Act 1 Forest
The verdant threshold where climbers first test their mettle against the Spire.
The Act 1 Forest serves as the verdant threshold for all who dare to ascend the Spire. This lush biome surrounds the base of the mysterious tower, filled with ancient ruins and overgrown paths that hint at a civilization long past. It is here that climbers first encounter the dangers of the ascent, testing their decks against common monsters before facing the Act 1 Boss.
As the starting point of every run, this area establishes the core rhythm of exploration. Players navigate between combat encounters, special events, and rest sites to gather resources. The Forest represents the initial challenge of the Spire's influence, filtering out the unprepared while offering the first opportunities for relic acquisition and card selection.
- Act Number
- 1
- Visual Theme
- Overgrown Ruins & Green Canopy
- Difficulty Tier
- Introductory / Low
- Key Enemies
- Slime, Thorn, Wraith, Skeleton
- Special Encounters
- Merchant Shop, Shrine, Rest Site
- Progression Goal
- Defeat Act 1 Boss to unlock Relic Choice
Lore & Background
Ancient texts suggest the Spire was not built, but rather rose from the earth itself, reshaping the landscape around it. The Forest that now blankets its base is a remnant of the world before the tower's emergence, twisted by unnatural energies. Climbers gather at this foothold seeking power, redemption, or answers to the Spire's call, though few return unchanged.
The ruins scattered throughout the woods are remnants of those who came before, their warnings lost to time and vegetation. Some say the monsters here are guardians, while others believe they are merely corrupted wildlife drawn by the tower's hunger. Regardless of origin, the Forest demands a price in blood or steel for passage upward.
In Their Own Story
The Silent adjusted her hood as the canopy thickened above, blocking out the sun. Moss crunched underfoot where stone paths had once been paved. Ahead, a skeleton lay slumped against a crumbling archway, its bones bleached white by years of neglect. She tightened her grip on her dagger; this was only the beginning. The Spire loomed in the distance, a jagged scar against the sky, waiting for her to prove she belonged among those who climbed.
Reader's Guide
Visually, Act 1 is defined by vibrant greens and earthy browns, creating a sense of life amidst decay. Players should expect frequent encounters with low-health enemies like Slimes that test basic combat mechanics without overwhelming new decks.
Environmental hazards are minimal compared to later acts, but the density of enemies increases as you progress deeper into the map. Special nodes such as Shrines and Shops appear here, offering strategic choices that can define your entire run. Ignoring these opportunities often leads to a weaker build for Act 2.
Strategically, this biome is for foundation building. Use it to identify which cards synergize best with your starting deck before committing to complex strategies. The difficulty ramps up significantly near the end of the act as you approach the boss encounter. Efficient resource management here ensures survival when the Spire's defenses intensify in subsequent layers.
Did You Know?
- The Merchant Shop is guaranteed to appear at least once during Act 1 exploration.
- Slimes are iconic enemies that often drop specific relics upon defeat depending on difficulty modifiers.
- Defeating the final boss of this act grants the player a choice between three new Relics.
- Ascension Mode increases enemy stats and introduces new mechanics starting from this first biome.