Regent is STS2's most resource-focused character. His unique resources — Stars (star cost markers on cards), Forge (upgrade charges), Debris (filler cards from certain effects), and Colorless cards — interact in ways that reward planning and punish greed. The best Regent decks are not the ones with the most synergy cards; they are the ones with a clear resource loop that generates more value each turn.
Understanding Regent's resource system
Stars are a resource that powers star-cost cards — cards with star icons instead of energy costs. Cards like Glow (1-cost Skill, gain [star:1], draw 2) and Solar Strike (1-cost Attack, deal 8 damage, gain [star:1]) generate stars. Star-cost cards like Crescent Spear (1-cost Attack, deal 8 + 2 per star-card in deck) benefit from star density.
Forge is Regent's upgrade-as-resource mechanic. Cards like Wrought in War (1-cost Attack, deal 7 damage, Forge 5) and Refine Blade (1-cost Skill, Forge 6, next turn gain [energy:1]) generate forge charges that improve other cards in the deck over the course of a fight.
Debris is a status card generated by effects like Collision Course (0-cost Attack, deal 9 damage, add a Debris) and Crash Landing (1-cost Attack, AOE 21 damage, fill hand with Debris). Debris is filler — but some Regent effects turn filler into fuel.
Big Bang — the ultimate Regent enabler
Big Bang (0-cost Skill, draw 1, gain [energy:1], gain [star:1], Forge 5) is the best Common card in Regent's pool. It costs 0, does everything: cycles itself, generates an energy, makes a star, and forges. Pick one whenever you see it — preferably two if the deck supports it.
Big Bang enables the entire Regent economy in one card. With Cloak of Stars (0-cost Skill, gain 7 block) and Glow, a turn can be: Big Bang → draw → gain star → Cloak of Stars → Glow → draw more → Big Bang again.
Payoff density — what to spend resources on
Beat Into Shape (1-cost Attack, deal 5 damage, Forge X, additional Forges 5 per star spent) scales with star generation. On a turn with 3 stars and some forge charges, it upgrades multiple cards in hand significantly.
Seven Stars (2-cost Attack, deal 7 damage 7 times to ALL enemies) is the ultimate star payoff. Each hit scales with strength, and the AOE nature makes it outstanding against multi-enemy fights.
The Smith (1-cost Skill, Forge 30) is a one-turn massive forge burst. It can fully upgrade the entire hand. Use it with cards in hand that benefit from forge upgrading them — attack damage increases, block gains, cost reductions.
The Colorless card angle
Regent has unique access to Colorless card synergies through cards like Begone (1-cost Attack, deal 4 damage, transform a card into Minion Strike) and Bundle of Joy (2-cost Skill, add 3 random Colorless cards to hand).
Arsenal (1-cost Power, whenever you play a Colorless card, gain 1 Strength) makes every Colorless card a scaling tool. In a deck with Bundle of Joy or other Colorless generators, Arsenal provides consistent strength growth.
Heirloom Hammer (2-cost Attack, deal 17 damage, choose a Colorless card in hand, add a copy of it) is versatile — copy your best Colorless card for double value.
Common Regent pitfalls
Taking too many payoffs before enablers: a hand with Beat Into Shape, Seven Stars, and The Smith but no star generation or forge enablers does nothing. Take Glow, Big Bang, and Wrought in War first.
Ignoring defense: Regent's common defensive tools — Cloak of Stars (0-cost, 7 block), Gather Light (1-cost, 7 block + generate star), and Glitterstream (2-cost, 11 block + next turn 4 block) — are efficient. Do not pass them for more forge cards.
Overvaluing Debris: Debris fills the hand and blocks better cards. Cards that generate large amounts of Debris (Crash Landing) should be taken only when you have ways to use them — via exhaust, discard, or card effects that benefit from status cards.