Poisoned Stab
A lethal thrust that leaves a lingering, corrosive wound on any foe.
Poisoned Stab is a fundamental Attack card available exclusively to The Ironclad in Slay the Spire. It represents the character's early reliance on brute force, modified by the corrosive properties of alchemical toxins. While it deals direct damage like other strikes, its defining feature is the application of Poison, a status effect that bypasses blocks and damages enemies over time.
- Character
- The Ironclad
- Card Type
- Attack
- Rarity
- Common
- Energy Cost
- 1
- Base Damage
- 6
- Effect
- Apply Poison (3)
- Unlock Condition
- Default starting deck
Lore & Background
The application of poison is particularly effective against enemies that rely heavily on blocking, as the toxin's damage ignores defensive stances. For an Ironclad who has mastered this technique, every swing becomes a ticking clock for the opponent. The card embodies the character's adaptability, turning their heavy armor and strength into a delivery system for subtle, insidious harm.
In Their Own Story
The air in the corridor was thick with the scent of ozone and rot. The Ironclad raised their blade, not to cleave through bone, but to ensure the tip remained dipped in the green vial at their belt. With a heavy grunt, they lunged forward. The enemy, a hulking beast expecting a crushing blow, barely registered the puncture until it hissed. Green ichor seeped from the wound, and as the seconds ticked by, the creature's strength faded, its block crumbling under the relentless, invisible assault of the toxin.
Reader's Guide
Poisoned Stab is a Common Attack card for The Ironclad costing 1 Energy. It deals 6 damage and applies Poison (3) to a single enemy.
In deck building, this card serves as a versatile tool that scales with upgrades. Upgrading it increases the base damage to 9 while maintaining the initial poison application. Its true power lies in synergy with cards like Toxicity, which amplifies poison damage, or Corrosive Blade, which adds more poison stacks.
Relics such as The Courier can reduce its cost to 0 Energy, allowing for rapid poison stacking every turn. Additionally, the Catalyst relic upgrades this card automatically upon drawing it, making it a potent engine in specific runs. It is most effective against high-block enemies where direct damage would be inefficient.
Did You Know?
- Poisoned Stab is one of the few starting cards that applies a status effect rather than just dealing raw damage.
- The poison applied by this card ignores enemy blocks, making it essential for breaking through defensive strategies.
- Upgrading Poisoned Stab increases its base damage but does not increase the initial amount of poison applied.
- This card is often used as a cornerstone in 'Poison' builds that focus on dealing massive damage over time.