SCRAP Cards & Salvage System

When components break, their cards become scrap. Strip the wreckage...three broken parts might yield two working pieces.

What Are SCRAP Cards?

When a component is destroyed, all equipment cards associated with that component become "SCRAP".

Key Rules:

• SCRAP cards remain in your deck (they are NOT removed from the game)
• SCRAP cards do nothing when played (blank, useless actions)
• SCRAP cards still count as Casket HP - they can absorb damage
• SCRAP cards can be salvaged for card draw (0 SP action: discard 3 SCRAP → draw 2)

When Cards Become SCRAP

Component Destruction Triggers:

Component Destroyed	Cards → SCRAP	Typical Count
Right Arm (8+ dmg)	All Primary Weapon cards	~12 cards (varies by faction)
Left Arm (8+ dmg)	All Secondary Equipment cards (shields, offhand)	~6 cards (varies by loadout)
Head (8+ dmg)	All Sensor/Targeting cards	~2-4 cards (if equipped)
Chassis (10+ dmg)	N/A (Casket near-death, +3 Pilot Wounds)	-
Legs (10+ dmg)	All Movement Enhancement cards	~2-3 cards (if equipped)

What Happens Immediately:

1. Component is destroyed (threshold reached)
2. All associated equipment cards → SCRAP (no matter where they are: hand, deck, or discard)
3. Discard all SCRAP from hand (they're broken, can't use them now)
4. SCRAP cards in deck/discard remain (you'll draw them later)

The SALVAGE Action

How It Works:

1. You have SCRAP cards in hand (useless cards from destroyed components)
2. Play SALVAGE (0 SP, doesn't use your SP pool)
3. Discard 3 SCRAP cards from hand
4. Draw 2 cards from deck immediately
5. Repeat if you have more SCRAP in hand (need 3 SCRAP minimum per use)

Strategic Use:

• Improved cycling - Trade 3 dead cards for 2 potentially useful cards (3-for-2 ratio)
• Desperate measures - When your hand is clogged with SCRAP, strip parts to find anything functional
• Dig for answers - Search for specific cards (Emergency Vent, Reactive Defense, etc.)
• SP efficiency - 0 SP cost means you can Salvage multiple times then attack
• Slower depletion - 3-for-2 ratio means less deck burn compared to 2-for-1

Example: Right Arm Destroyed

Setup:

• Pilot: Church Confessor
• Deck Composition: 10 Universal, 12 Primary Weapon (Penitent Blade), 6 Secondary (Buckler Shield), 2 Faction Tactics
• Current State: Right Arm just reached 8 Component Damage → DESTROYED

What Happens:

Step 1: Right Arm Destruction

• All 12× Penitent Blade cards → SCRAP (wherever they are)
• Currently in hand: 3× Penitent Blade → Discard all 3 immediately
• Remaining in deck/discard: 9× Penitent Blade (now SCRAP, will draw later)

Step 2: Next Draw Phase

• Draw to hand size 6
• Draw 3 cards (to refill after discarding SCRAP)
• Result: Draw 2× SCRAP (Penitent Blade), 1× Desperate Lunge (Universal)
• Hand now: 2× SCRAP, 1× Desperate Lunge, 3× other cards

Step 3: Next Turn - Salvage Aggressively

1. Refresh Phase: Restore to 6 SP
2. Draw Phase: Draw 2 more SCRAP cards (hand now: 3 SCRAP, 3 other cards)
3. Action Phase:
   • Play SALVAGE (0 SP) → Discard 3 SCRAP, draw 2 cards (draw: Emergency Vent + Shield Bash)
   • Still have 6 SP remaining!
   • Play Emergency Vent (2 SP) → Remove 3 Heat
   • Play Shield Bash (2 SP) → Attack for 4 damage
   • Use remaining 2 SP as needed

Result:

• Salvaged 2 useful cards (Emergency Vent + Shield Bash) by stripping 3 SCRAP parts
• No SP wasted - Salvage is 0 SP
• Still functional with Universal cards + Secondary Equipment (Buckler Shield still works!)
• Improved efficiency (3-for-2) makes deck cycling more sustainable

SCRAP as Damage Absorption

SCRAP cards still count as Casket HP. They can absorb incoming damage.

