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Slay the Spire 2 · Patch Notes

Major Updates &
Balance Changes

Every significant Slay the Spire 2 patch since Early Access launch on March 5, 2026, through main branch v0.107.1 and beta v0.111.0. We track balance changes, card reworks, new features, and accessibility updates — so you always know what changed and why your favourite deck feels different. Main-branch releases are marked as such — that is the build you are playing unless you opted into the beta branch in Steam, and it currently sits at v0.107.1 while beta runs ahead at v0.111.0. Minor hotfixes and translation corrections are excluded; only patches that materially affect gameplay are listed here.

Game: Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access) Developer: Mega Crit Last updated: August 18, 2026
Jump to patch
v0.111.0 — Expect a Fight Rebuilt v0.110.0 — Silent Rebalance v0.109.0 — Neow Relics & Tutor v0.108.0 — Co-op Card Wave v0.107.1 — Major Update #2 (main) v0.106.0 — Enemy Rebalance v0.105.0 — Aeonglass Arrives v0.104.0 — Ironclad Reworks v0.103.2 — Major Update #1 (main) v0.102.0 — Badges & Ascension Rework v0.101.0 — Reverts & Reworks v0.100.0 — Balance Overhaul v0.99 — Post-Launch Fixes v0.98 — Early Access Launch
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.111.0

Expect a Fight Rebuilt & Class Rebalance
August 13, 2026

The current beta build. Expect a Fight stops being an energy engine and becomes a Block card that scales with Strength — a real loss for Ironclad infinites. Hyperbeam is rebuilt again, cheaper to fire and weaker on impact. Blade of Ink takes its second nerf in three patches. Mega Crit also confirmed patches are slowing from here while they build a sixth character and an alternate Act 2. These changes are not live on the main branch.

Card Reworks
  • ReworkExpect a Fight (Ironclad) — Uncommon, Cost 2(1), “Gain 1 Energy for each Attack in your Hand. You cannot gain additional Energy this turn.” → Cost 3, “Gain 15(16) Block. Gains 5(8) additional Block for each Strength you have.” A different card in every practical sense.
  • ReworkHyperbeam (Defect) — Damage cut from 30(38) to 24(30), but the Focus loss is now limited to the current turn. Easier to cast twice, hits softer.
  • ReworkMirage (Silent) — Now Exhausts instead of dropping from cost 1 to 0 on upgrade.
Buffs
  • BuffForgotten Ritual (Ironclad) — No longer requires you to Exhaust a card to gain the Energy.
  • BuffRampage (Ironclad) — Base damage 9 → 10; scaling 5/9 → 5/10.
  • BuffThunder (Defect) — Damage 6(8) → 8(11).
  • BuffShroud (Necrobinder) — Block 2(3) → 3(4).
  • BuffTime’s Up (Necrobinder) — No longer Exhausts.
  • BuffSpoils of Battle (Regent) — Forge 5(8) → 6(9).
  • BuffAlignment (Regent) — Star cost 3 → 2.
Nerfs
  • NerfBlade of Ink (Silent) — The Inky enchantment no longer grants bonus damage at all. The card is now a Shiv generator and nothing else.
  • NerfNull (Defect) — Weak application 2(3) → 1(2).
  • NerfSynchronize (Defect) — Focus 2(3) → 1(2).
  • NerfRefine Blade (Regent) — Forge 9(13) → 8(12).
  • NerfRegalite (Regent relic) — Block 6 → 4.
  • NerfNonupeipe’s Beautiful Bracelet — Now enchants 4 random cards instead of letting you choose.
Colorless & Other
  • ReworkRend — Cost 2 → 1, damage 15(18) → 10(12).
  • ReworkSalvo & Splash — Rarities swapped; Splash is now Rare, Salvo Uncommon.
  • ReworkGuiding Star (Regent) — Card draw shifted to next turn; star cost 2 → 1.
  • NewIndonesian localisation — added with English fallback. Low HP idle animations added for all playable characters.
Enemies
  • NerfAxebot — Damage increases and +10 max HP per respawn.
  • NerfMechaknight — Now deals 8/12 damage on Flamethrower turns.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.110.0

Silent Rebalance & Keyboard Controls
July 30, 2026

Well-Laid Plans gets its cost raised after a strong run at the top of Silent. Haze and Outbreak are reworked, and the card that started life as Follow Through — renamed Scare in v0.107.1 — is renamed again to Sidestep with a completely new effect. Keyboard-only controls arrive.

Card Reworks
  • ReworkSidestep (Silent) — Formerly Follow Through, then Scare. Now grants 1(2) Energy next turn instead of applying Weak. Third identity in three patches.
  • ReworkHaze (Silent) — Cost 3 → 2; now applies Poison and Weak with Sly, rather than Poison alone.
  • ReworkOutbreak (Silent) — Converted from a Power to a Rare Skill: applies 9(12) Poison to all enemies with an immediate trigger.
  • ReworkMirage (Silent) — Reverted to gaining Block based on enemy Poison; no longer Exhausts.
  • ReworkRocket Punch (Defect) — Cost reduction changed from reducing to 0 to reducing by 1.
  • ReworkRegalite (Regent relic) — Now “the first time you create a card each turn, gain 6 Block”.
  • ReworkToasty Mittens (Ancient) — Exhausts a card from your Hand instead of your Draw Pile.
Buffs
  • BuffMangle (Ironclad) — Damage 15(20) → 20(26). A substantial buff to a card most tier lists still rate near the bottom.
  • BuffPact’s End (Ironclad) — Damage 17(23) → 18(24).
  • BuffTerraforming (Regent) — Vigor 6(8) → 7(10).
  • BuffCrush Under (Regent) — Damage 7(8) → 8(9).
  • BuffSacrifice (Necrobinder) — Block gain raised from double to triple Osty’s max HP.
  • BuffThe Scythe (Necrobinder) — Damage scaling 4(5) → 5(7).
  • BuffBiased Cognition (Defect) — Focus 4(5) → 5(6).
  • BuffRefract (Defect) — Damage 9(12) → 10(13).
  • BuffSynchronize (Defect) — Upgrade raises temporary Focus 2 → 3; no longer Exhausts.
  • BuffAbundance (Ancient) — Always creates Upgraded powers; cost reduced by 1.
Nerfs
  • NerfWell-Laid Plans (Silent) — Cost 1(0) → 2(1). Directly targets the discard engine.
  • NerfEchoing Slash (Silent) — Rarity Rare → Uncommon.
  • NerfPillar of Creation (Regent) — Reverted to triggering multiple times per turn; Block 3(4) → 2(3).
  • NerfEidolon (Necrobinder) — Can no longer be generated mid-combat.
  • NerfSignet Ring / Fiddle (Ancients) — Gold 999 → 888; card draw 3 → 2.
New Features
  • NewKeyboard-only control mode — play without a mouse.
  • NewMap Share button — captures the entire map.
  • NewForm VFX for character transformations, plus an input-remapping prompt.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.109.0

New Neow Relics & Regent’s Tutor
July 17, 2026

Two new Neow blessings and a new Regent card. Demon Form and Expect a Fight both get buffed — note that Expect a Fight is buffed here and then rebuilt entirely two patches later. A wave of rarity changes reshapes how often you actually see several Ironclad staples.

New Content
  • NewDowsing Rod (Neow relic) — Adds a Dowsing quest card to your deck, which transforms into Abundance after you enter 5 more ? rooms.
  • NewNeow’s Sacrifice (Neow relic) — Grants the exclusive Ambergris potion and adds Guilty to your deck.
  • NewTutor (Regent, Rare Skill) — Lets another player add a card from their Draw Pile to hand. Multiplayer.
Buffs
  • BuffDemon Form (Ironclad) — Strength gain 2 → 3, 3 → 4.
  • BuffExpect a Fight (Ironclad) — Energy restriction removed.
  • BuffPrimal Force (Ironclad) — Giant Rock token damage 16 → 20, 20 → 24.
  • BuffHyperbeam (Defect) — Damage 28 → 30, 36 → 38.
  • BuffSunder (Defect) — Damage 24 → 26, 32 → 34.
  • BuffOutbreak (Silent) — Damage 3 → 4, 4 → 5.
Card Reworks
  • ReworkWell-Laid Plans (Silent) — “At the end of your turn, you no longer discard your Hand.” Rarity increased, cost reduced, now multiplayer-compatible.
  • ReworkExpertise (Silent) — “Draw 2(3) cards. They gain Retain this turn.”
  • ReworkMirage (Silent) — Now grants 1–2 Energy next turn instead of Block based on Poison.
  • ReworkPillar of Creation (Regent) — Grants 5–7 Block on the first card creation each turn.
  • ReworkEidolon (Necrobinder) — “Play ALL Ethereal cards in your Exhaust Pile. Exhaust.”
  • ReworkTrash to Treasure (Defect) — Upgrade changed from Innate to a cost reduction.
Rarity Changes
  • NerfBloodletting (Ironclad) — Common → Uncommon. You will see it noticeably less often.
  • BuffTaunt (Ironclad) — Uncommon → Common, with Block reduced 7 → 6, 8 → 7.
  • BuffCruelty (Ironclad) — Rare → Uncommon.
  • NerfDominate (Ironclad) — Uncommon → Rare.
  • BuffAccelerant (Silent) — Rare → Uncommon.
Multiplayer & System
  • NerfMidnight — Damage 99 → 60, 120 → 72.
  • NerfThe Ball — Scaling 15 → 10, 25 → 15.
  • NerfBlade Symphony — Cost 1 → 2; upgrade no longer increases Shiv count.
  • NewSeeds are now 12 characters long. Traditional Chinese added as a selectable language.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.108.0

The Co-op Card Wave
July 3, 2026

The largest multiplayer content drop so far: fifteen new co-op-exclusive cards across every class, five per character plus Colorless additions. Alongside them, Outbreak and Tracking are reworked and several Act 1 staples get trimmed.

New Multiplayer Cards
  • NewIronclad — Midnight (Rare Attack, 99/120 damage), Blaze (Uncommon Skill, grant another player 5/7 Strength), Outrage (Uncommon Attack, 9/13 damage).
  • NewSilent — Blade Symphony (2/3 Shivs to all players), Concoct (3/4 Poison from allies’ attacks), Fade (6/9 Dexterity).
  • NewRegent — Plot (all players draw 2/3 cards), Constellation (draw 1, gain Energy, gain 9/12 Block).
  • NewNecrobinder — Underworld (apply Doom equal to attack damage), Soulbound (add Souls to an ally’s draw pile), Cacophony (every 33 cards drawn by all players, deal 66/99 damage).
  • NewDefect — Hibernate (2/3 Frost granting Block to all), One for All (0-cost attacks deal 3/4 bonus damage), Imitation Learning (copy the next 2/3 powers played by another player).
  • NewColorless — The Ball (deal 10 damage, costs 1 less each combat, passes to a random ally).
Card Reworks
  • ReworkOutbreak (Silent) — From “every 3 Poison applications, deal 15 damage” to “whenever Poison is applied, deal 3/4 damage”.
  • ReworkTracking (Silent) — From doubling damage to Weak enemies taking 50% more damage.
  • ReworkTank — From “double damage taken / half damage to allies” to “50% additional / 50% less”.
  • ReworkCompact (Defect) — Fuel token no longer draws cards; the upgrade grants Energy instead.
Buffs
  • BuffHowl from Beyond (Ironclad) — Damage 16(21) → 18(24).
  • BuffSetup Strike (Ironclad) — Strength gain 2(3) → 3(4).
  • BuffAnticipate (Silent) — Dexterity 2(3) → 2(4).
  • BuffFlick-Flack (Silent) — Damage 6(8) → 7(9).
  • BuffDevastate (Regent) — Damage 30(40) → 35(45).
  • BuffHaunt / Reave / Soul Storm (Necrobinder) — HP loss 6(8) → 7(9); damage 9(11) → 10(13); additional damage 2(3) → 4(6).
  • BuffLegion of Bone (Necrobinder) — No longer Exhausts.
  • BuffMomentum Strike (Defect) — Damage 10(13) → 11(15).
Nerfs
  • NerfColossus (Ironclad) — Block 5(8) → 4(7).
  • NerfCrimson Mantle (Ironclad) — Block 8(10) → 7(10).
  • NerfGUARDS!!! (Regent) — Block 8(11) → 7(10).
  • NerfBeacon of Hope (Colorless) — Cost 1 → 2.
  • NerfShatter (Defect) — Now Exhausts.
  • NerfFlanking (Silent) — Rarity Uncommon → Rare.
System
  • NewOrb passives — End-of-turn Orb passives now trigger before Doom, enabling win conditions where both would occur.
  • NewBestiary stats section and event encounters added; Randomize button on the Custom Run screen.
★ Major Update

Main Branch v0.107.1

Major Update #2 — Doormaker Removed, RNG Rebuilt
June 19, 2026

This is the build you are playing unless you opted into the beta branch. Four beta patches merged into main at once. The Doormaker is removed from the game entirely — Mega Crit called it “over the complexity threshold” they wanted — and replaced by a new Act 3 boss, Aeonglass. The random number generator was rebuilt after a player proved that unrelated random rolls were correlated, which is why Neow’s Bones really was handing out Debt too often. Steam Workshop support and the Bestiary also land for everyone.

