Subroutine

DefectPowerUncommon
Whenever you play a Power, gain .

It adds a Subroutine counter. When a Power you played finishes, you gain 1 Energy per stack. The stack count is recorded when the Power starts play, so Subroutine cannot refund itself; a second copy gets 1 back from the first, after which each Power returns 2. It counts every Power, including 0-cost ones, so a free Power is Energy gained. The upgrade makes it cost 0.

Character
Defect
Type
Power
Rarity
Uncommon
Cost
10 Energy
Target
Yourself

When to take Subroutine

Take it in a Power-heavy Defect with four or more Powers behind it, pairing with Storm or Creative AI. Upgrade it so turn one is free.

Cards that synergize with Subroutine

Creative AI
Power
3
At the start of your turn, add a random Power into your Hand.
Creative AI adds a random Power every turn, each one a refund.At the start of your turn, add a random Power into your Hand.
Storm
Power
1
Whenever you play a Power, Channel 1 Lightning.
Storm shares the trigger.Whenever you play a Power, Channel 1 Lightning.
White Noise
Skill
1
Add a random Power into your Hand. It's free to play this turn.
Exhaust.
White Noise gives a free Power and a net gain.Add a random Power into your Hand. It's free to play this turn.
Exhaust.
Synthesis
Attack
2
Deal 14 damage.
The next Power you play costs 0 .
Synthesis makes the next Power free.Deal 14 damage.
The next Power you play costs 0 .
Multi-Cast
Skill
X
Evoke your rightmost Orb X times.
Multi-Cast costs X, so every Energy Subroutine gives goes into itEvoke your rightmost Orb X times.
Tempest
Skill
X
Channel X Lightning.
Tempest costs X, so every Energy Subroutine gives goes into itChannel X Lightning.
Volley
Attack
X
Deal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.
Volley costs X, so every Energy Subroutine gives goes into itDeal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.
Biased Cognition
Power
1
Gain 4 Focus.
At the start of your turn, lose 1 Focus.
Biased Cognition is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneGain 4 Focus.
At the start of your turn, lose 1 Focus.
Buffer
Power
2
Prevent the next time you would lose HP.
Buffer is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play onePrevent the next time you would lose HP.
Bulk Up
Power
2
Lose 1 Orb Slot.
Gain 2 Strength.
Gain 2 Dexterity.
Bulk Up is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneLose 1 Orb Slot.
Gain 2 Strength.
Gain 2 Dexterity.
Capacitor
Power
1
Gain 2 Orb Slots.
Capacitor is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneGain 2 Orb Slots.
Consuming Shadow
Power
2
Channel 2 Dark.
At the end of your turn, Evoke your leftmost Orb.
Consuming Shadow is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneChannel 2 Dark.
At the end of your turn, Evoke your leftmost Orb.
Coolant
Power
1
At the start of your turn, gain 2 Block for each unique Orb you have.
Coolant is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneAt the start of your turn, gain 2 Block for each unique Orb you have.
Defragment
Power
1
Gain 1 Focus.
Defragment is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneGain 1 Focus.
Echo Form
Power
3
Ethereal.
The first card you play each turn is played an extra time.
Echo Form is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneEthereal.
The first card you play each turn is played an extra time.
Feral
Power
2
The first time you play a
0 Attack each turn,
return it to your Hand.
Feral is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneThe first time you play a
0 Attack each turn,
return it to your Hand.
Hailstorm
Power
1
At the end of your turn, if you have Frost, deal 6 damage to ALL enemies.
Hailstorm is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneAt the end of your turn, if you have Frost, deal 6 damage to ALL enemies.
Iteration
Power
1
The first time you draw a Status each turn, draw 2 cards.
Iteration is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneThe first time you draw a Status each turn, draw 2 cards.
Loop
Power
1
At the start of your turn, trigger the passive ability of your rightmost Orb.
Loop is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneAt the start of your turn, trigger the passive ability of your rightmost Orb.
Machine Learning
Power
1
At the start of your turn, draw 1 additional card.
Machine Learning is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneAt the start of your turn, draw 1 additional card.
Signal Boost
Skill
1
The next Power you play is played an additional time.
Exhaust.
Signal Boost triggers on Powers played, and Subroutine is oneThe next Power you play is played an additional time.
Exhaust.
Smokestack
Power
1
Whenever you create a Status, deal 5 damage to ALL enemies.
Smokestack is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneWhenever you create a Status, deal 5 damage to ALL enemies.
Spinner
Power
1
At the start of your turn, Channel 1 Glass.
Spinner is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneAt the start of your turn, Channel 1 Glass.
Thunder
Power
1
Whenever you Evoke Lightning, deal 6 damage to each enemy hit.
Thunder is a Power, and Subroutine triggers when you play oneWhenever you Evoke Lightning, deal 6 damage to each enemy hit.

Relics that synergize with Subroutine

Game Piece
Game Piece draws for the same plays.Whenever you play a Power, draw 1 card.
Permafrost
Permafrost triggers on Powers played, and Subroutine is oneThe first time you play a Power each combat, gain 7 Block.
Lost Wisp
Lost Wisp triggers on Powers played, and Subroutine is oneWhenever you play a Power, deal 8 damage to ALL enemies.
Mummified Hand
Mummified Hand triggers on Powers played, and Subroutine is oneWhenever you play a Power, a random card in your Hand is free to play that turn.
✦
Storm
Power
1
Whenever you play a Power, Channel 1 Lightning.
Double Energy
Skill
1
Double your Energy.
Exhaust.
Energy Surge
Skill
1
ALL players gain .
Exhaust.
Scavenge
Skill
1
Exhaust a card.
Next turn, gain .
Charge Battery
Skill
1
Gain 7 Block.
Next turn, gain .
Signal Boost
Skill
1
The next Power you play is played an additional time.
Exhaust.
Sunder
Attack
3
Deal 24 damage.
If this kills an enemy, gain .
Synthesis
Attack
2
Deal 14 damage.
The next Power you play costs 0 .

Changes by version

  1. 26 Mar 2026ArtBeta branch
    Added Portrait art
  2. 29 Jan 2026ReworkInternal playtest
    Reworked Subroutine card
  3. 8 Jan 2026ArtInternal playtest
    Added beta portrait art
    Bug fixThe DefectCompactSmokestackInternal playtest
    Updated atlas references for renamed Defect cards (Compact, Subroutine, Smokestack)
All 4 patch notes1 older
  1. 1 Jan 2026ReworkInternal playtest
    Reworked the 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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