How To Fight the Fake Merchant in Slay the Spire 2
The Fake Merchant is one of the most surprising encounters in Slay the Spire 2. Appearing in the lower floors of the Tower, this boss can catch even seasoned players off guard. The key to victory lies in understanding his mechanics, building a deck that can handle his attacks, and executing a precise strategy during the fight. Below is a comprehensive guide that will help you defeat the Fake Merchant efficiently.
What Makes the Fake Merchant a Unique Threat
Unlike standard merchants, the Fake Merchant drops a powerful “Foul Potion” that can instantly turn the tide of a battle. He also has a set of unique attacks that combine high damage with card draw, forcing you to adapt quickly. Because the encounter is a secret boss, it does not appear in every playthrough, so you’ll need to be prepared when it does.
Step 1: Prepare Your Deck Before the Encounter
- Prioritize Survivability: Include cards that reduce incoming damage, such as Defend or Clash, and consider adding a relic like Red Skull or Dead Man’s Chest to boost your health pool.
- Control Cards: The Fake Merchant often relies on drawing a large number of cards. Counter this with Neutralize, Deadly Poison, or Poisoned Stab to apply poison stacks and reduce his damage output.
- Energy Management: Pack your deck with low-cost attack cards such as Strike, Bite, or Crush to keep your energy usage efficient. This allows you to maintain a steady flow of attacks throughout the fight.
- Card Removal: Include a removal card like Neutralize or Poisoned Stab to discard the Fake Merchant’s high‑damage cards from his deck, keeping his damage potential low.
Step 2: Key Relics to Carry Into the Fight
- Dead Man’s Chest – Provides a health boost that can be crucial for surviving the initial burst.
- Red Skull – Adds a small amount of damage to every attack, helping you finish the boss faster.
- Dark Plate – Reduces damage taken from a single source, mitigating the Fake Merchant’s powerful attacks.
- Runic Pyramid – Allows you to play a card from your hand twice, perfect for stacking damage or drawing more cards.
Step 3: Fight Strategy – Timing and Execution
During the battle, the Fake Merchant alternates between high damage attacks and card draw. Here’s a step‑by‑step approach to handle each phase.
