Exhaust
Remove card from combat · Ironclad
Exhaust is a returning mechanic from the original Slay the Spire, now expanded in STS2. Exhausted cards are removed from your hand and deck for the rest of combat — thinning your deck and triggering powerful Ironclad synergies.
How It Works
How Exhaust Works
When a card with the Exhaust keyword is played, it is removed from the game for the rest of combat (not just the current turn). It does not go to the discard pile and will not be drawn again.
Deck Thinning
Exhausting cards makes your remaining deck cycle faster. A 10-card deck with 3 Exhaust cards effectively becomes a 7-card deck mid-combat, increasing the frequency of your key cards.
Exhaust Triggers
Many Ironclad cards and relics trigger when any card is exhausted: gain Strength, gain Block, deal damage. These triggers stack, making Exhaust a scaling engine.
Enchantment Interaction
In STS2, Enchantments can add Exhaust to cards that don't normally have it. This is powerful for Ironclad but risky for other classes who don't have Exhaust synergies.
Tips
- ▸Build Exhaust synergies early — the triggers compound as you exhaust more cards.
- ▸Corruption (play Skills for free, they gain Exhaust) is one of the strongest Ironclad powers.
- ▸Don't exhaust key cards you need every combat — be selective.
- ▸Relics that trigger on Exhaust (like Feel No Pain) are high priority for Exhaust builds.
Key Synergies
Exhaust triggers that grant Strength compound with attack damage scaling.
Adding Exhaust to high-value cards via Enchantments can create powerful one-time effects.
Some Exhaust triggers restore HP, making Ironclad surprisingly durable.