Card Reward

Step 2: Evaluate Each Card Choice

For each card in card_choices[], score on these criteria (all data from docs/deck-building-framework.md):

A. Infinite Component Value (Highest Weight)

• Fills a missing category: TOP priority. If you need Energy and Bloodletting is offered, take it immediately.
• S-tier infinite component: Always take (Offering, Dark Embrace, Feel No Pain, Corruption, Bloodletting, Burning Pact, True Grit).
• A-tier infinite support: Take if deck < 20 (Pommel Strike, Shrug It Off, Second Wind, Brand, Headbutt, Battle Trance).
• B-tier role player: Take only if fills specific gap and deck < 16.
• Non-infinite card: Usually skip. Only consider if Phase 1 and desperately need survival.

B. Card Tier (from framework)

Check the card's tier in the Card Tier List:

• S-Tier: Take unless readiness is "Infinite Ready" AND deck already has this card's role covered
• A-Tier: Take in Phase 1, selective in Phase 2
• B-Tier: Take only in Phase 1 if fills weakness
• C/D-Tier: Skip

C. Weakness Coverage (from framework)

Check the Weakness Categories table. Key weaknesses for infinite:

• No Exhaust Engine → take any exhaust source
• No Draw Engine → take any draw source
• No Energy Gen → take Bloodletting/Offering
• No Defense (during transition) → take Shrug It Off/Iron Wave/Impervious

D. Deck Size Check (from framework)

Check the Deck Size Rules table:

• < 12: Take good components freely
• 12–16: Take S/A-tier or weakness fixes
• 16–20: Take only S-tier or critical missing piece
• 20+: Skip unless S-tier gap fill

Step 3: Phase-Specific Adjustments

Phase 1 (Component Collection — Act 1 to early Act 2)

• Priority: Survival + infinite components
• Take: Strong commons that double as loop pieces (Pommel Strike, Shrug It Off, True Grit)
• Take: Feed (1 copy) for Max HP buffer
• Take: Iron Wave, Hemokinesis if deck needs damage to survive Act 1
• Skip: Cards that don't cycle or thin (Anger, Bludgeon, Rampage)

Phase 2 (Infinite Execution — late Act 2+)

• Priority: Only cards that directly improve the loop
• Take: S-tier if not already owned
• Skip: Everything else. Deck should be shrinking, not growing.

Fallback Mode

If readiness is "Not Started" by mid-Act 2, note this in output and consider:

• Demon Form / Inflame → Strength fallback
• Body Slam + block cards → Block fallback
• Continue taking exhaust cards for non-loop value

Step 4: Make the Decision

Score each card choice mentally:

Card Score = Infinite Component Value + Tier Bonus + Missing Category Fill - Deck Size Penalty

• If the best card scores positively: ./sts2 reward_choose_card --type card --card_id <card_id>
• If all cards score negatively or readiness is "Infinite Ready": ./sts2 reward_skip_card --type card

Output 1 sentence explaining the decision:

[Building infinite (14 cards). Bloodletting fills missing Energy category — taking it over Bludgeon and Iron Wave.]
> ./sts2 reward_choose_card --type card --card_id BLOODLETTING

[Infinite Ready (16 cards). None of the offered cards improve the loop — skipping.]
> ./sts2 reward_skip_card --type card

Step 5: Update Run State (If Warranted)

After making a card reward decision, check if readiness level changed. Load the run-state-management skill. Key triggers for update:

• A new infinite component added → recalculate readiness
• Readiness level changes (e.g., "Building" → "Almost Ready")
• Deck size crosses a threshold (12, 16, 20)
• Fallback triggered (no components by mid-Act 2)

Do NOT update after every single reward — only on meaningful changes.

Related Skills

Game Knowledge References