Slay the Spire 2 character tier list

Slay the Spire 2 has released with five different characters, and they will massively influence your runs. When you begin your adventures, you'll have only one character. However, the list of options expands rapidly as you clear a few runs. While I feel that all five characters are well-balanced and have their strengths and weaknesses, some of them are a tad better than the rest.Table of contentsComplete Slay the Spire 2 character tier listS-tierA-tierComplete Slay the Spire 2 character tier list To separate the characters, I have used two tiers. This could change in the future if we get more characters in early access. However, the overall balance between the characters is pretty decent.S-tier characters are the best choices you can make in the current meta of the game.A-tier characters are almost as good as S-tier names, but they're slightly weak. Alternatively, they can be more reliant on specific cards for completing the more difficult battles.S-tier Regent Screenshot by Destructoid The Regent isn't the easiest of characters to master. Unlike the other characters, the Regent's strength lies in the use of stars. You begin every combat with three of them. You'll have to build a deck that allows you to get more stars. You can then use the stars to land powerful spells. Some of them can even do serious damage and give you more stars if it results in a casualty. As long as you can manage your basic cards well, gain stars consistently, and know how to use them, the Regent is an extremely fun character. With 75 health, he can take a few hits if you don't get your blocks up in time. Necrobinder Screenshot by Destructoid The Necrobinder enhances the power of death and immortality to defeat his opponents. You'll begin a combat with your trusted ally, who begins at one health. However, you can buff your pet up to raise its damage and defense. It will absorb plenty of damage for you (although the mechanic seems slightly bugged as of writing on launch). The Necrobinder class revolves around using your pet to deal the main damage. You'll find spells that deal massive damage, and their cost can even be brought down to zero soul (required energy to play your cards). While the Necrobinder is perhaps the most entertaining character to play, keep note of his low pool of health.A-tier Ironclad Screenshot by Destructoid The Ironclad is the first character/class you'll have in Slay the Spire 2. This character offers a bit of everything, and he is pretty easy to learn. His basic cards include simple strikes and shields. However, you can buff his abilities to do more damage with better cards, while adding negative status effects like Vulnerable on the enemies. As a beginner, you won't always be able to avoid damage. The Ironclad heals 6 HP at the end of combat, and he has the highest starting health among all characters. While he lacks specialized damage options that will be required in the latter stages of your run, I love the flexibility he offers. He is easily S-tier for beginners for his ease of play and all-rounded nature. Silent Screenshot by Destructoid The Silent offers one of the best damage potentials among all characters. The Silent is well-suited to take down the strongest of enemies in a few blows. Unlike Ironclad, the Silent has dedicated means of doing damage, which only gets better in the latter stages. If you're somone who loves to play with bigger decks, Silent will allow you to get two extra cards at the end of every combat. Having a bigger deck has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. For beginners, a bigger deck might not be great. At 70, the Silent has the second-lowest starting health pool. Defect Screenshot by Destructoid The Defect is a fun character that channels the power of lightning orbs to damage his opponents. The orbs do three damage by default, but you can Evoke to deal eight damage instead. You'll always begin with one Lightnight that you get to channel at the start of a combat. My main issue with the Defect character is the overreliance on Evoke. If you don't draw cards with Evoke ability with consistency, you'll face problems later in your run. Hence, you'll largely rely on the cards you add to your deck on your run, with priority being getting Evoke options. The post Slay the Spire 2 character tier list appeared first on Destructoid.

Mar 6, 2026 - 08:14

Slay the Spire 2 has released with five different characters, and they will massively influence your runs.

When you begin your adventures, you'll have only one character. However, the list of options expands rapidly as you clear a few runs. While I feel that all five characters are well-balanced and have their strengths and weaknesses, some of them are a tad better than the rest.

Table of contents

Complete Slay the Spire 2 character tier list
- S-tier
- A-tier

Complete Slay the Spire 2 character tier list

To separate the characters, I have used two tiers. This could change in the future if we get more characters in early access. However, the overall balance between the characters is pretty decent.

S-tier characters are the best choices you can make in the current meta of the game.
A-tier characters are almost as good as S-tier names, but they're slightly weak. Alternatively, they can be more reliant on specific cards for completing the more difficult battles.

S-tier

Regent

Screenshot by Destructoid The Regent isn't the easiest of characters to master. Unlike the other characters, the Regent's strength lies in the use of stars. You begin every combat with three of them. You'll have to build a deck that allows you to get more stars. You can then use the stars to land powerful spells. Some of them can even do serious damage and give you more stars if it results in a casualty.

As long as you can manage your basic cards well, gain stars consistently, and know how to use them, the Regent is an extremely fun character. With 75 health, he can take a few hits if you don't get your blocks up in time.

Necrobinder

Screenshot by Destructoid The Necrobinder enhances the power of death and immortality to defeat his opponents. You'll begin a combat with your trusted ally, who begins at one health. However, you can buff your pet up to raise its damage and defense. It will absorb plenty of damage for you (although the mechanic seems slightly bugged as of writing on launch).

The Necrobinder class revolves around using your pet to deal the main damage. You'll find spells that deal massive damage, and their cost can even be brought down to zero soul (required energy to play your cards). While the Necrobinder is perhaps the most entertaining character to play, keep note of his low pool of health.

A-tier

Ironclad

Screenshot by Destructoid The Ironclad is the first character/class you'll have in Slay the Spire 2. This character offers a bit of everything, and he is pretty easy to learn. His basic cards include simple strikes and shields. However, you can buff his abilities to do more damage with better cards, while adding negative status effects like Vulnerable on the enemies.

As a beginner, you won't always be able to avoid damage. The Ironclad heals 6 HP at the end of combat, and he has the highest starting health among all characters. While he lacks specialized damage options that will be required in the latter stages of your run, I love the flexibility he offers. He is easily S-tier for beginners for his ease of play and all-rounded nature.

Silent

Screenshot by Destructoid The Silent offers one of the best damage potentials among all characters. The Silent is well-suited to take down the strongest of enemies in a few blows. Unlike Ironclad, the Silent has dedicated means of doing damage, which only gets better in the latter stages.

If you're somone who loves to play with bigger decks, Silent will allow you to get two extra cards at the end of every combat. Having a bigger deck has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. For beginners, a bigger deck might not be great. At 70, the Silent has the second-lowest starting health pool.

Defect

Screenshot by Destructoid The Defect is a fun character that channels the power of lightning orbs to damage his opponents. The orbs do three damage by default, but you can Evoke to deal eight damage instead. You'll always begin with one Lightnight that you get to channel at the start of a combat.

My main issue with the Defect character is the overreliance on Evoke. If you don't draw cards with Evoke ability with consistency, you'll face problems later in your run. Hence, you'll largely rely on the cards you add to your deck on your run, with priority being getting Evoke options.

The post Slay the Spire 2 character tier list appeared first on Destructoid.

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