An Intro Guide to Rest Sites: Every Stop Matters

Rest Sites, also often called 'campfires', are your moments of peace during a run in Slay the Spire 2. They are strategic hubs where you decide between survival and power by choosing whether to recover health or upgrade a card, alongside some other unique options.

Here is how you can make the best use of Rest Sites in Slay the Spire 2.

What are Rest Sites?

Rest Sites are non-combat rooms in StS2, marked with a campfire icon on your map. Every time youwhere you are presented with a choice. By default, you can either Rest (heal 30% of your Max HP) or Forge (permanently upgrade a card). The HP healed, or the upgrade options may change.

As you progress, certain Relics or Events might unlock extra actions or benefits, like the ability to dig for Relics, remove cards from your deck, clone one from your collection, or gain temporary buffs. Examples of these include Venerable Tea Set and Tiny Mailbox.

This is just a sample selection, as we don't want to spoil all the surprises for you, but if you want a thorough look, the Events page and our Quest Cards guide have you covered.

Why are Rest Sites important in Slay the Spire 2?

Every Rest Site serves as a "resource check" for your run. HP is a currency that lets you survive fights in the short term, but upgraded cards are the engine that wins them in the long run. If you heal too often at Rest Sites, your deck stays weak, and you’ll just lose that HP again in the next fight while wasting future power potential. On the other hand, if you Forge too often or early, you might die before you even get to play your new, powered-up cards.

While you should generally lean towards Forge rather than Rest, this is a key decision that you will need to make on a case-by-case (or, run-by-run) basis.

How to Choose Your Next Step

The decision between Resting and Forging in Slay the Spire 2 usually comes down to one question: "How can I survive the next Elite or Boss fight with my current HP?"

• When to Rest: if your HP is below 40-50% and you have a forced Elite or Boss fight coming up immediately, you should select the option that restores health.
• When to Forge: If you are at a comfortable health total or if you have a "key" card (like a build-defining Power) that becomes twice as good once upgraded, you should not waste the opportunity. In high-level play, players try to Forge as much as possible to "outscale" the enemies and their damage output.

Quick Tips for Optimal Rest Site Decisions in Slay the Spire 2

• The "Always Upgrade” Rule: As a rule of thumb, aim to Forge whenever possible. A stronger deck prevents you from taking damage in the first place, reducing the need to Rest later.
• Know Your Key Upgrades: Some cards get a massive boost from upgrading (like reducing their Energy cost from 1 to 0, as in the case of Body Slam and Mirage] ), while others only get a tiny damage or Block bump, like Shrug It Off or Leading Strike. Always prioritize the high-impact mechanical changes.
• Who is the next boss you are about to face? If you are at a Rest Site right before a boss, look at some guides to see who you are fighting. If it's a boss that deals massive burst damage, you might need that 30% HP cushion more than a slightly better card to make it through the encounter.
• Don't Overheal: If you are at 80% HP, Resting is almost always a waste. Take the Forge and get stronger. This will save you more health in the long run.