When Taking Damage:

• You can discard SCRAP cards to absorb damage (from hand or deck)
• SCRAP = dead weight, but at least it shields you
• If discarding from hand: Choose SCRAP first (save useful cards)
• If discarding from deck: Risk drawing SCRAP randomly (but keep hand intact)

Strategic Implication:

Advanced Tactics

1. Pre-Emptive Salvage

If you anticipate component destruction:

• Discard Primary Weapon cards from hand when taking damage
• This converts them to Component Damage → speeds up destruction
• Once destroyed, you can Salvage them next turn (3-for-2 ratio)
• Trade immediate power for future cycling opportunity

2. SCRAP-Aware Deck Building

Plan for component loss:

• Include more Universal cards (10-12 instead of mandatory 10)
• Use versatile Secondary Equipment (works even if Right Arm destroyed)
• Take Faction Tactics that don't require specific components
• Example: Church "Blood Offering" (discard 2, buff active) still works with SCRAP deck

3. Multi-Component Destruction

If multiple components are destroyed:

• Right Arm + Left Arm destroyed = ~18 SCRAP cards in deck!
• Deck becomes 60% SCRAP (18 SCRAP / 30 total cards)
• Every draw has 60% chance of SCRAP
• Must Salvage aggressively every turn to function (3 SCRAP → 2 cards)
• 3-for-2 ratio slows deck depletion (net -1 card vs old 2-for-1 = net -1 card)
• At this point: Consider retreating or ejecting

4. Damage Card vs SCRAP Synergy

Deck depletion adds Damage cards, components add SCRAP:

• After 2 reshuffles: 2× Damage cards in deck
• Right Arm destroyed: +12 SCRAP cards
• Total dead cards: 14 / 30 = 47% dead draws
• Death spiral accelerates rapidly
• Salvage can only cycle SCRAP, not Damage cards!
• 3-for-2 Salvage ratio provides better sustainability than old 2-for-1 system

Faction-Specific SCRAP Strategies

Church of Absolution

• Blood Offering: Discard 2 cards for +3 dmg → Works with SCRAP! Discard 2 SCRAP, gain buff
• Faithful Unto Death: Self-harm cards can burn SCRAP instead of useful cards
• Strategy: Embrace component loss, use SCRAP as fuel for Blood magic

Dwarven Forge-Guilds

• Runic Reinforcement: Draw cards when taking damage → Cycle SCRAP faster
• Ironclad Endurance: Reduce damage → Prevent component destruction in first place
• Strategy: Minimize SCRAP generation, tank hits with high Defense

The Ossuarium (Undead)

• Necro-Reconstruction: Resurrect discarded cards → Can pull useful cards from discard even if deck is 60% SCRAP
• Bone Armor: Destroyed components might trigger regeneration effects
• Strategy: Use SCRAP as discard pile fuel for resurrection mechanics

Elven Verdant Covenant

• Nature's Renewal: Shuffle discard into deck → Dilutes SCRAP concentration
• Vine Regrowth: Draw extra cards → Find useful cards faster despite SCRAP
• Strategy: Out-draw the SCRAP, cycle deck rapidly

FAQ: SCRAP Cards

Q: Can I choose NOT to Salvage SCRAP?

A: Yes. Salvage is optional. You might keep SCRAP in hand to discard for damage later (saves useful cards).

Q: Do SCRAP cards count toward Component Damage when discarded?

A: No. Once a card becomes SCRAP, it no longer counts as a Primary Weapon or Shield. Discarding SCRAP = 0 Component Damage.

Q: What if I Salvage and draw more SCRAP?

A: Still possible but better odds. You burned 3 SCRAP to draw 2 cards. If both are SCRAP, net -1 card. 3-for-2 ratio gives better chances than old 2-for-1.

Q: Can I Salvage during opponent's turn?

A: No. Salvage is a Free Action during YOUR Action Phase only. Cannot use reactively.

Q: What if I only have 1-2 SCRAP in hand?

A: You cannot Salvage. Salvage requires 3 SCRAP minimum. Keep those SCRAP cards to discard for damage absorption.

Q: If I reshuffle, do SCRAP cards stay SCRAP?

A: Yes. SCRAP status is permanent for that battle. Reshuffling doesn't restore them.

Q: Can destroyed components be repaired mid-battle?

A: No. Component destruction is permanent for that battle. SCRAP cards remain SCRAP until the mission ends.

Q: What happens to SCRAP in campaign mode between missions?

A: SCRAP is repaired/replaced between missions. Your deck returns to full functionality (unless you have permanent Scars).

Quick Reference: SCRAP Rules

Situation	Rule
Component destroyed	All associated equipment cards → SCRAP (hand, deck, discard)
SCRAP in hand	Discard immediately when component destroyed, or keep for damage absorption
Playing SCRAP	Does nothing (blank action, wasted play)
Salvage cost	0 SP (Free Action, can do multiple times if you have enough SCRAP)
Salvage effect	Discard 3 SCRAP from hand → Draw 2 cards (3-for-2 ratio)
SCRAP as HP	Can discard SCRAP to absorb damage (saves useful cards)
SCRAP Component Dmg	Discarding SCRAP = 0 Component Damage (no longer Primary/Shield)
SCRAP permanence	Permanent for battle, repaired between missions (campaign)

See Also

SCRAP cards integrate with these systems: