Slay the Spire 2 - March 2026 Balance Patch
Major balance changes hit all five characters. Who won? Who got nerfed? Complete breakdown of every card change and meta shift.
Patch Overview
This is the first major balance patch for Slay the Spire 2. Currently available on the beta branch, these changes will likely receive minor adjustments before hitting the main branch.
The patch targets overperforming cards while buffing underused options. Silent and Ironclad receive the most significant changes, while Regent gets a major power boost.
How to access beta: Right-click Slay the Spire 2 in Steam → Properties → Betas → Select "public-beta"
Defect
The RobotMinor adjustment targeting the Hotfix card. Overall power level remains strong.
Nerfs
Hotfix
- ▼Added Exhaust effect
- ▼Upgraded version only removes Exhaust (no longer increases Focus)
Hotfix was too efficient in orb-focused builds. This change increases the upgrade priority for orb decks while maintaining its utility.
Overall Assessment
Defect remains a top-tier character. The Hotfix nerf is targeted and fair—it was overperforming in Focus-scaling builds.
Ironclad
The WarriorMultiple buffs to underused cards, but key power cards received significant nerfs. Mixed results overall.
Buffs
Sunder
- ▲Cost reduced from 2 to 1
- ▲Upgraded damage increased from 25 to 30
Sunder is now a legitimate early-game damage option. Low cost with high damage makes it a strong common pick.
Tremble
- ▲Vulnerable increased from 2(3) to 3(4)
Slightly better in Vulnerable-focused builds, but still not a priority pick.
Fight Me
- ▲Strength gain increased from 2(3) to 3(4)
Faster Strength scaling makes this more viable in aggressive builds.
Hemokinesis
- ▲Damage slightly increased
Better for early-game transitions, but the HP cost still makes it situational.
Nerfs
Forgotten Ritual
- ▼Added Exhaust effect
- ▼Upgrade does not remove Exhaust
Significant nerf. Forgotten Ritual was a reliable Strength engine—now it is a one-time burst.
Conqueror
- ▼Now permanently Exhausts
Conqueror was a core card in Vulnerable builds. This change severely limits its long-term value.
Expect a Fight
- ▼Added restriction: Cannot gain energy again this turn
Energy generation nerfed. Ironclad energy economy takes a hit.
Stoke
- ▼Changed from drawing cards to adding random cards to hand
Completely changes the card identity. Random generation is far less reliable than targeted draw.
Cruelty
- ▼Removed card draw effect
- ▼Now deals damage twice instead
Loses utility in favor of raw damage. Less flexible overall.
Overall Assessment
Ironclad received buffs to weak cards but nerfs to strong ones. The Conqueror and Forgotten Ritual changes hurt Vulnerable and Strength builds significantly. Overall power level decreased.
Silent
The HuntressExpected nerfs to the strongest character. Silent remains viable but less dominant.
Buffs
Grand Finale
- ▲Damage increased from 50(60) to 60(75)
Grand Finale builds get a significant damage boost. Still requires precise deck construction.
Nerfs
Prepared
- ▼Reworked: Discard 2 cards, gain energy next turn
Massive change. Prepared was a cornerstone of Silent card advantage. Cross-turn energy is far less flexible.
Anticipate
- ▼Dexterity reduced from 3(5) to 2(3)
Silent defensive scaling takes a hit. Still usable but less powerful.
Corrosive Wave
- ▼Poison application reduced
Poison builds slightly weaker. Corrosive Wave was overperforming in AoE situations.
Pinpoint
- ▼Damage and Poison effect reduced
Another hit to Poison builds. Silent burst damage is less reliable.
Untouchable
- ▼Block reduced from 9(12) to 7(9)
Silent defensive options are weaker. Expect to take more damage in longer fights.
Overall Assessment
Silent was the strongest character pre-patch and received appropriate nerfs. Prepared rework is the biggest change. Silent card advantage engine is significantly weaker. Still strong, but no longer dominant.
Necrobinder
The SummonerAlready weak at launch, Necrobinder received more nerfs than buffs. Struggles to compete.
Buffs
Nerfs
Banshees Cry
- ▼Cost increased from 6 to 9(7)
- ▼Upgrade no longer increases damage, only reduces cost
Massive nerf. Banshees Cry was already expensive—now it is nearly unplayable.
Borrowed Time
- ▼Self Doom increased from 3 to 6
- ▼Energy gain no longer scales with upgrade
Energy generation severely nerfed. The Doom cost is too high for the benefit.
Invoke
- ▼Cost increased from 0 to 1(0)
- ▼Upgrade no longer generates Soul+
Soul generation slowed down. Necrobinder startup is much weaker.
Dirge
- ▼Added Exhaust effect
- ▼Soul generation reduced
Sustainability nerfed. Dirge was a key card for Soul generation.
Overall Assessment
Necrobinder was already the weakest character and received more nerfs than buffs. The Borrowed Time and Invoke changes hurt energy and Soul generation significantly. Needs major buffs to be competitive.
Regent
The MonarchSignificant buffs across the board. Regent is finally competitive after a weak launch.
Buffs
Spoils of Battle
- ▲Forge value increased from 10(15) to 12(17)
Better Forge scaling makes this more attractive.
Kingly Punch
- ▲Base damage increased from 8(8) to 8(10)
- ▲Scaling damage increased from 3(5) to 4(6)
Much better scaling makes this a strong pick.
Nerfs
Glitterstream
- ▼Card draw split across two turns
Delayed card draw is much worse. Starlight builds take a hit.
Void Form
- ▼Added Void status
- ▼Upgrade no longer increases free card plays, now removes Void
Lower value overall. Void Form is less powerful.
Overall Assessment
Regent received massive buffs across the board. Multiple damage and block increases make Regent much more competitive. The Starlight nerfs are minor compared to the overall power increase. Regent is now a solid mid-tier character.
Final Thoughts
This patch brings significant changes to the meta. Silent and Ironclad lose some power, Regent becomes much more viable, and Necrobinder continues to struggle.
Expect further adjustments as the beta progresses. The community response has been mixed, with many players concerned about the Necrobinder nerfs and Ironclad energy changes.