— Advertisement —
— Advertisement —
Ironclad Builds Slay the Spire 2 — Strongest Builds Ranked
Updated 2026-06-02
Ironclad Build Tier List
Ironclad in Slay the Spire 2 lost some exhaust synergies but gained better self-heal and a new mechanic called "Rage" that builds from taking damage. Here is what works.
| Tier | Build | Core Cards | Win Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Strength Scaling | Inflame, Limit Break, Heavy Strike | Stack strength. Hit for 50+ per swing. |
| A | Exhaust Engine | Feel No Pain, Dark Embrace, Corruption | Exhaust everything. Free skills, infinite block. |
| A | Rage Tank | Anger+, Reaper, Juggernaut | Take hits to build Rage. Heal it all back with Reaper. |
| C | Block Ironclad | Entrench, Barricade, Shrug It Off | Works but slow. You need Body Slam to finish fights. |
Rage Tank is new to STS2 and replaces old self-damage builds. It is strong but requires good timing. Do not stack Rage too high — you start taking extra damage.
The meta pick right now is Strength Scaling. It is straightforward, scales into Act 4, and works with almost any relic. Grab an early Inflame and you are set.
FAQ
- Is Barricade + Entrench still viable in Slay the Spire 2?
- Yes, but it is slower than in the original. New enemies like Gravitic Horror punish turtling. C-tier for a reason.
- What new Ironclad card is best in STS2?
- Blood Price. A rare skill that costs 1 HP to draw 3 cards. It combos with Rage and self-heal better than Battle Trance.
Related pages
— Advertisement —