Ascension in Slay the Spire 2 is a mechanic that gradually increases the in-game difficulty of your runs. Each ascension level in the game is independently counted for all available characters, and unlocking it adds an extra layer of challenge. Reaching Ascension 20 for each class is one of the biggest endgame challenges.

To that end, this article explains how ascension works in Slay the Spire 2 and all the challenges it introduces to your gameplay.

Ascension mechanic in Slay the Spire 2 explained

As mentioned above, there are 20 ascension levels in Slay the Spire 2, with each one counted independently for all five characters. This means that if you reach Ascension 20 with the Regent, it will not alter the current ascension level of any of the other four classes. Therefore, you must spend time playing all the characters to ascend them all.

However, that is easier said than done because to increase one ascension level of a character, you must complete an entire run with them. Furthermore, when you start another run to increase that character’s ascension level further, the challenge will have its difficulty increased.

You should also note that the added challenges at each ascension level are cumulative. Therefore, if you are trying to complete a run at Ascension 2 to reach Ascension 3, not only will you have to face the challenge added upon reaching Ascension 2, but also the challenge added when you reached Ascension 1. This makes it so that by the time you are reaching Ascension 20, at least 19 modifiers are in effect to make you run extremely hard.

Additionally, you must note that although ascension level challenges do take effect in Custom Mode, playing in this mode does not contribute toward raising your levels with that character.

All ascension level challenges in Slay the Spire 2

To help you get an idea of how the stakes increase with each run and updated ascension level, here is a list of challenges that each level introduces to your gameplay:

• Ascension 1: Elites spawn more often.
• Ascension 2: Normal enemies are deadlier.
• Ascension 3: Elites are deadlier.
• Ascension 4: Bosses are deadlier.
• Ascension 5: Heal less after Boss battles.
• Ascension 6: Start each run damaged.
• Ascension 7: Normal enemies are tougher.
• Ascension 8: Elites are tougher.
• Ascension 9: Bosses are tougher.
• Ascension 10: Start each run cursed.
• Ascension 11: Start each run with 1 less potion slot.
• Ascension 12: Upgraded cards appear less often.
• Ascension 13: Poor bosses.
• Ascension 14: Lower max HP.
• Ascension 15: Unfavorable events.
• Ascension 16: Shops are more costly.
• Ascension 17: Normal enemies have more challenging movesets and abilities.
• Ascension 18: Elites have more challenging movesets and abilities.
• Ascension 19: Bosses have more challenging movesets and abilities.
• Ascension 20: Double boss at the end of Act 3.

Upon reaching the maximum Ascension 20, you will have completed all the challenges with your chosen class at the hardest difficulty Slay the Spire 2 has to offer.

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