Slay the Spire 2 just launched in Early Access, and its relic system is bigger and bolder than ever. If you’ve been staring at the reward screen wondering which shiny trinket won’t kill your run — this guide has you covered.
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What Are Relics in Slay the Spire 2?
Relics are permanent passive items that stack up during a run, with spawns being entirely random — making good relic choices a blend of knowledge and luck. Wikipedia According to Wikipedia’s roguelike genre page, this kind of persistent passive item system is a core pillar of the roguelike genre — and Slay the Spire 2 takes it further than its predecessor.
There are six relic categories in the current Early Access build: Starter (character-specific), Common, Uncommon, Rare, Ancient, and Event relics. Wikipedia
All Relic Types & Standout Effects
| 🏷️ Rarity | 🔮 Notable Relic | ⚡ Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Common | Bag of Preparation | Draw 2 extra cards at combat start |
| Common | Anchor | Start each combat with 10 Block |
| Uncommon | Velvet Choker | +1 Energy/turn, but max 6 cards per turn |
| Uncommon | Poison Gland | Apply 4 Poison to ALL enemies at combat start |
| Rare | Runic Pyramid | No discard at end of turn |
| Rare | Snecko Eye | Draw 2 extra cards; card costs randomized 0–3 |
| Ancient | Calling Bell | Gain 3 unique Curses + 3 Relics |
| Ancient | Cursed Pear | Gain Greed (unplayable) + 333 Gold |
| Event | Empty Cage | Remove 2 cards from your deck instantly |
| Boss | Philosopher’s Stone | +1 Energy/turn; enemies start with 1 Strength |
The New Wax Relic System — A Game Changer
Slay the Spire 2’s Early Access build features over 250 relics, many with completely new mechanics not seen in the original game. The biggest new addition? Wax Relics.
Instead of a standard boss item, you draft four Wax Relics — but every three combats, the leftmost one melts away permanently. The order you pick them is everything: draft items with immediate pickup effects first, since their benefits persist even after the wax melts.
New combat mechanics like Corrosion (reduces Max HP each turn) and Pierce also completely change which relics are worth taking — energy generators and damage dealers rise sharply in value.
Tips for Picking Relics Smartly
Always cross-reference relics against your current deck plan — prioritize relics that patch your weakest area, whether that’s survivability, energy, card draw, or damage scaling. GamesRadar+
Want more deck-building tips and roguelike game guides? Check out our latest gaming coverage at TechnoSports and our early access games guide hub for more
FAQs
Q: How many relics are in Slay the Spire 2 Early Access?
There are over 250 relics in the current Early Access build, with some exclusive to specific characters and many available to all. GuruGamer
Q: What are Ancient Relics in Slay the Spire 2?
Ancient Relics are obtained from Ancient encounters — appearing up to three times per run — and only one relic can be chosen from each Ancient, making these choices especially high-stakes.