Major Features
  • NewRNG rework — The pseudo-random generator was replaced with xoshiro256** after correlations were found between independent systems. Players could predict one outcome from knowledge of an unrelated one; that is now gone.
  • NewSteam Workshop — Mods can be browsed and installed directly through Steam, syncing to every device you play on.
  • NewThe Bestiary — A Compendium screen listing every enemy you have encountered, with their moves and animations. Stats and lore are planned.
Enemies
  • ReworkDoormaker removed — The Act 3 boss is gone from the game. Mega Crit judged it past the complexity threshold they wanted, with lingering issues, and chose to start fresh.
  • NewAeonglass — The new Act 3 boss takes its place.
  • ReworkInfested Prism completely reworked. Axebots consolidated into a single, harder encounter.
  • NerfSkulking Colony — HP 70 → 75 at base; Hardened Shell 15 → 20; moveset adjusted.
  • NerfHaunted Ship — Applies 3 Weak on turn 1; move rotation altered. Punch Construct now applies Frail instead of Weak.
New Ancient Relics
  • NewKaleidoscope — On pickup, gain 2 card rewards containing cards from other characters.
  • NewFishing Rod — Every 3 normal combats, upgrade a random card in your deck.
  • NewSilken Tress — Enchant all cards in the first card reward with Glam. On pickup, lose all gold.
Ironclad
  • ReworkConflagration — From 8 AOE damage plus scaling to “deal 2 damage to ALL enemies 4 times”.
  • ReworkDrum of Battle — Converted to a 1-cost Uncommon Skill: draws 2 cards and grants Energy when Exhausted.
  • BuffHowl from Beyond — Trigger moved from the start to the end of your turn.
  • BuffUnrelenting — Damage 12 → 14 at base. Entrench can now gain extra Block from enchantments like Nimble.
Silent
  • ReworkFollow Through → Scare — Reworked and renamed, rarity Common → Uncommon. It is renamed again to Sidestep on the beta branch in v0.110.0.
  • ReworkNightmare — Afflictions are removed from copied cards on the following turn.
  • BuffUntouchable / Pounce — Upgraded Block gain +2 → +3; Pounce damage 12 → 14. Predator rarity Uncommon → Common.
  • NerfBlade of Ink — Inky enchantment damage +2 → +1.
Regent
  • ReworkParry / Sword Sage / Astral Pulse — Parry now has the Sovereign Blade gain 10 Block directly; Sword Sage grants Replay 1 instead of an extra hit; Astral Pulse changes from 14 damage to 6×2.
  • ReworkThe Sealed Throne — Upgrade changed from Innate to an Energy cost reduction. Tyranny now triggers before Bombardment.
  • BuffCrescent Spear / Royalties / Furnace — Base damage 6 → 8; gold 30/35 → 30/40; Forge 4 → 5. Monarch’s Gaze cost 3 → 2.
  • NerfReflect / Bulwark / Patter — Block 17 → 15, 13 → 12, 9 → 8 at base. Minion Sacrifice 9 → 8.
Necrobinder
  • BuffDeath March / Sic ’Em / The Scythe — Additional damage 3 → 4; Summon 2 → 3; damage 3 → 4 at base.
  • NerfDebilitate — Debuff duration 3 → 2 turns at base.
Defect
  • ReworkFusion — Cost 2 → 1; now Exhausts, losing Exhaust on upgrade.
  • ReworkShatter — Now evokes all Orbs twice; damage 11 → 7 at base.
  • ReworkTesla Coil — Damage 6 → 4, but Lightning triggers 1 → 2.
  • BuffHyperbeam / Synthesis / Uproar — Damage 26 → 28, 12 → 14, 5 → 6. Infused Core now grants “Lightning Orbs deal 1 additional damage”.
Colorless & Quality of Life
  • BuffGold Axe — In multiplayer, damage now counts cards played by ALL players. Fasten Block bonus 5 → 4.
  • NewThree new badges — Damage Leader, Debuffer, C-c-c-Combo. Ascension tutorial popups added for single-player and multiplayer.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.106.0

Enemy Rebalance & Card Buffs
May 21, 2026

A tuning patch. Three damage cards land on the same 14(20) figure, Follow Through gets its first rework, and several Act 2 and Act 3 enemies are hardened.

Buffs
  • BuffUnrelenting (Ironclad) — Damage increased to 14/20.
  • BuffPounce (Silent) — Damage increased to 14/20.
  • BuffSynthesis (Defect) — Damage increased to 14/20.
Card Reworks
  • ReworkFollow Through (Silent) — Reworked and reclassified as Uncommon. This is the first step of the chain that ends as Sidestep in v0.110.0.
  • ReworkAstral Pulse (Regent) — Damage formula changed to 6×2 (8×2).
  • ReworkFusion (Defect) — Energy cost reduced; now Exhausts.
  • ReworkMummified Hand (relic) — Now chooses cards more favourably, prioritising higher-cost cards.
Enemies
  • ReworkInfested Prism — Completely reworked.
  • NerfSkulking Colony — HP increased to 75/80; Hardened Shell boosted to 20.
  • NerfAeonglass — Moveset adjusted and the Wither status reworked. Punch Construct now applies Frail instead of Weak.
Fixes
  • FixVulnerable no longer decrements before extra turns granted by Pael’s Eye, and similar turn-end powers.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.105.0

Aeonglass Replaces Doormaker
May 8, 2026

The patch that retired the Doormaker on beta, four months after launch. Aeonglass takes over as the Act 3 boss, the Bestiary arrives, and Mega Crit moves from weekly to bi-weekly patches. Three new Neow blessings join the pool.

