Ironclad is one of the most straightforward and powerful characters in Slay the Spire 2, offering multiple viable build archetypes ranging from raw Strength scaling to sophisticated Exhaust or Block strategies. He starts with the relic Burning Blood, which heals 6 HP after each combat — a strong sustainability tool, especially early in runs.
For a complete list of all Ironclad cards, relics, and unlocks, read our Slay the Spire 2 Ironclad Guide.
1. Ironclad Playstyle in Slay the Spire 2
Combat
Ironclad is a returning playable character who can trade blows with enemies using powerful attacks. The most iconic Ironclad strategy is to build Strength and turn it into overwhelming damage. Every point of Strength adds to the damage dealt by attacks, so attacks that hit multiple times become exponentially stronger as Strength increases.
Ironclad runs typically go like this:
- Early game: Use Burning Blood and early Block cards to stay alive while setting up lanes.
- Mid game: Start building main engines — Strength or Exhaust synergies — while still defending reliably.
- Late game: Your build enables massive damage output or resource‑efficient turns that can outpace enemies and bosses.
2. Strength Ironclad Build
The Strength Ironclad is focused on stacking Strength to scale attack damage over the course of a fight. This build thrives on long battles where incremental Strength gains make even simple attacks lethal. It’s beginner-friendly and consistent, especially with supportive relics that stabilize defense.
Attack Cards for Strength Build
Enemy debuff
Strong attacks form the core of this archetype. Multi-hit and repeatable attacks become exponentially more powerful as Strength increases, making them essential for clearing waves of enemies and bosses alike. Prioritize attacks that hit multiple times or are cost-efficient to fully capitalize on Strength stacks.
| Card | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bash | Deal 8 damage + apply 2 Vulnerable | Vulnerable amplifies all damage enemies take, complementing Strength scaling |
| Anger | Deal 6 damage; add a copy to your discard pile | Cheap, repeatable damage that scales with Strength |
| Whirlwind | Deal 5 damage to all enemies X times | Multi-hit attack that synergizes perfectly with high Strength |
Strength Buff Card
Strength buffs drive the archetype. Each card contributes to increasing overall damage output, either passively each turn or via interactions with self-damage effects. Stack Strength as early as possible, then unleash attacks for massive turn-to-turn damage. Cards like Whirlwind become devastating once Strength is stacked.
| Card | Effect |
|---|---|
| Demon Form | Gain 2 Strength each turn |
| Inflame | Gain 2 Strength |
| Rupture | Gain Strength when losing HP |
| Offering | Draw 3 cards + gain 2 Energy; Exhaust |
Best Relics for Strength Ironclad Build
Captains Wheel Relic
Relics are essential to sustain aggressive Strength decks. Defensive relics ensure survivability while allowing the player to focus on offensive scaling. Use relics to cover defensive gaps while you build Strength. Combine them with multi-hit attacks to maintain high damage output consistently.
| Relic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Burning Blood | Restores 6 HP after combat, reducing early-game risk |
| Orichalcum | Grants 6 Block if no Block is played, allowing aggressive turns safely |
| Horn Cleat | Provides 12 Block every 4 turns, supporting longer fights |
| Captain’s Wheel | Grants 3 Block every 3 turns to stabilize early Strength stacking |
How to Play the Strength Build
- Start fights by applying Vulnerable. Use Bash early so enemies take increased damage from all attacks that follow.
- Begin stacking Strength as soon as possible. Play cards like Inflame for immediate Strength or Demon Form to gain Strength every turn in longer fights.
- Use energy and card draw to accelerate your setup. Cards like Offering help you play multiple attacks or buffs in the same turn.
- Attack with low-cost cards once Strength is active. Anger becomes stronger each time Strength increases and can be played repeatedly as copies are added to the discard pile.
- Use multi-hit attacks to convert Strength into massive damage. Whirlwind becomes extremely powerful because each hit gains the full Strength bonus.
- Maintain pressure while Strength keeps scaling. Continue attacking every turn while cards like Demon Form increase Strength further.
- Finish fights with high-damage turns. Once several Strength stacks are active, repeated Anger attacks or a high-energy Whirlwind can quickly eliminate enemies or bosses.
3. Block Ironclad Build
The Block Ironclad build turns Ironclad’s defensive tools into reliable offense and consistency. Instead of simply surviving with Block, this playstyle focuses on maximizing Block generation and defensive synergy cards so that Ironclad outlasts enemies and controls the tempo of fights.
