The Silent — Complete Build Guide
The Silent is the second character in Slay the Spire 2 — a deadly huntress from the foglands who eradicates foes with daggers and poisons. She is unlocked after completing a run with the Ironclad.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting HP | 70 (66 at Ascension 14) |
| Starting Energy | 3 |
| Starting Deck | Strike ×5, Defend ×5, Neutralize ×1, Survivor ×1 |
| Starting Relic | Ring of the Snake |
Ring of the Snake — At the start of each combat, draw 2 additional cards on Turn 1.
The Sly Keyword (New in STS2)
The Silent's defining new mechanic is Sly: when a card with the Sly keyword is discarded from your hand before end of turn, it plays automatically for free. This rewards discard-heavy strategies and opens a third core archetype alongside Poison and Shivs.
Build 1: Shiv Deck
Generate, buff, and spam Shiv cards to deal massive burst damage in rapid succession.
Core Strategy
Stack Shiv generators early, then add Accuracy to double all Shiv damage. Use Knife Trap as a late-game finisher — it can generate 15–20 Shivs in a single turn.
Key Cards
| Phase | Cards |
|---|---|
| Early Commons | Leading Strike, Cloak and Dagger, Blade Dance |
| Early Uncommons | Accuracy ×2–3, Infinite Blades, Hidden Daggers |
| High Synergy | Fan of Knives, Knife Trap, Finisher, Serpent Form, Afterimage |
Best Relics
- Ninja Scroll — great Shiv deck start
- Iron Club / Nunchaku / Shuriken / Kunai / Ornamental Fan / Kusarigama — all proc on Shiv spam
- Joss Paper — extra draw since Shivs Exhaust when played
Tips
- Even 1–2 Shiv generators can enable key Relics without fully committing to the archetype
- Afterimage provides extra Block each turn, which helps in sustained elite fights
Build 2: Poison Deck
A slow-starting deck that stacks Poison for exponentially scaling passive damage.
Core Strategy
Apply Poison fast with Poisoned Stab and Deadly Poison, then amplify it with Accelerant. Stay alive early with defensive and debuffing cards while Poison ramps.
Key Cards
| Phase | Cards |
|---|---|
| Early Commons | Poisoned Stab, Deadly Poison |
| Early Uncommons | Haze (Sly synergy), Noxious Fumes, Outbreak |
| High Synergy | Accelerant, Bubble Bubble, Mirage, Burst |
Best Relics
- Twisted Funnel — Poison at combat start + enables Bubble Bubble immediately
- Snecko Skull — makes Poison application easier
- Unsettling Lamp — doubles the first Poison hit
- Anchor / Horn Cleat / Captain's Wheel — survive early turns while Poison ramps
Tips
- Watch out for Artifact on enemies — it blocks Poison application entirely
- Staying alive turns 1–3 is critical; prioritize defense before committing to scaling
Build 3: Sly Deck
A fast-cycling engine that discards Sly-tagged cards to play them for free and maintain momentum.
Core Strategy
Build a lean deck (12–15 cards) with cheap discard outlets (Acrobatics, Prepared, Reflex) and high-value Sly payoffs (Tactician, Flick-Flack, Haze). Keep discarding to keep the engine running.
Key Cards
| Phase | Cards |
|---|---|
| Early Commons | Flick-Flack, Ricochet, Untouchable, Acrobatics, Prepared |
| Early Uncommons | Haze, Reflex, Tactician, Calculated Gamble, Speedster |
| High Synergy | Tools of the Trade, Master Planner, Abrasive, Serpent Form |
Best Relics
- Tingsha — damage on discard
- Tough Bandages — Block on discard
- Iron Club / Nunchaku / Shuriken / Kunai — Sly cards play for free, so they still proc these relics
- The Abacus — extra Block per turn
Tips
- Remove Strikes aggressively — they don't synergize with the cycle plan
- Add light Poison (Haze) alongside Sly for reliable single-target damage output
Unique Relics
| Rarity | Relic |
|---|---|
| Common | Snecko Skull |
| Uncommon | Tingsha, Twisted Funnel |
| Rare | Helical Dart, Paper Krane, Tough Bandages |
| Shop | Ninja Scroll |
Act-by-Act Checklist
| Act | Focus |
|---|---|
| Act 1 | Pick your archetype: grab Accuracy (Shiv), Deadly Poison (Poison), or Acrobatics (Sly) |
| Act 2 | Add amplifiers: Knife Trap / Accelerant / Tools of the Trade |
| Act 3 | Lock in finisher; optimize Relic synergy; remove excess Strikes/Defends |
| Act 4 | Thin the deck; ensure Block is covered; confirm win condition is reliable |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Silent build is best for beginners? Poison is the most forgiving — just keep adding Poison applicators and stay alive. Shiv offers higher burst potential but rewards faster decisions.
What does Sly do exactly? When a card with the Sly keyword is discarded from your hand (not played normally), it triggers and plays automatically for free at discard time.
Is Silent hard to play in STS2? She has the highest skill ceiling of the returning cast. The new Sly mechanic opens powerful lines unavailable in STS1, but the fundamentals (Poison/Shiv) remain approachable.