Updated March 2026Early Access
Slay the Spire 2 Card Tier List
This tier list ranks the best cards for each class in Slay the Spire 2. Cards are rated based on floor-one value, scaling ceiling, and how often you're happy to take them. Updated for Early Access 2026.
Tier Definitions
S Tier— Run-Shaping
Cards you build entire decks around. Always take these.
A Tier— Premium
Very strong picks you almost never regret. Core cards for most builds.
B Tier— Playable
Good when the synergy is there, less exciting otherwise.
C Tier— Replaceable
Useful early or niche, but not cards you want long-term.
Ironclad
View Guide →S Tier
Howl from BeyondFree 16 AoE every turn after first play. Exhaust synergy cornerstone.
Limit BreakDoubles Strength permanently. Enables infinite scaling.
Spot WeaknessApplies Vulnerable and gains Strength. Perfect setup card.
InflamePermanent Strength scaling. Works in every Ironclad deck.
A Tier
True GritBlock + Exhaust enabler. Fuels exhaust synergies.
Ashen StrikeScales with exhaust pile. Massive damage in exhaust builds.
Pact's EndFree 17 AoE after 3 exhausts. Exhaust payoff.
CarnageHigh damage attack. Reliable damage source.
B Tier
BashApplies Vulnerable. Good early, replaceable later.
ArmamentsBlock + upgrade. Solid utility card.
Shrug It OffBlock + draw. Decent cycle card.
C Tier
StrikeBasic attack. Replace ASAP.
DefendBasic block. Replace ASAP.
ClashHigh damage but restrictive condition.
Silent
View Guide →S Tier
AcrobaticsDraw 3, discard 1. Best card draw in the game. Perfect Sly enabler.
Piercing WailALL enemies lose 6 (8) Strength. Effectively blocks massive damage.
Calculated GambleZero-cost hand refresh. Perfect for Sly decks.
ExposeRemoves block and applies Vulnerable. Crucial against bosses.
FootworkGain 2 (3) Dexterity. Solves Silent's block problem permanently.
Well-Laid PlansRetain up to 2 (3) cards. Incredible consistency tool.
SpeedsterDraw 1 card after playing 5 cards. Passive card draw engine.
AdrenalineGain 1 (2) Energy, draw 2 cards. Free energy and card draw.
BurstNext 1 (2) Skill(s) played twice. Insane value with powers.
Tools of the TradeDraw 1, discard 1 at turn start. Permanent cycling.
AbrasiveBlock + AoE damage on discard. Incredible in Sly decks.
Serpent FormApply 1 Poison to ALL enemies at turn end. Wins long fights.
Master PlannerDraw 1 additional card at turn start. More cards = more wins.
Wraith FormGain 2 (3) Intangible. Nearly invincible for multiple turns.
A Tier
Dagger ThrowCheap attack with discard synergy. Good Sly target.
Dodge and RollBlock + card draw. Solid defensive option.
FinisherWin condition for Shiv decks. Massive damage scaling.
PinpointApplies Vulnerable. Good setup card.
Escape PlanBlock + draw. Excellent cycle card.
Hidden DaggersSly activator + Shiv generation. Versatile.
ExpertiseDraw until you have 6 cards. Hand refill.
Hand TrickApply Sly to any card. Opens hybrid builds.
ReflexZero-cost when discarded. Incredible Sly synergy.
TacticianZero-cost when discarded. Deck cycling powerhouse.
Noxious FumesPassive Poison application. Essential for Poison builds.
MalaiseReduces enemy Strength and Dexterity. Defensive power.
ShadowmeldGain Intangible. Emergency defensive tool.
Knife TrapAlternate Shiv finisher. Targets with all Shivs in exhaust.
AfterimageGain Block after playing cards. Shiv synergy.
EnvenomApply Poison on attacks. Pairs with Shiv decks.
Fan of KnivesAoE Shiv generation. Multi-enemy fights.
Bullet TimeZero-cost all cards this turn. Explosive combo enabler.
NightmareTriple your best card. Game-winning with powers.
B Tier
Flick-FlackSly card with block. Decent early game.
BackflipBlock + draw. Reliable defensive option.
RicochetSly attack. Good in Act 1.
AnticipateBlock card. Situational.
PreparedDraw + discard. Good for Sly consistency.
Blade DanceGenerate 3 Shivs. Core Shiv card.
Cloak and DaggerBlock + Shiv. Defensive Shiv option.
UntouchableSly card with block. Decent utility.
Precise CutAttack that scales with discards. Niche.
FlechettesShiv-based attack. Situational.
Follow ThroughDamage after playing cards. Combo card.
Memento MoriScales with cards played. Late game card.
StrangleApplies damage over time. Niche use.
DashAttack + block. Solid early game.
