Peck

Obtainable only through the Wood Carvings event.

This event appears in the Overgrowth area of Act 1. You choose one of three wood carvings (Bird, Snake, or Donut).

Choosing "Bird"

Select one starter card (Strike or Defend) and transform it into Peck. This simultaneously removes a starter card and adds a special card.

Since this event has no downside, you should always pick something.

Bird vs Snake Decision Criteria

• Have a means (or plans) to raise Strength -> Bird
• Already have a powerful key card in the deck -> Snake (enchantment is more useful)
• Few starter cards left -> Snake (Bird is limited to starter cards, narrowing options)
• No particular direction yet -> Bird (versatile, since it also removes a starter card)

Peck alone is "a 1-cost 3-hit attack for 6 damage," roughly equal to Strike (1-cost 1-hit 6 damage). However, its real value lies in being multi-hit.

Peck is a multi-hit card. Strength buffs apply to each hit, so the more Strength you gain, the larger the gap with Strike.

Damage Comparison Table

At +5 Strength, Peck does about twice as much damage as Strike, and at +10 Strength, Peck+ reaches 48 damage, triple that of Strike. In a Strength build it becomes an overwhelming damage source.

Cards That Raise Strength

• Demon Form: +3 Strength each turn. Multi-hit cards grow in value each turn.
• Limit Break: Doubles Strength. Peck's damage explodes.
• Inflame: Immediate +2 Strength power.
• Spot Weakness: +4 Strength if the enemy intends to attack.

Combo with Feeding Frenzy

Temporarily grants +5 Strength for 0 cost (+7 upgraded). One-turn combo with Peck:

• Feeding Frenzy(0) + Peck(1) = 21 damage for 1 energy
• Feeding Frenzy+(0) + Peck+(1) = 36 damage for 1 energy

Relics

• Shuriken: +1 Strength after playing 3 attacks. Peck is one play, but combining with other attacks can trigger it.
• Kunai: +1 Dexterity after playing 3 attacks.
• Akabeko: First attack each combat does +8 damage. With 3 hits at +8 each, that's +24 damage (30 total).
• Pen Nib: Every 10th attack does double damage. Peck+ hits 8x2=16 damage (even more with Strength).

Combo with Debuffs

• Vulnerable: 50% increased damage applies to each hit. Peck+ (+5 Strength) = 28 x 1.5 = 42 damage.
• Applying Weak to enemies doesn't affect damage, but if you receive Weak, the damage reduction applies to each hit of Peck.

• Without Strength buffs, 6 damage (same as Strike) is mediocre for a 1-cost attack.
• In runs where you can't grab Strength cards or relics, its performance stays lackluster.
• Against enemies with high Block or Armor, each hit may be reduced individually (depending on game mechanics).
• The Wood Carvings event itself appears randomly and can't be targeted.

Peck should be viewed as "a piece of a Strength build."

• Have or expect to get Strength sources -> take it eagerly
• No Strength sources but other strong cards -> Snake (Slither) may be better
• The Wood Carvings event has no downside, so pick something
• Especially shines throughout the run in Ironclad Strength builds