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Slay the Spire 2 has now started early access, so it’s a good time to hope that luck is on your side. For players new to the series, this game can seem overwhelming. With hundreds of cards, many status effects, and five different heroes, there’s a lot to keep track of during each run.
To make things easier and help you beat bosses and climb higher, here are some beginner tips for newcomers.
Remember, since Slay the Spire 2 is in early access, some details may change as the game gets updates.
### Work On Building A Card Pool
One of your first goals should be to build a wide collection of cards for your chosen hero. You earn new cards as you progress, whether by defeating enemies, visiting merchants, or through special circumstances like Quest Cards.
Each hero has their own unique set of cards that suit different deck styles. This can make early runs tough because you won’t immediately understand how their cards work well together. Don’t be discouraged if your initial attempts don’t go far — it might just be that you haven’t seen their strongest Attack or Skill cards yet.
Completing certain in-game goals, called Epochs, can also help grow your card collection. Think of these as optional challenges that add more lore and rewards, such as defeating a number of elite enemies with one hero or finishing an Act. Focusing on these helps you expand your deck and go further up the spire.
### Pick The Right Hero For You
There are five heroes you can choose from, each with their own play style and mechanics that change how their decks work. Of these, the easiest to learn for beginners are Ironclad and Silent.
Ironclad emphasizes tough, damage-heavy builds that often inflict Vulnerable status on enemies. He also heals six health after each fight, which makes him more forgiving for new players. Silent focuses on Poison, card draw, and quick attacks, and while a bit harder, she’s great for learning how to manage multiple moves in one turn.
Necrobinder is next in difficulty; managing his skeleton companion, Osty, is key. The last two, Regent and Defect, are much more challenging because they involve managing separate resources and energy types. If you’re just starting out, I recommend trying Regent first, since his main resource is simpler than the orbs that the Defect uses.
### Don’t Be Afraid To Use Potions
Potions are single-use items you can find or buy during your run. They can deal damage, apply effects, or boost your stats temporarily. Many players hold onto potions until the final boss, but that’s a mistake.
Using potions during fights can save your life and reduce damage taken. Every enemy encounter gives you a chance for a free potion; don’t hesitate to use them if it helps you get through a tough fight. Always check merchant shops for new potions — they often sell useful ones. Saving them for emergencies is fine, but don’t forget that using them can change your game for the better.
### Read The Icons Under Enemies
Early on, fighting elite enemies can be intimidating because they are tougher and more unpredictable. But they also offer better rewards like Relics and rare cards, which are key to winning longer runs.
Pay close attention to the icons displayed above and below enemies during fights. These icons indicate active effects, buffs, or debuffs — like Strength, Flutter, or other passive effects. Hover your cursor over each to understand what’s going on. Knowing what status effects or passives are active helps you decide the best way to attack or defend. Some enemies will even gain new abilities as a fight progresses, so be alert when new icons pop up.
Similarly, your own effects and buffs are represented by icons. Recognizing them helps you plan your moves effectively.
### It’s Okay To Delete Cards
At first, you might want to keep every card you find, but thinning your deck by removing weaker or unnecessary cards can improve your chances of drawing powerful ones.
Cards like Defend and Strike are often the simplest, but they can clog your deck unless your strategy relies on cheap attacks or defenses. You can remove unwanted cards at merchants or through special events, though doing so costs gold or takes trade-offs. It’s often worthwhile to pay some gold to get rid of dead weight, especially if it makes your deck more focused and efficient.
### Build Around An Archetype
Every hero has multiple potential deck styles. For example, Silent can go for Poison, draw skills, or quick attacks. Necrobinder can focus on status effects like Doom or rely on his skeleton ally. The key is to pick a style early and develop it.
However, don’t assume you’ll find all the cards you want to support your chosen archetype. The game heavily relies on RNG, so you may not get every card you need. Stay flexible and be willing to try different mechanics or themes if your deck begins to support a new direction.
Whenever possible, focus on building around a single archetype based on your early card choices. Sometimes, a good common or uncommon card can be more useful than a rare that doesn’t fit your overall plan.
### Battle Elite Enemies
Fighting elite enemies can seem risky, but they are worth the challenge because they drop the best relics and high-rarity cards.
It’s smart to target elites near Rest Sites so that you can heal afterward. Ideally, aim to face at least one elite per Act, but if you can manage two, that’s even better. These fights also help you test your deck and identify what needs upgrading or fixing for future runs.
### You’re Going To Die, Make The Most Of It
Accept that losing is part of the game, especially at the start. Early runs can be brutal because you won’t have access to your best cards, potions, or relics. Approach each run with a clear goal—learning card interactions, figuring out boss attack patterns, or completing specific Epochs.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t make it to the final boss or if you die along the way. Every attempt that ends in failure provides valuable experience and rewards, like unlocking new items or understanding how the game works better. Focus on progress and learning, and this will make your experience more enjoyable and rewarding.
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