Stars and Energy use different clocks
Energy normally resets each turn, while unspent Stars persist. This makes Energy a turn resource and Stars a resource managed across deck cycles.
- The Regent begins combat with three Stars, but later Stars need generation.
- Banked Stars let expensive payoffs share a turn with Energy cards.
- A Star spender drawn before its generator may become temporary dead weight.
Keep inflow and outflow in balance
Every generator or spender changes the deck's Star budget. Drafting too far in either direction creates unused stock or unplayable payoffs.
- Count expected Stars generated and spent during one normal shuffle.
- Add a payoff only when the deck can fund it at the needed timing.
- Choose flexible generators such as Glow when they remain useful without a perfect combo.
Use 1 Energy ≈ 1.5 Stars as a lens
Steam author Gardoomalion proposes this rough exchange rate by comparing upgraded cards. It is a community heuristic, not an official formula, and card context can break the comparison.
- Use the ratio to spot obviously inefficient drafts, not to rank cards automatically.
- Add a premium for Stars that require setup or awkward draw order.
- Recalculate practical value when relics, retention or cost cheating changes the timing.
Research notes
This guide is an original synthesis. Use the linked pages to inspect the underlying reference material.
