All Slay the Spire 2 characters and how to unlock them

How do you unlock all Slay the Spire 2 characters? It's so easy to think you have a handle on Slay the Spire 2, especially during the early hours. You main the Ironclad, you stock up on attack buffs and big shield cards, and that will see you through - most of the time. You'll soon find that your playstyle will have to change considerably when it comes to the other characters on offer.

Before you even consider how to play the other Slay the Spire 2 characters, you'll have to unlock them first, and with the new Timeline section of the main menu, this is a bit more involved than you might be used to. New Slay the Spire 2 unlocks require certain criteria to be met, and the new characters are no different. Here is every character in the roguelike and how to unlock them.

The Ironclad

• How to unlock: The Ironclad is available by default.
• Starting Relic: Burning Blood - At the end of combat, heal 6 HP.

Hits big and defends big, The Ironclad is a blunt instrument that can deal obscene damage with physical attacks, and stays healthy by building up an impenetrable amount of block.

The Silent

• How to unlock: Play a run with The Ironclad.
• Starting Relic: Ring of the Snake - At the start of each combat, draw two additional cards.

The Silent relies on quick strikes and damage over time effects to wear down her opponents. She utilizes poison to great effect, and can fell even the highest HP enemies with her shivs.

The Regent

• How to unlock: Play a run with The Silent
• Starting Relic: Divine Right - At the start of each combat, gain three Stars.

A regal presence, and not a pleasant one - The Regent is one of the new Slay the Spire 2 characters. They draw from two energy pools, one regular and one named Stars, and can unleash huge attacks when these are managed correctly.

The Necrobinder

• How to unlock: Play a run with The Regent
• Starting Relic: Bound Phylactery - At the start of your turn, Summon 1.

Another new character, The Necrobinder, comes with her own little summon - a rather large, undead hand named Osty. Osty tanks damage for The Necrobinder and can be buffed and used as an offensive weapon. The Necrobinder also deals in Doom, which executes enemies when they reach a certain HP threshold.

The Defect

• How to unlock: Play a run with The Necrobinder
• Starting Relic: Cracked Core - At the start of each combat, Channel 1 Lightning.

A classic Slay the Spire character returns. The Defect utilizes Orbs to either buff themselves, protect themselves, or, of course, damage the enemy. Choose whether to build up a large amount of Orbs and burn them all for some immediate, devastating damage.

Now that you know how to unlock all of the Slay the Spire 2 characters, the only thing left to do is to get out there and smash those runs in. Remember that failure is all part of the process, and with the new Timeline feature, even runs that end in calamity can often unlock new items and new cards in the process.