Major Changes
  • ReworkDoormaker replaced — Completely replaced with Aeonglass as the Act 3 boss on the beta branch. This reaches main in v0.107.1.
  • NewThe Bestiary — Added to the Compendium; monsters and their animations viewable via keys 1–8.
  • NewBi-weekly patches — The team moves off a weekly release rhythm.
New Neow Relics
  • NewKaleidoscope — Grants 2 card rewards with cards from other characters.
  • NewFishing Rod — Upgrades a random card every 3 combats.
  • NewSilken Tress — Enchants the first card reward with Glam.
Card Changes
  • NerfBlade of Ink (Silent) — Inky damage +2 → +1.
  • ReworkSword Sage (Regent) — Now grants Replay 1 instead of extra hits. Bulwark and Patter weakened; Crescent Spear and Royalties buffed.
  • BuffHyperbeam, Shatter, Uproar, Tesla Coil+ (Defect) — All received damage increases.
  • BuffGold Axe (Colorless) — Now counts cards from all players in multiplayer.
Relics
  • ReworkTezcatara’s Pumpkin Candle — Now extinguishes after 5 combats instead of at the start of Act 3.
Beta Patch

Beta Patch v0.104.0

Conflagration & Drum of Battle Reworks
April 23, 2026

Two Ironclad cards are rebuilt around the Exhaust archetype, Parry is fixed so its Block interacts properly with Dexterity, and Reflect takes the first of two nerfs.

Card Reworks
  • ReworkConflagration (Ironclad) — Now “deal 2 damage to ALL enemies 4(5) times” instead of scaling with other Attacks played.
  • ReworkDrum of Battle (Ironclad) — Changed from a Power that exhausts cards to a Skill that gains 2(3) Energy when Exhausted, improving synergy with Exhaust decks.
  • ReworkParry (Regent) — Block now displays on the Sovereign Blade itself, allowing interaction with powers like Dexterity. Tyranny now triggers before Bombardment.
Buffs & Nerfs
  • BuffUntouchable (Silent) — Block gain increased. Nightmare now removes Afflictions from copied cards added to hand.
  • NerfReflect (Regent) — Block 17(21) → 16(20). It drops again to 15 by v0.107.1.
Ancients
  • BuffNeow’s Fury — Now allows manual selection of cards instead of random.
  • BuffNeow’s Booming Conch — Gains Energy at Elite combats. Tezcatara’s Nutritious Soup adds 3 damage to Strikes.
New Features
  • NewThree badges added — Damage Leader, Debuffer, and C-c-c-Combo (20 cards in one turn).
★ Major Update

Main Branch v0.103.2

Major Update #1 — Beta Merged to Main
April 16, 2026

The first main-branch merge after Early Access launch, folding beta v0.100.0 through v0.103.1 into the default build. Ascension 6 changes from Gloom to Inflation for everyone, Grapple is deprecated, a new Ironclad card Not Yet arrives, and five new Neow relics join the pool. Mega Crit stressed this is still an Early Access game and nothing here is final.

Balance & Content
  • ReworkAscension 6 — Gloom (fewer rest sites) replaced by Inflation (card removal at the Merchant costs more).
  • NerfShop economy — Shop relics reduced by 25 gold; gold-generating relics removed from shops. Map generation improved for consistency.
Character Updates
  • NewNot Yet (Ironclad) — New card added. Dominate and Expect a Fight reworked; Grapple deprecated and removed from the pool.
  • ReworkBlade of Ink (Silent) — Reworked to create enchanted Shivs. Acrobatics moved to Uncommon rarity.
  • ReworkArsenal & Regalite (Regent) — Reworked to benefit all created cards, not just Colorless ones.
  • ReworkBorrowed Time (Necrobinder) — Significantly redesigned to grant Energy instead of applying Doom.
New Neow Relics
  • NewFive additions — Hefty Tablet, Neow’s Talisman, Neow’s Bones, Phial Holster, and Winged Boots.
UI & Systems
  • NewBadges system — Tracks run achievements such as boss kills without damage and quick victories.
  • NewLeaderboards revamped — Now show only friends’ scores, sorted by wins. Phobia Mode setting added; controller support enhanced.
★ Major Update

