Ironclad Build Guide – Slay the Spire 2

The Ironclad is the returning frontline warrior of Slay the Spire 2. A massive HP pool, reliable combat tools, and three dominant archetypes make him the most accessible character for new players while still rewarding deep knowledge of card synergies.

Unlock Chain: Ironclad → Silent → Regent → Necrobinder → Defect

The Ironclad is the default starting character — no unlock required. → All Ironclad cards · All Ironclad relics

Starting Stats

Stat	Value
Starting HP	80 (64 on Ascension 2+)
Starting Energy	3
Starting Deck	Strike ×5 · Defend ×4 · Bash ×1
Starting Relic	Burning Blood — Heal 6 HP at the end of each combat

The built-in end-of-combat healing is massively underrated — it effectively lowers net damage taken across long runs and lets you take greedier combat lines through the act map. On Ascension 2+, Burning Blood upgrades to Black Blood, healing 12 HP instead.

Core Archetypes

Archetype 1: Block Build

Concept: Retain block between turns using Barricade (a Power that prevents block from expiring), then build block so high that you never take meaningful damage.

Key Cards

Barricade

Rare · Block no longer expires

Entrench

Special · Double your current Block

Impervious

Rare · +30 Block, Exhaust

Body Slam

Common · Damage = Block

Juggernaut

Rare · Block triggers 5 damage

Shrug It Off

Common · +8 Block, draw 1

Flame Barrier

Uncommon · +12 Block, 4 thorns

Taunt

Uncommon · Draw 3, +14 Block, Exhaust

How to Win: Get Barricade as your cornerstone, then layer in Entrench and Impervious to reach massive block totals. Juggernaut turns every block gain into passive damage, while Body Slam converts accumulated block into burst damage. Elite fights become trivial once the loop is established.

Relic Priorities

• Self-Forming Clay — Gain 3 Block next turn whenever you lose HP; stacks extremely well with Barricade retention.
• Ruined Helmet — Doubles the first Strength gain each combat; excellent when paired with Juggernaut.
• Calipers — Block only decreases by 15 at turn start rather than entirely; pairs extraordinarily well with Barricade.

Archetype 2: Strength Build

Concept: Stack Strength permanently through cards, relics, and rest-site upgrades to deal overwhelming damage that bypasses enemy armor.

Key Cards

Demon Form

Rare · +2 Str per turn

Inflame

Uncommon · +2 Str permanently

Fight Me!

Uncommon · Gain Str when hit

Rupture

Uncommon · Str when losing HP

Whirlwind

Uncommon · Hit all enemies X times

Twin Strike

Common · 2-hit Str multiplier

Brand

Rare · Apply Burn per attack

Thrash

Common · Hit + add random Attack

How to Win: Get Demon Form online by Act 2 — once played, every turn feeds 2 additional Strength passively. Supplement with Inflame for immediate burst. Multi-hit attacks like Twin Strike and Whirlwind multiply each point of Strength — prioritize them over single-hit attacks. Rupture pairs with HP-cost cards like Offering to accelerate Strength stacking.

Relic Priorities

• Ruined Helmet — Doubles the first Strength gained each combat; enormous early-combat value.
• Red Skull — +3 Strength at ≤50% HP; risky but extremely powerful combined with Rupture.
• Paper Phrog — Vulnerable increases damage by 75% instead of 50%; massive multiplier with high Strength.

Archetype 3: Exhaust Build

Concept: Exhaust cards to generate Block and card draw through Feel No Pain and Dark Embrace, then finish fights with a massive Fiend Fire payload.

Key Cards

Feel No Pain

Uncommon · +3 Block on Exhaust

Dark Embrace

Uncommon · Draw on Exhaust

Fiend Fire

Uncommon · Exhaust hand, 7 dmg each

Offering

Rare · −6 HP, +2 Energy, draw 3

Burning Pact

Uncommon · Exhaust 1, draw 2

True Grit

Common · +7 Block, Exhaust a card

How to Win: Stack Feel No Pain and Dark Embrace as Powers first — each subsequent Exhaust then generates Block and card draw simultaneously. Use Offering and Burning Pact to exhaust on demand, building a large hand for a Fiend Fire that wipes the entire hand for massive damage.

Relic Priorities

• Charon's Ashes — Deal 3 damage to all enemies on each Exhaust; transforms every exhaust trigger into AoE damage.
• Demon Tongue — Heal HP equal to the first HP you lose on your turn; excellent synergy with Offering's 6 HP cost.
• Brimstone — +2 Strength per turn pairs with the Exhaust build's natural Block generation to cover the enemy Strength downside.

Unique Relics

Red Skull Common

While your HP is at or below 50%, you have 3 additional Strength.

Paper Phrog Uncommon

Enemies with Vulnerable take 75% more damage rather than 50%.

Self-Forming Clay Uncommon

Whenever you lose HP in combat, gain 3 Block next turn.

Charon's Ashes Rare

Whenever you Exhaust a card, deal 3 damage to ALL enemies.

Demon Tongue Rare

The first time you lose HP on your turn, heal HP equal to the amount lost.

Ruined Helmet Rare

The first time you gain Strength each combat, double the amount gained.

Brimstone Shop

At the start of your turn, gain 2 Strength and ALL enemies gain 1 Strength.

Unique Potions

Blood Potion Common

Heal for 20% of your Max HP.

Ashwater Uncommon

Exhaust any number of cards in your Hand.

Soldier's Stew Rare

All cards containing Strike gain 1 Replay this combat.

Universal Tips

1. Don't over-prune the starting deck. Cards like Strike+ and Defend+ fill early Act 1 coverage gaps. Remove them at merchants once the archetype is established in Act 2.
2. Burning Blood is your safety net. The 6 HP heal after every combat adds up — play aggressively in Act 1 knowing you'll partially recover. Factor this in when deciding whether to fight Elites.
3. Exhaust synergy is always relevant. Even without a dedicated Exhaust deck, occasional triggers from Feel No Pain or Dark Embrace provide free value.
4. Rest vs. Upgrade: In Act 1, upgrade if HP is above 65. Rest below 50 HP. Between 50–65, judge by upcoming Elite or Boss threat.
5. Boss Relic selection: Runic Pyramid (keep your hand between turns) is especially strong with Block builds; Philosopher's Stone (+1 Energy, enemies start with extra Strength) is high-variance but powerful with any scaling archetype.

Act-by-Act Priority Checklist

Act 1 Goals

• Establish either Barricade, 1–2 Strength cards, or both Feel No Pain + Dark Embrace
• Secure a reliable AoE or multi-hit option (e.g., Whirlwind)
• Reach the Boss with 60+ HP

Act 2 Goals

• Lock in your primary archetype
• Acquire at least one scaling engine (Demon Form, Entrench, or exhaust powers stacked)
• Get a merchant upgrade on your most-played card

Act 3 Goals

• Trim excess — deck size 15–18 is ideal
• Secure a reliable Time Eater counter (deck shuffle or exhaust strategy)
• Hit Heart attempt with a clear win condition active

Frequently Asked Questions