Sometimes you hold a card and some ready runes, and you have to choose. Use them now, or keep them for later? That choice is tempo against value.
Tempo is speed. You spend runes now to score, take a battlefield, or win a fight before the turn ends.
Value is getting the most from a card. You keep it, and your runes ready, so it answers something bigger later.
Count first. How many points are you from 8? How many is your opponent? If they win before your answer matters, keeping it is a mistake.
Look at their hand. A card you keep to counter a spell is worth nothing if they have no spell to play.
Runes you tap now stay tapped on their turn. You can't answer with them.
Quick check
You're on 7. They're on 7 and their Hold wins when their turn starts. You can spend your rune on a fight now, or keep it for their turn. What do you do?
Predict
You're on 7 and nothing more can score today. Darius is on 6 with one card in hand, a Fury rune ready and a Cleave in his trash. You have 2 Calm runes, Defy and a unit to play. Spend the runes, or keep them?
Make your guess, then play the drill to find out.
En Garde: Reaction[Reaction]. Spend it now to win a fight.
Defy: Reaction[Reaction]. Keep runes ready and it counters their spell.
Getting the most out of a card by keeping it (and your runes) ready for a better moment.
From the Core Rules (2026-10-09): 471 — Hold · 813 — Reaction · 426 — Counter
Try it on the table
2 drills
1Spend It Now
You're on 7 and held A this turn. Darius is on 7 too, his Vanguard Sergeant (4) holds B, and he has no cards in hand. If B is still his when his turn starts, his Hold wins. Your Flame Chompers (3) is ready at base. Your one Calm rune pays for En Garde (+1 Might, or +2 in total if your unit is alone) or Defy (counter a spell), not both. Spend it or keep it?
Need a hint?
Drag Flame Chompers to B and Confirm. In the Showdown, play En Garde on it, then pass until the Combat resolves.
You're on 7 and held A this turn; nothing more can score today. Darius is on 6, and his Towering Pairofant (6) holds B: his Hold makes 7, and taking A would be his 8th. He has a Cleave (+3 Might while attacking) in his trash, one card in hand and a Fury rune ready, and his Flame Chompers (3) can reach your Vanguard Sergeant (4) at A. Your 2 Calm runes pay for Daring Poro or Defy, not both. Spend them or keep them?
Need a hint?
Don't play anything: End Turn with both Calm runes ready. When Cleave goes on the Chain, play Defy.
