Yes, because cost reductions are applied after the randomisation. So each card is assigned a cost of 1 to 3, then -1 or (if he had it) -2 is applied, allowing for zero cost cards that you couldn't get otherwise. (unlike sneko eye from Slay the Spire which randomises on draw to 0 to 3 cost, but overwrites any cost reduction because those are handled when the card is upgraded, usually before combat begins. Interestingly cost reduction upgrades in StS set the cost to the upgraded cost, so a card like barricade when upgraded in combat while affected by sneko can actually increase in cost from 0 or 1 to the 2 cost of the upgraded version)
There are two kinds of thorns in games, the one that’s mostly minor chip damage, and then there’s this
Kind of surprised he didn't take the sacrifice imp spell near the end, which would allow him to sac and resummon the endless armour imp.
Yeah, that shocked me.
there was even a holdover at the shop! could've spammed it
Given that your costs are randomized, did any of the random -spell cost upgrades do anything?
Yes, because cost reductions are applied after the randomisation. So each card is assigned a cost of 1 to 3, then -1 or (if he had it) -2 is applied, allowing for zero cost cards that you couldn't get otherwise.
(unlike sneko eye from Slay the Spire which randomises on draw to 0 to 3 cost, but overwrites any cost reduction because those are handled when the card is upgraded, usually before combat begins. Interestingly cost reduction upgrades in StS set the cost to the upgraded cost, so a card like barricade when upgraded in combat while affected by sneko can actually increase in cost from 0 or 1 to the 2 cost of the upgraded version)