Slay the Spire is such a compelling game of strategy and chance. No run-through could ever be the exact same. You have so many possibilities and yet you still need to know what your best options are. There are lots of factors to focus on. Which character you choose is always important, as well as the routes you take and the cards you choose. Perhaps a bit overlooked is the types of potions to consider when you come across the chance to choose. While there are many and the right situation can cause you to choose differently, will give you a quick list guide to help you out on the best ones to keep an eye out for. Here are the 10 best positions in Slay the Spire.
A quick note, we will not be putting any exclusive potions on this list. Each character gets 3 potions all on their own that affect them specifically. So your choice in that matter is all up to how you play to that character’s specific strengths and weaknesses. Another note is to keep in mind if you are going potion heavy on your journey, always pick up Sacred Bark as it doubles the effects of EVERY potion you use. Which for some on this list, is an insane upswing to have.
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10. Blessing of the Forge
Depending on where you are in your path, Blessing of the Forge can give you stronger cards for a while. This common card upgrades all the cards in your hand for the rest of that combat. So for one match, you have a hand full of permanently upgraded cards.
9. Snecko Oil
Opposite of Blessing of the Forge, Snecko Oil is a great late-game card. Once you’re deep into the Spire you’ll no doubt have a lot of high-costing cards. Snecko randomizes the costs of all cards in your hand for the rest of the combat. This is a high-risk, high-reward as it could drop 3 costs card down to 0 or 1 cost card up to 3 but there’s a good chance that bringing down the cost to the right card in your hand is what you really need.
8. Block Potion
Simple and straightforward forward the Block Potion is what you need around when you’re in a tight spot. This common potion gives you 12 block for that round you take it. You will always want to gain block points when and where you can. Especially against more powerful enemies. So safe this one when you have no block cards and you’re about to get hit with a high attack.
7. Duplication Potion
Have a really good card you wish you could play more than once at a time or had copies of? Say no more. Duplication potion is exactly that. After taking this uncommon potion, for this turn only, the very next card you play will play its effect twice. So make sure it’s the card you need to play the most that turn when you make the choice.
6. Liquid Memories
Liquid Memories is pretty much the same as the Duplication Potion but done in a different way. This uncommon potion allows you to return a card from the discard pile into your hand. That’s not all though, as the cost of that card for this turn only after taking the potion is 0. So basically you can play a good card you just played again or grab a card you played earlier before your deck reshuffles.
5. Essence of Steel
As we said before, you want to get block points as often as possible in this game. Blocking as much and as often will literally help save your life, or at least prolong your demise. Drinking the uncommon Essence of Steel potion will give you 4 PLated Armor points for the rest of that combat. The Plated Armor ability grants you whatever number of points you have into block points every new turn. That’s right, you don’t have to play anything else for at least 4 block points with this potion.
4. Liquid Bronze
Perhaps the only thing better than gaining block points every turn is getting guaranteed damage on your enemies every turn. Thorns deal damage every time you are attacked and are permanent! That’s right, drink this uncommon potion and gain 3 Thorns for the whole combat!
3. Fruit Juice
Just as important as keeping your blocks up is keeping up your health. It’s even better when you gain permanent Max HP points. Fruit Juice does just that. This rare potion gives 5 Max HP for the rest of your Spire run. Needless to say, grab this potion every opportunity you have.
2. Cultist Potion
Now let’s talk about Strength. Strength points increase your attack damage. While there are plenty of potions that grant you more Strength, if you’re expecting a long battle, nothing is better than the Cultist Potion. Drink this rare potion and gain 1 Ritual ability. The ritual grants you equal to the number of rituals you have an additional strength every turn. That’s right, you gain one permeant strength every turn. So if your combat lasts 10 turns, you’ll have 10 extra strength points if you took the person at the start. You can’t get more powerful than this one.
1. Fairy in a Bottle
With all this talk about what is important, honestly, nothing is more important in Slay the Spire than staying alive. So when a potion comes along to give you just one more extra life, you have to take it. No ifs, ands, or buts. Fairy in a Bottle, likely a Zelda reference, is a rare potion that automatically activates when you die. You don’t have to drink it, when you die, you just heal up to 30% of your Max HP instead. It’s the best last saving grace you can utilize in your Spire run. Without a doubt, no potion is more important or useful than this one.
For more lists of the most helpful ways to beat the game, here’s Slay the Spire: Every Cheat in the Game. Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook Page for more lists, guides, news, and updates on your favorite games.
