The infinite exhaust engine uses Ironclads access to energy, draw, and exhaust to compress the deck mid-combat. Once the loop is established, you play every card in your deck every turn.
Game plan
Draft exhaust enablers that also provide value: Burning Pact (exhaust + draw), Fiend Fire (exhaust + damage), Second Wind (exhaust + block). Add energy sources like Bloodletting and Expect a Fight.
The loop: exhaust enough cards that your draw pile becomes a small cycle of energy, draw, and a payoff. Pact End is the cleanest payoff — a zero-cost card that deals massive damage every time you cycle.
Key insight: you do not need to go fully infinite. Even a mini-infinite that plays 6-8 cards per turn instead of 3-4 is extremely powerful.
Good signs
Early Burning Pact or Fiend Fire, energy generation cards appearing in the first few rewards, and relics that benefit from exhausting cards.
If you see Expect a Fight in the first shop, strongly consider this direction. It is one of the strongest enablers in the game.