Slay the Spire 2 Power Cards Guide: How Power Cards Work
Power cards are one of the most important card types in Slay the Spire 2. Unlike Attacks or Skills that resolve once and end, Power cards change how combat works for the rest of the fight.
Many builds rely on these cards to scale damage, defense, or resources over time. Some powers trigger repeatedly during combat, while others grant permanent bonuses that stay active after the card is played.
What Power Cards Do In Slay the Spire 2
Power cards apply effects that remain active for the rest of the combat once the card is played. These effects can trigger repeatedly, modify combat rules, or grant permanent bonuses that stay active during the fight.
Unlike Attacks and Skills, Power cards usually stay in play after they are used. Their effect continues influencing the battle until combat ends.
Because of this, Power cards often become stronger the longer a fight lasts.
Powers That Grant Permanent Combat Bonuses
Some Power cards simply grant a bonus once, and that bonus remains active for the entire fight.
Examples include stat boosts or defensive effects.
Examples
Footwork, gain Dexterity
Inflame, gain Strength
Defragment, gain Focus
Eternal Armor, gain Plating
Capacitor, gain additional Orb Slots
Prowess, gain Strength and Dexterity
These powers do not repeatedly activate, but their bonuses remain active throughout combat.
Powers That Trigger During Combat
Many Power cards activate whenever certain actions happen.
These effects automatically trigger during gameplay without needing to be played again.
Examples
Afterimage, gain Block whenever you play a card
Envenom, apply Poison when attacks deal unblocked damage
Feel No Pain, gain Block when a card is Exhausted
Devour Life, Summon when Souls are played
Juggernaut, deal damage whenever you gain Block
These powers reward specific deck mechanics and can trigger many times in a single fight.
Powers That Activate Each Turn
Some Power cards automatically activate at the start of every turn.
These cards create scaling effects that grow stronger during longer battles.
Examples
Demon Form, gain Strength each turn
Machine Learning, draw an additional card each turn
Noxious Fumes, apply Poison each turn
Countdown, apply Doom to enemies each turn
Genesis, gain Regent Star Energy each turn
These effects steadily increase your power the longer combat continues.
Powers That Change Combat Rules
Some Power cards modify how certain mechanics behave during the fight.
These cards alter gameplay rules or change how specific cards interact.
Examples
Barricade, Block does not disappear between turns
Corruption, Skills cost zero energy but Exhaust after use
Accuracy, Shivs deal additional damage
Phantom Blades, Shivs gain Retain and deal extra damage
These powers often enable entire deck strategies built around their effects.
Powers That Generate Cards Or Resources
Some Power cards repeatedly create cards or generate resources during combat.
Examples
Infinite Blades, add a Shiv to your hand each turn
Creative AI, generate random Power cards
Call of the Void, create random Ethereal cards
Aggression, retrieve upgraded Attacks from your discard pile
These powers can dramatically increase card generation and resource flow.
Final Blurb
Power cards are a core part of deck building in Slay the Spire 2. Once played, their effects remain active for the rest of the fight and can dramatically change how your deck performs.
Some powers provide simple stat boosts, while others create powerful scaling effects that trigger repeatedly during combat. Knowing when to play them and how to build around them is a key part of mastering the game.
FAQ
What are Power cards in Slay the Spire 2
Power cards are a card type that creates lasting effects during combat after the card is played.
Do Power cards stay active for the whole fight
Yes. Once a Power card is played, its effect remains active until combat ends.
Do all Power cards trigger every turn
No. Some powers trigger every turn, while others provide permanent bonuses or activate when specific conditions occur.
Are Power cards good in boss fights
Power cards are usually strongest in longer battles because their effects remain active throughout the entire fight.
