Ironclad Builds Guide — Slay the Spire 2
Ironclad has four main deck archetypes: Strength scaling for massive damage, Block stacking for defensive wins, Exhaust synergies for card cycling, and Bloodletting for self-damage conversion. This guide covers all four builds.
Ironclad Build Overview
Strength Build
Stack Strength buffs, then unleash multi-hit attacks. Most straightforward path to victory.
Block Build
Stack Block with Barricade, convert it to damage with Body Slam. Defensive scaling.
Exhaust Build
Use Corruption to make Skills free. Exhaust triggers draw and Block. Fastest deck.
Bloodletting Build
Convert self-damage into Strength with Rupture. High-risk, high-reward.
Strength Build
Stack Strength buffs early, then unleash multi-hit attacks that multiply the bonus. Simple and effective.
Core Strategy
1. Play Demon Form or Inflame early
2. Stack Strength with Limit Break (upgrade removes Exhaust)
3. Use multi-hit attacks (Whirlwind, Twin Strike)
4. Heavy Blade applies Strength 3x
5. Apply Vulnerable for 50% more damage
Win Condition
With 10 Strength, Whirlwind deals 15 damage per hit. Play it for X=5 energy = 75 damage to all enemies.
Core Cards
Demon Form
EssentialGain 2 Strength at start of each turn
Limit Break
EssentialDouble your Strength. Exhaust (not when upgraded)
Heavy Blade
CoreDeal 14 damage. Strength affects this 3x
Whirlwind
CoreDeal 5 damage to all enemies X times
Inflame
CoreGain 2 Strength
Block Build
Stack Block with Barricade so it persists between turns. Convert Block to damage with Body Slam.
Core Strategy
1. Play Barricade to make Block persist
2. Stack Block with Entrench (doubles Block)
3. Use Body Slam to deal damage = Block
4. Juggernaut deals damage when you gain Block
5. Metallicize gives passive Block each turn
Win Condition
Stack 100+ Block. Body Slam deals 100 damage. Entrench doubles it to 200 Block. Next Body Slam deals 200 damage.
Core Cards
Barricade
EssentialBlock doesn't reset at end of turn
Body Slam
EssentialDeal damage equal to your Block
Entrench
CoreDouble your Block
Juggernaut
CoreDeal 5 damage when you gain Block
Metallicize
CoreGain 3 Block at end of turn
Exhaust Build
Use Corruption to make Skills free. Exhaust triggers draw cards and Block. Fastest Ironclad deck.
Core Strategy
1. Play Corruption (Skills cost 0, Exhaust)
2. Dark Embrace draws cards on Exhaust
3. Feel No Pain gives Block on Exhaust
4. Play all Skills for free, cycling deck
5. Dead Branch generates cards on Exhaust
Win Condition
Play 10 Skills for free → Draw 10 cards → Gain 30 Block → Repeat. With Dead Branch, deck never runs out.
Core Cards
Corruption
EssentialSkills cost 0. They Exhaust
Dark Embrace
EssentialDraw 1 card when you Exhaust
Feel No Pain
EssentialGain 3 Block when you Exhaust
Fiend Fire
CoreExhaust hand. Deal 6 damage per card
Bloodletting Build
Convert self-damage into Strength with Rupture. High-risk, high-reward aggressive strategy.
Core Strategy
1. Play Rupture (lose HP = gain Strength)
2. Brutality loses 1 HP per turn for card draw
3. Use Offering, Bloodletting for self-damage
4. Double Strength with Limit Break
5. Heal with Reaper when Strength is high
Win Condition
Lose 20 HP → Gain 20 Strength → Reaper heals for 100+ HP. Self-damage becomes a resource.
Core Cards
Rupture
EssentialWhen you lose HP, gain 1 Strength
Brutality
EssentialAt start of turn, lose 1 HP and draw 1 card
Reaper
CoreDeal 4 damage to all. Heal for unblocked damage
Offering
CoreLose 6 HP. Gain 2 energy. Draw 3 cards
General Ironclad Tips
Strength Build
- • Upgrade Limit Break to remove Exhaust
- • Use Vulnerable before big attacks
- • Reaper heals massively with high Strength
Block Build
- • Barricade is essential
- • Calipers relic = budget Barricade
- • Weak against time pressure
Exhaust Build
- • Dead Branch makes this deck broken
- • Keep some Attack cards
- • Fastest deck when assembled
Bloodletting
- • Reaper is essential for healing
- • Riskiest build
- • Very strong when complete
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Ironclad build?
Strength build is the most consistent and beginner-friendly. Exhaust build has the highest ceiling with Dead Branch relic.
Should I upgrade Limit Break?
Yes, always. Upgrading removes the Exhaust, allowing you to use it multiple times for exponential Strength growth.
Is Bloodletting build viable?
Yes, but risky. You need Rupture + Reaper to make it work. Without Reaper, you'll die to your own self-damage.