FIELD MANUAL · 13
Strategy guides
Practical lessons for combat, pathing, deck building and every ascender.
Climbing foundations
Drafting, combat, pathing and resource decisions for every run.
beginnerBeginner Roadmap
A practical route from your first run to consistent early-Ascension clears.
mechanicsCombat Fundamentals
Energy, block, intent, scaling and sequencing explained as one combat system.
strategyMap and Pathing Strategy
Choose routes by what your deck needs, not by a fixed room priority list.
strategyCard Rewards: Build the Deck You Have
A repeatable drafting method that values immediate answers, consistency and flexibility over forcing an archetype.
strategyPotions and Elite Readiness
Turn consumables, health and route branches into a practical go-or-retreat decision before an Elite.
Encounter plans
Fight-specific preparation built from the local enemy database.
Community lab
Advanced ideas distilled from experienced Steam players and checked against current data.
communityRegent Star Economy Lab
Balance generators and spenders, value persistent Stars correctly and use a community exchange-rate heuristic without mistaking it for a rule.
communityDefect Orb Decisions for A7–A10
Use Orbs as a flexible combat system, balance passive value with evocation and keep high-Ascension decks fast enough to survive setup.
Ascender guides
Learn each character's resource system, strengths and recommended builds.
characterIronclad Complete Guide
A battle-hardened warrior who sold his soul to harness demonic power. Excels at raw strength and self-healing through combat. His Burning Blood relic restores 6 HP after every fight, making him forgiving for newer players. Learn card priorities, builds and practical run planning.
characterSilent Complete Guide
A deadly huntress who employs poison, shivs, and cunning to eliminate foes. Masters of card draw, discard manipulation, and multiple consistent archetypes that mesh together extremely well. Learn card priorities, builds and practical run planning.
characterDefect Complete Guide
An ancient combat automaton that channels elemental Orbs — Lightning, Frost, Dark, Glass, and Plasma — for versatile strategies. Returns from StS1 with a familiar toolkit and is considered one of the most consistent characters. Learn card priorities, builds and practical run planning.
characterRegent Complete Guide
The Regent balances a unique Stars resource alongside Energy. Stars are permanent until spent, with theoretically unlimited stockpiling. His Forge mechanic and star-powered abilities offer insane scaling potential. Learn card priorities, builds and practical run planning.
characterNecrobinder Complete Guide
A Spireborn lich with her loyal bodyguard Osty. Osty blocks attacks for you, creating an extra HP layer. The Necrobinder offers doom, ethereal, and summon archetypes — high ceiling but a steep learning curve. Learn card priorities, builds and practical run planning.