ForgeTax Relics Guide: Synergies and the Relic Machine

In the dark, first-person roguelite ForgeTax, relics are essential items used to manipulate the odds of forging and create powerful mechanical synergies. Players obtain relics by sacrificing forged blades at the Relic Machine, allowing them to "change what luck means" in exchange for the very currency required to satisfy the dragon's tribute.

The Relic Machine

The Relic Machine serves as the primary hub for character progression and build customization during a run. Unlike traditional shops that might use gold, the Relic Machine operates on a sacrifice-based economy.

• Sacrificing Blades: To acquire a relic, you must spend swords you have successfully forged.
• The Opportunity Cost: Every blade spent at the machine is one fewer blade available to meet the dragon’s tribute. This creates a constant tension between increasing your long-term power and ensuring your immediate survival.
• Synergy Building: The machine allows players to combine strange effects, turning individual advantages into "ridiculous value." According to official developer descriptions, this mechanic is designed to let players build around their luck or fundamentally alter the forging RNG.

Relic Effects and Synergies

While specific relic names are discovered through gameplay, their primary functions center on the core forging loop. Relics are confirmed to influence the following mechanics:

Draw Ticket Modification

Relics can change your "draw tickets." In the context of ForgeTax, this likely refers to the modifiers or outcomes available during the heating and hammering phases at the anvil. By altering these tickets, players can reduce the high risk of a blade shattering or increase the value gained per successful strike.

Luck Manipulation

As a roguelite, ForgeTax relies heavily on the "Hammer Your Luck" mechanic. Relics provide the "bend" in those odds. This is particularly useful when attempting to reach high-level upgrades, such as the +30 mastery required for various sword types like the Splitblade, Holy Sword, and Dragonfang.

Interaction with Frenzy

Forging the same sword 10 times charges the Frenzy meter. Once unleashed, Frenzy provides a brief window where the player can hammer without fear of the blade shattering. Relics that synergize with strike count or heat management can potentially accelerate the path to Frenzy, allowing for safer high-value forging.

Strategic Resource Management

Using relics effectively requires balancing the forge's output against the dragon's growing impatience.

1. The Tribute Requirement: Players must lay swords on the counter and ring the bell to meet the tribute. If the total value of the swords is at least 5 times the requirement, players earn the "Keep the Change" achievement, indicating a highly successful run.
2. Merchant Visits: Aside from the Relic Machine, players may encounter merchants. Buying out a merchant's entire stock (the "I’ll Take Everything" achievement) is a viable strategy for players who have used relics to generate "absurd fortunes."
3. Risk of Failure: Spending too many high-value blades on relics can lead to falling short of the tribute. If the tribute is not met, the entity "beyond the bars" loses patience, eventually leading to the player's death (the "Now Hiring" achievement).

Confirmed Sword Types for Sacrifice

To fuel the Relic Machine and achieve mastery, players work with a variety of blade types. Each of these can be forged to at least +30, providing higher value for either tribute or relic acquisition:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock the Relic Machine?

The Relic Machine is a standard feature of the ForgeTax gameplay loop. It is available during runs to help players build synergies by spending their forged blades.

Can I lose a relic once I buy it?

As ForgeTax is a roguelite featuring "Perma Death," relics are typically tied to a specific run. If you die to the dragon or fail to meet the tribute, you will likely lose your current synergies and must start a new contract.

What is the best strategy for using relics?

Early in a run, it is often beneficial to spend lower-value blades at the Relic Machine to establish a "luck-bending" foundation. As the tribute requirements increase, players must decide whether to continue building synergies or focus entirely on high-value +30 masteries to satisfy the dragon.