The STS2.INFO Wiki is a comprehensive resource covering all mechanics, strategies, and game systems in Slay the Spire 2. It includes detailed explanations of card mechanics, character abilities, relic interactions, status effects, combat systems, and advanced strategies for players of all skill levels.

Poison is a status effect that deals increasing damage each turn. When a poisoned enemy takes its turn, it loses HP equal to its total poison stacks, then the poison stacks are halved (rounded down). Poison can be stacked through multiple applications and multiplied by cards like Catalyst. This makes poison one of the most powerful scaling strategies against high-HP bosses.

Orbs are passive abilities that occupy slots on the Defect's character. Each orb type has a unique passive effect: Lightning orbs deal damage to a random enemy each turn, Frost orbs generate block, Dark orbs accumulate damage that can be unleashed, and Plasma orbs generate bonus energy. Orb effectiveness is multiplied by the Defect's Focus stat. Orbs can be "Evoked" for a one-time bonus effect, removing them from their slot.

Exhaust removes a card from the current combat for the rest of the fight. While exhausting a card may seem like a cost, many cards gain power through exhaust synergies. The Ironclad benefits most from exhaust — Feel No Pain gives block whenever a card exhausts, Dark Embrace draws cards, and Corruption makes all skills free while causing them to exhaust. Combining these effects creates one of the strongest decks in the game.

Strength increases the damage dealt by your attack cards. Each point of Strength adds 1 damage per hit to all attack cards. This is especially valuable for multi-hit attacks like Sword Boomerang (4 hits) or Pummel (5 hits), where each Strength point adds 4-5 total damage. Strength can be gained through cards like Inflame, Spot Weakness, and Demon Form, or through relics like Vajra and Du-Vu Doll.

Block is temporary armor that reduces incoming damage for one turn. It is generated primarily through skill cards and some relics. Unlike HP, block expires at the end of your turn unless preserved by effects like Barricade (Ironclad power) or Blur (Silent skill). Managing block efficiency is critical — taking 1 damage through block is a failure of resource management. The Dexterity stat increases block gained from cards.

Our wiki covers mechanics broadly, while character-specific guides can be found on the character pages: visit the Cards section for character card pools, and the Builds section for character-specific build directions with core plans, good signals, and common traps for each character.