Calthaer wrote:
It is just once. The cards do what they say, and "a" refers to "one."
Using a dagger to power up a spell likely won't be the most common use of that power on the Spellblade card, especially since it can be combined with the other powers feat that adds the Intelligence skill to a combat check with a sword. That means, for example, that a 1d8 sword, with his Attack-spell-recharge powers feat fully maxxed and the INT powers feat, would be...
1d8 (STR) + 1d8 (sword) + 1d8 (INT) + 3d6 + (any modifiers to either skill, or from the weapon).
That is without any blessings, ally, and item cards, powers from other players (e.g., Lirianne's "long-range" 1d4+ power), and the like. As a spellblade, Seltyiel's combat rolls are almost unmatched in destructive power.
Of course, he also doesn't have many slots for ally, item, or armor cards. He's kind of a two-trick pony (weapons and spells), but he's the best there is at what he does (but what he does best isn't very nice).
See I think you're reading that more than a bit wrong. I think the way to play this would be something akin to this;
Say I encounter a plague zombie with Seltyiel, I reveal a Longsword and use the spellblade skill to recharge a Force Missile, this happens.
1D8+3 (Strength: Melee) +1D8 (Longsword) +1D6 (Spellblade) --With both traits of the Longsword and Force Missile
You are not playing the Force Missile, but your checks have all the traits the Force Missile has, such as attack, magic, and force.