Best Defensive Cards for Block Build
Blocking
Start with basic Block sources and look for heavier defenses (like Impervious and passive powers like Crimson Mantle) as early as possible. These are the core cards that make high Block totals reliable and effective:
| Card | Effect | Playstyle Role |
|---|---|---|
| Defend | Gain 5 Block | Basic Block generator available at all times |
| Impervious | Gain 30 Block; Exhaust | Major burst of Block when you need it most |
| Crimson Mantle | At the start of your turn, lose 1 HP and gain 8 Block | Passive Block on every turn — great for sustained defense |
| Tremble | Apply 2 Vulnerable | Helps reduce incoming damage when Block isn’t enough, delaying enemy offense until you can respond |
Block Synergy Cards
defend cards ironclad
Block synergy cards help keep your deck efficient and reinforce your defense with minimal wasted plays. Iron Wave and True Grit are especially strong because they contribute both defense and utility. These cards enhance defensive consistency and allow Ironclad to both absorb damage and maintain tempo.
| Card | Effect | Synergy Role |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Wave | Gain 5 Block and deal 5 damage | Provides Block while contributing offense — efficient choice |
| True Grit | Gain 7 Block; Exhaust 1 card | Block plus deck thinning, which improves draw quality |
| Drum of Battle | Draw 2 cards; Exhaust top Draw Pile card each turn | Helps fuel Block/Exhaust synergies and smooth hand flow |
| Fiend Fire | Exhaust your hand; deal damage per card Exhausted | Works in defensive turns that generate many Exhausted cards for payoff |
Best Relics for Block Ironclad Build
Horn Cleat Relic
These relics help offset incoming damage and give your Block structure a strong foundation, especially against elite enemies or bosses.
| Relic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anchor | Start combat with Block (helps absorb early hits) |
| Horn Cleat | Grants Block at intervals (helps sustain over longer fights) |
| Permafrost | Extra starting Block (buffers damage in long fights) |
| Self‑Forming Clay | Gain Block the turn after taking damage (supports self‑damage loops in defensive builds) |
How to Play the Block Build
- Start fights by generating an early Block. Use basic cards like Defend or Shrug It Off to absorb the first enemy attacks and stabilize the opening turns.
- Maintain consistent Block every turn. Play reliable defensive cards such as Shrug It Off and Iron Wave so you continue building Block while keeping your deck cycling.
- Use strong defensive bursts when enemies attack heavily. Cards like Impervious provide massive Block and can completely negate powerful enemy turns.
- Thin your deck during defensive turns. True Grit allows you to gain Block while exhausting weaker cards like Strike, improving your draw quality.
- Convert Exhaust mechanics into additional defense. Feel No Pain grants Block whenever a card is Exhausted, which turns cards like True Grit or Impervious into additional defensive value.
- Build large Block totals while controlling the pace of the fight. Continue stacking Blocks each turn to reduce incoming damage and force enemies into longer battles.
- Use defensive scaling to outlast enemies. Once your deck consistently generates Block every turn, enemies will struggle to break through your defenses, allowing you to win fights safely.
4. Exhaust Ironclad Build
Exhaust is a negative effect that removes cards from your deck. Exhaust decks take advantage of cards that remove themselves or other cards from your deck for the rest of combat to trigger effects like card draw or Block generation. By combining these triggers with enough work, Ironclad can reshape his deck on the fly.
Core Exhaust Synergy Cards
Jack of all trades card
The goal of this build is to turn every Exhaust trigger into multiple benefits, replacing a deck-thinning penalty with repeated advantage and defense.
| Card | Type | Effect / How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Corruption | Power | Skills cost 0. Whenever you play a Skill, Exhaust it — enables fast removal and lots of triggers. |
| Dark Embrace | Power | Draw 1 card whenever a card is Exhausted — keeps your hand refreshed. |
| Feel No Pain | Power | Gain Block whenever a card is Exhausted — defense from your own synergy. |
| Cinder | Attack | Deal damage and exhaust cards from your draw pile — fuels the engine. |
| Thrash | Attack | Deal damage twice and exhaust a random Attack — feeds triggers while pressing offense. |
Supporting Cards for the Exhaust Build
Slimed Exhaust card
These cards ensure you aren’t left vulnerable while focusing on the Exhaust engine. While the above cards feed the core engine, these help maintain tempo and bolster defenses:
| Card | Role |
|---|---|
| Iron Wave | Provides Block plus damage — flexible filler to keep defense up while triggering Exhaust. |
| Impervious | Huge one‑turn Block that also Exhausts — great fuel for triggers. |
| Defend | Basic Block card — can be synergistic when played repeatedly under Corruption. |
Best Relics for Exhaust Ironclad Build
Charon’s Ashes relic
Relics like Charon’s Ashes convert each Exhaust trigger into additional damage, making this build both defensive and threatening.
| Relic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Charon’s Ashes | When you Exhaust a card, deal 3 damage to all enemies — turns triggers into offense. |
| Joss Paper | Every 5 Exhaust triggers, draw an extra card — boosts card flow in long battles. |
| Anchor | Start combat with Block — mitigates early damage while building synergy. |
| Horn Cleat | Grants Block every few turns — keeps defense steady during early setup. |
How to Play the Exhaust Build
- Set up your Exhaust powers early. Play Corruption, Dark Embrace, or Feel No Pain at the start of a fight so Exhausting cards immediately provides value.
