Ironclad — Slay the Spire Guide | Volpedia

OVERVIEW

What is Ironclad?

A frontline fighter whose starting relic Burning Blood restores health after combat; his cards emphasize Strength, Exhaust, and self-damage.

This reference covers gameplay decisions in the original Slay the Spire. Character-specific options and relic synergy can change how useful an item is, so consider your current deck, health, upcoming enemy and available resources before applying a strategy.

PRACTICAL STRATEGY

When and how to use it

Use early reliable attacks to convert elite encounters into relics; shift into scaling via Strength, Barricade, or Exhaust only when supporting pieces appear.

COMMON MISTAKES

What to avoid

Avoid assuming every high-cost attack fits a low-energy deck; verify the energy and Block plan.

CONTINUE ON VOLPEDIA

Related topics and walkthroughs

GUIDESIronclad Complete Character Guide

A practical original guide to ironclad complete character guide, organized around actual Slay the Spire 1 decisions and the threats those decisions must solve.

GUIDESIronclad Exhaust and Strength Builds

A practical original guide to ironclad exhaust and strength builds, organized around actual Slay the Spire 1 decisions and the threats those decisions must solve.

RELICSBurning Blood

Ironclad starting relic that recovers HP after battles.

BUILDSIronclad Block and Body Slam

Builds Block through Skills and may keep it with Barricade, then turns it into attack output.

BUILDSIronclad Exhaust Engine

Combines Exhaust triggers, card draw and defensive payoffs to create efficient combat cycles.

BUILDSIronclad Strength Engine

Combines Strength generators, efficient multi-hit attacks and enough Block to survive setup.

CHARACTERSDefect

A robotic class focused on channeling elemental Orbs, Focus, and the balance between passive orb effects and Evoke actions.

Back to Characters