Slay the Spire 2 makes keeping track of its new relics and potions much easier

A fresh Slay the Spire 2 update from developer Mega Crit gives us a tantalizing look at some new relics and potions we'll have to hand in the long-awaited sequel, but it's a change to the UI that has me breathing the biggest sigh of relief. Watching the best Slay the Spire players in action always leaves me breathless. They blast through the legendary roguelike deckbuilder's toughest fights without taking so much as a pause, and yet, when I feel the confidence well up and attempt to copy their methods, I inevitably make a major blunder and send my run crashing into the gutter. But not any more.

The August 'Neowsletter' from Slay the Spire 2 developer Mega Crit is a special one, as it's a whole year since the regular blog began. In that time, the developer has lifted the lid on everything from enchantments to companions. It's "still hard at work on the sequel" to the beloved deckbuilder, which now holds joint court over the kingdom of our best card games alongside Balatro, but the team is "also striking a good work/life balance." For this update, the focus is on new relics and potions.

Much like the first game, relics are fundamental to any good Slay the Spire 2 run, enhancing your deck's base capabilities with all manner of powerful effects. We'll get to the teasers in a second, because Mega Crit co-founder Casy Yano also shows off a change to StS 2's menu design that will make it much easier to use them reliably.

In the blog's question-and-answer segment, user 'Thaan' asks, "What can we expect from general UI improvements? My wishlist includes a turn counter display that doesn't disappear after two seconds, and a way to know how much you have spent on card removal so you can budget your next one." Yano simply responds, "Yes," and includes a tiny screenshot of the new 'End Turn' button, which now reads, in this example, 'End Turn 2.'

It's a small change, but a vital one. Many of your tools in Slay the Spire, especially relics, boast effects that trigger on certain-numbered turns. Some, like the defensive Horn Cleat and Captain's Wheel, provide a one-time bonus on a specific round. Others activate at intervals, such as every other turn. If you've ever forgotten that your Stone Calendar is about to blast your foes with heavy damage and set off unintended reactions as a result, as I have, this new feature will get you jumping for joy.

That's an important change, but not quite as exciting as new stuff, so Mega Crit has a little more to tickle your tastebuds, offering a look at several new Slay the Spire 2 relics and potions. It says that adding more content is the team's current main focus: "It has to be fresh, challenging, and complex while also making sure that the game is accessible to new players and retains that Slay the Spire feel and magic."

While relics all have unique designs, potions in the original Slay the Spire often share matching but color-swapped icons. To help you remember exactly what's in your back pocket, they've been given a makeover and now each have their own distinct sprites, with some "quite exotic" containers promised for the rarest ones. Number four in the image above is the redesigned Heart of Iron, which now much more clearly conveys its hardy, block-granting effect.

Also shown next to it are the 'Ship in a Bottle' and 'Foul Potion.' "We're not quite sure if you're drinking this one," Mega Crit says of the first, "but there's a feeling that it can get you to safety." An alternative to the old Smoke Bomb, perhaps? As for the latter, the team gives us no clue. "We're not sure who or what is making a potion called Foul Potion. What is it for? How foul is it?" My current theory is that it's a way to damage yourself and trigger specific effects.

The three relics, from left to right, are 'Wongo's Bargain Ticket,' the 'Stone Humidifier,' and 'Joss Paper.' The ticket is apparently for "patrons of Wongo's," suggesting a new shop of some sort. The humidifier "ensures that you gain a great night's sleep," so I'm expecting a heal or bonus to resting at campfires. Mega Crit offers no hint at the Joss Paper's use, so your guess is as good as mine.

Elsewhere in the post, we get a look at another creature you'll encounter in your travels, the Vine Shambler seen above. There's a new silhouette to take a guess at for next month, as well. We're still waiting on word of the Slay the Spire 2 release date, which is still listed as coming in 2025, but I'll take any information we get in the meantime.

On the hunt for your next obsession? Take a look through the best roguelikes to play in 2025, as well as our pick of the best indie games on PC right now.

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