> 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.
Strength Build Fundamentals
Strength builds increase your damage output by raising your strength stat. Every point of strength adds damage to every attack you play. This creates exponential scaling: more strength means more damage, which means faster fights, which means less damage taken.
The build has two parts: getting strength and using it. Strength sources are cards or relics that increase strength. Attacks are cards that benefit from strength. Both are necessary.
A strength build without enough attacks has a high number but nothing to do with it. A strength build without strength sources plays weak attacks that do not scale. The balance between these two components determines success.
Strength Sources
Strength sources come in several forms. Some cards give temporary strength for the turn. Others give permanent strength for the combat. Relics may give strength conditionally.
Permanent strength is generally better than temporary strength because it affects every attack for the rest of the fight. However, temporary strength can create massive burst turns when combined with multi-hit attacks.
The best strength cards have low energy cost and no downside. Cards that give strength while also providing block or drawing cards are premium picks. Cards that give strength but cost health or have other downsides require careful evaluation.
Draft your first strength source in Act 1. This gives it time to generate value through the entire run. Drafting strength in Act 3 is often too late unless the card is exceptionally powerful.
Attack Selection
With strength established, you need attacks that convert that strength into kills. There are two main categories:
Multi-hit attacks trigger your strength bonus multiple times. An attack that hits three times with five strength deals fifteen bonus damage. These are your boss killers and elite killers.
Single heavy attacks have high base damage and often cost more energy. They are efficient against enemies with high health where one big hit ends the fight faster than multiple small hits.
A well-built strength deck has both. Multi-hit attacks handle bosses and elites. Single heavy attacks handle hallway fights where overkill does not matter.
| Attack Type | Strength Scaling | Best Used Against |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-hit | Excellent (strength per hit) | Bosses, elites |
| Heavy single | Good (adds to base) | Hallway enemies |
| Area attack | Moderate (one application) | Groups of weak enemies |
Energy and Draw Support
Strength is only useful if you can play attacks. Energy and draw ensure your strength translates into actual damage.
Extra energy lets you play more attacks per turn. This is especially important with multi-hit attacks that may cost more energy. A turn where you play two attacks with five strength each deals ten bonus damage. A turn where you play one attack with five strength deals five bonus damage.
Draw ensures you find your attacks consistently. A deck with great strength and great attacks but no draw will have dead turns where it draws block cards against a vulnerable enemy.
The best builds for beginners covers energy and draw fundamentals in more detail.
Strength Build Weaknesses
Strength builds have clear counters:
- Enemies with high block or armor: Strength adds to damage dealt, not damage after block. An enemy that blocks for twenty negates most of your strength bonus.
- Enemies that scale faster: If the enemy grows stronger each turn, your strength scaling may not keep up.
- Debuffs that reduce strength: Some enemies or effects reduce your stats. Build some non-strength damage as backup.
Campfire Priorities
Upgrade strength sources first. Upgrading a card that gives two strength to give three strength is a 50% increase. Upgrading an attack from 8 damage to 12 damage is less impactful when you already have ten strength.
After strength sources, upgrade your best multi-hit attack. Then upgrade draw or energy cards. Defensive upgrades come last unless you are struggling to survive.
Internal Links
For character-specific strength advice, read the Ironclad guide. For defensive support, see best defensive strategy.