How many attack cards should a deck have?

Most successful decks have 5-10 attack cards, but the ideal number varies by character and strategy. The Ironclad often wants more attacks for Strength scaling, while the Silent can succeed with fewer attacks thanks to poison. The Defect's attacks often serve dual purposes by generating orbs.

What makes a good attack card?

A good attack card provides efficient damage for its cost, scales well into the late game, and synergizes with your character's mechanics. Multi-hit attacks that benefit from Strength, attacks that generate additional resources (orbs, cards, poison), and attacks with built-in AOE are all signs of a strong attack card.

Are AOE attack cards important?

Yes, area-of-effect attacks are crucial for dealing with multi-enemy encounters that would otherwise overwhelm you. Cards like Whirlwind, Die Die Die, and Electrodynamics can clear hallway fights efficiently and are invaluable against Act 2's challenging multi-enemy compositions.

Should I remove basic Strikes from my deck?

Generally yes — Strikes become progressively worse as your deck improves. They deal minimal damage and don't scale. However, be careful not to remove too many too early, especially if you lack replacement attacks. Card removal events and shops are excellent for culling Strikes once you have better options.

Card Category

Attack Cards

Complete guide to Attack cards in Slay the Spire 2 — all damage-dealing cards across characters, rarities, costs and synergies.

Attack cards are the primary source of damage in Slay the Spire 2. These red-bordered cards deal direct damage to enemies, ranging from basic Strikes to devastating multi-hit combos and massive single-target finishers. Understanding the attack card pool across all characters is essential for building effective decks.

Every character has access to a unique set of attack cards that reflect their mechanical identity. The Ironclad's attacks focus on high base damage and Strength scaling, with multi-hit options like Sword Boomerang and Pummel that benefit enormously from Strength increases. The Silent's attacks often weave in poison applications or Shiv generation, dealing damage while building toward larger combos. The Defect's attacks integrate orb mechanics, with cards like Ball Lightning and Cold Snap that create orbs while damaging enemies.

Attack cards vary dramatically in cost and efficiency. Zero-cost attacks hit below the curve but provide free damage and synergize with cards that scale with number of attacks played. One-cost attacks are the standard, offering efficient damage-to-energy ratios. Two-cost heavy hitters like Carnage or Bludgeon deliver premium damage at the cost of flexibility. Multi-energy attacks represent significant investments with enormous potential returns.

Rarity also affects attack card power levels. Common attacks like Strike and Dagger Spray provide baseline functionality. Uncommon attacks such as Predator and Sunder offer enhanced effects and scaling potential. Rare attacks including Hyperbeam, Die Die Die, and Thunder Strike define entire builds with their powerful, build-around effects.

When building a deck, aim for a balanced mix of early-game attacks for hallway fights and scaling attacks that remain relevant against bosses. Too few attacks leave you vulnerable to multi-enemy encounters; too many dilute your defensive and scaling capabilities.

198 cards

Adaptive Strike

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 18 damage. Add a 0 copy of this card into your Discard Pile.

All for One

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 10 damage. Put ALL 0 cards from your Discard Pile into your Hand.

Anger

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 6 damage. Add a copy of this card into your Discard Pile.

Ashen Strike

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 9 damage. Deals 3 additional damage for each card in your Exhaust Pile.

Assassinate

Rare · Attack · Silent

Deal 10 damage. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Astral Pulse

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 14 damage to ALL enemies.

Backstab

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 11 damage.

Ball Lightning

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 7 damage. Channel 1 Lightning.

Banshee's Cry

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 33 damage to ALL enemies. Costs less for each Ethereal card played this combat.

Barrage

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 5 damage for each Channeled Orb.

Bash

Basic · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 8 damage. Apply 2 Vulnerable.

Beam Cell

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 3 damage. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Beat into Shape

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 5 damage. Forge X. Forges an additional 5 for every other time you've hit the enemy this turn.

BEGONE!

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 4 damage. Choose a card in your Hand to Transform into Minion Dive Bomb.

Blight Strike

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 8 damage. Apply Doom equal to damage dealt.

Bludgeon

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 32 damage.

Body Slam

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal damage equal to your Block.

Bolas

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 3 damage. At the start of your next turn, return this to your Hand.

Bombardment

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 18 damage. At the start of your turn, plays from the Exhaust Pile.

Bone Shards

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

If Osty is alive, he deals 9 damage to ALL enemies and you gain 9 Block. Osty dies.

Break

Ancient · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 20 damage. Apply 5 Vulnerable.

Breakthrough

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Lose 1 HP. Deal 9 damage to ALL enemies.

Bully

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 6 damage. Deals 2 additional damage for each Vulnerable on the enemy.

Bury

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 52 damage.

