Vulnerable
Aironclad
New to STS2, replacing the Strength-focused build from the original. Apply Vulnerable to enemies and capitalize with damage multipliers. More straightforward than Exhaust but lower ceiling.
The Vulnerable archetype is new to Slay the Spire 2, replacing what used to be the Strength-focused build from the original game. With Limit Break, Heavy Blade, Flex, and Reaper all removed, the Ironclad's aggressive identity now centers on applying Vulnerable and capitalizing with damage multipliers. The approach is more straightforward than Exhaust/Infinite — apply Vulnerable with Bash or Uppercut, then hit hard while the debuff is active — but the ceiling is lower because there is no infinite loop available. What makes Vulnerable viable as a dedicated archetype is the 50% damage amplification it provides. Every attack benefits from Vulnerable, and multi-hit cards like Sword Boomerang apply the multiplier on each hit. Combined with Demon Form's per-turn Strength scaling, a Vulnerable Ironclad can deal substantial damage in longer fights without needing the Exhaust engine's complexity. The archetype rewards clean play — keeping Vulnerable active, timing your biggest attacks during the debuff window, and managing energy efficiently. The main weakness of Vulnerable compared to Exhaust/Infinite is consistency at the highest difficulty levels. Without an infinite loop, the archetype is fundamentally limited by deck cycling speed and energy. Against Act 3 bosses with high HP totals, the Vulnerable window can expire before you deal enough damage, forcing you to spend turns reapplying the debuff. For this reason, Vulnerable is rated A-tier rather than S-tier — strong and reliable, but unable to match the inevitability of an infinite engine.
Card Tier List
Synergy Map
Vulnerable + Damage Attacks
Build DefiningApply Vulnerable with Bash or Uppercut, then follow up with damage attacks that benefit from the 50% damage amplification. Multi-hit attacks like Sword Boomerang benefit on each hit.
Vulnerable + Demon Form
StrongDemon Form's per-turn Strength stacking on top of Vulnerable's damage amplification creates compounding damage output. In longer fights, each attack hits harder than the last while dealing 50% more from Vulnerable.
Priority Picks
Act 1
Act 1 is straightforward for Vulnerable — Bash is already in your starter deck. Focus on upgrading Bash for longer Vulnerable duration and picking up efficient damage cards.
Priorities
- 1.Upgrade Bash at the first campfire for longer Vulnerable duration.
- 2.Pick up Pommel Strike and Shrug It Off for cycling and defense.
- 3.Take Uppercut if offered — it is the premium Vulnerable applicator.
- 4.Remove Strikes at shops to improve cycling.
Card Picks
Key Decisions
Offered Uppercut in Act 1
Take it immediately.
Uppercut applies both Vulnerable and Weak, making it the best single card for this archetype. Having two Vulnerable applicators dramatically increases consistency.
Act 2
Act 2 is about deepening your Vulnerable application and adding damage. Demon Form appears here and complements the archetype well for longer fights.
Priorities
- 1.Continue adding efficient damage attacks.
- 2.Demon Form is a strong pickup for boss fights.
- 3.Impervious provides defensive security.
- 4.Remove remaining Strikes.
Card Picks
Key Decisions
Offered Corruption vs. Demon Form
Take Corruption and consider pivoting to Exhaust/Infinite.
Corruption is the cornerstone of the S-tier archetype. If it appears, the pivot to Exhaust/Infinite is almost always correct.
Act 3
Act 3 is about executing the Vulnerable game plan against tougher enemies. Ensure your deck is tight enough to cycle to Bash and Uppercut reliably.
Priorities
- 1.Remove all remaining filler cards.
- 2.Ensure defensive cards are sufficient for Act 3 damage.
- 3.Do not over-add cards.
Card Picks
Key Decisions
Offered Corruption in Act 3
Consider pivoting to Exhaust/Infinite if you have Feel No Pain or Dark Embrace.
Even late in the run, Corruption can transform your game plan. Evaluate whether you have enough Exhaust pieces to make the pivot.
Pilot Walkthrough
Overview
Act 1 is straightforward for Vulnerable — Bash is already in your starter deck. Focus on upgrading Bash for longer Vulnerable duration and picking up efficient damage cards.
Priorities
- 1Upgrade Bash at the first campfire for longer Vulnerable duration.
- 2Pick up Pommel Strike and Shrug It Off for cycling and defense.
- 3Take Uppercut if offered — it is the premium Vulnerable applicator.
- 4Remove Strikes at shops to improve cycling.
Card Picks
Card Removals
Relic Priorities
Decision Points
Offered Uppercut in Act 1
Take it immediately.
Uppercut applies both Vulnerable and Weak, making it the best single card for this archetype. Having two Vulnerable applicators dramatically increases consistency.
Elite Strategy
Bash turn 1 for Vulnerable, then attack aggressively while the debuff is active. Burning Blood heals you afterwards.
Boss Strategy
Keep Vulnerable up as much as possible. Bash on turn 1, follow up with your hardest-hitting attacks. Reapply Vulnerable when it expires.
Bad RNG Fallback
Bad RNG Fallback
If no Vulnerable synergy cards appear beyond Bash, pivot to Block/Body Slam if Body Slam and Barricade show up, or to Exhaust/Infinite if Corruption appears. The Vulnerable archetype is flexible because Bash is already in your starter deck.
If you don't see:
Consider pivoting to:
- →exhaust-infinite
- →block-body-slam
Multiplayer Tips
Vulnerable is a percentage-based debuff that benefits every player's attacks equally, making this one of the strongest MP support archetypes. Your Bash and Uppercut increase all damage the enemy takes by 50% — from every teammate, every turn the debuff is active.
Unlike flat damage (Strength, Poison ticks, Shivs) which is proportionally weaker against MP-scaled HP, Vulnerable is a percentage multiplier that scales with the team's total damage output. The more teammates hitting the Vulnerable target, the more total value your debuff application generates.
Prioritize Uppercut over Bash for the additional Weak application — Weak reduces enemy attack damage for the entire team, not just you.
Weak reduces enemy attack damage by 25%, protecting all players. In longer MP fights with scaled enemy damage, maintaining Weak uptime is as valuable as Vulnerable uptime. Uppercut applies both in one card.
Demon Form's Strength scaling adds flat damage per attack, which is proportionally weaker against MP-scaled HP. In MP, your primary value is keeping Vulnerable and Weak active on priority targets — treat Strength as a personal bonus, not the team's win condition.
Strength adds a fixed number to each attack. Against a 350-HP MP enemy, +3 Strength per turn matters less than the 50% Vulnerable multiplier applied to three players' combined damage output. Spend energy on reapplying debuffs before playing extra attacks for Strength value.