Slay the Spire 2 has released beta update v0.113.0, adding a new character called The Fool alongside Blitz and Dread modes. Mega Crit published the patch on 12 November, but there is an important catch before you launch the game and wonder where everything has gone: these additions are on the public beta branch.
The Fool is a musician who carries a bow, becoming the first additional character introduced during Early Access. Mega Crit expects substantial content and balance adjustments before the character reaches the main branch, so this is a chance to test a work in progress rather than a promise that every card has found its final form.
Blitz takes a more compact approach to deckbuilding, removing the map and making gold irrelevant while changing what the Merchant offers. It has five Ascension levels shared across characters and unlocks after completing an Ascension run at any difficulty, which should give experienced players another way to experiment with their builds.
Dread heads in a considerably less welcoming direction. It requires Ascension 10 on every character, including The Fool, then enables all Ascension modifiers while strengthening bosses and letting them improve enemies throughout their act. Curses also accumulate as you climb, because apparently the Spire felt it was being too hospitable.
The patch includes new events and relics, a Byrdpip evolution and a wide range of balance adjustments and fixes. There are interface changes too, including clearer messaging when a saved run comes from a newer game version, alongside controller navigation improvements at the Merchant.
Players using Steam can opt in through the game’s Properties menu, opening Game Versions & Betas and selecting public-beta. The regular branch is instead receiving the earlier v0.111.0 content and changes, so the new character and modes should not be expected there yet.
We picked up the announcement through GamesRadar+ and checked Mega Crit’s full patch notes. Slay the Spire 2 remains in Early Access, with this beta offering plenty of new ways to discover that your supposedly perfect deck still has room for disaster.