ForgeTax Underworld Key: The Ultimate Forging and Tribute Guide

ForgeTax is a dark, first-person forging roguelite developed by GraveYardDev, released on September 29, 2026. In this high-stakes simulation, players must hammer blades to increase their value, build powerful synergies using a relic machine, and meet the ever-increasing tribute demands of a dragon that owns the forge. Failure to pay the tribute results in facing the dragon's wrath, while success allows players to eventually challenge the beast and complete their contract.

Core Gameplay: Hammering and Luck

The primary loop of ForgeTax involves heating a blade and bringing it to the anvil. Every strike of the hammer has the potential to increase the sword's value, but it also carries the risk of the blade shattering into scrap.

The Frenzy Mechanic

To mitigate the inherent risks of forging, the game features a Frenzy system.

• Charging Frenzy: Players must forge the same sword 10 times to fully charge the Frenzy meter.
• Unleashing Frenzy: Once activated, Frenzy provides a brief window where the player can hammer the blade without any fear of it shattering. This is the optimal time to push a sword's value to extreme heights.
• Achievements: Entering Frenzy for the first time outside the tutorial unlocks the "Hammer Time" achievement, while entering it five times in a single run earns "No Rest for the Hammer."

Risks and Shattering

Shattering is a constant threat. Breaking 10 swords in a single run unlocks the "Dopamine Syringe" achievement, reflecting the "one more hit" gambling nature of the game. Players must decide when to stop swinging and bank the sword's current value before a single strike ruins the work.

The Relic Machine and Synergies

Swords are not just for paying taxes; they are also a currency for power. Players can feed forged blades into the Relic Machine to obtain various upgrades.

• Trade-offs: Every blade spent on a relic is one less blade available to satisfy the dragon's tribute.
• Synergies: Relics can change draw tickets, combine strange effects, and manipulate the odds of successful strikes. Building a strong synergy is essential for surviving later rounds where tribute requirements become "absurd fortunes."
• Merchant Interaction: Occasionally, a merchant will visit. Buying all available stock in one visit unlocks the "I’ll Take Everything" achievement.

The Dragon's Tribute

The central tension of the game is the tribute system. Players must lay their forged swords on the counter and ring the bell to summon the dragon's collector.

• Tribute Requirements: Players must meet a specific value threshold to earn another round at the anvil.
• Overpaying: Paying at least five times the required tribute unlocks "Keep the Change."
• Rage Stages: If you fall short of the tribute, the dragon's patience wears thin. The "One Last Chance" achievement is earned by paying a tribute in full while at the final "Rage stage."
• The Final Encounter: The ultimate goal is to defeat the dragon and complete your contract ("Clocking Out"). Even after completion, players can continue to pay tribute to unlock "A Job for Life."

Sword Mastery List

ForgeTax features a variety of unique blades, each with its own mastery track. Achieving a +30 forge level on these specific swords is required for their respective mastery achievements:

Technical Specifications

ForgeTax was developed using AI-assisted tools for certain promotional images, audio assets, and limited 3D assets, though no live-generated AI is used during active gameplay.

System Requirements

The game is currently available on Steam for $2.99 and includes support for Steam Cloud and Achievements. Steam Deck compatibility is currently listed as "Unknown."