Beginner

Beginner's Guide

Core fundamentals for new players climbing the Spire

rest sitescard upgradesstrategyfundamentals

Understanding Rest Sites

Rest sites are crucial decision points throughout your climb. You can either heal or upgrade a card. While healing can save you when you're low on health, upgrading cards often provides greater long-term value. Your HP pool is a resource. Any HP above 1 is technically "extra" — but don't run around on 1 HP constantly! You need a buffer for bad draws and tough Elite fights. Slay the Spire rewards aggressive decision-making, so always question whether you really need that heal.

When to Heal vs. Upgrade

The opportunity cost of healing is missing a card upgrade. This can be a steep price, especially in later Acts.

Consider healing when

  • •You're below 30% HP entering a difficult Act
  • •You have no strong upgrade candidates
  • •The next boss fight punishes low HP heavily

Consider upgrading when

  • •You have a high-impact card that scales well
  • •Your deck has a clear win condition that needs strengthening
  • •You can survive a few more floors without the heal

Card Upgrade Priorities

Not all upgrades are created equal. Two factors determine upgrade value: the upgrade's power increase, and how central the card is to your win condition.

High-Priority Upgrades

Defragment (Defect) — An upgrade literally doubles the card's power. If you're running an Orb deck on Defect, this is a top-tier upgrade target. Pommel Strike (Ironclad) — Increases both damage AND doubles the draw effect. Great upgrade value, though the card itself isn't always central to builds.

Lower-Priority Upgrades

Leading Strike (Ironclad) — Only increases damage when upgraded. Good for Act 1, but rarely part of your long-term strategy unless you're building a Shiv deck.

Pro Tips for New Players

  • •Check upgrade previews: Open your deck, right-click a card, and select "Upgraded" to see exactly what changes
  • •Don't overvalue healing: Early Act HP is worth spending for card quality
  • •Identify your win condition: Upgrade cards that support your deck's core strategy, not just any random card