Beta Patch v0.102.0

Badges, Ascension 6 Rework & Content Updates
April 2, 2026

v0.102.0 introduces Badges, a new end-of-run system that highlights memorable moments like defeating a boss without losing HP, beating the game quickly, or forgetting to spend your gold. Ascension 6 is completely reworked from Gloom (fewer rest sites) to Inflation (card removal at the Merchant costs significantly more). Borrowed Time gets a full rework after its v0.101.0 revert, Blade of Ink experiments with mid-combat Enchanted card generation, and the Doormaker boss receives another redesign.

New Features
  • NewBadges system — end-of-run awards that note memorable moments (flawless boss kills, speed runs, easter eggs, unspent gold). Currently shown at run end; will appear in run history and stats later. Part of upcoming scoring improvements.
Ascension Rework
  • ReworkAscension 6 — Gloom ("Less rest sites") replaced by Inflation ("Removing cards from your deck at the Merchant is more expensive"). Card removal now starts at 100 Gold and increases by 50 Gold per removal instead of 25. Mega Crit found that map-generation-based Ascension modifiers were too hard to notice.
Card Reworks
  • ReworkBlade of Ink (Silent) — "Rare — Cost 1 — Skill — This turn, whenever you play an Attack, gain 2(3) Strength this turn." → "Rare — Cost 1 — Skill — Add 2(3) Inky Shivs into your Hand." New Inky enchantment deals 2 additional damage and applies 1 Weak. An experiment with generating Enchanted cards mid-combat.
  • ReworkBorrowed Time (Necrobinder) — "Uncommon — Cost 0 — Skill — Apply 3 Doom to yourself. Gain 1(2) Energy." → "Uncommon — Cost 1 — Skill — Gain 4(6) Energy. Cards cost an additional energy this turn." Designed to synergize with high-cost cards like Reap and Bury.
Card Balance
  • BuffLeading Strike (Silent) — Shivs increased from 1 → 2, damage decreased from 7 → 3. Net buff for Shiv builds.
  • NerfSpeedster (Silent) — damage decreased from 2(3) → 1(2).
  • NerfUntouchable (Silent) — Block decreased from 7(9) → 6(8).
Relics & Potions
  • ReworkHistory Course relic — when it plays a copy of an X-cost card, it now uses your current energy for X instead of the energy spent last time. The copy is still played for free.
  • BuffNonupeipe's Fur Coat (Ancient relic) — now affects restocked Axebots and other enemies that enter combat mid-fight.
Enemies
  • ReworkDoormaker — Grasp turn now attacks for 20(23). Power reworked to "Whenever you play a card, lose 1 energy." Previous Grasp was too underwhelming and lowered fight difficulty.
  • BuffSkulking Colony — now attacks on all turns and deals slightly more damage. (Was nerfed in v0.101.0 — now buffed back.)
Events
  • NerfHungry For Mushrooms — Fragrant Mushroom upgraded cards decreased from 3 → 2.
  • ReworkWaterlogged Scriptorium — Prickly Sponge gold cost lowered from 155 → 99. Tentacle Quill gold cost lowered from 65 → 55.
  • BuffWhispering Hollow — Exchange option gold cost decreased from 50 → 35±9.
Bug Fixes (Highlights)
  • FixFixed softlock when selecting a card to upgrade via Armaments while Lethality power applies (Ironclad).
  • FixFixed Bullet Time played by Mayhem not setting hand card costs to 0 (Silent).
  • FixFixed Unsettling Lamp relic doubling Strength from Dominate.
  • FixFixed Vakuu's Whispering Earring continuing to play cards after Void Form ended the turn.
  • FixFixed Vakuu's Lord's Parasol occasionally only obtaining some Merchant items.
  • FixFixed Trash to Treasure proccing from other player's generated statuses (Multiplayer).
  • FixFixed softlock in Thieving Hopper fight if one player is dead when it tries to steal cards (Multiplayer).
  • FixFixed state divergence related to Driftwood and Dream Catcher relics (Multiplayer).
  • FixDisabled skipping chests in multiplayer — too many players confused it with the Proceed button.
  • FixVulkan now defaulted on Intel iGPUs with known D3D12 stability issues.
Full notes on Steam
Update

Beta Patch v0.101.0

Reverts, Reworks & Direction Reset
March 26, 2026

Mega Crit walked back the most controversial v0.100.0 changes after a wave of negative Steam reviews. Developer Anthony Giovannetti shared detailed design reasoning alongside each change — a first for the patch notes. Prepared is back, Borrowed Time and Capture Spirit return to pre-nerf values, and Arsenal gets a meaningful rework. The Doormaker boss was redesigned again to feel less random, and Elites no longer spawn on floor 6. The in-game feedback form character limit was raised from 500 to 8,000.

