Hired Gun

Description
Lose 2 upon cast and fire a projectile that deals 100 damage. If this projectile kills the enemy directly, the player gains 4 Money. When firing multiple shots with a single cast, such as with the upgrade, each shot fired will still costs the player 2 Money. If the player has insufficient Money the projectile will still be fired and your money will not become negative. Summoned enemies (such as F-Runts and Quarrelings) will not give the player Money on kill.

This spell is a part of Shopkeeper's starting deck.

Strategy and Synergy
As Hired Gun gives the player a profit of 2 Money whenever it kills an enemy, it may be used to maximize money gain every combat. Using this, the player can gain on average 6 to 8 Money every room if every shot successfully executes the enemy. For comparison, passively gives the player 3 Money every combat. However, it may not always be worthwhile to try to maximize your profits, as you may take a great deal of damage while trying to execute every enemy with Hired Gun - costing you more money, or your entire run, in the long term. In extended fights against numerous dangerous enemies, it's generally better to finish the fight sooner instead of chancing the encounter. If used well, Hired Gun can give you significant additional Money. If used poorly, Hired Gun will become a burden - costing you life and money.

Synergizes well with and the Shopkeeper, both of which capitalize on having as much Money as possible. Conversely, it is not good with Shiso's Execute loadout, as has a much higher profit margin, at a possible gain of 7 Money per enemy instead of just 2.

If you have more than enough money, or no longer need money, Hired Gun becomes a rather average damage ability. For example, deals the same amount of damage but is generally more difficult to hit a target with.

Trivia

 * The artifact's icon resembles a Sera crystal being fired.