> Patch note: Exact relic names and balance may change during Early Access. This page ranks relic effects by beginner usefulness instead of pretending one permanent list will stay correct.
Why This Is a Tier List Framework
Traditional tier lists are tempting because they promise simple answers. The problem is that relic value changes with deck shape, route, health, potion slots, and upcoming bosses. A relic that is amazing in one run can be mediocre in another. For beginners, the better skill is learning what kind of relic effect deserves high priority.
This guide uses tier-list thinking without locking you into a fragile list. If a relic provides reliable value in most fights, it belongs high. If it only works after several specific conditions, it belongs lower until the deck proves it can use it.
Beginner Relic Tiers by Effect
| Tier | Relic Effect | Why It Ranks There |
|---|---|---|
| S | Energy, strong draw, reliable sustain | Helps many hands and many routes |
| A | Front-loaded damage, flexible block, potion support | Improves dangerous fights quickly |
| B | Conditional scaling, narrow economy bonuses | Strong when supported, weaker when random |
| C | Late payoff with weak immediate impact | Can be too slow for beginners |
| D | Effects that fight the deck's plan | May create awkward choices or dead value |
This is not a rule that energy is always better than damage or draw is always better than sustain. It is a way to ask: how many fights will this relic improve, and how easy is it to use?
S-Tier Beginner Relic Traits
The best beginner relics reduce decision pressure. Extra energy lets you play the hand you already drew. Draw helps you find your best cards. Sustain gives you more freedom to take fights and upgrades. These effects are powerful because they do not ask for much. They make normal play better.
S-tier relics also change map choices. If you gain reliable sustain, a greedy route may become safer. If you gain early damage, an elite route may become reasonable. Strong relics should influence pathing, not sit passively in the corner.
A-Tier Relics Win Important Fights
A-tier effects may be slightly narrower, but they solve real problems. Damage relics can protect health in hallway fights and make elites safer. Defensive relics can cover bad turns. Potion relics can turn one-use items into route-changing tools.
These relics are especially good when they line up with the next hard node. A damage relic before an elite is more valuable than the same relic after the deck already has enough damage.
Conditional Relics Need Honesty
Conditional relics are not beginner traps by default. They become traps when you take them and then draft bad cards to justify the pick. If a relic rewards something your deck already does, it can be excellent. If it requires a new plan, ask whether you can afford the transition.
Good questions:
- Does my deck trigger this naturally?
- Does it help before the next boss?
- Do future card rewards become easier or harder to judge?
- Am I taking this because it is powerful, or because it is exciting?
That last question saves runs.
Shop Tier Lists Are Different
Buying a relic is different from receiving one after a fight. In a shop, the relic competes with card removal, potions, and key cards. A B-tier relic may be a bad purchase if removal would improve the deck more. An A-tier potion may be better than an expensive relic if the next elite is the main danger.
For this reason, shop relics should be judged by opportunity cost. Read relic vs card removal after this guide for a more specific comparison.
Best Next Reads
If you are new to relics, start with best relics for beginners. If your main question is spending gold, read the shop guide. If relics are changing your route choices, pair this with the best map pathing strategy.
FAQ
What makes a relic S-tier for beginners?
A beginner S-tier relic usually works in most fights, improves consistency or survival, and does not require a fragile combo to become useful.
Should beginners force decks around relics?
Only when the relic is strong and the deck already supports it. Forcing weak card picks just to activate a relic can make the deck worse.
Are conditional relics bad?
No. Conditional relics can be excellent when the trigger is natural for your deck, but they are risky when they demand a plan your deck does not already have.