swords

Blades used to pay the dragon's tribute or spent on relics through the relic machine.

Evidence: 5 official · Last verified: 2026-11-14 · Sources: 1

Swords are ForgeTax’s central resource: forge them to increase their value, then use them to pay the dragon’s tribute or exchange them for relics. Every successful forging strike raises a blade’s value, but swords can shatter during forging, so the key decision is when to stop risking a blade and put it to use.

Step-by-Step Sword Management

1. Heat a blade and bring it to the anvil

Start by heating a blade, then bring it to the anvil to forge it. This is the basic preparation sequence described by the official game page; a gameplay demonstration also shows the player putting a sword into the fire before moving it to the anvil. [src-4d2e93b2d8] [src-daea965b2b]

Before committing to repeated strikes, check the information available at the anvil. The gameplay excerpt identifies an upgrade-risk display there, making it a useful place to assess the next attempt rather than swinging without checking. [src-daea965b2b]

2. Raise its value, then reassess

Each successful strike increases the sword’s value. Continuing to forge offers more value, but also exposes the blade to the possibility of shattering.

Use the tribute requirement as your immediate reference point. The tutorial shown in gameplay explains that the dragon wants a required total value, not a particular number of swords: you can meet that demand with one blade or a combination of blades. Check what your available swords can contribute before deciding that a single sword needs another upgrade. [src-daea965b2b]

A practical approach is to reassess after successful strikes:

• Would the swords you already have cover the tribute?
• Would another strike put a valuable payment blade at risk?
• Do you have a spare sword you could use instead?

These questions help separate necessary forging from optional risk-taking.

3. Use Frenzy’s protected window

Forging the same sword 10 times charges Frenzy, which activates on the next hit. During its brief active window, you can hammer without fear of the sword shattering. [src-4d2e93b2d8]

Keep that sequence in mind: charging Frenzy and activating it are separate moments. The gameplay tutorial likewise describes building up 10 strikes on one sword, followed by Frenzy starting on the next strike. Its protection lasts only while Frenzy is active, so do not treat the blade as permanently safe afterward. [src-daea965b2b]

4. Separate tribute swords from relic spending

Swords have two competing uses: paying the dragon and buying relics through the relic machine. Every blade spent on a relic is one less available for tribute, while relics can change draw tickets and combine effects to improve your forging opportunities. [src-4d2e93b2d8]

The gameplay tutorial states that every sword is worth the same at the relic exchange and recommends using a sword you do not need. On that basis, prefer an expendable blade over a high-value tribute candidate when choosing what to exchange. This equal treatment applies to the exchange; it does not mean all swords contribute equal tribute value. [src-daea965b2b]

5. Place payment on the counter and ring the bell

When you are ready to pay, place your swords on the counter and ring the bell. Meeting the tribute earns another round at the anvil. [src-4d2e93b2d8]

Before ringing, check that the offered blades meet the required value. The demonstrated tutorial warns that the dragon’s patience ends with the third failure, so submitting an insufficient payment should not be treated as harmless. [src-daea965b2b]

Tips for Preserving Your Sword Supply

• Keep spare blades available. The tutorial specifically suggests hanging spare swords on the rack if you are nervous about risking your current blade. [src-daea965b2b]
• Judge relics by their effects on your swords. A demonstrated build combines higher starting enhancement, reduced break chance, break prevention, and additional sword supply. These are effects of that build, not default properties of every sword. [src-549a19b879]
• Do not assume heating is always unnecessary. The same build explicitly includes an effect that removes the heating requirement from the next supply, distinguishing it from the normal preparation sequence. [src-549a19b879]

Sword-Related Achievement Goals

For optional milestones, One More Hit? requires forging any sword to +10, while No Rest for the Hammer requires entering Frenzy five times in one run. Keep the Change requires paying at least five times the tribute requirement. Treat these as separate achievement targets rather than requirements for an ordinary tribute payment. [src-9a24f3ac8e]

Details

uses

Swords can be spent on relics through the relic machine.

tribute

Place swords on the counter and ring the bell to pay tribute to the dragon.

value

Every successful forging strike increases a blade's value.

risk

Swords can shatter during forging.

evidenceType

official

Sources

• Steam store page — ForgeTax
• I Combined Two HOLY Relics to Forge a +99 MONSTER | Forgetax
• Steam achievements page — ForgeTax
• I GAMBLED With My LIFE on One Sword in this INSANE Forging Roguelike! - ForgeTax