> Patch note: Slay the Spire 2 is in Early Access, so balance, card values, and encounter details can change. This guide focuses on stable deckbuilding principles and will be updated after major patches.
Campfire Decisions
Campfires are the only guaranteed safe spaces in Slay the Spire 2. At each campfire, you choose between resting (healing), upgrading a card, or occasionally removing a card. This decision shapes your run as much as card rewards.
The correct campfire choice depends on your current health, your deck's needs, and the threats ahead. There is no always-correct answer. But there are principles that improve your decisions.
When to Rest
Rest when your current health puts the run at risk. The question is not "am I below max health?" The question is "could I die before the next campfire?"
Consider resting when:
- You are below 30% max health entering a dangerous section
- The next fight is an elite and you have no potions
- Your deck is weak and you expect to take significant damage
- You have no other healing sources
Do not rest when:
- You are above 50% health and the next section is manageable
- You have a clear upgrade target that improves multiple future fights
- Your deck has healing mechanics that will recover health naturally
- The boss is close and you need upgraded cards more than health
The most common beginner mistake is resting too often. Upgrades prevent damage. Rest heals damage after it happens. Prevention is better than cure.
When to Upgrade
Upgrade when the upgrade improves your win rate more than the health would.
Priority upgrade targets:
Damage cards you play often: Upgrading your primary attack from 8 to 12 damage might not look exciting, but over fifty attacks that is 200 extra damage. More importantly, the upgrade might let you kill an elite one turn earlier, preventing an entire attack cycle.
Block cards with efficiency gains: Upgrading a block card from 8 to 12 block prevents 4 more damage per play. Over a long fight, this adds up. Some block upgrades also add secondary effects like drawing cards.
Energy reduction upgrades: Cards that cost less energy are dramatically better. A 2-cost card reduced to 1 cost is twice as playable. These upgrades are almost always correct if you play the card regularly.
Scaling cards: Powers and permanent effects that gain extra stats from upgrading provide compounding value. +1 focus or +1 strength from an upgrade affects every future turn.
| Upgrade Target | Typical Improvement | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Energy reduction | 2�? cost | Very High |
| Scaling power | +1 stat permanently | High |
| Primary damage | +4 damage | Medium-High |
| Primary block | +4 block | Medium |
| Draw effect | +1 card drawn | Medium |
When to Remove
Some campfires offer card removal instead of rest or upgrade. When available, removal is often the best choice.
Remove cards when:
- You have multiple starter strikes or defends
- Your deck is over 25 cards and feels inconsistent
- You drafted a card early that no longer fits your strategy
- Removal gets you below a critical deck size threshold
A removed card improves every future draw. An upgrade improves one card. In decks with significant bloat, removal is better than upgrading.
Campfire Planning
Look at the map before choosing. Count the fights between this campfire and the next. Estimate your damage taken based on enemy types. If the path is dangerous, health matters more. If the path is safe, upgrades matter more.
Also consider the upcoming boss. Bosses require specific deck qualities. An upgrade that improves boss damage might be worth resting, even if the immediate path is slightly risky.
Act-Specific Campfire Strategy
Act 1: Upgrade damage cards. You need to kill elites and the boss. Health is usually less important because Act 1 enemies do not hit as hard as later acts.
Act 2: Balance health and upgrades. Act 2 has harder elites and more complex fights. Rest if you are low. Upgrade if you have scaling cards that need improvement.
Act 3: Rest if needed for the final boss. The Act 3 boss is the hardest fight. Entering with low health is risky even with a strong deck. However, a weak deck with full health still loses. Upgrade if your deck needs the power.
Internal Links
For pathing that affects campfire frequency, read best map pathing strategy. For general beginner advice, see Slay the Spire 2 beginner guide.