Reverts — Silent
  • RevertDeprecated Prepare — Prepared returns: "Common — Skill — Cost 1 — Discard 2 cards. Next turn, gain 2(3) Energy." → "Common — Skill — Cost 0 — Draw 1(2) card(s). Discard 1(2) card(s)." Mega Crit acknowledged Prepared is integral to Silent's identity and will look for other ways to rein in Sly synergies.
Reverts — Necrobinder
  • RevertCapture Spirit reverted to previous version: "Enemy loses 2(3) HP. Add 2(3) Souls into your Draw Pile." → "Enemy loses 3(4) HP. Add 3(4) Souls into your Draw Pile."
  • RevertBorrowed Time reverted to previous version: "Apply 6(3) Doom to yourself. Gain 1 Energy." → "Apply 3 Doom to yourself. Gain 1(2) Energy." Mega Crit notes this card will likely receive a complete rework in the future, but for now they prefer it to be fun to play in all decks. (Fully reworked in v0.102.0.)
Card Reworks
  • ReworkArsenal (Regent) — "Power — Rare — Cost 1 — Whenever you play a Colorless Card, gain 1(2) Strength." → "Power — Rare — Cost 1 — (Innate.) Whenever you create a card, gain 1 Strength." This is a complete trigger change — card-creation is a much broader condition than colorless plays, affecting how Regent drafts entirely.
  • ReworkCinder (Ironclad) — now exhausts a random card in your hand rather than the top of your draw pile. Less of a gamble.
  • BuffTremble (Ironclad) — now has Exhaust. This actually makes it more viable since you rarely want to play it more than once per fight.
  • BuffSerpent Form (Silent) — upgraded version now deals more damage per card played.
Card Nerfs
  • NerfVoltaic (Defect) — energy cost increased from 2 → 3. Positioned more clearly as a finisher rather than a mid-fight tempo play.
Relics & Potions
  • ReworkPendulum relic — "Whenever you shuffle your Draw Pile, draw a card." → "Every 3 turns, draw 1 card." Removes high-roll volatility from thin-deck shuffle builds.
  • ReworkVexing Puzzlebox relic — now uses "Free to Play" instead of "Costs 0 Energy" and only lasts until end of turn.
  • ReworkLiquid Memories potion — now uses "Free to Play" instead of "Costs 0 Energy."
  • ReworkRelic rarity swaps — Permafrost and Bellows moved to higher rarity (appear less often). Tiny Mailbox, Bag of Marbles, Red Mask, and Lasting Candy moved to lower rarity (appear more often). Design intent: commons should be simple effects that add value to most decks, rarity increases allow higher complexity.
Enemies
  • ReworkDoormaker boss redesigned again — each visual phase now has its own unique power. Phase 1 causes attacks and skills to exhaust when played. Phase 2 prevents all card draw. Phase 3 increases the cost of the first card played each turn by 1. Intended to feel less random and reward player agency.
  • NerfSkulking Colony — deals less damage, scales slower, no longer applies Dazed. (Buffed back in v0.102.0 — now attacks on all turns.)
  • ReworkHaunted Ship — now applies Dazed status cards to the player.
  • NerfThe Lost and Forgotten — stat theft no longer scales with Ascension.
  • NerfWaterfall Giant — HP decreased from 250(260) → 240(250).
System & Progression
  • FixElites can no longer spawn on floor 6. Since Neow counts as the first floor, Elites were spawning one floor earlier than intended. This is a significant Act 1 routing change.
  • ReworkGloom Ascension modifier no longer affects mystery (?) rooms — only rest sites. (Gloom replaced entirely by Inflation in v0.102.0.)
  • FixMap generation improvements to reduce maps overflowing with early monster rooms.
  • NewIn-game feedback form character limit raised from 500 → 8,000.
Full notes on Steam
★ Major Update

Beta Patch v0.100.0

First Big Post-Launch Balance Pass
March 19, 2026

The first major Slay the Spire 2 balance patch since Early Access launch. Mega Crit's stated goal: make infinite combos harder to assemble without eliminating them entirely. Alongside the balance overhaul, this patch introduces Phobia Mode, a suite of new card portrait art, and character-specific energy VFX. Currently on the public beta branch only.

