ForgeTax Early +99 Sword Forging Guide

In ForgeTax, reaching a +99 sword early requires a deep understanding of the game's risk-management loop and the strategic use of the Frenzy mechanic. While official Steam achievements recognize "Mastery" at the +30 mark for various blade types, the path to "absurd fortunes" like +99 involves leveraging the relic machine to bend RNG and utilizing the guaranteed safety window provided by Frenzy strikes. Success depends on balancing the immediate need to pay the dragon's tribute against the long-term goal of building a high-value blade that can survive the anvil.

The Core Forging Loop

The fundamental gameplay of ForgeTax is a first-person simulation of blacksmithing where every strike carries a cumulative risk. The process follows a specific sequence:

1. Heating: The blade must be heated before it can be worked.
2. Striking: Once on the anvil, each successful hammer strike increases the sword's value (and its "+" level).
3. Risk: Every hit has a chance to shatter the blade, turning your investment into scrap.
4. Tribute: Swords are laid on the counter and the bell is rung to meet the dragon's tribute.

To push a sword toward +99, you must minimize the "shatter" risk. The game is designed as a roguelite, meaning failure results in a lost run, making the pursuit of high-level swords a high-stakes endeavor.

Mastering the Frenzy Mechanic

The most reliable way to reach high levels like +99 without losing the sword to RNG is the Frenzy system.

• Charging Frenzy: You must forge the same sword successfully 10 times to fully charge the Frenzy meter.
• Unleashing the Window: Once activated, Frenzy provides a "brief, blazing window" where you can hammer the sword repeatedly without any fear of it shattering.
• Strategy for +99: Players aiming for maximum value should use standard hits to reach a baseline (such as +10 or +20) and then trigger Frenzy to push through the increasingly dangerous higher levels. According to official Steam achievements, the "Hammer Time" achievement is awarded for entering Frenzy for the first time outside the tutorial.

Relic Machine and Synergies

Reaching +99 is significantly easier if you utilize the Relic Machine. This machine allows you to sacrifice swords—blades that could have been used for the dragon's tribute—in exchange for powerful relics.

• Bending the Odds: Relics can change your draw tickets or combine strange effects to create synergies.
• Luck Manipulation: Some relics are specifically designed to "change what luck means," which likely involves reducing shatter chances or increasing the value gained per strike.
• Sacrifice vs. Reward: Every blade spent on a relic is one less blade available for the dragon. If you fall short of the tribute while chasing a +99 sword, you will face the dragon's wrath.

Sword Mastery Milestones

While +99 is a player-driven goal for high scores, the game officially tracks "Mastery" at +30. Reaching +30 on specific blade types is a core progression metric. The known blade types capable of reaching these levels include:

Reaching +10 is considered a basic milestone, achieved by roughly 95.8% of the player base ("One More Hit?" achievement).

Managing the Dragon's Tribute

The dragon's presence serves as a "soft" time limit on your forging. You must decide when to stop swinging the hammer and when to sacrifice your progress to stay alive.

• The Counter: Lay your swords on the counter and ring the bell to submit your tribute.
• Rage Stages: If you struggle to meet the requirement, you may find yourself at the "last Rage stage." Paying the tribute in full during this stage unlocks the "One Last Chance" achievement.
• Overpayment: Paying at least 5 times the required tribute unlocks "Keep the Change," suggesting that a +99 sword can provide a massive safety buffer for future rounds.

Technical Information

ForgeTax was developed and published by GraveYardDev, released on September 29, 2026. The developer has disclosed that Generative AI was used to assist in creating selected promotional images, certain audio assets, and a limited number of 3D assets, as well as for translation and localization. No live-generated AI is used during actual gameplay.

System Requirements (Windows)

• OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (Recommended)
• Memory: 16 GB RAM (Recommended)
• Graphics: GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 (Recommended)
• Storage: 2 GB available space