw 1 card. Exhausts caused by a card or relic draw immediately. Ethereal exhausts at end of turn are counted instead and drawn after your Hand has been discarded, so those cards wait in Hand for next turn. Only your own cards count, and a second copy draws 2 per exhaust. The upgrade lowers the cost from 2 to 1.

Character
Type
Power
Rarity
Rare
Cost
21 Energy
Target
Yourself

When to take Dark Embrace

Strong once you have steady exhaust sources like Corruption or Fiend Fire. It draws a card per exhaust, so a 5 card Fiend Fire nets 5 fresh draws.

Cards that synergize with Dark Embrace

Corruption
Power
3
Skills cost 0 .
Whenever you play a Skill, Exhaust it.
Corruption makes every Skill exhaust, so every Skill draws.Skills cost 0 .
Whenever you play a Skill, Exhaust it.
Fiend Fire
Attack
2
Exhaust your Hand.
Deal 7 damage for each card Exhausted.
Exhaust.
Fiend Fire and Second Wind exhaust a whole Hand and refill it.Exhaust your Hand.
Deal 7 damage for each card Exhausted.
Exhaust.
Second Wind
Skill
1
Exhaust all non-Attack cards in your Hand. Gain 5 Block for each card Exhausted.
Fiend Fire and Second Wind exhaust a whole Hand and refill it.Exhaust all non-Attack cards in your Hand. Gain 5 Block for each card Exhausted.
Burning Pact
Skill
1
Exhaust 1 card.
Draw 2 cards.
Burning Pact becomes 3 draws.Exhaust 1 card.
Draw 2 cards.
True Grit
Skill
1
Gain 7 Block.
Exhaust 1 card at random.
True Grit draws while blocking.Gain 7 Block.
Exhaust 1 card at random.
Feel No Pain
Power
1
Whenever a card is Exhausted, gain 3 Block.
Feel No Pain adds Block to the same triggers.Whenever a card is Exhausted, gain 3 Block.
Stoke
Skill
1
Exhaust your Hand.
Add 1 random card into your Hand for each card Exhausted.
Stoke Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceExhaust your Hand.
Add 1 random card into your Hand for each card Exhausted.
Thrash
Attack
1
Deal 4 damage twice.
Exhaust a random Attack in your Hand and add its damage to this card.
Thrash Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceDeal 4 damage twice.
Exhaust a random Attack in your Hand and add its damage to this card.
Brand
Skill
0
Lose 1 HP.
Exhaust 1 card.
Gain 1 Strength.
Brand Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceLose 1 HP.
Exhaust 1 card.
Gain 1 Strength.
Cinder
Attack
2
Deal 18 damage.
Exhaust 1 card at random.
Cinder Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceDeal 18 damage.
Exhaust 1 card at random.
Havoc
Skill
1
Play the top card of your Draw Pile and Exhaust it.
Havoc Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbracePlay the top card of your Draw Pile and Exhaust it.
Purity
Skill
0
Retain.
Exhaust up to 3 cards in your Hand.
Exhaust.
Purity Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceRetain.
Exhaust up to 3 cards in your Hand.
Exhaust.
Hellraiser
Power
2
Whenever you draw a card containing “Strike”, it is played against a random enemy.
Hellraiser triggers when you draw, and Dark Embrace drawsWhenever you draw a card containing “Strike”, it is played against a random enemy.
Automation
Power
1
Every 10 cards you draw, gain .
Automation triggers when you draw, and Dark Embrace drawsEvery 10 cards you draw, gain .
Expect a Fight
Skill
2
Gain for each Attack in your Hand.
You cannot gain
additional this turn.
Expect a Fight wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsGain for each Attack in your Hand.
You cannot gain
additional this turn.
Enlightenment
Skill
0
Reduce the cost of ALL cards in your Hand to 1 this turn.
Exhaust.
Enlightenment wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsReduce the cost of ALL cards in your Hand to 1 this turn.
Exhaust.
Equilibrium
Skill
2
Gain 13 Block.
Retain your Hand this turn.
Equilibrium wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsGain 13 Block.
Retain your Hand this turn.
Salvo
Attack
1
Deal 12 damage.
Retain your Hand this turn.
Salvo wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsDeal 12 damage.
Retain your Hand this turn.
Demonic Shield
Skill
0
Lose 1 HP.
Give another player Block equal to your Block.
Exhaust.
Demonic Shield Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceLose 1 HP.
Give another player Block equal to your Block.
Exhaust.
Dominate
Skill
1
Apply 1 Vulnerable.
Gain 1 Strength for each Vulnerable on the enemy.
Exhaust.
Dominate Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceApply 1 Vulnerable.
Gain 1 Strength for each Vulnerable on the enemy.
Exhaust.
Feed
Attack
1
Deal 10 damage.
If Fatal, raise your Max HP by 3.
Exhaust.
Feed Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceDeal 10 damage.
If Fatal, raise your Max HP by 3.
Exhaust.
Forgotten Ritual
Skill
1
If you Exhausted a card this turn, gain .
Exhaust.
Forgotten Ritual Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceIf you Exhausted a card this turn, gain .
Exhaust.
Impervious
Skill
2
Gain 30 Block.
Exhaust.
Impervious Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceGain 30 Block.
Exhaust.
Infernal Blade
Skill
1
Add a random Attack into your Hand. It's free to play this turn.
Exhaust.
Infernal Blade Exhausts itself when played, which triggers Dark EmbraceAdd a random Attack into your Hand. It's free to play this turn.
Exhaust.

Relics that synergize with Dark Embrace

Pael's Eye
Pael's Eye Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceThe first time each combat you end your turn without playing cards, Exhaust your Hand, and take an extra turn.
Toasty Mittens
Toasty Mittens Exhausts cards, which triggers Dark EmbraceAt the start of your turn, Exhaust the top card of your Draw Pile and gain 1 Strength.
Cloak Clasp
Cloak Clasp wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsAt the end of your turn, gain 1 Block for each card in your Hand.
Ringing Triangle
Ringing Triangle wants a full hand, which Dark Embrace drawsRetain your Hand on the first turn of combat.
Permafrost
Permafrost triggers on Powers played, and Dark Embrace is oneThe first time you play a Power each combat, gain 7 Block.
Lost Wisp
Lost Wisp triggers on Powers played, and Dark Embrace is oneWhenever you play a Power, deal 8 damage to ALL enemies.
Mummified Hand
Mummified Hand triggers on Powers played, and Dark Embrace is oneWhenever you play a Power, a random card in your Hand is free to play that turn.
Game Piece
Game Piece triggers on Powers played, and Dark Embrace is oneWhenever you play a Power, draw 1 card.
Intimidating Helmet
Intimidating Helmet triggers on cards that cost 2 or more, and Dark Embrace is oneWhenever you play a card that costs or more, gain 4 Block.

Changes by version

  1. 9 Aug 2024InterfaceEtherealInternal playtest
    Ethereal cards' interaction with Dark Embrace made more obvious through timing tweaks
  2. 4 May 2024RarityInternal playtest
    Dark Embrace rarity increased from Uncommon to Rare

Internal playtest notes are from before the Early Access release. Names and numbers in them can differ from the game today.

Purchase today
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