Version

Setup Strike

IroncladAttackCommon
Deal 7 damage.
Gain 2 Strength this turn.

The hit for 7 (9 upgraded) comes first, then you gain 2 Strength (3 upgraded) that lasts until the end of your turn. It is real Strength while it lasts, so it adds to every hit of every Attack you play afterward, then it is taken back when the turn ends. Setup Strike itself does not benefit, since the Strength arrives after its own damage.

Character
Ironclad
Type
Attack
Rarity
Common
Cost
1 Energy
Target
One enemy

When to take Setup Strike

Play it first in a turn with multi-hit Attacks behind it, since 2 Strength into a three-hit card is 6 free damage. A Common that replaces a Strike cleanly in Act 1.

Cards that synergize with Setup Strike

Whirlwind
Attack
X
Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies X times.
Whirlwind adds the Strength to every enemy on every hit.Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies X times.
Sword Boomerang
Attack
1
Deal 3 damage to a random enemy 3 times.
Sword Boomerang and Twin Strike are cheap multi-hits.Deal 3 damage to a random enemy 3 times.
Twin Strike
Attack
1
Deal 5 damage twice.
Sword Boomerang and Twin Strike are cheap multi-hits.Deal 5 damage twice.
Conflagration
Attack
1
Deal 2 damage to ALL enemies 4 times.
Conflagration is four hits on every enemy.Deal 2 damage to ALL enemies 4 times.
One-Two Punch
Skill
1
This turn, your next Attack is played an extra time.
One-Two Punch plays your next Attack twice, so the Strength counts twice too.This turn, your next Attack is played an extra time.
Dismantle
Attack
1
Deal 8 damage.
If the enemy is Vulnerable, hits twice.
Dismantle hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 8 damage.
If the enemy is Vulnerable, hits twice.
Fight Me!
Attack
2
Deal 5 damage twice.
Gain 3 Strength.
The enemy gains 1 Strength.
Fight Me! hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 5 damage twice.
Gain 3 Strength.
The enemy gains 1 Strength.
Spite
Attack
0
Deal 5 damage.
If you lost HP this turn,
hits 2 times.
Spite hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 5 damage.
If you lost HP this turn,
hits 2 times.
Tear Asunder
Attack
2
Deal 5 damage.
Hits an additional time for each time you lost HP this combat.
Tear Asunder hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 5 damage.
Hits an additional time for each time you lost HP this combat.
Thrash
Attack
1
Deal 4 damage twice.
Exhaust a random Attack in your Hand and add its damage to this card.
Thrash hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 4 damage twice.
Exhaust a random Attack in your Hand and add its damage to this card.
Exterminate
Attack
1
Deal 3 damage to ALL enemies 4 times.
Exterminate hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 3 damage to ALL enemies 4 times.
Peck
Attack
1
Deal 2 damage 3 times.
Peck hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 2 damage 3 times.
Volley
Attack
X
Deal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.
Volley hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.
Mad Science
Attack
1
??????
Mad Science hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hit??????
Maul
Attack
1
Deal 5 damage twice.
Increase the damage of ALL Maul cards by 1 this combat.
Maul hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 5 damage twice.
Increase the damage of ALL Maul cards by 1 this combat.
Rip and Tear
Attack
1
Deal 7 damage to a random enemy twice.
Rip and Tear hits several times, so the Strength from Setup Strike counts on each hitDeal 7 damage to a random enemy twice.

Relics that synergize with Setup Strike

Ruined Helmet
Ruined Helmet builds on Strength, which Setup Strike gainsThe first time you gain Strength each combat, double the amount gained.
✦
Fight Me!
Attack
2
Deal 5 damage twice.
Gain 3 Strength.
The enemy gains 1 Strength.
Dominate
Skill
1
Apply 1 Vulnerable.
Gain 1 Strength for each Vulnerable on the enemy.
Exhaust.
Inflame
Power
1
Gain 2 Strength.
Rupture
Power
1
Whenever you lose HP on your turn, gain 1 Strength.
Brand
Skill
0
Lose 1 HP.
Exhaust 1 card.
Gain 1 Strength.
Demon Form
Power
3
At the start of your turn, gain 2 Strength.
Mangle
Attack
3
Deal 15 damage.
Enemy loses 10 Strength this turn.
Blaze
Skill
2
Give another player 5 Strength.

Changes by version

  1. 2 Jul 2026Strength2(3)3(4)Playtest
    Strength gain increased from 2 to 3 (upgraded 3 to 4)
  2. 20 Nov 2025Damage8(11)7(9)Strength1(2)2(3)Internal playtest
    Damage decreased from 8 to 7 (upgraded 11 to 9) and Strength gain increased from 1 to 2 (upgraded 2 to 3)
  3. 21 Nov 2024Upgraded Strength12Internal playtest
    Upgraded Strength gain increased from 1 to 2
All 5 patch notes2 older
  1. 10 Oct 2024Damage7(10)8(11)Internal playtest
    Damage increased from 7 to 8 (upgraded 10 to 11)
    ArtInternal playtest
    Added art
  2. 14 Jun 2024AddedInternal playtest
    Added Setup Strike card

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

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