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Honing Steel

Tool DamageReference
Efficiency Score
4.2
Best Positioning (Quick Answer)
Placement: global effect (no slot requirement).
Trigger: global • Risk: None • Check: No
Honing Steel
Key Takeaways
  • ● Filler — strongest when purchased with a plan, not as a blind buy.
  • ● Low friction: only 1 slot(s), easy to slot in during pivots.
  • ● Low placement risk: trigger is global, so disruption is less punishing.
ⓘ Data & Methodology (How scores are calculated) Season 10

Efficiency: Efficiency Score is a normalized "space ROI" metric: (estimated effect value ÷ size slots). It is NOT raw DPS.

ROI: ROI estimates assume standard round pacing and compare this item against same-tier peers by cost and slot usage.

Percentile: Percentiles are computed within the same category/tier bucket (e.g., Tech items at similar cost).

Meta Strategic Position

The Honing Steel is best classified as Filler. At 2g and 1 slot(s), it’s a placement-safe (global) item where timing matters.

Low-to-mid cost means it can be used as a tempo stabilizer if it fits your board plan. Low footprint makes it easy to slot in without breaking your grid.

Quick Conclusions

Verdict: Skip — based on efficiency 4.2 and cost 2g.
Trigger: global — placement-safe (won’t usually break).
Best synergy: Crook (score 2 • shared tags: Tool, DamageReference).


### Efficiency & ROI Analysis
Your efficiency score (4.2) is a *space ROI* signal, not raw DPS. This usually means it needs support pieces and correct timing to justify the slots. If you’re behind on board stability, delay the purchase until you can immediately benefit from it.

Board Flexibility

Because it is Small, you can pivot into it with minimal disruption. This is ideal when you need to keep options open while scouting opponents.

Recommended Synergies (Explained)

Jump to full list ↓
Crook
Synergy Score: 2 • Shared tags: Tool, DamageReference
Explore Combo Strategy →

Recommended with Honing Steel because both push damage conversions.

Dishwasher
Synergy Score: 2 • Shared tags: Tool, DamageReference
Explore Combo Strategy →

Recommended with Honing Steel because both push damage conversions.

Grindstone
Synergy Score: 2 • Shared tags: Tool, DamageReference
Explore Combo Strategy →

Recommended with Honing Steel because both push damage conversions.

Market Competition

Within the 2g price bracket, Honing Steel competes directly with Blow Torch and Duct Tape .

Compared to its closest rival, Honing Steel has a score gap of -4.3 . As a Filler, it provides niche efficiency for Tool builds.

Market Analysis

Cost: 2g • Price percentile: 0% (Tool pool) • Season 10
ⓘ Method

Compared to similar Tool items, this sits around the 0th cost percentile. Use efficiency (4.2) and role (Filler) to decide if it matches your build plan.

Efficiency: 4.2 Role: Filler Slots: 1

Investment ROI

Estimated break-even: ~1 rounds
ⓘ Method

This is a heuristic estimate (not raw DPS). If you want it to matter, buy early enough to get multiple trigger windows before the board locks.

Timing hint: strongest when purchased before ~round 9 (due to 1 slot footprint).
Cost: 2g Est. Rounds: ~1 Model: cost ÷ (eff×2)

Positioning Guide

Trigger: global • Risk: None • Check: No

Optimal Layout

No positioning requirement (global effect).
Honing Steel

Placement does not change whether the effect triggers.

Why Placement Matters

Placement errors won’t nullify Honing Steel. Focus on board space and upgrade timing instead of slot order.

Strategic Q&A

Is Honing Steel worth buying early game?

"With a cost of 2g, this is typically a priority pickup. In early rounds, focus on board stability before committing to this Small item."

Does positioning matter for Honing Steel?

"No — this is a global item. Placement won’t affect whether it triggers. Optimize for slot efficiency and keep your grid open for higher-impact pieces."