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Best builds · patch v0.104.0 beta

Slay the Spire 2 builds v0.104.0 beta

Find the best current Slay the Spire 2 builds by character for the official v0.104.0 beta scope, including beginner-friendly builds, archetype pivots, and direct links into patch notes, cards, relics, and tier lists.

Patch-aware builds for the latest official beta patch (v0.104.0 beta) so you can spot retest priorities.
Each character tile highlights the archetype focus, patch impact, and where to go next for guides or cards.
Decision tiles funnel you into beginners, builds, patch details, and the reference resources you need right away.

Ironclad, Silent, Regent, Necrobinder, and Defect build paths for the current beta watchlist.

Status tiers

Patch v0.104.0 beta

Beginner

Beginner primer

Lean on builds that trade burst for guarded pacing while v0.104.0 beta eases lower Ascension pressure.

Stable

Stable core

Repeatable Strength, Sly, and Forge threads now pay off more consistently than last patch’s spike plays.

Watchlist

Watchlist picks

These lines still have upside but demand tight pacing since nerf adjustments make missteps punitive.

Patch Signal

What patch v0.104.0 beta means for builds

Patch v0.104.0 beta is a beta-branch signal, not final main-branch law: Ironclad Strength/Exhaust lines, Regent Blade interactions, Ancient buffs, and lower-Ascension route pressure are the first things to retest.

Decision hygiene

  • Double-check patch log before updating card priorities.
  • Focus on reliable mechanics instead of chasing hypothetical synergies.
  • Use the cards/relics lookup if your next draft is missing a critical tool.

Character builds

Hero cards with patch notes

Each tile packs the archetype, patch impact, focus, and where to go next.

View all build guides →

The Relentless Warrior

Ironclad

Intermediate
Beginner tier

Draft guard-heavy draws, then layer Strength when the map calms before branching out.

Retest Strength AoE and Exhaust energy turns before treating old Ironclad ratings as settled.

Patch focus

v0.104.0 beta reworks Conflagration into a Strength-friendly multi-hit AoE and moves Drum of Battle into Exhaust payoff territory.

Card focus: Track Conflagration, Drum of Battle, guard, and Strength pairings in early elite paths.

Relic focus: Favor relics boosting Strength or Block in tandem, not one-shot damage spikes.

Strength
Exhaust
Self-Damage

The Deadly Assassin

Silent

Advanced
Stable tier

Prioritize clean sequencing, then layer Poison while keeping draw and discard consistent.

Build hand quality and sequencing before locking into high-variance Sly payoffs.

Patch focus

v0.104.0 beta does not headline Silent as a primary rework target, so keep prior Sly and Poison guidance conservative.

Card focus: Emphasize card draw and discard smoothing to bait reliable Poisons.

Relic focus: Lean into relics that reward discard cycling rather than random burst boosts.

Sly
Poison
Shivs

Heir to the Throne of Stars

The Regent

Advanced
Stable tier

Stack Stars early, set up Forge triggers, and delay artifact burst until your map reading is reliable.

Retest Blade lines with Dexterity and Frail in mind before promoting Regent rankings.

Patch focus

v0.104.0 beta makes Parry clearer by moving Block display and scaling onto Sovereign Blade.

Card focus: Monitor Stars generation vs. artifact payoff so you know when to pull trigger.

Relic focus: Pick relics that smooth extra Stars or offset Forge cooldowns.

Stars
Forge
Minions

The Undead Summoner

Necrobinder

Advanced
Watchlist tier

Manage Soul stacks closely and only deploy Osty when the board is stable.

Stagger Osty usage, stack Souls, and keep Doom thresholds readable while beta balance settles.

Patch focus

v0.104.0 beta does not make Necrobinder the headline; keep Doom and Soul plans in watchlist language until more run evidence lands.

Card focus: Watch guard timing and Soul pacing to avoid Doom backfires.

Relic focus: Consider relics that smooth Soul generation or protect against delayed Doom.

Watchlist note: Still prone to variance if Doom windows misalign or if patch tweaks reduce Soul gains.

Doom
Osty
Souls

The Broken Automaton

Defect

Advanced
Stable tier

Layer control orbs early, then transition into scaling Focus stacks once you lock cadence.

Balance early control orbs with late-game investment orbs without going full random burst.

Patch focus

v0.104.0 beta is more about Ascension curve, Ironclad, Regent, Ancients, and enemy tuning than Defect-specific promotion.

Card focus: Highlight orbs that pair with Focus ramps instead of random burst draws.

Relic focus: Seek relics that tack on orb generation or steady Focus gains.

Orbs
Focus
Sequencing