E.T.C., Band Manager

Identity: A flexible Buddy-toolbox hero that trades 3 Gold for choices between immediate tempo and long-term combinations.

Profile

• Nickname: E.T.C.
• Trait: “Sign a New Artist” unlocks at Tavern Tier 2 and costs 3 Gold to Discover a Buddy. His exclusive Buddy, “Talent Scout,” is a Tier 5 4/4 whose Battlecry makes a Buddy Golden; the Golden version makes 2 Buddies Golden.

Playstyle

1. Early game: Follow a stable curve and reach Tavern Tier 2 with a functional board. Once the Hero Power unlocks, do not press it automatically; compare the offered Buddy value with spending that 3 Gold on minions, rolls, or leveling.
2. Key decisions: Judge each Discover by three questions: Does it add immediate strength, repay Gold or cards, or create a repeatable scaling engine? Take the effect that best fits the current game instead of forcing a composition from a single offer.
3. Mid to late game: Consolidate around the strongest Buddy effects you found. With Talent Scout, prioritize a Buddy whose Golden version meaningfully improves economy, trigger frequency, or scaling. If there is no premium target, avoid sacrificing several turns while waiting for a perfect setup.

Strengths

• Access to a wide range of Buddy effects provides tempo, economy, resources, and composition enablers, making E.T.C. highly adaptable.
• Talent Scout can Golden a key Buddy directly, creating a strong mid- or late-game power spike when the pieces line up.

Weaknesses

• The Hero Power costs 3 Gold and its choices are random, so weak offers can leave the current turn noticeably behind on tempo.
• The hero rewards deep knowledge of the Buddy pool and Golden effects. Keeping several unrelated packages also consumes valuable hand and board space.