- Allies increase the adjusted level of champions in combat
- Allies need special movement abilities to attack unexposed realms
- Allies with negative level can be played during Phase 3
- After the battle allies played during the combat are discarded
- The Needle holding brings back one ally from the discard pile
In the game of Spellfire, allies are support cards intended for use in Phase 4, although some can be played during Phase 3, to assist champions in winning their battles. They are marked with an orange Axe icon at the top left corner of the card.
Allies increase the adjusted level of champions in combat
During a battle round, allies add their level bonuses and special powers to the attached champion. Allies increase the adjusted level of champions in combat. Generally, allies use their special powers only during a round of combat, as outlined in the Order of Activation. As soon as an ally's special power is played, it takes effect. For example, if ally card Lady of Light is placed on the champion Swordhawk card, the adjusted level rises to 8 (5+3). If an opposing champion is a thief - to 10 (5+3+2) as Lady of Light gets 2 levels against thieves.
Allies need special movement abilities to attack unexposed realms
There are different types and races of allies, and they can belong to secret cults, be flyers, swimmers, or earthwalkers. Like champions, allies need to have special movement abilities like swimmer, flyer, or earthwalker to attack realms, not in front of an opponent's formation. This also can subject them to instant defeat cards that affect those designations.
Allies with negative level can be played during Phase 3
Some allies have negative base-level written on the axe icon. They can be attached to opposing players' champions or realms, as stated in the card’s description, during Phase 3, to weaken them. These allies are usable if you intend to attack this player during Phase 4. Don’t forget to remove them after the battle and put them in your discard pile so they don't mix up with your opponent's cards.
After the battle allies played during the combat are discarded
After the battle, all allies played during the combat are discarded if something else is not written in the card's special powers. Even if the champion is victorious they go to the discard pile as all other support cards used in the battle.
The Needle holding brings back one ally from the discard pile
Some cards have special powers to retrieve allies from the discard pile or place them back into the draw pile. For example, if you have a holding The Needle placed on the realm in formation, it allows you to bring back one ally from the discard pile on phase 5 of every turn. It is also possible for allies to be sent to Limbo or the Abyss.