Byrd Swoop

Event · Attack · event

Deal 14 damage.

Celestial Might

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 6 damage 3 times.

Cinder

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 17 damage. Exhaust the top card of your Draw Pile.

Clash

Event · Attack · event

Can only be played if every card in your Hand is an Attack. Deal 14 damage.

Claw

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 3 damage. Increase the damage of ALL Claw cards by 2 this combat.

Cold Snap

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 6 damage. Channel 1 Frost.

Collision Course

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 9 damage. Add a Debris into your Hand.

Comet

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 33 damage. Apply 3 Weak. Apply 3 Vulnerable.

Compile Driver

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 7 damage. Draw 1 card for each unique Orb you have.

Conflagration

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 10 damage to ALL enemies. Deals 2 additional damage for each other Attack you've played this turn.

Crash Landing

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 21 damage to ALL enemies. Fill your Hand with Debris.

Crescent Spear

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage. Deals 2 additional damage for ALL your cards that have a cost.

Crush Under

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 7 damage to ALL enemies. All enemies lose 1 Strength this turn.

Dagger Spray

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 4 damage to ALL enemies twice.

Dagger Throw

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 9 damage. Draw 1 card. Discard 1 card.

Dash

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Gain 10 Block. Deal 10 damage.

Death March

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 11 damage. Deals 3 additional damage for each card drawn during your turn.

Debilitate

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 7 damage. Vulnerable and Weak are twice as effective against the enemy for the next 3 turns.

Defile

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 13 damage.

Devastate

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 30 damage.

Dismantle

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 8 damage. If the enemy is Vulnerable, hits twice.

Drain Power

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 10 damage. Upgrade 2 random cards in your Discard Pile.

Dramatic Entrance

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 11 damage to ALL enemies.

Dying Star

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 9 damage to ALL enemies. ALL enemies lose 9 Strength this turn.

Echoing Slash

Rare · Attack · Silent

Deal 10 damage to ALL enemies. Repeat this effect for each enemy killed.

Eradicate

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 11 damage X times.

Exterminate

Event · Attack · event

Deal 3 damage 4 times to ALL enemies.

Falling Star

Basic · Attack · Regent

Deal 7 damage. Apply 1 Weak. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Fear

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 7 damage. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Feed

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 10 damage. If Fatal, raise your Max HP by 3.

Fetch

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 3 damage. If this is the first time this card has been played this turn, draw 1 card.

Fiend Fire

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Exhaust your Hand. Deal 7 damage for each card Exhausted.

Fight Me!

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 5 damage twice. Gain 2 Strength. The enemy gains 1 Strength.

Finisher

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 6 damage for each Attack already played this turn.

Fisticuffs

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 7 damage. Gain Block equal to damage dealt.

Flak Cannon

Rare · Attack · Defect

Exhaust ALL your Status cards. Deal 8 damage to a random enemy for each card Exhausted.

Flash of Steel

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 5 damage. Draw 1 card.

Flatten

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 12 damage. This card costs 0 if Osty has attacked this turn.

Flechettes

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 5 damage for each Skill in your Hand.

Flick-Flack

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 7 damage to ALL enemies.

Focused Strike

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 9 damage. Gain 1 Focus this turn.

Follow Through

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 6 damage to ALL enemies. If the last card you played this turn was a Skill, apply 1 Weak to ALL enemies.

FTL

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 5 damage. If you have played fewer than 3 cards this turn, draw 1 card.

Gamma Blast

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 13 damage. Apply 2 Weak. Apply 2 Vulnerable.

Gang Up

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 10 damage. Deals 5 additional damage for each time another player has attacked the enemy this turn.

Giant Rock

Token · Attack · token

Deal 16 damage.

Go for the Eyes

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 3 damage. If the enemy intends to attack, apply 1 Weak.

Gold Axe

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal damage equal to the number of cards played this combat.

Grand Finale

Rare · Attack · Silent

Can only be played if there are no cards in your Draw Pile. Deal 50 damage to ALL enemies.

Grapple

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 7 damage. Whenever you gain Block this turn, deal 5 damage to the enemy.

Graveblast

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 4 damage. Put a card from your Discard Pile into your Hand.

Guiding Star

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 12 damage. Next turn, draw 2 cards.

Gunk Up

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 4 damage 3 times. Add a Slimed into your Discard Pile.

Hand of Greed

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 20 damage. If Fatal, gain 20 Gold.

Hang

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 10 damage. Double the damage ALL Hang cards deal to this enemy.

Headbutt

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 9 damage. Put a card from your Discard Pile on top of your Draw Pile.

Heavenly Drill

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage X times. Double X if it's 4 or more.

Hegemony

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 15 damage. Next turn, gain .