- Use Skills to trigger Exhaust effects. With Corruption active, Skills cost 0 but Exhaust after use. Play cards like Defend or Shrug It Off to generate Block while also triggering draw or Block from your powers.
- Use cards that Exhaust others to thin your deck. Cards like True Grit let you gain Block while removing weaker cards such as Strike, improving the quality of your remaining draws.
- Generate additional Block through Exhaust triggers. Feel No Pain gives Block whenever a card is Exhausted, allowing defensive turns even while removing cards.
- Maintain card draw during long turns. Dark Embrace draws a card every time a card is Exhausted, helping you continue playing cards in the same turn.
- Use large Exhaust attacks for burst damage. Fiend Fire Exhausts cards in your hand to deal damage for each card removed, creating strong finishing turns.
- Finish fights once your deck becomes smaller and stronger. As more cards are Exhausted during the fight, the remaining deck cycles faster and contains mostly powerful cards, allowing consistent damage and defense.
5. Bloodletting Ironclad Build
The Bloodletting build for Ironclad leverages self‑damage mechanics to fuel offensive momentum. Instead of treating HP loss purely as a setback, this archetype deliberately sacrifices health in exchange for energy, Strength gains, or card boosts.
Core Self‑Damage Cards
Defend+ card
The following cards are central to the Bloodletting identity. Each one either costs HP to play or becomes stronger the more damage you’ve taken in a fight.
| Card | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodletting | Cost: 0 • Effect: Lose 3 HP, Gain 2 Energy | Converts lost HP directly into energy to play more cards this turn. |
| Brutality | Effect: Lose 1 HP at the end of each turn and draw 1 card | Automatic self‑damage each turn keeps your engine moving while increasing card flow. |
| Hemokinesis | Effect: Deal strong damage; Cost: HP loss | Balances damage dealt with self‑damage cost, scaling with aggressive play. |
| Blood for Blood | Effect: Costs less each time you’ve lost HP this combat | Becomes cheaper (often free) after taking self‑damage earlier in the fight. |
Supporting Cards for Bloodletting
Pilage card
These additional cards help the Bloodletting archetype maintain tempo, mitigate risk, or continue scaling.
| Card | Role |
|---|---|
| Offering | Draw cards and gain extra energy to trade off with self‑damage plays. |
| Reaper | Provides healing after dealing damage — valuable for regaining HP lost from self‑damage. |
| Feed | Increases max HP, buffering further self‑damage. |
Best Relics for Bloodletting Ironclad Build
Self-Forming Clay Relic
Certain relics significantly improve the viability of the Bloodletting build by either mitigating damage or amplifying HP loss benefits.
| Relic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Self‑Forming Clay | Gain Block after losing HP, smoothing out the cost of self‑damage. |
| Demon Tongue | Heal the first time you lose HP each turn, helping offset self‑damage costs. |
| Black Blood | (Not Ironclad‑specific but available) Heals HP at end of combat — helps recovery. |
How to Play the Bloodletting Build
- Play Rupture as soon as you can. Once Rupture is in play, every time you lose HP from a card, you immediately gain Strength, turning your self‑damage into raw power.
- Use Hemokinesis to damage and trigger Strength. After triggering Rupture with Bloodletting or Offering, playing Hemokinesis deals strong damage and causes additional HP loss to fuel Rupture again.
- Chain self‑damage with cheap attacks and draw. Spite becomes a critical tool: since it draws a card only if you lost HP that turn, pairing it with Bloodletting or Offering keeps your hand full and your tempo flowing.
- Exploit reduced cost with Blood for Blood. As you lose HP repeatedly, Blood for Blood becomes cheaper — often free — turning it into a high‑value damage card in mid and late fight turns.
- Stack multiple HP loss cards in the same turn. Use Offering to lose more HP while gaining energy and draw, then follow up with Hemokinesis, Spite, and Blood for Blood to maximize damage output and Strength gain on the same turn.
- Balance defense with self‑damage. Because this build intentionally lowers HP, include Block cards when offered to protect yourself between explosive turns.
