Unlocking characters in Slay the Spire 2 couldn’t be easier. Unlike most other games where you have to grind through full runs or beat tough bosses, character unlocks in Slay the Spire 2 happen automatically as you start runs with each character. What’s even better is that you can even quit early and it’ll still count as a completed attempt toward unlocking the next character, so getting the full roster doesn’t feel like a slog.
Slay the Spire 2 currently features five unlockable characters and each one brings its own set of cards, mechanics, and resource systems that can noticeably change how a run plays out. So, if you want to move through the full roster without getting stuck on long runs, here’s how you can unlock every character in Slay the Spire 2.
Slay the Spire 2: Every Playable Character and How to Unlock Them
Slay the Spire 2 features five playbale characters: the Ironclad, the Silent, the Regent, the Necrobinder, and the Defect. As we said earlier, you don’t have to finish full runs or take down bosses to unlock them. Instead, all you need to do is simply start a run with a character to unlock the next one.
Since the characters in Slay the Spire 2 unlock in a set order, you’ll work your way through the roster one at a time. With all that out of the way, here’s how to unlock every playable character in Slay the Spire 2 and what each one brings to a run:
Ironclad
The Ironclad is available right from the start and is the easiest choice to get a feel for how the game works. His cards deal direct damage and include important debuffs like Vulnerable and Weak. His starting relic heals 6 HP after every fight, making early runs more forgiving and also opens up different ways to build his deck.
The Silent
You can unlock The Silent by playing a run as the Ironclad. She’s built for speed and control, letting you chain several low-cost cards in a single turn or stack poison to wear enemies down over time. Her deck works well with draw and discard tricks, and Sly cards can be played for free after being discarded, which lets you pull off some tricky combos.
The Regent
The Regent unlocks after you play a run as The Silent. He introduces Stars, a secondary resource that works alongside Energy but doesn’t reset each turn. This allows you to build resources and allocate them in bursts as needed. He also uses Forge to strengthen a retained attack over time, giving him a more deliberate and setup-focused playstyle.
The Necrobinder
You can unlock The Necrobinder by playing a run as The Regent. She fights alongside Osty, a summoned companion that can absorb damage once your Block is broken. You can increase Osty’s health through summoning effects, turning it into a reliable buffer in longer fights. On top of that, The Necrobinder has Soul cards for extra draws without spending energy, as well as Doom, which can automatically defeat enemies if it reaches their remaining HP.
The Defect
The Defect becomes available after you play a run as The Necrobinder. It’s back with its signature orb system, summoning elemental orbs that trigger effects at the end of each turn. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on your orbs, since adding new ones can trigger their stronger evoke effects.
And that’s how you unlock every character in Slay the Spire 2. For more gaming news and guides, be sure to check out our gaming page!
