Slay the Spire 2 doesn’t have a traditional difficulty system in place, but the Ascension system and its levels will gradually raise the degree of challenge on your runs.
Ascension levels, of which there are 20, apply separately for each character and apply certain modifiers to your runs. Let’s look at how the system works.
Table of contents
All Ascension level effects in Slay the Spire 2
The table below has complete information about all Ascension level modifiers.
| Ascension Level | Modifier |
|---|---|
| 1 | More elite enemy spawns. |
| 2 | Normal enemies have more attack and health. |
| 3 | Stronger Elites that are harder to take down. |
| 4 | Deadlier Bosses with greater strength and health. |
| 5 | Get fewer heals after Boss battles. |
| 6 | Start each run with damage. |
| 7 | Find tougher normal enemies. |
| 8 | Find tougher Elites. |
| 9 | Find tougher Bosses. |
| 10 | Start each run with a Cursed status. |
| 11 | Start each run with one less slot for Potions. |
| 12 | Less chances of finding upgraded cards. |
| 13 | Encounter poor bosses. |
| 14 | Max HP for your chosen character will be lower. |
| 15 | Events will be of unfavorable nature. |
| 16 | Shop items will be costlier. |
| 17 | Normal enemies will have better abilities and moves. |
| 18 | Elites will have better abilities and move. |
| 19 | Bosses will have better abilities and move. |
| 20 | Encounter two Bosses at the end of Act 3. |
How to raise Ascension levels in Slay the Spire 2
To raise your Ascension levels, you have to complete a full run with a character. You gain one Ascension level for that character by doing so. If you manage to reach Ascension 20 for any character, you will have 19 modifiers available for them at the start of a run.
Hence, the more Ascensions you have, the tougher your runs will be. The ultimate challenge begins when you reach Ascension 20 with a character.
