Blitz unlocks in Slay the Spire 2 once you complete an Ascension run of any difficulty, and it is only on the public-beta branch. So switch to the beta, open Ascension by beating Act 3 with any character, then finish a run at Ascension 1 or higher, and Blitz is yours.
Mega Crit added Blitz in Beta Patch Notes v0.113.0 on November 12, 2026, alongside the Fool and the much harder Dread mode. Below are the exact steps, what Blitz changes about a run, how its Ascension differs from the standard ladder, and what the notes leave unsaid.
How to Unlock Blitz, Step by Step
- Switch to the beta. In Steam, right-click Slay the Spire 2, open Properties, then Game Versions and Betas, and select
public-beta. Our beta branch guide has the full steps and the catches. - Open Ascension. Beat Act 3 with any character. That unlocks Ascension 1 for them on the character select screen, as our Ascension guide explains.
- Complete an Ascension run. Start a standard run at Ascension 1 or higher and play it to the end. The v0.113.0 notes say Blitz “is unlocked upon completing an Ascension run of any difficulty,” so the level does not matter.
Two things the notes do not settle:
- Does a loss count? The notes say “completing.” Mega Crit has not said whether a run that ends in death counts, so a win at Ascension 1 is the sure route.
- Do older runs count? The notes do not say whether Ascension runs you finished before v0.113.0 count. If Blitz is not open the first time you boot the beta, complete one Ascension run on the beta.
If you have never beaten Act 3, start there. Our best character guide picks the easiest of the five for a first win.
What Blitz Is
Mega Crit describes Blitz as “a condensed and chaotic deckbuilding-focused mode.” The notes list three changes:
- The map is gone. You do not choose a path of rooms the way you do in a standard run.
- The Merchant’s wares “feel a bit off.” The notes do not say how.
- Gold no longer matters.
Blitz also has its own Ascension: 5 levels shared across all characters. The notes do not list what each Blitz level adds.
Blitz vs a Standard Run
| Standard run | Blitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Map | A branching map of rooms | Gone |
| Gold | Spent at the Merchant and in events | “No longer matters” |
| Merchant | As usual | Wares “feel a bit off” |
| Ascension | Ten levels, climbed per character | Five levels, shared across all characters |
| Unlock | Available from the start | Complete an Ascension run of any difficulty |
| Branch | Main and beta | Beta only, for now |
The shared ladder is the big difference. Standard Ascension is climbed one character at a time (Dread’s requirement of Ascension 10 “on all characters” shows it), while Blitz keeps one set of five levels for the whole cast.
Tips for Your First Blitz Runs
- Card choices carry the run. Mega Crit built Blitz around deckbuilding, and with no map to plan, picking cards is where your decisions go.
- Do not lean on Gold. Anything you would normally value for earning or saving Gold has less to offer when Gold no longer matters.
- Try the Fool here. Because Blitz’s levels are shared, a new character does not start you back at the bottom of a ladder. Our Fool guide covers how to get him.
- Expect changes. Blitz is experimental beta content, and Mega Crit has reverted beta changes within weeks before.
Blitz in Co-op
Blitz is not single-player only. In the October 2026 Neowsletter, Casey Yano said the new modes “will work for both singleplayer and multiplayer.” Everyone in the group needs to be on the public-beta branch and the same version; our multiplayer guide covers hosting and joining. The notes do not say whether a co-op Ascension run unlocks Blitz, so a solo run is the safe way to open it.
Want something harder once Blitz is done? Dread asks for Ascension 10 on every character. Our next update guide covers everything else v0.113.0 brought, and every guide is on our Slay the Spire 2 hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock Blitz in Slay the Spire 2? Complete an Ascension run of any difficulty on the public-beta branch. Beat Act 3 to open Ascension 1, then finish a run at Ascension 1 or higher.
Is Blitz on the main branch? No. Blitz is only on the public-beta branch for now, and Mega Crit has not given a date for it to reach main.
How many Ascension levels does Blitz have? Five, shared across all characters.
Does Gold matter in Blitz? No. The patch notes say Gold no longer matters in Blitz, and the map is gone too.
Can you play Blitz in co-op? Yes. Mega Crit says the new modes work in both singleplayer and multiplayer, as long as everyone is on the same beta version.