Exploring the Role of the Golden Compass in Slay the Spire 2
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The Golden Compass is one of the more unique starting bonuses in Slay the Spire 2, reminiscent of Vakuu’s Whispering Earring, which allows the demon to play your first hand for you—though it’s quirky in its own right. This bonus can be claimed from Tezcatara, the candle-loving floor guardian who often appears at the beginning of Act 2.
While the relic’s description is straightforward, you might have some questions about its functionality. Here’s a breakdown of what the Golden Compass does in Slay the Spire 2.
When you encounter Tezcatara, It Which Feeds the Fire, you might receive the Golden Compass as a starting reward. This oversized jack-o’-lantern donning a witch hat typically shows up in Act 2 as the starting floor guardian and offers three potential bonuses, including the equally peculiar Wax Relic Set.
The Golden Compass is described as “replacing the Act 2 map with a single special path,” and that’s precisely what it does, creating a singular route you must follow through Act 2 all the way to the boss. In my experience, this path included:
It’s tough to determine if this is random, but given the two elites at the end, both of which have campfires afterward, it seems to adhere to some rules of fairness and consistency.
As you can see, it’s not a bad route at all. But is it worth using your Act 2 starting bonus on it? Probably not, especially since you can navigate a similar path with a bit of planning. Still, it’s nice to know it’s an option if you’re looking to shake things up.
