New Slay the Spire beta adds The Fool and Blitz and Dread modes

The latest Slay the Spire 2 beta adds The Fool, the first new playable character introduced during the game’s Early Access period, alongside two new modes called Blitz and Dread. The update also brings new events, relics and balance changes, making it one of the larger test builds released so far.

There’s an important catch: the update is exclusive to the public beta branch for now. Mega Crit says the new content needs further testing before it moves to the main version, so players who stay on the standard branch won’t see The Fool or the new modes yet.

The Fool is a new character to learn

Mega Crit describes The Fool as a musician who fights with a bow, but the beta notes leave much of the character’s strategy for players to discover. That gives experienced players a new set of interactions to learn, while also making clear that the character is still being tested.

Adding a new character matters in a deck-building game where each run is shaped by a distinct set of cards, relics and decisions. The Fool gives players a fresh way to approach the Spire, but the beta version should be treated as a work in progress. Mega Crit expects to make significant content and balance changes before the character reaches the main branch.

For now, the most useful first impression may come from experimentation rather than trying to settle on a definitive build. The beta exists to expose the character to a wider range of runs and strategies, and player feedback can help show where the design feels strong, weak or unclear.

Blitz compresses the climb

Blitz is a shorter, more condensed mode built around deck-building. It changes the usual structure: the map is removed, gold no longer matters and the Merchant’s shop works differently. Those adjustments put more emphasis on the choices players make while building a deck, rather than on navigating the familiar route through the Spire.

The mode has five Ascension levels shared across all characters. Players unlock Blitz after completing an Ascension run at any difficulty, giving people a reason to try the standard challenge before moving into this faster format. Because its rules differ from the main climb, success may depend on making different decisions about which cards and rewards to prioritize.

Dread is aimed at veteran players

Dread is the tougher of the two additions. It is intended for players who have reached Ascension 10 with every character, including The Fool. All Ascension modifiers are active, bosses become stronger and strengthen other enemies in their Act, and Curses accumulate as players climb.

That combination makes Dread a substantial endgame challenge rather than a second beginner-friendly way to play. The mode is designed for people who have already spent time learning each character and want another reason to test their knowledge. Mega Crit’s description makes clear that completing a run is not expected to be easy.

A beta update, not a finished feature set

The build also adds new events and relics, adjusts balance and makes smaller changes to existing content. These updates give testers more than a new character and two modes to explore, while helping Mega Crit assess how changes to the broader run structure affect the game.

The public beta is available through Steam’s game-version settings. Players can switch branches through the game’s properties, but should remember that this build is still experimental. The main version remains on a more stable release while the new content is tested.

For now, the update’s value is as a substantial preview of what Slay the Spire 2 could become during Early Access. The Fool gives the roster room to grow, Blitz offers a different pace and Dread gives veteran players another steep climb. None is final yet; Mega Crit is using the beta to learn what works before the content reaches everyone.