SLAY THE SPIRE / MECHANICS
Mechanics
Energy, draw, Block, Poison, Exhaust, Orbs, stances and debuffs.
20 entries · Reviewed 2026-10-28
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Mechanics reference library
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20 of 20 entries · Original Slay the Spire 1
Mechanics · REFERENCE
Energy
Main resource paid to play most cards, normally refreshed each turn.
Mechanics · REFERENCE
Draw Pile
Cards waiting to be drawn; normal turn draws come from this pile.
Mechanics · REFERENCE
Discard Pile
Cards normally go here after use or at turn end and eventually recycle.
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Exhaust
Cards removed from current combat, distinct from ordinary discard.
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Block
Temporary protection against ordinary attack damage, generally cleared between turns.
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Strength
Modifier increasing many attack damage hits and especially multi-hit output.
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Dexterity
Modifier changing Block created from card effects.
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Weak
Debuff reducing damage dealt by many enemy attacks.
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Vulnerable
Debuff increasing damage taken from attacks.
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Artifact
Buff that blocks a future negative effect.
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Poison
Damage-over-time debuff mostly associated with Silent; tick damage interacts with target turns.
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Intangible
Buff limiting damage from many incoming attack hits for a short duration.
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Orbs
Defect mechanic with passive effects and Evoke triggers depending on orb type.
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Stances
Watcher mechanic changing damage and energy flow through Calm, Wrath and Divinity.
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Card Removal
Permanent removal from deck, commonly purchased at merchants or acquired in events.
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Card Upgrade
Smithing or other upgrades improve an existing card for the rest of the run.
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Curses
Undesirable cards that clutter draws and may carry penalties.
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Status Cards
Temporary junk cards introduced by encounters, including Dazed, Burn and Wound.
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Scaling
Increasing damage or defense capability as a combat continues.
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Enemy Intent
Icons and indicators describing enemy actions planned for the current turn.
Independent Volpedia editorial resource, not affiliated with Mega Crit. Original game (Slay the Spire 1), reviewed 2026-10-28. Slay the Spire 2 has separate rules, cards and characters and is not included here. Category graphics are original conceptual illustrations, not game screenshots or actual card artwork. Detailed numerical card costs, damage, upgrade effects and drop percentages are omitted where not individually checked. Editorial verification records are stored separately from public articles.