Potion usage timing and strategy for Slay the Spire 2 — when to use, save, or discard potions
Use this skill when deciding whether to use a potion in combat or when evaluating potion rewards.
Potions are single-use consumables with powerful effects. Using them at the right time is critical — wasted potions can't be recovered.
Potion strategy changes based on Infinite Readiness (read run-state.md):
| Readiness | Potion Strategy |
|---|---|
| Not Started / Building | Standard potion usage — survive fights to keep collecting components |
| Almost Ready | Use defensive potions aggressively to survive until engine comes online. Save Energy Potions for the turn you set up the engine. |
| Infinite Ready | Potions matter most in the setup phase (turns 1-3 before loop starts). Once loop is running, potions are unnecessary. Use them early to survive setup. |
| Potion | Infinite Value | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Potion (+2 Energy) | Critical | Turn where you play Corruption + Dark Embrace + other engine pieces. Extra energy enables full setup in one turn. |
| Drawing Potion (+3 Draw) | Very High | Early turns to find engine components faster. Draw into Corruption/Dark Embrace/Feel No Pain. |
| Block Potion (12 Block) | High | Setup turns when you're spending all energy on Powers instead of blocking. Buys time. |
| Duplication Potion | High | Duplicate Offering (5 cards + energy) or a key Power if you have 2. |
| Dexterity Potion (+2 Dex) | Low | Less valuable — once loop runs, Feel No Pain provides all block needed. |
During turns 1-3 of a fight (before Infinite loop activates):
Use immediately when:
Facing lethal — If incoming damage will kill you and you can't block enough, use defensive potions.
Reaching lethal on a dangerous enemy — If a potion enables killing a boss or elite that would otherwise survive and scale, use it.
Boss fights — Potions are meant to be used. Don't hoard through a boss fight.
Belt is full and better potion available — If potion belt is full (default 3 slots for Ironclad) and you find a better potion, use or discard the weakest one.
Elite fights with high stakes — Elites are dangerous and give good rewards. Potions help ensure clean wins.
Save potions when:
Easy normal fights — Regular hallway fights against weak enemies don't warrant potion use.
Early in a fight — Don't use potions on turn 1 of a long fight unless immediately threatened.
Boss approaching — If the map shows a boss fight coming soon, save potions for it.
Potion belt has room — No need to use a potion just because you have it.
| Potion | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Fire Potion (20 dmg) | Kill threshold — finishes off an enemy that would survive |
| Explosive Potion (10 AoE) | Multiple low-HP enemies, or supplement AoE turn |
| Poison Potion (6 Poison) | Long fights where Poison ticks add up (bosses) |
| Strength Potion (+2 Str) | Before a big attack turn, especially multi-hit cards |
| Flex Potion (+5 Str temp) | Same turn use only — Strength disappears at turn end |
| Weak Potion (3 Weak) | Reduce enemy damage for multiple turns — use early |
| Vulnerable Potion (3 Vuln) | Before big damage turns — 50% more Attack damage |
| Fear Potion (3 Vulnerable) | Same as Vulnerable Potion |
| Potion | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Block Potion (12 Block) | Fill block gap when cards can't cover incoming damage |
| Ancient Potion (1 Artifact) | Before enemy applies dangerous debuff |
| Regeneration Potion (5 Regen) | Boss fights — heals 5 per turn for many turns |
| Fairy in a Bottle | Auto-triggers on death — keep until then |
| Dexterity Potion (+2 Dex) | Before heavy block turns — adds to all Block cards |
| Potion | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Energy Potion (+2 Energy) | Big turns where extra energy enables multiple key plays |
| Drawing Potion (+3 Draw) | When hand is weak and more options would help |
| Duplication Potion | Copy a high-value card (e.g., Impervious for 10 block, or a big attack) |
| Distilled Chaos | When hand is bad — plays random cards from draw pile |
| Entropic Brew | Fills empty potion slots — use when belt is empty |
| Liquid Bronze (3 Thorns) | Multi-attack enemies (Spider, multi-hit bosses) |
| Smoke Bomb | Escape from fights — last resort |
1. Am I facing lethal this turn?
YES -> Use defensive potion(s) to survive
NO -> Continue
2. Can a potion enable killing a dangerous enemy this turn?
YES -> Use offensive potion to secure the kill
NO -> Continue
3. Is this a boss or elite fight?
YES -> Consider using potions aggressively
NO -> Continue (save for harder fights)
4. Is my potion belt full and I might find better potions?
YES -> Use weakest potion now
NO -> Save all potions
If Infinite Ready:
1. Is this the setup turn (playing Corruption/Dark Embrace/Powers)?
YES -> Use Energy Potion + Drawing Potion NOW
NO -> Continue
2. Am I taking lethal during setup (before loop active)?
YES -> Use defensive potions to survive setup phase
NO -> Continue
3. Is the Infinite loop already running?
YES -> Potions are unnecessary. Save for next fight.
NO -> Consider potions to accelerate reaching loop state
# Self-targeted potions (buffs, draw, energy):
./sts2 use_potion <potion_id>
# Enemy-targeted potions (damage, debuffs):
./sts2 use_potion <potion_id> --target <combat_id>
# Check potions[].target_type to know if --target is needed
Some potions require selecting cards after use. When using these, the game enters POTION_SELECTION screen.
Usage workflow:
# 1. Use the potion
./sts2 use_potion LIQUID_MEMORIES
# 2. Check state - screen should be "POTION_SELECTION"
./sts2 state
# 3. Select card(s) from the available options
./sts2 potion_select_card <card_id> # Select 1 card
./sts2 potion_select_card STRIKE --nth 0 BASH --nth 1 # Select multiple
# 4. Or skip if allowed
./sts2 potion_select_skip # Skip selection
# 5. Verify return to combat
./sts2 state
Selection potion types:
ATTACK_POTION, SKILL_POTION, POWER_POTION - Choose 1 of 3 cardsCOLORLESS_POTION - Choose 1 of 3 (can skip)LIQUID_MEMORIES - Choose 1 from discard pileDROPLET_OF_PRECOGNITION - Choose 1 from draw pileGAMBLERS_BREW - Choose 0-N from hand (multi-select, can skip)ASHWATER - Choose 1-N from hand (multi-select)TOUCH_OF_INSANITY - Choose 1 from handImportant: Selection potions may fail or cause TUI glitches. If use_potion times out or selection fails, file a bug report:
./sts2 report_bug --title "Potion selection failed" --description "<details>" --last-command "<the use_potion command>" --severity medium --labels "potion,selection"
| Situation | Load Skill |
|---|---|
| Full combat procedure | combat-loop |
| Need | Read File |
|---|---|
| Detailed potion effects | docs/potions.md |