Heirloom Hammer

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 17 damage. Choose a Colorless card in your Hand. Add a copy of that card into your Hand.

Helix Drill

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 3 damage for each previously spent this turn.

Hemokinesis

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Lose 2 HP. Deal 14 damage.

High Five

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 11 damage and applies 2 Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

Howl from Beyond

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 16 damage to ALL enemies. At the start of your turn, plays from the Exhaust Pile.

Hyperbeam

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 26 damage to ALL enemies. Lose 3 Focus.

Ice Lance

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 19 damage. Channel 3 Frost.

Iron Wave

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Gain 5 Block. Deal 5 damage.

Jackpot

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 25 damage. Add 3 random 0 cards into your Hand.

Kingly Kick

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 24 damage. Whenever you draw this card, reduce its cost by 1.

Kingly Punch

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage. Whenever you draw this card, increase its damage by 3 this combat.

Knockdown

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 10 damage. The enemy takes double damage from other players this turn.

Knockout Blow

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 30 damage. If this kills an enemy, gain .

Leading Strike

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 7 damage. Add 1 Shiv into your Hand.

Lunar Blast

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 4 damage for each Skill already played this turn.

✦

Mad Science

Event · Attack · event

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Make It So

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 6 damage. Every 3 Skills you play in a turn, put this into your Hand.

Mangle

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 15 damage. Enemy loses 10 Strength this turn.

Maul

Ancient · Attack · event

Deal 5 damage twice. Increase the damage of ALL Maul cards by 1 this combat.

Memento Mori

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 12 damage. Deals 4 additional damage for each card discarded this turn.

Meteor Shower

Ancient · Attack · Regent

Deal 14 damage to ALL enemies. Apply 2 Weak and Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

Meteor Strike

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 24 damage. Channel 3 Plasma.

Mind Blast

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal damage equal to the number of cards in your Draw Pile.

Minion Dive Bomb

Token · Attack · token

Deal 13 damage.

Minion Strike

Token · Attack · token

Deal 7 damage. Draw 1 card.

Misery

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 7 damage. Apply any debuffs on the enemy to ALL other enemies.

Molten Fist

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 10 damage. Double the enemy's Vulnerable.

Momentum Strike

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 10 damage. Reduce this card's cost to 0 .

Murder

Rare · Attack · Silent

Deal 2 damage. Deals 1 additional damage for each card drawn this combat.

Neow's Fury

Ancient · Attack · event

Deal 10 damage. Put 2 random cards from your Discard Pile into your Hand.

Neutralize

Basic · Attack · Silent

Deal 3 damage. Apply 1 Weak.

Null

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 10 damage. Apply 2 Weak. Channel 1 Dark.

Omnislice

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 8 damage. Damage ALL other enemies equal to the damage dealt.

Pact's End

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Can only be played if you have 3 or more cards in your Exhaust Pile. Deal 17 damage to ALL enemies.

Peck

Event · Attack · event

Deal 2 damage 3 times.

Perfected Strike

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 8 damage. Deals 2 additional damage for ALL your cards containing “Strike”.

Photon Cut

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 10 damage. Draw 1 card. Put 1 card from your Hand on top of your Draw Pile.

Pillage

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 6 damage. Draw cards until you draw a non-Attack card.

Pinpoint

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 17 damage. Costs 1 less for each Skill played this turn.

Poisoned Stab

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 6 damage. Apply 3 Poison.

Poke

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 6 damage.

Pommel Strike

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 9 damage. Draw 1 card.

Pounce

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 12 damage. The next Skill you play costs 0 .

Precise Cut

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 15 damage. Deals 2 less damage for each other card in your Hand.

Predator

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 15 damage. Next turn, draw 2 cards.

Protector

Ancient · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 11 damage. Deals additional damage equal to Osty's Max HP.

Pull from Below

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 5 damage for each Ethereal card played this combat.

Radiate

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 3 damage to ALL enemies for each gained this turn.

Rampage

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 9 damage. Increase this card's damage by 5 this combat.

Rattle

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 7 damage. Hits an additional time for each other time he has attacked this turn.

Reap

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 27 damage.

Reave

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 9 damage. Add a Soul into your Draw Pile.

Rebound

Event · Attack · event

Deal 9 damage. Put the next card you play this turn on top of your Draw Pile.

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Refract

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 9 damage twice. Channel 2 Glass.

Rend

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 20 damage. Deals 5 additional damage for each unique debuff on the enemy.

Ricochet

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 3 damage to a random enemy 4 times.

Right Hand Hand

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 4 damage. Whenever you play a card that costs or more, return this to your Hand from the Discard Pile.

Rip and Tear

Uncommon · Attack · event

Deal 7 damage to a random enemy twice.

Rocket Punch

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 13 damage. Draw 1 card. When a Status card is created, reduce this card's cost to 0 this turn.