Accessibility
  • NewPhobia Mode added — toggleable in Settings. Replaces unsettling art for the infection overlay, hive backgrounds, The Insatiable, Phrog Parasite, Wrigglers, Terror Eel, and Entomancer.
  • NewDeprecated Card status card added. If a card is removed from the game mid-run, it is replaced with this placeholder instead of breaking the run.
Ironclad Balance
  • ReworkExpect a Fight — now costs 2 (1 upgraded). Still gives energy per Attack in hand, but now prevents further energy gain that turn. Curbs infinite energy loops.
  • ReworkStoke — no longer draws a card per card exhausted. Instead adds 1 random card (upgraded version grants upgraded cards) to hand for each card exhausted.
  • ReworkDominate — now costs 1. Applies 1 (2) Vulnerable and gains 1 Strength per Vulnerable on enemy. Exhausts.
  • ReworkSpite — now costs 0. Deals 5 damage; if you lost HP this turn, hits 2 (3) times.
Silent Balance
  • ReworkPrepared → Prepare — renamed and reworked. Now costs 1. Discards 2 cards, grants 2 (3) Energy next turn instead of zero-cost draw-and-discard. Significant nerf to discard synergy builds. (Reverted in v0.101.0 — Prepared restored.)
  • NerfAdditional Silent cards adjusted to reduce infinite potential with discard-synergy Sly card chains.
Regent Balance
  • NerfGlow — now gives 1 card this turn and 1 card next turn, instead of 2 cards immediately.
  • NerfAlignment — now costs 3 Stars instead of 2.
Economy & Progression
  • BuffShop relics — all relic shop prices reduced by 25 Gold. Gold-generating relics no longer appear in shops.
  • NerfGloom Ascension — now also reduces chance of finding rest sites in mystery rooms.
  • FixDaily and custom runs can no longer unlock Epochs or affect lifetime character stat trackers.
Multiplayer Balance
  • NerfHuddle Up — now Exhausts after use.
  • NerfBeacon of Hope — block-sharing effect no longer stacks.
  • NerfBelieve in You — energy grant reduced by 1 (now 2 base, 3 upgraded).
Enemies
  • NerfDoormaker boss significantly buffed in difficulty — now gains ability to consume every tenth card drawn by the player, capable of removing key combo pieces from the deck.
Art & Visual
  • NewNew portrait art added for numerous cards across all five character classes.
  • NewCharacter-specific visual effects added when gaining energy.
  • NewMurderous run modifier now has its own icon.
Full notes on Steam
Minor Update

Patch v0.99 / v0.99.1

One-Week Post-Launch Fixes & Art
March 12–14, 2026

The first public beta branch launched alongside this update, giving players an opt-in path to test changes before they go live. This patch focused on stability and art expansion rather than balance, with v0.99.1 pushing all changes to the main branch shortly after.

Balance
  • FixPlayers, enemies, and pets can no longer have HP increased above 999,999,999 — closing an exploit used in some infinite build strategies.
Art
  • NewPortrait art added for a batch of previously art-missing cards across multiple character classes.
  • NewMurderous run modifier icon added.
Bug Fixes
  • FixMultiple softlock fixes for multiplayer edge cases, including a softlock triggered by the Architect event and one caused by Breakthrough's self-HP loss in co-op.
  • FixNumerous general timeline softlocks resolved.
Full notes on Steam
Launch

v0.98 — Early Access Launch

Slay the Spire 2 enters Steam Early Access
March 5, 2026

Slay the Spire 2 officially launched into Steam Early Access on March 5, 2026, developed by Mega Crit on the Godot Engine. The game shipped with five playable character classes (Ironclad, Silent, Regent, Necrobinder, Defect), online co-op, full controller support, and Steam Deck Verified status. Launch-day hotfixes v0.98.2 and v0.98.3 addressed translation errors and early softlocks.

What's in at Launch
  • NewFive full character classes — Ironclad, Silent, Regent, Necrobinder, Defect — each with 70–80 cards.
  • NewOnline co-op multiplayer with dedicated co-op cards (Huddle Up, Beacon of Hope, Believe in You).
  • NewAscension system, Gloom modifier, daily runs, and custom runs.
  • NewFull controller support; Steam Deck Verified at launch.
  • New14 language localizations at launch.
Launch Hotfixes (v0.98.2 — v0.98.3)
  • FixTranslation errors corrected for Russian, Turkish, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Chinese.
  • FixMultiple softlocks in the timeline resolved within 48 hours of launch.
Steam news hub

Slay the Spire 2 Tier List — Updated for v0.102.0

Our card rankings account for every balance change above. See which cards got better or worse and update your builds for the current meta.

View Tier List →