Build Hub

Strength Build

Strength remains Ironclad’s most direct scaling plan. It becomes especially deadly when paired with multi-hit attacks and vulnerable windows.

strength vulnerable

Cards

24

Relics

17

Potions

6

Core Plan

Gain strength early, convert it with efficient attacks, and use vulnerable to spike damage further.

Best for who

"Best for players who want visible scaling and direct, high-impact attack turns."

How this build works

Strength remains Ironclad’s most direct scaling plan. It becomes especially deadly when paired with multi-hit attacks and vulnerable windows.

Core plan Gain strength early, convert it with efficient attacks, and use vulnerable to spike damage further.

Strengths

High damage ceiling
Simple scaling logic
Great with multi-hit attacks

Weaknesses

Can be slow if overloaded with setup
Needs damage conversion cards
Can lack defense early

Architecture

We categorize resources into Core, Support, and Payoff. A build becomes "real" only when these three layers synchronize.

Core Cards

Primary enablers that define this mechanic's direction.

Brand

Lose 1 HP. Exhaust 1 card. Gain 1 Strength.

exhaust strength

Dark Shackles

Enemy loses 9 Strength this turn. Exhaust.

exhaust strength

Molten Fist

Deal 10 damage. Double the enemy's Vulnerable. Exhaust.

exhaust vulnerable attack-combo

Shockwave

Apply 3 Weak and Vulnerable to ALL enemies. Exhaust.

exhaust vulnerable weak

Support Cards

Stability tools that ensure consistency and survival.

Vicious

Whenever you apply Vulnerable, draw 1 card.

card-draw vulnerable

Payoff Cards

The 'win conditions' that convert setup into overwhelming power.

Rupture

Whenever you lose HP on your turn, gain 1 Strength.

Niche & Situational

Additional cards that synergize under specific conditions.

Bash

JorbsLikely a Starter card, like in STS 1. Bash increases the value of attacks for Ironclad in early game, and even helps Strikes to do some decent damage in early fights.

Deal 8 damage. Apply 2 Vulnerable.

vulnerable attack-combo

Break

Deal 20 damage. Apply 5 Vulnerable.

vulnerable attack-combo

Bully

Deal 4 damage. Deals 2 additional damage for each Vulnerable on the enemy.

vulnerable attack-combo

Colossus

Gain 5 Block. You receive 50% less damage from Vulnerable enemies this turn.

Coordinate

Give another player 5 Strength this turn.

Cruelty

Vulnerable enemies take an additional 25% damage.

Demon Form

At the start of your turn, gain 2 Strength.

Dismantle

Deal 8 damage. If the enemy is Vulnerable, hits twice.

vulnerable attack-combo

Dominate

Gain 1 Strength for each Vulnerable on the enemy.

strength vulnerable

Fight Me

Deal 5 damage twice. Gain 2 Strength. The enemy gains 1 Strength.

strength attack-combo

Inflame

Gain 2 Strength.

Mangle

Deal 15 damage. Enemy loses 10 Strength this turn.

strength attack-combo

Prowess

Gain 1 Strength. Gain 1 Dexterity.

Setup Strike

Deal 7 damage. Gain 2 Strength this turn.

strength attack-combo

Taunt

Gain 7 Block. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

Thunderclap

Deal 4 damage and apply 1 Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

vulnerable attack-combo

Tremble

Apply 2 Vulnerable.

Uppercut

Deal 13 damage. Apply 1 Weak. Apply 1 Vulnerable.

vulnerable weak attack-combo

Synergistic Relics

Passive items that amplify this build's ceiling.

Bag of Marbles

At the start of each combat, apply 1 Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

Brimstone

At the start of your turn, gain 2 Strength and ALL enemies gain 1 Strength.

Ember Tea

At the start of the next 5 combats, gain 2 Strength.

Girya

You can now gain Strength at Rest Sites.

Hand Drill

Whenever you break an enemy's Block, apply 2 Vulnerable.

block vulnerable

Paper Phrog

Enemies with Vulnerable take 75% more damage rather than 50%.

Philosopher's Stone

Gain at the start of each turn. ALL enemies start combat with 1 Strength.

Rainbow Ring

The first time you play an Attack, Skill, and Power each turn, gain 1 Strength and 1 Dexterity.

strength dexterity attack-combo

Red Skull

While your HP is at or below 50%, you have 3 additional Strength.

Reptile Trinket

Whenever you use a potion, gain 3 Strength this turn.

Ruined Helmet

The first time you gain Strength each combat, double the amount gained.

Shuriken

Every time you play 3 Attacks in a single turn, gain 1 Strength.

strength attack-combo

Sling of Courage

Start each Elite combat with 2 Strength.

Sparkling Rouge

At the start of your 3rd turn, gain 1 Strength and 1 Dexterity.

strength dexterity

Sword of Jade

Start each combat with 3 Strength.

Toasty Mittens

At the start of your turn, Exhaust the top card of your Draw Pile and gain 1 Strength.

exhaust strength card-draw

Vajra

Start each combat with 1 Strength.

Strategic Potions

Emergency tools to bridge gaps in difficult elite matchups.

Flex Potion

Gain 5 Strength. At the end of your turn, lose 5 Strength.

Fysh Oil

Gain 1 Strength and 1 Dexterity.

strength dexterity

Potion of Binding

Apply 1 Weak and 1 Vulnerable to ALL enemies.

vulnerable weak

Shackling Potion

ALL enemies lose 7 Strength this turn.

Strength Potion

Gain 2 Strength.

Vulnerable Potion

Apply 3 Vulnerable.

Pro Tip: Balance your shell

"If your deck only has payoffs, it's a glass cannon that will misfire. If it only has support, you'll eventually be out-scaled. Look for the Golden Ratio between establishment, consistency, and victory."

Build FAQ

What is the core idea behind Strength Build?

The goal is to identify the mechanic that actually wins fights, then build around enough support pieces to make that plan reliable.

Do I need every core card to make Strength Build work?

No. In Early Access, most builds are better understood as directions rather than exact decklists. What matters most is whether you have enough engine, support, and payoff to make the build coherent.

Why does this page separate core, support, and payoff?

Because a strong build is not just a list of good cards. Core pieces enable the mechanic, support pieces keep the build consistent, and payoff pieces convert that setup into real combat power.