Salvo

Rare · Attack · Colorless

Deal 12 damage. Retain your Hand this turn.

Scrape

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 7 damage. Draw 4 cards. Discard all cards drawn this way that do not cost 0 .

Sculpting Strike

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 8 damage. Add Ethereal to a card in your Hand.

Seeker Strike

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 6 damage. Choose 1 of 3 cards in your Draw Pile to add into your Hand.

Setup Strike

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 7 damage. Gain 2 Strength this turn.

Seven Stars

Rare · Attack · Regent

Deal 7 damage to ALL enemies 7 times.

Severance

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 13 damage. Add a Soul into your Draw Pile, Hand, and Discard Pile.

Shatter

Rare · Attack · Defect

Deal 11 damage to ALL enemies. Evoke all of your Orbs.

Shining Strike

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage. Gain . Put this card on top of your Draw Pile.

Shiv

Token · Attack · token

Deal 4 damage.

Sic 'Em

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 5 damage. Whenever Osty hits this enemy this turn, Summon 2.

Skewer

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 7 damage X times.

Slice

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 6 damage.

Snap

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 7 damage. Add Retain to a card in your Hand.

Solar Strike

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage. Gain .

Soul Storm

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 11 damage. Deals 2 additional damage for each Soul in your Exhaust Pile.

Sovereign Blade

Token · Attack · token

Deal 10 damage.

Sow

Common · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 8 damage to ALL enemies.

Spite

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 6 damage. If you lost HP this turn, draw 1 card.

Squash

Event · Attack · event

Deal 10 damage. Apply 2 Vulnerable.

Squeeze

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 30 damage. Deals 5 additional damage for ALL your other Osty Attacks.

Stardust

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 5 damage to a random enemy X times.

Stomp

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 12 damage to ALL enemies. Costs 1 less for each Attack played this turn.

Strangle

Uncommon · Attack · Silent

Deal 8 damage. Whenever you play a card this turn, the enemy loses 2 HP.

Strike

Basic · Attack · Defect

Deal 6 damage.

Strike

Basic · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 6 damage.

Strike

Basic · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 6 damage.

Strike

Basic · Attack · Regent

Deal 6 damage.

Strike

Basic · Attack · Silent

Deal 6 damage.

Sucker Punch

Common · Attack · Silent

Deal 8 damage. Apply 1 Weak.

Sunder

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 24 damage. If this kills an enemy, gain .

Supermassive

Uncommon · Attack · Regent

Deal 8 damage. Deals 3 additional damage for each card you created this combat.

Suppress

Ancient · Attack · Silent

Deal 11 damage. Apply 3 Weak.

Sweeping Beam

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 6 damage to ALL enemies. Draw 1 card.

Sweeping Gaze

Token · Attack · token

Osty deals 10 damage to a random enemy.

Sword Boomerang

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 3 damage to a random enemy 3 times.

Synthesis

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 12 damage. The next Power you play costs 0 .

Tag Team

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 11 damage. The next Attack another player plays on the enemy is played an extra time.

Tear Asunder

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 5 damage. Hits an additional time for each time you lost HP this combat.

Tesla Coil

Uncommon · Attack · Defect

Deal 3 damage. Trigger all Lightning against the enemy.

The Hunt

Rare · Attack · Silent

Deal 10 damage. If Fatal, gain an additional card reward.

The Scythe

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 13 damage. Permanently increase this card's damage by 3.

Thrash

Rare · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 4 damage twice. Exhaust a random Attack in your Hand and add its damage to this card.

Thrumming Hatchet

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 11 damage. At the start of your next turn, return this to your Hand.

Thunderclap

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 4 damage and apply 1 Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

Time's Up

Rare · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal damage equal to the enemy's Doom.

Twin Strike

Common · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 5 damage twice.

Ultimate Strike

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 14 damage.

Unleash

Basic · Attack · Necrobinder

Osty deals 7 damage. Deals additional damage equal to Osty's current HP.

Unrelenting

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 12 damage. The next Attack you play costs 0 .

Uppercut

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 13 damage. Apply 1 Weak. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Uproar

Common · Attack · Defect

Deal 5 damage twice. Play a random Attack from your Draw Pile.

Veilpiercer

Uncommon · Attack · Necrobinder

Deal 10 damage. The next Ethereal card you play costs 0 .

Volley

Uncommon · Attack · Colorless

Deal 10 damage to a random enemy X times.

Whirlwind

Uncommon · Attack · Ironclad

Deal 5 damage to ALL enemies X times.

Whistle

Ancient · Attack · event

Deal 33 damage. Stun the enemy.

Wrought in War

Common · Attack · Regent

Deal 7 damage. Forge 5.