Slay The Spire 2 Update Addresses Major Exploit and Balances The Silent’s Power

It’s been another two weeks, which means it’s time for the latest beta patch for Slay the Spire 2. The v0.110.0 patch takes a more serious approach compared to the previous one, aiming to dial back some of the over-the-top changes introduced in v0.109.0. However, it still brings a host of balance adjustments and relic reworks that are definitely worth diving into.

First up, there’s a neat visual update to note. The banner for the v0.110.0 patch notes showcases glowing versions of three characters. This is due to the “Form” cards—like Ironclad’s Demon Form and Silent’s Serpent Form—now triggering permanent visual effects when played. They might not be as flashy as the community’s earlier creations, but it’s a nice touch.

Now, let’s talk about the relic reworks. Most of these changes are buffs, albeit on the minor side. For example, Nonupeipe’s Fur Coat now reduces 8 enemy combats to 1HP (up from 7), and Tezcatara’s Seal of Gold now only deducts 3 gold per turn instead of 5.

However, one significant change stands out: Tezcatara’s Toasty Mittens. Previously, this relic would exhaust the top card of your draw pile at the start of your turn for a bonus of 1 Strength. It was often joked about as one of the weakest Ancient relics, as the randomness of exhausting a card didn’t justify the benefit.

Now, Tezcatara’s Toasty Mittens allows you to choose a card in your hand to exhaust each turn. While this means you’ll have one less card to play, it effectively counters Aeonglass by letting you exhaust the Withers it adds to your deck. Plus, it synergizes well with Ironclad’s cards that activate upon exhausting, making it feel much more powerful.

There’s also a notable bug fix in the patch: “Uncommon cards show up slightly more often (as intended).” I thought I was just having terrible luck with uncommon cards, so it’s a relief to know it was a bug and not just my misfortune.

When it comes to card nerfs and buffs, there are some quirky changes. For instance, the community had found ways to exploit the reworked Eidolon card by having two in a deck, but that’s no longer feasible as it “can no longer be generated mid-combat.”

The character that received the most attention in this patch is Silent. It seems the developers are trying to nerf her without upsetting players who previously reacted negatively to changes, but these nerfs feel more like buffs in practice.

For example, Haze has been completely revamped. It’s no longer a Sly card that applies 4 poison to all enemies; now it’s a non-Sly card that costs 2 and applies 4 poison and 1 weak to all enemies. Close enough; welcome back Crippling Cloud.

Outbreak has also undergone a significant transformation. It’s no longer a Power that costs 1 and deals 4 damage every time you apply poison; it’s now a Skill card that costs 3 and applies 9 poison to all enemies, with poison damage triggering “immediately.” I tested this card earlier, and it’s even more powerful than it sounds. The poison damage activates right away and then again at the end of your turn.

In the end, I don’t think Silent’s Sly capabilities have been nerfed much at all; instead, her poison damage has become significantly stronger. Rather than having one overpowered archetype, she now boasts two that are incredibly potent. It’s clear that the developers have a soft spot for Silent, but I sincerely hope they give my favorite, Defect, some love in the next patch.