Among the many relics available in Slay the Spire, the Runic Pyramid stands out as one of the most unique and strategic options. Unlike most relics that offer straightforward benefits or bonuses, the Runic Pyramid significantly changes the core flow of gameplay. By allowing players to retain all cards in their hand at the end of each turn, it encourages entirely new deck-building strategies and plays that can feel extremely powerful or unexpectedly punishing. Whether you’re a seasoned player or someone just exploring the game, understanding how to properly use the Runic Pyramid can lead to stronger runs and higher chances of success in later acts.
What Is the Runic Pyramid?
The Runic Pyramid is a boss relic in Slay the Spire, usually offered after Act 1 or Act 2 bosses. Its effect reads: At the end of your turn, you no longer discard your hand. This means that all cards you hold remain in your hand until you play them or discard them through another means. On the surface, this might seem like a simple convenience, but it has deeper consequences that dramatically shift the tempo of the game.
How the Runic Pyramid Works
In standard gameplay, your hand is discarded at the end of every turn, and you draw a fresh set of cards at the beginning of the next. The Runic Pyramid stops this discard phase, allowing you to hold onto cards indefinitely. This opens the door to:
- Saving situational cards for perfect timing
- Building synergy around hand-retention mechanics
- Managing energy more efficiently across turns
However, it also introduces potential downsides, such as hand clogging and a lack of card draw utility since you’ll eventually draw fewer new cards each turn.
Advantages of the Runic Pyramid
For the right build, the Runic Pyramid can feel like a game-breaking advantage. Here are some of the major upsides:
Perfect Timing for Key Cards
Some cards are only useful in very specific moments like powers that cost a lot of energy, defensive cards when you’re under threat, or debuffs against bosses. The Runic Pyramid lets you keep those cards in hand until exactly when you need them, ensuring you don’t have to waste them or redraw later.
Synergies with Discard Builds
Certain characters like the Silent or the Watcher benefit greatly from discarding cards manually or triggering effects based on discard mechanics. With Runic Pyramid, you gain full control of which cards to discard and when, allowing for creative loops and extended combos.
Energy Efficiency
If you lack the energy to play a high-cost card on one turn, you can simply save it for the next. This makes multi-turn planning more effective and reduces the waste of unplayed but important cards. It’s especially helpful in decks that use expensive finishers or strong but high-cost cards like Meteor Strike or Fiend Fire.
Disadvantages and Risks
Despite its potential, the Runic Pyramid can just as easily become a burden if used carelessly or without proper deck planning. Here are the primary drawbacks to consider:
Hand Clutter
Without careful management, your hand can quickly become filled with cards you don’t want to play, leaving no room for drawing new ones. If your hand hits the size cap (10 cards), you’ll start losing draws, which can severely slow down your progress in battle.
Status and Curse Cards
Since your hand doesn’t automatically discard, any curse or status card you draw will stay in your hand indefinitely unless removed by other effects. Cards like Burn, Dazed, or Regret can linger and cripple your hand if you don’t have a way to exhaust or discard them.
Low Draw Value
Once you’ve filled your hand, drawing more cards becomes less valuable. Decks that rely heavily on draw mechanics or card cycling (like some Watcher or Ironclad decks) may suffer because they lose access to fresh options each turn.
Best Characters for Runic Pyramid
Not all classes benefit equally from the Runic Pyramid. Let’s explore who gains the most from this relic and why:
The Silent
The Silent arguably benefits the most from Runic Pyramid. With her access to discard synergy (like Tactician, Reflex, or Calculated Gamble) and large hand sizes, the Silent can maintain strong momentum. Additionally, status-clearing cards like Prepared or Backflip help deal with hand clutter.
The Defect
While more situational, the Defect can use Runic Pyramid effectively in power-heavy builds. Holding on to powers like Buffer or Echo Form for the right moment can be clutch. In some orb builds, retaining cards like Amplify until an optimal combo arises can greatly enhance your burst turns.
The Ironclad
The Ironclad can work well with Runic Pyramid in exhaust-based builds or with cards like Dark Embrace, Feel No Pain, and Fiend Fire. However, he may struggle with hand clog unless he picks up discard or exhaust tools. Cards like Offering and Shrug It Off can help manage pacing.
The Watcher
The Watcher tends to prefer cycling through cards quickly to chain stance transitions. However, Runic Pyramid can support high-risk, high-reward builds where retaining critical cards like Divinity generators or high-damage cards like Judgement or Blasphemy can win fights in a single burst turn.
Combos and Strategies
To maximize the effectiveness of Runic Pyramid, you’ll need to build your deck with synergy in mind. Here are a few tactics to make it shine:
Include Discard or Exhaust Tools
Add cards that let you remove unwanted cards from your hand. Examples include:
- Silent: Prepared, Calculated Gamble, Dagger Throw
- Ironclad: Offering, Fiend Fire, Burning Pact
- Defect: Recycle, Cold Snap (for orb control)
Limit Unplayable or Situational Cards
Minimize the number of cards that you don’t want to use every fight. Cards that require setup or are only useful in some turns can become dead weight. Keep your deck lean and consistent.
Focus on Powers or Scaling
Since you can retain your finishers or buffs, look for cards that get better over time. Buffs like Accuracy, Storm, Metallicize, or Talk to the Hand can be played when you need them most, not when they randomly appear.
Combine with Energy Relics
Runic Pyramid becomes much more effective when paired with energy-boosting relics like Fusion Hammer, Velvet Choker, or Coffee Dripper. The more energy you have, the more cards you can retain and play each turn, making the hand size management more fluid.
When to Avoid Runic Pyramid
There are times when taking Runic Pyramid is a mistake. Avoid it if:
- Your deck has many unplayable or curse cards.
- You lack discard or exhaust options.
- You rely heavily on drawing new cards each turn.
- You’re playing a deck that depends on quick cycling or stance changes without card retention mechanics.
The Runic Pyramid is one of the most polarizing relics in Slay the Spire. While it can be incredibly powerful when used correctly, it demands thoughtful deck construction and in-battle management. It’s a relic for players who enjoy careful planning, creative combos, and tactical flexibility. When combined with the right cards and strategy, the Runic Pyramid transforms your deck into a controlled machine capable of executing precise and powerful turns. Whether you’re chasing Ascension levels or just having fun, mastering this relic is a rewarding step in your Slay the Spire journey.