PredatorAttack + draw. Decent utility.
BlurCarry block to next turn. Smooths damage spikes.
MirageBlock equal to Poison applied. Poison synergy.
Leg SweepAttack + Weak. Decent control.
Up My SleeveAdds Shivs to hand. Shiv support.
HazePoison skill. Poison build support.
AccuracyShivs deal 4 (6) damage. Only good in Shiv decks.
AssassinateHigh damage attack. Expensive but reliable.
The HuntAttack that scales. Situational.
MurderHigh damage attack. Niche use.
Blade of InkAttack with Sly synergy. Situational.
Corrosive WavePoison skill. Pairs with Sly.
TrackingCard selection. Niche utility.
Storm of SteelConverts hand to Shivs. Combo card.
SuppressReduces enemy Strength. Situational.
C Tier
Dagger SprayWeak AoE. Falls off quickly.
Leading StrikeBasic attack. Replaceable.
Poisoned StabDecent in Act 1, remove by Act 3.
Sucker PunchWeak + damage. Niche early game.
Deadly PoisonApplies Poison. Okay early, falls off.
Bouncing FlaskAoE Poison. Good in Act 1, remove later.
Infinite BladesPassive Shiv generation. Too slow.
OutbreakPoison skill. Limited use.
Phantom BladesShiv generation. Niche.
Echoing SlashAttack with echo. Situational.
AccelerantDoubles Poison. Only good in dedicated Poison decks.
Bubble BubblePoison skill. Niche use.
PounceCheap attack. Replaceable.
Shadow StepReduces cost. Niche utility.
SkewerMulti-hit attack. Weak.
D Tier
SliceStarter card. Remove ASAP.
DeflectStarter card. Remove ASAP.
SnakebiteStarter card. Remove ASAP.
BackstabStarter card. Remove ASAP.
Grand FinaleRequires empty deck. Nearly impossible to use consistently.
Necrobinder
View Guide →S Tier
OstySummons Osty (tank minion). Core Necrobinder card.
Doom BladeApplies Doom. Instant kill mechanic.
SacrificeConverts minion HP to damage. Burst damage.
Raise DeadSummons minions. Enables sacrifice synergies.
A Tier
Soul HarvestGains energy from minion deaths. Resource generation.
Dark PactDraw + minion synergy. Card advantage.
Bone ArmorBlock scaling with minions. Defense.
B Tier
Skeletal StrikeBasic attack with minion synergy.
Grave RobberGenerates Gold. Economic card.
C Tier
StrikeBasic attack. Replace ASAP.
DefendBasic block. Replace ASAP.
Regent
View Guide →S Tier
ForgeCreates custom cards. Unique mechanic.
Molten StrikeHigh damage + Forge synergy.
TemperUpgrades cards in hand. Powerful utility.
A Tier
AnvilBlock + Forge fuel. Solid defense.
SmeltRemoves cards. Deck thinning.
Hammer BlowHigh damage attack. Reliable.
B Tier
StrikeBasic attack. Replace ASAP.
DefendBasic block. Replace ASAP.
Defect
View Guide →S Tier
DefragmentPermanent Focus. Orb scaling.
ElectrodynamicsLightning orbs hit all enemies. AoE enabler.
CapacitorIncreases orb slots. Scaling.
A Tier
Ball LightningGenerates Lightning orbs. Damage.
GlacierGenerates Frost orbs. Defense.
CoolheadedDraw + Frost orb. Cycle.
B Tier
ZapBasic Lightning orb. Decent early.
DualcastEvokes orbs. Utility.
C Tier
StrikeBasic attack. Replace ASAP.
DefendBasic block. Replace ASAP.
How Cards Are Ranked
- • Floor-one value: Cards that are strong before your deck is built rank higher
- • Scaling ceiling: Cards that stay relevant in Elite and Boss fights rank higher
- • Pick confidence: Cards are ranked by how often you're happy to take them, not perfect-case scenarios
- • Archetype fit: Cards that enable or complete strong archetypes rank higher
FAQ
Is this tier list final?
No. This is an Early Access tier list and will be updated as Mega Crit patches the game and the meta evolves.
Why are some classes missing cards?
Regent and Necrobinder are new classes with smaller card pools. As the game develops, more cards will be added.
Should I always pick S-tier cards?
Generally yes, but context matters. If an S-tier card doesn't fit your current deck archetype, an A-tier card that synergizes better may be the right choice.
What's the best class for beginners?
Ironclad. It has the most straightforward cards and the most forgiving playstyle. Silent and Defect are also good once you understand the basics.
Detailed Character Tier Lists
Silent
75 cards analyzed
Ironclad
Full tier list
Defect
Orb builds
Regent
Doom & Energy
Necrobinder
Graveyard scaling
Other guides