Sly
New in STS2Discard = free play · Silent
Sly is the Silent's new signature keyword in Slay the Spire 2. Any card with the Sly tag plays for free when discarded from your hand during your turn — enabling explosive combo turns that weren't possible in the original game.
How It Works
The Sly Keyword
Cards tagged with Sly have their cost reduced to 0 when discarded. The card resolves its effect as if you played it normally — it just costs no energy.
Discard Triggers
Sly activates from any discard source: discard cards, discard powers, or effects that force a discard. This means a single discard card can chain multiple Sly cards in one turn.
Combo Potential
With enough Sly cards in hand and a discard engine, you can play 5–10+ cards in a single turn for free. This is the Silent's primary win condition in STS2.
Poison Synergy
Many Sly cards also apply Poison, meaning a Sly combo turn can stack massive Poison in addition to dealing direct damage.
Tips
- ▸Build your deck around 3–5 Sly cards and 2–3 discard enablers for consistent combos.
- ▸Acrobatics and other draw/discard cards are the engine — prioritize them at card rewards.
- ▸Sly cards still go to the discard pile after triggering, so they cycle back into your deck.
- ▸Watch your energy — you still need energy for non-Sly cards in your combo turn.
Key Synergies
Most Sly cards apply Poison, making combo turns deal massive damage over time.
Shivs generated during a Sly combo can be discarded to trigger more Sly effects.
Drawing more cards mid-combo gives you more Sly cards to discard.