Slay the Spire is a challenging roguelike deck-building game that requires strategic planning and adaptability to overcome its procedurally generated levels. One of the most powerful and game-changing cards for the Silent character is Nightmare. This rare skill card allows for impressive combos and game-breaking setups if used properly. Understanding how to maximize the potential of Nightmare can give players a huge advantage, especially in higher ascension levels where every decision matters. Learning how to use Nightmare effectively not only enhances your runs but also reveals the depth and creativity possible within the Silent’s card pool.
What Is Nightmare in Slay the Spire?
Card Overview
Nightmare is a rare skill card exclusive to the Silent. It costs 3 energy and has the following effect:
- Base Effect: Choose a card in your hand. At the start of your next turn, add 3 copies of that card into your hand. They cost 0 energy for that turn.
This mechanic enables you to replicate powerful cards and potentially dominate an entire fight with a single strategic turn. Because the copies are created at the start of the next turn, planning ahead is essential to make the most of this card.
Upgraded Version
When upgraded, Nightmare reduces its cost from 3 to 2 energy, making it significantly more flexible. This cost reduction allows it to be used more often without sacrificing your entire turn, especially when combined with energy-boosting relics or potions.
When to Use Nightmare
Choosing the Right Card
The success of Nightmare relies heavily on which card you choose to duplicate. Ideal targets include:
- Wraith Form: Extending intangibility by duplicating this power card can make you untouchable for several turns.
- After Image: Generating multiple stacks of block per card played helps in scaling defense quickly.
- Backflip or Cloak and Dagger: Great for creating value loops of card draw and defense.
- Tools of the Trade: Multiple copies give consistent card manipulation every turn.
- Calculated Gamble or Setup: These can enable complex combo chains if built properly.
Duplicating damage cards like Glass Knife or multi-hit attacks can also work if you aim for an aggressive burst strategy, but generally, duplicating utility or power cards yields better long-term value.
Synergy with Powers and Relics
Nightmare works even better with energy-generating relics or cards. Consider the following combinations:
- Energy Relics: Velvet Choker, Coffee Dripper, or Sozu provide the extra energy needed to play Nightmare and set up your turn without skipping other actions.
- Dead Branch: When combined with Nightmare and cards that exhaust, you can create chaos in your deck and potentially win fights through endless card generation.
- Corruption (if using Silent + Green relic mod): Nightmare plus zero-cost skills allows for explosive combos.
Nightmare in Different Game Scenarios
Act 1 Usage
Finding Nightmare in Act 1 can be risky due to its high energy cost, but if you have a good energy relic or energy-generating cards like Adrenaline, it becomes more viable. Use it to duplicate strong defensive or card draw skills for Act 2 preparation. It’s not recommended to use it for burst damage early unless you already have synergy in place.
Act 2 and Act 3 Power
By Act 2, Nightmare becomes a more reliable asset. You should have a better idea of your deck’s direction defensive, poison, or shiv-focused and be able to use Nightmare accordingly. In Act 3, Nightmare shines brightest when used in critical elite or boss fights. Timing becomes everything. Set up your combo one turn ahead, then unleash with free copies the next turn.
Boss Fights and Elite Combats
Against bosses like Time Eater or Awakened One, Nightmare must be used carefully. The Time Eater limits the number of cards you can play per turn, so duplicating low-cost cards can backfire. For Awakened One, duplicating powers will strengthen the boss. In such cases, duplicating skills or attack cards might be safer. Elites like Nemesis or Giant Head can be wrecked by strategic Nightmare plays when you predict their damage windows.
Deck Archetypes That Benefit from Nightmare
Poison Build
Nightmare is fantastic in poison-focused builds, especially when used on:
- Bouncing Flask: Duplicating this can stack poison rapidly.
- Catalyst (especially upgraded): Multiply poison damage massively when played in multiples.
These combinations can allow for a one-turn kill against bosses, especially if you can survive long enough to set up the duplication turn.
Shiv Deck
In a Shiv-focused deck with cards like Blade Dance or Infinite Blades, Nightmare can be used to generate a massive hand filled with attack options. Ideal targets here include:
- Accuracy: Enhances all Shivs’ damage.
- Blade Dance or Cloak and Dagger: Creates multiple Shivs and block.
Power Deck
Power decks benefit from duplicating cards like After Image, Tools of the Trade, and Wraith Form. Having multiple power cards on the field makes your character scale exponentially each turn.
Combining Nightmare with Other Cards
Setups with Prepared and Calculated Gamble
Using Prepared before Nightmare lets you curate your hand to ensure you only duplicate useful cards. Calculated Gamble can reshuffle your hand to draw the duplicated copies efficiently on the next turn. This works well with low-energy or free cards.
Setup for Free Play
If you have Setup (a skill that makes another card free next turn), use it in combination with Nightmare to plan a massive turn where powerful high-cost cards can be played multiple times without using energy.
Corpse Explosion Surprise
Corpse Explosion, while situational, can be a devastating card to duplicate. If you’re about to face multiple enemies or an elite fight with minions, having multiple Corpse Explosions ensures chain reaction kills that clear the board instantly.
Tips and Tricks
- Plan a turn ahead when using Nightmare. The payoff comes next turn, so don’t expect instant value.
- Use Potion of Energy or Blessing of the Forge to make Nightmare easier to play or improve target cards.
- Don’t duplicate cards with Exhaust unless you plan to prevent their exhaustion or retrieve them.
- Nightmare works especially well in longer battles where you can afford setup time. Avoid using it in short fights unless it gives you guaranteed lethal.
Nightmare in Slay the Spire is more than just a duplication card it’s a window into creating powerful strategies that can define your run. With the right timing, deck composition, and understanding of enemy mechanics, this card can tip the balance in your favor. Whether you’re building a poison engine, a shiv storm, or stacking defensive power, Nightmare gives the Silent unmatched flexibility. Mastering its use not only improves your win rate but also deepens your appreciation for the intricate strategy at the heart of Slay the Spire.