Who is the best character in Slay the Spire 2?

Necrobinder has the highest damage ceiling via Graveyard loops and Doom execution mechanics. Silent has the strongest scaling via Sly-Discard synergy. Ironclad is the most consistent and beginner-friendly thanks to Strength scaling and Burning Blood healing after every fight.

How does Ascension work in Slay the Spire 2?

Ascension adds difficulty modifiers that stack with each level (stronger enemies, reduced healing, stricter card and relic pools). You must win Ascension N to unlock Ascension N+1 for that character. Ascension 20 is the endgame challenge and is character-agnostic for leaderboard purposes.

What's the best relic in Slay the Spire 2?

Runic Pyramid (skip the discard-at-end-of-turn rule) is universally S-tier. Character standouts: Black Blood for Ironclad, Ring of the Serpent for Silent, Frozen Core for Defect, Soul Chain for Necrobinder, and Royal Signet for Regent.

Should I skip card rewards in Slay the Spire 2?

Yes — skip bad card rewards. Every card you add dilutes your deck's consistency. Only take cards that enable your archetype or remove your Strikes and Defends. When all three reward options are mediocre, take the potion or gold skip instead.