What is Map Routing and Shop Economy?
A practical original guide to map routing and shop economy, organized around actual Slay the Spire 1 decisions and the threats those decisions must solve.
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.
When and how to use it
Start with the first section of this walkthrough, apply its sequence in a real run, then adapt the recommendation to the cards, relics and map you actually received.
What to avoid
Do not treat this as a predetermined perfect deck or guaranteed seed; enemy intents, card rewards, potion availability and path options change every run.
Step-by-step guide
Distinguish known from unknown
Monster rooms offer fights, card choices and gold; question-mark rooms may create events or other encounters. Shops are only valuable if you have sufficient gold and a meaningful purchase. Rest sites can stabilize HP or improve a key card.
Spend gold for specific fixes
Card removal can improve future draw quality, but early removal before damage is secured can be harmful. Potions can rescue a next elite, and a relic may change your entire engine. Compare purchases by what the remaining map needs.
Route deliberately for Act IV
If pursuing the Heart, plan for a Burning Elite, a chest to trade for Sapphire Key and a Rest site to Recall Ruby Key. Taking all keys at the last moment often forces painful opportunity costs. It is sometimes better to skip the Heart and complete a normal strong run.